Immerse yourself in Alaska’s natural splendor, exploring three extraordinary national parks—Denali, Wrangell-St. Elias, and Kenai Fjords—and delving into Alaska’s rich heritage in Anchorage.
Alaska's Natural Wonders: Denali to Kenai Fjords
11 days from $8,297 | includes airfare, taxes and all fees
Immerse yourself in Alaska’s natural splendor, exploring three extraordinary national parks—Denali, Wrangell-St. Elias, and Kenai Fjords—and delving into Alaska’s rich heritage in Anchorage.
Tour Details
WHAT OUR TRAVELERS SAY
- Diane K.[This journey] well exceeded our expectations - having our own personal Ph.D. geologist with us to answer our questions in real-time was a huge bonus. Our tour director kept everything running smoothly, allowing us time to enjoy the fauna and flora to the max. Truly a memorable trip!
- Marcia, M.This Smithsonian Journeys tour of Alaska was top quality in every respect: sights visited, including magnificent, less visited Wrangell-St Elias National Park, information provided for each location plus additional narration and commentary during travel between sites; optional free time suggestions for hikes, flight-seeing and other activities; accommodations; guides and Smithsonian experts.
JOURNEYS DISPATCHES
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Anchorage Marriott Downtown
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
The Marriott Anchorage Downtown boasts a convienient location within the downtown core and just five miles from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. Spacious guest rooms offer picturesque city and mountain views and feature plush beds, a coffee maker and bathrooms with fine bath amenities. There is a café and restaurant on site as well as a fitness studio and indoor heated pool.
Denali Park Village Lodge
Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska, United States
Located seven miles south of the Denali National Park entrance, the Denali Park Village Lodge property is nestled along the banks of the Nenana River. The lodge’s property is spread across 20 acres and offers light hiking and interpretive trails. Lodge amenities include a restaurant, Alaskan-style saloon, lobby with fireplace, outdoor seating area overlooking the wilderness, gift shop, and complimentary park shuttle service. Each of the 188 air-conditioned guestrooms features a private bath with hairdryer, TV, and phone.
Please note: only one of the property’s seven two-story buildings has an elevator.
Kennicott Glacier Lodge
Kennicott, Alaska, United States
This family-owned lodge offers guests breathtaking Alaskan scenery, overlooking 25 miles of glacier and surrounded by 14 of the continent’s highest mountain peaks. A replica of one of the town’s historic copper mining buildings, the Kennicott Glacier Lodge sits in the heart of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park – America’s largest national park – and is the park’s only lodge. The main building offers a 190-foot-long front porch with a panoramic view of the Chugach and Wrangell Mountains, as well as a restaurant, reading/family room, TV/gathering room, complimentary Wi-Fi Internet access, and a number of outdoor activities. Each of the spacious guest rooms features a private bath.
Please note: guest rooms do not have phones, TVs, or minibars. However, they do offer electrical outlets.
Best Western Lake Lucille Inn
Wasilla, Alaska, United States
This inn is located on the banks of Lake Lucille, offering stunning panoramic views of natural beauty. The hotel has a restaurant and offers complimentary Wi-Fi internet access. Also located on site is a gym and a dock for boats and float planes. Each of the guest rooms have a private bath with hair dryer, flat screen TV, and mini-fridge.
Please note the hotel is currently undergoing hotel-wide refurbishments and improvements to the lobby, guest rooms, and restaurant with a completion date in May 2023.
Seward Windsong Lodge
Seward, Alaska, United States
Set in a glacial valley by the Resurrection River, just outside Seward and down the road from spectacular Exit Glacier, the Seward Windsong Lodge makes an ideal base for exploring Kenai Fjords National Park. Lodge amenities include a restaurant, bar, espresso bar, and complimentary Wi-Fi internet access. The hotel also provides shuttle service to Exit Glacier for guests interested in taking a walking tour. Each of the 180 guest rooms has a private bath with hairdryer, coffee maker, minibar, TV, and phone.
Expectations: This Classic Land Journey features long touring days, many full-day excursions, and a full and active itinerary with a faster pace and longer distances. Some tours may have activities with higher intensity and more active choices/options. Excursions require standing and walking for extended periods of time over more difficult terrain (muddy/slippery walking/hiking trails, glaciers, city hills, stairs without handrails, limited or no access to elevators), and walking in city centers where coaches are prohibited. The itinerary features several hikes, use of local buses and boats, and several prop plane rides. There may be some early morning departures and later evening returns. Travelers will spend time in remote and/or rugged regions, with some touring at higher altitudes with steep ascents/descents. There are options for more active excursions (such as moderate hiking and rafting.
Appropriate for: Travelers who are physically fit, lead active lives, are comfortable participating in long days of activities, and expect some physical exertion.
WHAT OUR TRAVELERS SAY
- Diane K.[This journey] well exceeded our expectations - having our own personal Ph.D. geologist with us to answer our questions in real-time was a huge bonus. Our tour director kept everything running smoothly, allowing us time to enjoy the fauna and flora to the max. Truly a memorable trip!
- Marcia, M.This Smithsonian Journeys tour of Alaska was top quality in every respect: sights visited, including magnificent, less visited Wrangell-St Elias National Park, information provided for each location plus additional narration and commentary during travel between sites; optional free time suggestions for hikes, flight-seeing and other activities; accommodations; guides and Smithsonian experts.
Highly Recommended
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For the convenience of our travelers, Smithsonian Journeys includes a basic medical expense and evacuation plan through Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance & Insurance Services brand, at no additional charge. This plan provides post-departure Medical and Dental coverage of $250,000 per person and Emergency Assistance and Transportation coverage of $1,000,000 per person (U.S. Residents Only). Note: For full details regarding these coverages please review the following Plan Documents here.
In addition, we recommend that travelers purchase a travel protection plan to help protect their travel investment from unforeseen events such as cancellation due to illness, flight delays due to adverse weather, baggage loss, and more. For your convenience, Smithsonian Journeys offers an optional Travel Protection Plan administered by Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance & Insurance Services brand. For those interested, optional "Cancel for Any Reason" coverage is available for an additional charge. Note: Certain eligibility requirements apply and Cancel for Any Reason coverage is not available to New York residents. For full details regarding this coverage please review the following Plan Documents here.
To learn more about the Travel Protection Plan, you may visit https://www.generalipartner.com/smithsonianjourneys or call the administrator, Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance & Insurance Services brand at (866) 501-3252.