Wonder and Discovery

Of Alaska’s Interior

DAY 1 FLY TO ANCHORAGE/PRIVATE ART STUDIO TOUR

Arrival at Anchorage International Airport; pick up your rental car and self-drive to the private home of Jon Van Zyle.

The VanZyle’s host private tours of their gallery, studio and kennel near Eagle River approximately 15 miles from downtown Anchorage. Visit their studio and their kennel of friendly Siberian Huskies; walk through their lush summer gardens, while sharing stories with them and learning about the Iditarod History. The tour will combine history, art, and lots of storytelling. The VanZyle’s maintain a kennel of a dozen or so Siberian Huskies that provide companionship, transportation, adventures and inspiration of their art.

After your tour, you’ll drive back into town and check into your accommodations in downtown Anchorage at the Hotel Captain Cook. Each of the Hotel Captain Cook’s 547 luxury accommodations of rooms and suites offer a stunning view of the neighboring Cook Inlet or the Chugach Mountains.

7 Days 6 Nights Tour Highlights: Private tour at Iditarod Artist’s Studio Home/Walking tour of historic Talkeetna/Shared jet boat excursion/Travel & Explore Denali National Park at backcountry lodge/Mt. McKinley Flightseeing/Rail passage through beautiful Turnagain Arm/Glacier cruising in Prince William Sound-with best-in-class accommodations.

5:30pm-7:30pm

Appetizers in the Captain’s Deck at hotel.

Dining in Anchorage: Fine dining at the Crow’s Nest inside the Hotel Captain Cook, or more of a casual experience enjoy the Glacier Brew house, Simon and Seafort’s, and Marx Brothers Cafe to name a few options for your dining this evening.

Accommodations: Hotel Captain Cook, Deluxe room on the Captain’s Deck

Meals: Appetizers on the Captain’s Deck

DAY 2 PRIVATE WALKING TOUR OF TALKEETNA/JET BOAT EXCURSION 6:00am-7:00am Breakfast buffet in the Captain’s Deck Lounge.

This morning check out of the Hotel Captain Cook and drive three hours north to the delightful town of Talkeetna.

En route to Talkeetna a must see stop is at the Alaska Native Heritage Center. The Alaska Native Heritage Center, a renowned cultural center and museum in Anchorage, is an exciting place where all people can come to expand their understanding of Alaska's Indigenous people.

Arrive Talkeetna and meet your guide at the visitor’s center in downtown Talkeetna for your private walking tour. This small town has many buildings on the National Historic Register, a variety of shops and galleries. From Talkeetna you can explore wilderness trails, soar over mountain peaks, or tour the rivers and catch some Alaska salmon.

After you’re walking tour, check into your accommodations at the Talkeetna Alaska Lodge. Talkeetna Alaska Lodge; is set on a ridge above the historic small community of Talkeetna on the south side of Mt. McKinley. The Lodge offers you unforgettable views of Mt. McKinley and the Alaska Range, yet is just minutes from adventure.

Late afternoon experience the history and natural beauty of Talkeetna on a wilderness jet boat tour. Travel up the river and scan the banks of the river for local wildlife such as bears, moose, eagles, and more. Bring your camera for an unforgettable picture view of Mt. McKinley from the river. After your afternoon excursion, travel back to the Talkeetna Alaska Lodge for a relaxing evening on own.

Dining in Talkeetna: Offering exquisite Wild Alaskan seafood and game at the Foraker Restaurant inside the Talkeetna Alaska Lodge.

Accommodations: Talkeetna Alaska Lodge, Mountain View room

Meals: Breakfast on Captain’s Deck Lounge

DAY 3 TRAVEL THROUGH DENALI NATIONAL PARK/ARRIVE KANTISHNA ROADHOUSE

9:30am-Check out of your accommodation at the Talkeetna Alaska Lodge and drive 3-hours on a

scenic journey to Denali. There will be a designated area at Denali Park’s Entrance where you can

park you rental car during your travels into Denali National Park. Check in at Kantishna

Roadhouse’s shuttle service for the afternoon departure. 1:30pm-Depart on your scenic shared transfer to Kantishna Roadhouse. There will be stops along

the way to enjoy wildlife viewing and to stretch your legs. The Kantishna Roadhouse offers a once in a lifetime Alaskan travel experience. Located 90 miles into the pristine natural wonder of Denali National Park in a remote area where few are lucky enough to travel, you will find adventure, tranquility and an escape from every-day modern life. Come and experience true Alaskan hospitality in this historic back country lodge.

Your trip to Kantishna Roadhouse will take you past views of Wonder Lake and Reflection Pond.

The right conditions may yield a fantastic view and photo opportunities of Mt. McKinley.

The Kantishna Roadhouse has several different log cabin styles. They are all delightfully scenic, quiet and cozy. All cabins are just minutes away from the Roadhouse’s main building, dining room and saloon. 7:45pm Approx. Arrival at Kantishna Roadhouse. You will be greeted by the staff, provided a

Roadhouse ordination of the facilities and then directed to your accommodations.

Dinner After your orientation dinner will be served in the main dining room.

Accommodations: Kantishna Roadhouse, guest cabin

Meals: Dinner at Roadhouse

DAY 4

ACTIVITIES AT KANTISHNA ROADHOUSE IN DENALI NATIONAL PARK

You’ll have a full day to explore the splendor of Denali at your leisure. Explore the wilderness trails in search of wildlife and exceptional views of Denali. Visit the original cabins of Kantishna’s early settlers and try your hand at gold panning in the crystal waters of the creek at the lodge.

Indulge yourself with a massage, a hike or bike ride alongside a sparkling creek, a glass of wine on the deck of your cabin or simply some quiet time immersed in the spectacular surroundings. We invite you to be transformed in one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Choose from a wide variety of guided/unguided day hikes around the Kantishna Gold Mining District. Each hike offers a different opportunity to explore the area. Choose your comfort level and leave the rest up to staff. All hiking is curtailed to the level of the traveler.

Take a shuttle tour to Wonder Lake or explore the countryside by bicycle. Enjoy your day’s adventure at your own pace and share your experiences over a delicious dinner back at the lodge.

Accommodations: Kantishna Roadhouse, guest cabin

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at Roadhouse

DAY 5

DEPART KANTISHNA /MT MCKINLEY FLIGHTSEEING/SELF DRIVE TO ANCHORAGE

Morning-Enjoy your morning at the Kantishna Roadhouse before your morning flight aboard a

Wheel plane back to Denali Park’s Entrance with en-route Mt. McKinley flightseeing.

You will be taken on an aerial journey following the gently rising terrain, past numerous kettle

ponds, upward to the base of Denali (Mt. McKinley), which stands at 20,320 ft. (6194 m.) As one of the most premier flightseeing experiences; you’ll spend 60 minutes viewing the enormous glaciers,

towering granite walls and snow-covered peaks that enshrine North America’s greatest mountain.

The view, no doubt, offers a perspective of Alaska that will make this one-hour scenic air

adventure a highlight of your vacation. The duration of the flight is ideal for in-depth sightseeing

and photography. If weather conditions allow, circumnavigate the entire Denali massif

making it Denali sightseeing at its best.

Arrival at Denali National Park’s entrance, pick up your rental car and head south to Anchorage. Travel time from the park entrance to Anchorage is approximately a 5 hour drive.

A recommended stop along the way from Denali to Anchorage is at the Musk Ox Farm. The non-profit Musk Ox Farm is dedicated to the domestication of the musk ox, an Ice Age mammal that once roamed the earth alongside saber tooth tigers and woolly mammoths. The Musk Ox Farm welcomes visitors to the farm for a close up experience of these magnificent Paleolithic ruminants with guided tours, engaging exhibits, a gift shop featuring hand-knit qiviut items, and community events throughout the year.

Arrive Anchorage and settle into your luxurious accommodations at the Hotel Captain Cook.

Accommodations: Hotel Captain Cook, Deluxe room on the Captain’s Deck

Meals: Breakfast at Roadhouse appetizers on the Captain’s Deck

DAY 6 DAY TRIP TO WHITTIER FOR PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND GLAICIER CRUISE

This morning you will privately transfer from the Hotel Captain Cook to the Alaska Rail station to board your train passage to Whittier. The Glacier Discovery train travels from Anchorage south along Turnagain Arm on a 2 ½ hour scenic rail journey. The train picks up the shore of Turnagain Arm, where beluga whales feed on small fish and salmon heading to spawning grounds. This area is part of the Chugach National Forest, at six million acres, the second largest national forest in the U.S. Dall sheep come down from the peaks of the Chugach Mountains and eagles cruise the shoreline looking for an easy meal.

Upon arrival into Whittier you will transfer to the marina to board your ship for a glacier cruise in Prince William Sound. Explore the beauty and grandeur of Prince William Sound in search of breathtaking scenery, towering waterfalls, massive glaciers and wildlife such as: eagles, harbor seals, otters and whales. Rather than sailing from glacier to glacier, stop at each one, floating among the icebergs, giving you plenty of time to take in Mother Nature’s glorious ice sculptures. Listen to the glaciers as they groan and crack, an indication that enormous sections of ice are about to calve off and splash into the bay.

After your 4 ½ hour Prince William Sound cruise you will be transferred to the Alaska rail station in Whittier to board your return trip back to Anchorage. Upon arrival to the rail station in Anchorage, privately transfer to the Hotel Captain Cook; enjoying the beautiful midnight sun that brightens up the evening Alaskan sky.

Accommodations: Hotel Captain Cook, Deluxe room on the Captain’s Deck

Meals: Lunch on day cruise

DAY 7 DEPART ANCHORAGE/FLY HOME 6:00am-7:00am Breakfast buffet in the Captain’s Deck Lounge.

After breakfast, drive to the Anchorage Airport, return your rental car and board your departing flight home.