Road Trip: Alaska’s Majestic Landscapes

Arrive at Fairbanks. Pick up your rental car from the airport and drive to your hotel.

Even though Fairbanks is the second largest city in Alaska, it retains the charms of a small town. With plenty of opportunities to explore Alaska’s wilderness, Fairbanks serves as the base camp from which to experience the beauty of the region year-round. Long, sunshine-filled days during summer and the chance to view the Northern Lights during winter attract people from across the world to the city.

Visit Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center at Leisure

Delve into the essence of Alaska and its people at the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center. Browse through engaging displays and dioramas that throw light on the state’s geography and seasons. Get an insight into their way of life as you walk through a model of a traditional fishing camp, and watch informative films about the region's history and nature. Grab a front-row seat to watch interesting cultural performances and enjoy craft-making demonstrations by native artisans. Pose in front of the Antler Arch, which is made up of more than 100 moose and caribou antlers from all over Alaska. Stop by the 100-year-old restored pioneer cabin; depending on the season, you can view the Northern Lights from the cabin window. The centre’s helpful staff will be glad to tell you more about the area's attractions as well.

Group Wilderness Fishing Excursion

Hone your fishing skills on this day-long guided fishing adventure in the rivers and lakes around Fairbanks. Float down gently moving waterways that are teeming with fish. This eight-hour session will introduce you to the basics of fly fishing and spin fishing if you are a beginner, or help refine your skills if you are an experienced angler. Head to the best spots in and around the city for a chance to reel in northern pikes, arctic grayling and rainbow trouts. Learn the basics of float fishing and wade fishing, and get your questions answered by the in-house fishing expert. Back on shore, savour a light lunch of cold cuts, cheese, bread and beverages before returning to your hotel. Pick up from and drop off at your hotel is included in this activity.

Drive from Fairbanks to Denali National Park in your rental car. The travel duration is around two and a half hours.

Spread over six million acres of wilderness, Denali National Park and Preserve is the ideal showcase of Alaska’s landscape, flora, and fauna. Home to the tallest peak in North America, Mount Denali, the park offers visitors plenty of opportunities to experience the beauty of its surroundings.

Denali Visitor Center

Learn about the wonders of Denali National Park at the Denali Visitor Center. Watch Heartbeats of Denali, a 20-minute film that familiarises visitors with the many aspects of the park, the landscape, wildlife and more. You can find out more about the park from the park rangers as well. A variety of activities are also scheduled in or starting from the centre. Please note that the Denali Visitor Center is only open during the summer months. The Murie Science and Learning Center (MSLC) acts as the visitor centre during the fall, winter and spring months.

Group Flightseeing Tour to Denali Peak

Buckle up for the ride of a lifetime - a flightseeing tour of Mount Denali, North America’s tallest peak, and its breathtaking surroundings. Take off from the eastern edge of Denali National Park and fly towards Wickersham Wall, a massive ice wall 14,000 feet tall, and the Great Gorge, known for its jagged granite walls. See the Carpe and Karstens ridgelines, and the Traleika and Brooks glaciers.

During your 320-km flight, you will also fly past magnificent snow-covered peaks such as Silverthorne, Mather, and Huntington, which are part of the Denali Massif. Fly within half a mile of Mount Denali and experience its beauty up close. If the weather permits, your pilot will circle the mountain, allowing you to view it from different angles. Learn about the ecology and evolution of the region on this narrated tour while enjoying the sight of the snow-covered mountains all around you.

Horseshoe Lake Trail Hike

Hike along the Horseshoe Lake Trail, a popular and picturesque route in Denali National Park. Walk along the shore of Horseshoe Lake, pausing to admire the shimmering waters and spot wildlife. Keep an eye out for beavers popping up in the lake or even a moose quenching its thirst. Hop over smooth rocks on the banks of the Nenana River or sit for a while and enjoy the peaceful sound of the river’s waters. Pause at the many scenic viewpoints on your way to the top. Enjoy sweeping views of the park, the Nenana River and the mountains beyond.

Group Tour: Denali Highway by Jeep

Go on a scenic drive on the Denali Highway to explore the vast expanse of Alaska’s pristine wilderness. Featured in National Geographic Traveler's ‘Drive of a Lifetime’ list, this 217 km (135 miles) gravel road runs next to Denali National Park and was once a gateway to the park. Hop into a new, four-door Wrangler Jeep (valid driver’s license required) and drive on this now little-used highway. Drive past snow-laden peaks, milky white glaciers, and glistening lakes, stopping to admire the landscape or click lovely pictures. Keep on the lookout for wildlife such as moose, or gaze at Mount Denali, which is visible on clear days. Make use of the CB radio to let your guide know where to stop so you can savour the beauty of the area at leisure during your tour.

Group Canyon Whitewater Rafting Tour Down the Nenana River

Ride the waves of the Nenana River on an exciting whitewater rafting excursion. Start with a safety briefing at Kingfisher Creek Confluence, before getting into your raft. You can choose an oar raft, which will be rowed by a guide and is perfect for first-timers. If you prefer to play a more active role, choose a paddle raft, where everyone lends a hand. Get an adrenaline high as you manoeuvre Class III and Class IV rapids such as 'Cable Car', 'Coffee Grinder', and ‘Royal Flush’. Row towards Healy, located about 18 km (11 miles) from the starting point and pass by alpine forests, the Nenana River Gorge, Mount Healy and the Alaskan Range. Keep an eye out for wildlife and learn about the region's history.

Drive from Denali National Park to Girdwood in your rental car. The travel time is around five and a half hours.

Located in a valley in the southwestern Chugach Mountains and surrounded by seven glaciers, Girdwood is Alaska’s only resort town and boasts year-round activities. During summers, visitors can take part in hiking, fishing, rock climbing, mountain biking, rafting and more. Come winter, the town turns into a snow playground with skiing, snowboarding and other activities.

Group Summer Glacier Dog Sledding Tour

One of the highlights of your holiday is dog sledding at 3,200 metres above sea level. Enjoy an exciting helicopter ride to Punchbowl Glacier, the starting point. Disembark to meet your dog sledding guide, who will introduce you to a pack of Alaskan huskies trained at mushing icon Mitch Seavey’s Ididaride Kennel. Learn about these intelligent animals and get an insight into their daily schedule, training and mushing way of life before getting onto your sled. The ride covers a two to three-kilometre loop that takes you through glaciers and snowy fields. Use your newly acquired mushing skills to drive the sled, or sit back and enjoy the beautiful Alaskan landscape. Spend some time with the adorable huskies before returning to your hotel in Girdwood.

Explore Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center on Your Own

Visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, a non-profit organisation dedicated to preserving Alaska’s wildlife through conservation, research, education and animal care. After enjoying a hearty breakfast or lunch at your hotel, leave for the centre, which is spread over 200 acres in Portage Valley. Walk, bike or drive around the centre’s two-and-a-half kilometre (1.5 miles) loop that takes you through various animal enclosures. You can expect to see brown bears, moose, wood bison, wolves, musk oxen, coyotes, porcupines and more. Be part of different educational and interactive programmes to learn more about the centre’s resident animals.

Drive yourself from Girdwood to Seward in your rental car. The travel time is one and a half hours. Transfer to a boat at Seward and head to Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge on Fox Island. The boat departs daily at 12 noon.

Located in the heart of Resurrection Bay is Fox Island, a mountainous island that is a popular destination for adventure seekers and outdoor lovers. Surrounded by blue-green waters and imposing mountains, the island offers visitors the opportunity to go kayaking, camping, hiking, and wildlife spotting.

Rural Ramble by Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge

Enjoy an immersive experience in the Alaskan wilderness when you stay at the Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge. Head out on a tour of Resurrection Bay and take in the grandeur of its rugged mountains and towering alpine glaciers. Keep a pair of binoculars handy for spotting whales, porpoises and avifauna such as cormorants and puffins that frequent these waters. Have a relaxing gourmet meal at a remote island with sweeping views of the mountains before heading back to your hotel. If you are feeling adventurous, sign up for a kayaking or canoeing excursion and explore the nearby rocky coves at a comfortable pace.

Seward is a lovely port city that is situated at the tip of Resurrection Bay on Kenai Peninsula. It offers an array of attractions for visitors that range from scenic hiking trails and wildlife spotting to whale watching cruises and a historic downtown area.

Drive yourself to Anchorage airport, where you will drop off your rental car.