Day 1:  Anchorage for 1 night
Pick up car in Anchorage
Fullsize SUV  Chevrolet Tahoe or similar automatic unlimited mileage basic coverage
Accommodation at Hotel Captain Cook
Located in downtown Anchorage, this luxury hotel is near the Anchorage Museum.
Large and modern hotel with  4 restaurants, a conference centre, and 15 retail stores.\.
Among the various dining options is the Crow’s Nest featuring fine dining French/American cuisine and a wide variety of wine. The Pantry café specializes in Alaskan dishes.
Beautiful views of the Chugach Mountains or Cook Inlet are provided from each room at Captain Cook Hotel. Decorated with rich colors and carpeted floors, all rooms include free Wi-Fi and a refrigerator.
https://captaincook.com/

Rest of the day at leisure to explore on own

Located in Southcentral Alaska on the shores of Cook Inlet, the Municipality of Anchorage is a unique urban environment situated in the heart of the wilderness. There’s a special mystique to Alaska. The name conjures up adventure, raw natural beauty — glaciers, mountains and seas, unmatched the world around — fascinating wildlife, a unique cultural heritage, and independent, pioneering people. Here you will find four-star restaurants and small cafes, an outstanding Museum of History and Art and a multitude of other fun activities.
Enjoy downtown shopping at any of the artist hot spots, or relax and enjoy the nightlife of Anchorage. Infamous restaurants dot the downtown area and offer wonderful opportunities to enjoy everything from fresh salmon to prime rib. Be sure to get to sleep early, as tomorrow is the start of your tour.

Day 2: Wasilla for 1 night
This morning brings one of the most scenic drives in the state. As you head north to Chickaloon, an overlook stop reveals the Knik Glacier, the Matanuska River and the Chugach Mountains in their full glory. The Matanuska River winds its way north beside us, cutting a cavern of beauty through the Matanuska Valley.
Then it off to Sheep Mountain Lodge
Sheep Mountain Lodge offers spectacular homemade soups, triple berry pie, and try their glacier cookies drizzled in chocolate syrup!! This area is also a famous viewing area for Dall sheep. So keep your cameras handy.After a stop for a hearty lunch, discover the true beauty of glaciers up close & personal. Ice cramp-ons and walking sticks are your first step to enjoying your glacier trek adventure.

Matanuska Glacier Hike at 1:30 pm
This tour will take you on a canoe paddle over an iceberg-filled lake, walk on top of the Mendenhall Glacier, and explore it’s deep blue glacial pools and crevasses. Every portion of this tour boasts stunning views and unforgettable environments. The exclusivity of this limited-capacity excursion provides an up-close experience with the glacier away from the crowds.
The adventure starts with a canoe paddle across Mendenhall Lake, which is brimming with icebergs and expansive views of the glacier from the water. Along the way, enjoy learning about the Mendenhall Glacier, Alaska’s history, the local community, traditional ways of life, and the unique Alaska environment from your friendly and entertaining guide.
After the scenic paddle, your knowledgeable guide(s) will beach the canoe next to the base of the glacier and lead your group on a hike onto the glacier’s surface with 360-degree views of expansive untouched natural beauty. You will be able to document this experience of a lifetime with multiple photo opportunities; so don’t forget your camera!
Glaciers are constantly changing and so are glacial features including the famous Mendenhall Glacier Ice Caves. If our guides locate a glacier ice cave, you’ll be able to explore it’s stunning blue walls and ceiling under safe conditions. We cannot guarantee any specific glacial features including caves.
The tour concludes with a return paddle across Mendenhall Lake
Enjoy the splendor of the “frozen river” as you walk out to a scenic lake hidden under the face of an ice fall. No experience is necessary to join in the fun, however, the terrain presents shale rocks, muddy silt, slippery ice, and small ice fissures. Intermittently placed picnic benches allow guests to choose their own participation level.

Accommodation at Hotel Meier Lake Resort
Facing the beachfront in Wasilla, Meier Lake Resort features a garden and a private beach area. There is a terrace and guests can make use of free WiFi and free private parking.
The units at the resort come with a seating area. At Meier Lake Resort all rooms are equipped with a desk and a shared bathroom.
Guests at the accommodation can enjoy a continental breakfast.
https://www.meierlake.com/

Day 3:  Denali  National Park for 2 nights
Talkeetna is a local town sporting the most photographed scenes in the state of Alaska, the towering peaks of Mt. McKinley & the Alaska mountain rang
Only 1 ½ hours north, this town is a hub for international mountain climbers.  A quaint town, many local artisans show off their wares for visitors to enjoy. From outside markets to indoor shops, you can find native artwork, hand-made birch products, local beauty products made from silt or even the newest 420 shop. 
Next, take time to enjoy lunch at one of several local bistro’s. 
Mountain High Pizza Pie makes a fantastic “special sauce” on all their flat-bread sandwiches.  Then wander over to the Historical Talkeetna Roadhouse, for some desserts and pastries that will make your mouth water.
Enjoy a stop at the Kahiltna Birch Syrup Workshop, to step back in time and see how nature provides the scrumptious syrups and candies form our native birch trees. 
Continue  to Denali National Park, cross over Hurricane Gulch, so have your cameras ready. The vistas are breathtaking!  

Accommodation at The Grande Denali Lodge
The Grande Denali Lodge, with 160 guest rooms and 6 guest cabins, is conveniently located one mile north of the entrance of Denali National Park. Perched above the park atop Sugarloaf Mountain, the Grande has the best views of the Alaska Range in the area. The courtesy shuttle will take you to the Denali National Park visitors center, Alaska Railroad depot, Denali bus depot and area attractions, just a few minutes away from your serene retreat on the hill.
https://www.denalialaska.com/grande-denali-lodge/home

Day 4
Everything about Denali National Park is big: the scenery, the mountains, the incredible beauty and the animals.

Denali Park Shuttle Tour, an excellent way to spot the wildlife for which Alaska is so famous: moose, bear, wolves, caribou, dall sheep.
The bus stops every 1 hr 10 min. for restrooms and whenever wildlife is sighted as you travel. Opened in June 2008 the completely reconstructed Eielson Visitor Center was built as sustainable construction and features informative interpretive exhibits. This is the turnaround point, allowing 30 minutes to explore the visitor center or the surrounding area with a short hike. This shuttle time is 8 hours roundtrip, including all stops. AAU arranges for and includes a boxed lunch and beverage for the trip. So bring your camera and binoculars.
Mount McKinley National Park was established in 1917 to protect its large mammals, not because of majestic Mt. McKinley. In 1980, the boundary was expanded to include both the Denali caribou herds wintering and calving ground and the entire Mt. McKinley massif. This more than tripled the size of the park, and was renamed Denali National Park and Preserve. It was also designated an International Biosphere Reserve significant for the potential for sub-arctic ecosystem research.
Denali is an Athabascan word meaning “The High One”. The mountain is officially named Mt. McKinley but is also referred to as Denali. Mt. McKinley is the highest peak in North America at 20,320 feet. It creates its own weather system and is often covered in clouds. Mt. McKinley is only visible about 1/3 of the time, so visitors to the park only have about a 30% chance of viewing Mt. McKinley.

 Day 5:  Wasilla for 1 night
Denali Rafting Canyon Whitewater Run
The exhilarating Canyon Run puts in at Kingfisher Creek confluence. The current is swift and the river quickly narrows as it weaves through the Class II and III Razorback, Iceworm, and Two Rocks rapids. Rafters have a few moments to catch their breath, although the rest is brief. From here, the river rushes into the Nenana River Gorge.
A series of six Class III and IV rapids roil below the steep gorge walls, tumbling through churning eddies and holes before squeezing through the tricky Narrows. Exhilarated and likely a bit wet, everyone can breathe an exhilarated sigh of relief now. It’s mild water till the pull-out at Healy. The trip concludes with a 15-minute drive back to the raft office.
Many guests love the Visitor’s Center and all it has to offer. From Alaskan movies, guided ranger hikes, ranger talks, dog sled demonstrations, to shopping. Get out there and enjoy the great trail system in the park, starting at the Visitors Center.
Discover the Muir Science Center and the great geology and wildlife of the park. A café is available right next to the Park Visitor Center as well as theater, bookstore and more. These are all included in your tour.
This afternoon, after a great day, begin your journey back to the Matanuska Valley. Stops at several photo viewpoints will allow for more memories to take home.

Accommodation at Hotel Meier Lake Resort
Facing the beachfront in Wasilla, Meier Lake Resort features a garden and a private beach area. There is a terrace and guests can make use of free WiFi and free private parking.
The units at the resort come with a seating area. At Meier Lake Resort all rooms are equipped with a desk and a shared bathroom.
Guests at the accommodation can enjoy a continental breakfast.
https://www.meierlake.com/

Day 6:  Anchorage for 1 night
Today experience spectacular views of Hatcher’s Pass and the Independence Gold Mine, built in the early 1900’s.
Here you have your choice of taking a walk on paved trails, or hiking back into the mountains for a real adventure. Those who love photography will have a real photo safari here with the arctic flora and fauna.

Half day Knik Glacier
Lake George, an ice dammed lake was once responsible for floods of cataclysmic proportions. Knik Glacier, 28 miles long, 6 miles wide and over 1000 feet thick, is one of Alaska’s grandest natural attractions.
Knik Glacier, born in the Pleistocene Glaciation period (the beginning of the Ice Age) 600,000 years ago, covered the Anchorage bowl and the entire Cook Inlet. While it remains active, motion imperceptible to the naked eye, this glacier is in a constant state of change.  Participants should be able to step in and out of a Jet Boat or Air Boat window, which requires some agility. Participants should also be able to navigate a loose gravel trail with a slight incline. Participants must have the ability to walk unassisted.  After traveling all over the state of Alaska, the Knik Glacier always turns out to be a trip highlight.
Your adventure begins with a 4 mile cross country ride in our custom lifted 4×4 van and monster truck. We call this our “Alaska Safari”. Keep your camera’s ready as moose and other wildlife sightings are common. We travel 4 miles through the spectacular backcountry of Lake George National Natural Landmark. We will cross rivers, view salmon spawning areas, see beautiful fields of wildflowers and get your first views of the mighty Knik Glacier. You’re half way there. We arrive at the halfway point « Glacier Island » where the boats are waiting. Now, it’s time to jump in the boats and begin the 4 mile journey up river. You will experience the thrill of flying on the water in our fully enclosed airboat and extreme shallow Jet boat. We pass waterfalls, the occasional stray iceberg and keep an eye out for wildlife. As we approach the Knik Glacier you will feel the temperature begin to drop. You will be awestruck by the sheer size of the Knik Glacier.
Get ready to « OOOH! » and « AAAH! » as your captain slows the boat and you find yourself floating among thousands of blue icebergs. You have arrived. This is the Alaska that you dreamed about. The ice takes on shades of blue that appear to be lit from within. We’ll cruise around Icebergs for some great photo opportunities then pull ashore for a one hour visit to Glacier Camp. Here you can pull up a chair for a front row seat to one of nature’s most impressive natural wonders. Enjoy a hot drink and a snack from the camp kitchen. Your guide will set up a spotting scope and search the surrounding mountains for wildlife.

Drive back to Anchorage and drop off car

Accommodation at Hotel Captain Cook
Located in downtown Anchorage, this luxury hotel is near the Anchorage Museum.
Large and modern hotel with  4 restaurants, a conference centre, and 15 retail stores.\.
Among the various dining options is the Crow’s Nest featuring fine dining French/American cuisine and a wide variety of wine. The Pantry café specializes in Alaskan dishes.
Beautiful views of the Chugach Mountains or Cook Inlet are provided from each room at Captain Cook Hotel. Decorated with rich colors and carpeted floors, all rooms include free Wi-Fi and a refrigerator.
https://captaincook.com/

Day 7:  Seward for 1 night
Board your First Class Gold Star glass-domed train.
Departure at 6:45 am, arrival at 10:05 am
Passengers that purchase the GoldStar deluxe package receive priority check-in at select depots and are seated on the second level of the two-story fully-domed car. GoldStar passengers will ride in the newest and most luxurious, double-decker dome cars on the train. These cars are positioned near the front of the train with the best views from the upper level outdoor viewing platform. This is the only railcar ever built with an upper level outdoor deck.

GoldStar passengers receive breakfast on board the dining car, as well as complimentary non-alcoholic beverages throughout the trip, and two drinks of beer, wine and spirits at the private bar located on the upper level of the GoldStar car. GoldStar passengers also have access to an open air, glass-roofed, viewing deck on the upper level to the rear of the car, and have priority seating in the dining car which is located directly below them on the first level. GoldStar passengers may walk through all of the Alaska Railroad cars and have access to the Adventure class dining area.

 Today experience a unique part of Alaska, the Kenai Peninsula! Ride the rail THAT IS AMONG THE MOST SPECTACULAR TRIPS IN THE WORLD.  Travel through mountainous passes full of wonder, south to the port city of Seward. The train travels along the magnificent Turnagain Arm of Cook Inlet, through mountains and tunnels, over gorges, and within a mile of three majestic glaciers – Spencer, Bartlett and Trail.

RESURRECTION BAY Cruise at 12 pm with lunch included
This afternoon’s all inclusive adventure begins with a cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park, “Alaska’s # 1 Wildlife and Glacier Cruise”. These custom vessels have walk around viewing decks and inside seating with large picture windows for great viewing of the close-up glacier experience.  Wildlife and marine life is abundant through out. Listen to narration provided by our experienced Captains and Crew.
Kenai Fjords Tours’ wildlife and glacier cruises take you deep into the heart of Kenai Fjords National Park and an incredible abundance of marine and land-based wildlife –whales, porpoise, Steller sea lion, along with more than 80 different species of birds make Kenai Fjords National Park their home. Enjoy a diverse array of sights, from rugged coastline to emerging rainforests and calving glaciers. Lunch is included with your tour.  Upon disembarking this evening, relax at your Seward accommodations.

Accommodation at Hotel Harbor 360 Seward
Located on the waterfront of the Seward Small Boat Harbor, Harbor 360 Hotel offers guests stunning 360 degree views of Resurrection Bay and the surrounding Kenai Mountains. This waterfront hotel is 2.1 km from the Alaska SeaLife Center and features an indoor pool, hot tub and free in-room Wi-Fi.
The spacious, bright, and simply furnished guest rooms at the Harbor 360 Hotel include a king or two queen beds, a hardwood work desk and a coffee maker. Some units are pet-friendly.
A continental breakfast featuring hot and cold items is served every morning at this Seward Harbor hotel. A business center is located off of the lobby and laundry facilities are available.
https://harbor360hotel.com/

Day 8  Anchorage for 1 night
Helicopter Glacier Dog Sledding
Go Dog Sledding in Alaska on pure white snow even during the summer time. From Mid-May until the end of August, our helicopter dogsledding tour is the best way to experience Alaska’s state sport during the summer.
After taking off in one of our helicopters, you’ll find yourself landing at dog camp atop an ancient glacier. A team of sled dogs anxiously awaits to pull you across perfect white snow. Our small staff and 25 dogs are sure to make you feel right at home while surrounded by beautiful mountain visitas.
After your sled ride, cuddle our lovable puppies, take pictures of the beautiful Alaskan scenery, and talk with your musher about dog sledding in Alaska — they’re sure to have some incredible adventures to share. We have all the gear and equipment you’ll need for your Alaskan dog sledding experience, you just need to bring your camera.
This is a 1.5 hour tour that includes 15 minutes of flight seeing. Dog sledding in Alaska is sure to be a highlight that will stick with you and your family for the rest of your lives. This has a low activity level, making it ideal for all ages. 

• Stunning 15 Minutes of Helicopter Scenic Flight Time
• Go on a 2 Mile Long Dog Sled Ride on a Glacier
• Cuddle Husky Puppies
• Meet Real Dog Mushers and Iditarod Sled Dogs
• Fly up the toe of Godwin Glacier and See the Glacier Blue Ice and Crevasses
• Incredible Opportunity to Photograph Stunning Alaska Scenery
• Experience Snow In the Summer

Train from Seward to Anchorage
Departure at 6 pm. Arrival at 10:15 pm

Accommodation at Hotel Captain Cook
Located in downtown Anchorage, this luxury hotel is near the Anchorage Museum.
Large and modern hotel with  4 restaurants, a conference centre, and 15 retail stores.\.
Among the various dining options is the Crow’s Nest featuring fine dining French/American cuisine and a wide variety of wine. The Pantry café specializes in Alaskan dishes.
Beautiful views of the Chugach Mountains or Cook Inlet are provided from each room at Captain Cook Hotel. Decorated with rich colors and carpeted floors, all rooms include free Wi-Fi and a refrigerator.
https://captaincook.com/

Day 9:
Private transfer from hotel to Anchorage airport