Alaska Denali & Kenai Fjords National Parks Custom Adventure Tour
- Available: June, July, August, September
- Activity: Level 2, Level 3
- Accommodations: Comfortable Hotels, Luxury Hotels
Highlights
- Hike through the untouched wilderness of Denali National Park for wildlife sightings
- Take in the untamed beauty from the sky on a bush plane flight with a glacier landing
- Learn how to drive a dog mushing team along pristine Alaska trails
Itinerary
Arrive in Fairbanks
Day 1
Upon arrival in Fairbanks, collect your luggage and meet your shuttle driver outside of the arrivals hall for a short ride to your accommodations for the evening. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.Accommodation: Pikes Waterfront Lodge
Transportation: Shared shuttle to hotel
Train to Denali & Canyon Rafting Adventure
Day 2
This morning, you are transferred a short distance to the Fairbanks train station to board your train to Denali. Onboard hosts provide narration as the morning ride gets underway, describing the area and pointing out its many landmarks. The train quickly leaves town and enters the tundra landscape distinctive of Interior Alaska. Large picture windows afford wonderful views whether you're at your seats, enjoying a coffee from the Wilderness Cafe, or ordering a full breakfast in the train's dining car. As the train nears Denali National Park, keep a lookout for picturesque views of the Nenana River Gorge and possible wildlife sightings. The stretch makes for great photos of the train as it snakes along high canyon walls before pulling into the historic Denali Depot. This afternoon, you suit up in drysuits and river booties and are driven to the river to meet your guide and fellow rafters for a fun and exhilarating raft trip down the Nenana River. The trip flows 11 miles down river through class II & III rapids and stunning terrain. Return to your accommodations after rafting. The remainder of the day is on your own.Accommodation: Denali Bluffs Hotel
Activity: Afternoon rafting excursion
Transportation: 4-hour train to Denali
Meals: Breakfast
Half Day Helicopter Hiking Tour in Denali National Park
Day 3
This morning, meet your pilot and guide to set off via helicopter for your hike in the Denali National Park area. Enjoy a short flight over the valleys and mountains on your way to the tundra landing zone. Your guide selects the best terrain for you on the day of your hike which can take a number of forms, from an easy alpine stroll to something a bit more rigorous and challenging. At any level of challenge, enjoy sweeping mountain views over the Denali National Park as you explore the fascinating and fragile ecosystem of the tundra landscape. Return to the heli pad at the end of your hike and enjoy a short transfer back to your accommodations for the remainder of the day at leisure.Accommodation: Denali Bluffs Hotel
Activity: Half day hiking tour with helicopter pickup and drop off
Private Morning ATV Tour & Train to Talkeetna
Day 4
This morning, meet your private guide and set off for your two and a half hour private ATV tour. Experience the thrill of following your guide through mud puddles, over rocky creek beds and through sporty terrain of the many trails surrounding Denali National Park. Each tour is catered to your group's experience, interests and abilities with the exact trail selected by your guide on the day of your tour. After your tour, return to your lodge to gather your luggage and transfer to the train depot. Continue your journey on the Denali Star Dome Train headed south to the small town of Talkeetna. Your on board hosts provide historical narration and point out particularly photogenic views throughout the duration of the train trip. As the train pulls from the station on its scenic journey south, it crisscrosses the Nenana River and climbs up to Broad Pass. A long, slow descent across high plateaus, through forests, and over many rivers follows. The train frequently passes through areas with unimpeded Denali views on clear days. Enjoy the sights from the large picture windows throughout the train, including from top-deck dome areas. Enjoy lunch on board the train. Arrive in Talkeetna in the late afternoon.Accommodation: Denali Bluffs Hotel
Activity: Private 2.5-hour ATV tour
Transportation: 4-hour 15-minute train to Talkeetna
Meals: Lunch
Morning Dryland Dog Mushing & Denali Flightseeing with Glacier
Day 5
This morning, experience the thrill of dog mushing on this 2-hour-long adventure. Using local trails, you'll learn to drive your own team on a two-person dry-land race rig. With plenty of one-on-one time and a kennel tour to learn about the dogs and fantastic photo opportunities, this experience will be a prize memory of Alaska. Learn how sled dogs and their mushers live, play, and train. At the end of the experience you'll have an opportunity to play and snuggle the puppies in a giant run-pen. This afternoon, meet your pilot and guide for a spectacular flight around Denali. The tour takes you over some of Denali National Park's most rugged and beautiful terrain. Pass by the Kahiltna Base Camp, Denali's West Buttress, and North Face before circling behind the behemoth summit and down Ruth Glacier. En route, enjoy a glacier landing to step out and enjoy the ancient, slow moving river of ice. Return to Talkeetna at the end of the tour.Accommodation: Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge-Talkeetna, Alaska
Activity: 2-hour dog mushing, 1-hour 45-minute flightseeing with glacier landing
Transfer to Anchorage, Drive to Talkeetna & Alyeska Aerial Tram
Day 6
This morning you are met by your private driver for a scenic journey past tidal flats and glacial rivers to Anchorage. After securing your rental car, depart Anchorage and drive south along the stunning Turnagain Arm of the Cook Inlet. Take in the beautiful views as you drive towards the town of Girdwood. If time allows, we recommend making a stop at the Potter Marsh Bird Sanctuary and boardwalk. Aside from being a beautiful walk, the boardwalk offers the opportunity to view a number of migratory birds. After your walk, continue on to your accommodations. This afternoon is at your leisure. Included in your stay are tickets for the Alyeska Tram. The seven-minute scenic ride from the Hotel Alyeska to the viewing deck near the top of Mt. Alyeska offers exceptional views. At an elevation of 2,300 feet, witness views of the Turnagain Arm, up to seven "hanging" glaciers, and endless peaks deep into the Chugach Mountain range. The tram operates two cars on a counterweight system, as one cable car goes up the other cable car comes down. Enjoy hikes from the peak if energy allows or simply marvel at the view.Accommodation: The Hotel Alyeska
Activity: Alyeska Aerial Tram
Transportation: Private shuttle to Anchorage, 45-minute self-drive to Girdwood
Jetboating Tour & Tour of Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
Day 7
This morning, enjoy an exciting jetboat excursion on a wild river to Spencer Glacier on this one-of-a-kind adventure. Stunning mountain, river and glacier scenery surrounds as the river twists and turns through braided, rapid, and rocky sections. Scan the riverbanks for signs of black bears, moose, and other wildlife to witness them in their natural habitat, forging through the dense underbrush. Your knowledgeable guide will regale you with captivating stories and insightful information about the region's history, geology, and the diverse array of wildlife that call this untamed paradise their home. Entering Spencer Lake reveals massive icebergs dotting the lake. Cruise alongside the icebergs and near the glacier's face to look and listen as Spencer Glacier drips, moans, and calves new icebergs. The return trip is just as exciting as you gain the river's speed through the twists and turns. Later in the day, enjoy a tour through the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center to learn about the histories and stories of the resident wildlife. The center is a sanctuary dedicated to preserving Alaska's native wildlife through conservation, education and research. The resident animals arrive at the sanctuary through a variety of means: injury, abandonment, or other scenarios that make them unfit to live in the wild. They have become ambassadors for their species at the facility and visitors have the opportunity to learn about and potentially interact with some of the animals on this tour.Accommodation: The Hotel Alyeska
Activity: 2-hour private jetboat tour, shared or private tour of Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
Drive to Seward & Tonsina Point Kayaking Tour
Day 8
This morning, continue your journey south along the Kenai Peninsula to Seward. Upon arrival, meet your guide to explore the beautiful Resurrection Bay by kayak. On this adventure, explore the western coastline of Resurrection Bay to Tonsina Creek. As you kayak, look for sea ducks, diving birds, eagles, porpoise, sea otter, harbor seals, and sea lions. Depending on the time of the salmon run, you may also see salmon fighting their way upstream at Tonsina Creek. Along your journey, stretch your legs with a short walk, explore the Ghost Tree Forest, skip rocks, and enjoy the pristine surroundings at Tonsina Point before returning to Seward.Accommodation: Seward Windsong Lodge
Activity: Half day shared or private kayak tour
Transportation: 1-hour 45-minute self drive to Seward
Full Day Private Lost Lake Hike
Day 9
This morning, meet your private guide and set off to discover one of the Kenai Peninsula's best trails. The hike to Lost Lake takes you through temperate rainforest into boreal forests before opening up into the vast landscape of the Alaskan tundra. Keep an eye out for bear and moose on this full-day hike.Accommodation: Seward Windsong Lodge
Activity: Full day private hike
Full Day Kenai Fjords Boat Tour
Day 10
Today, meet your private captain and guide for a full-day small boat tour to Kenai Fjords National Park. Throughout the day, your experienced captain points out whales, seals, and other marine life as you head towards the base of incredible tidewater glaciers. Lucky visitors may have the incredible opportunity to witness the glaciers calve into the ocean throwing ice and water everywhere and making an incredible noise. Return to Seward this afternoon. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.Accommodation: Seward Windsong Lodge
Activity: Full day shared or private boat tour
Transportation: 2-hour private transfer
Meals: Lunch
Drive to Anchorage & Depart
Day 11
Today drive back to Anchorage to return your rental car and board your flight homeward.Transportation: 2.5 hour self drive to Ancourage
Why Travel With Us?
- Since 1972, MT Sobek has maintained its reputation as a wilderness expert and adventure travel pioneer in Alaska.
- This expedition tailored for MT Sobek travelers is the perfect introduction to Alaska, exploring both Denali and Kenai Fjords National Parks.
- This unique expedition gains access to many different sides of Alaska by kayak, plane, boat, foot and dog mushing.
Dates & Prices
- Go Custom
- Inclusions
Go Custom
Create Your Very Own Adventure
Dreaming of an adventure designed exclusively for you? With insider access and decades of experience, our travel experts create custom tailored adventures that are perfect for families, couples, and large groups. MT Sobek's custom adventures are designed to our exacting standards and led by our award-winning adventure guides.
When to start planning? Earlier is always better when designing a custom trip. More time allows for better availability of preferred accommodations, guides and your desired activities. Ideally, start the conversation with us at least 6 months before you want to travel. If you are looking for a custom trip that departs within three months, chances are greatly diminished in securing requested accommodations and the best guides.
*Custom trips require a 25% non-refundable deposit once an itinerary is agreed upon.
Start PlanningInclusions
Price Includes
- All tours, transfers and activities as detailed in the itinerary
- Accommodations as noted in the itinerary, including all taxes and resort fees
- Meals as noted in the daily itinerary by B, L, D with taxes and gratuities
- All special equipment required for activities
- Final electronic documentation package
- Trip logistics, operations and monitoring during travel
Price Does Not Include
- Additional meals not noted in the daily itinerary
- Entry fees to National Parks, museums and other attractions, unless listed on inclusions
- Airfare, airport taxes or baggage fees for all flights
- Optional activities, spa services, dinner reservations
- Personal expenses such as medical immunizations, laundry or souvenirs
- Discretionary tips for guides, drivers and resort staff
- Optional travel protection
- Rental car
Need help picking your next adventure? Call us to answer your questions.
Your Guides
The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.
Local Tour Guide .
We work with only the most experienced and knowledgeable local guides on our trips. You will be in excellent hands with a fully licensed and accredited local guide who will share their expertise in everything from history and architecture, to culture and traditions, the best local cuisine, activities and crafts, or even shopping. Local guides live, breathe, and love their trips because as locals they are an integral part of their communities. Their connections run deep and pride in their piece of the world is contagious.
Activity Level
This trip is rated activity level 2. Adjust the challenge of your days according to time or interest with activities that range from more hiking in rough, uneven terrain and kayaking to dog mushing and enjoying a relaxing Cessna flight.
Learn more about activity levels here.
Activity Snapshot
Day 2
Afternoon rafting excursion
Day 3
Half day hiking tour with helicopter pickup and drop off
Day 4
Private 2.5-hour ATV tour
Day 5
2-hour dog mushing, 1-hour 45-minute flightseeing with glacier landing
Day 6
Alyeska Aerial Tram
Day 7
2-hour private jetboat tour, shared or private tour of Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
Day 8
Half day shared or private kayak tour
Day 9
Full day private hike
Day 10
Full day shared or private boat tour
Accommodations
Comfortable lodges with a variety of amenities, including local delicacies and breathtaking views.
Weather
Generally mild summers, but always be prepared for sun, rain, or wind.
FAQs
Does it really rain every day in Alaska?
What wildlife do you typically see?
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Guest Reviews
Your company provides exactly what it advertises: customized high end adventures which are well organized, and memorable. All we had to do was follow your itinerary and everything was as it was supposed to be.
Andrea E.
MT Sobek Guest, Custom Adventure
Mountain Travel Sobek is a professional company, one that is consistently looking to exceed expectations. I have traveled the World and never used a company to coordinate all aspects of a trip, We will use MT Sobek again. I have known about the company for 25 years and I have always heard wonderful comments and rave reviews,they are true. We had a great time and we are looking forward to the next adventure with Mountain Travel Sobek.
Matthew M.
MT Sobek Guest, Custom Adventure