Last Frontier Super Fun Tour

Day 1: Arrival in the West
Upon your arrival at Vancouver International Airport, you will be welcomed by a member of our team, who will transfer you to your hotel. At this time, you will be able to take a small introductory tour of the city along the route to your hotel downtown. Enjoy dinner at your hotel or in one of the restaurants along beautiful English Bay.

Day 2: Wonderful Vancouver!
The second day is devoted to visiting Vancouver, a beautiful city on the West Coast. Our guide will introduce you to the culture, history and customs of this part of Canada, characterized by a strongly multicultural and stable society. Enjoy the main areas and attractions of Downtown Vancouver, Stanley Park Aquarium, Capilano Suspension Bridge & Salmon Hatchery and West Vancouver parks – the giant trees of Lighthouse Park and Dundarave Beach with a picnic by the sea. If time permits, feel free to visit the Museum of Anthropology (MOA) at the University of British Columbia (UBC). Enjoy a free evening (dinner according to your Road Book), and overnight stay at your hotel (breakfast included).

Day 3: Prince Rupert
Today, you will be transferred to the airport by Le Reve House’s van and board a plane that will take you to Prince Rupert. Once you arrive, you will be transferred to the hotel for check-in. For the rest of the day, we recommend a visit to the Museum of Northern British Columbia (marked in the Road Book). Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 4: Inside Passage & Alaska
Today your adventure in Alaska begins in the Inside Passage on board of the Alaska Marine Highway Ferry (start time varies depending on the day). A true ‘natural aquarium’, this region is teeming with extraordinary fauna such as whales, dolphins and sea lions. It is surrounded by beautiful landscapes with snowcapped mountains, steep cliffs, lush forests and crystalline waterfalls that you can comfortably observe from the bridge of boat. Your first stop will be Ketchikan, where you will stay overnight in a hotel.

Day 5: Misty Fjords (two options)
The name ‘Misty Fjords’ evokes a sense of adventure and magic that will be undoubtedly fulfilled during this mini-cruise in the waters of the Misty Fjords National Monument. 17,000 years ago, an enormous glacier covered this territory, and over time created the steep cliffs and narrow fjords of today. Rising up to 2000 metres, the spectacular scenery features crystalline streams that flow into the sea, blue lakes, waterfalls and endless green forests. You can choose between a tour that combines taking a boat there and scenic flight back (5.5 hours); or a boat-only cruise (4 hours). Upon return, visit the picturesque town of Ketchikan, where you’ll enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at your hotel.

Day 6: Part Two of the Inside Passage: Skagway
Today we explore the second part of the Inside Passage by Alaskan Marine Highway Ferry, on which you’ll spend the night in a comfortable cabin (or two nights, depending on date and time of departure). You will have lots of time to enjoy the spectacle of extraordinary nature that will surround your boat at all times. Eventually, you will arrive at the Port of Skagway, Alaska, where you will spend the night in a lodge with breakfast included.

Day 7: Skagway and White Pass train
Today we’ll go on a trip back in time to relive the epic Gold Rush. Aboard a vintage train, you will travel along a stretch of railway that is renowned as an engineering masterpiece. Built to serve the traffic of the 19th century to the Yukon and Klondike, this train was for those who were hoping to find the rich veins of precious metal. The narrow railroad climbs up to 2000 m above sea level in just 30 km, crossing narrow and deep valleys and through bridges to dizzying heights. Along the way, you will see mountains, glaciers, gorges, forests and waterways. After this spectacular excursion, you will head to the airport for a short flight to Juneau. Upon arrival, you’ll be transferred to the Westmark Baranof Hotel or similar, with breakfast included.

Day 8: Juneau
Juneau, Alaska’s capital, is considered by locals to be the most beautiful city in the country: it’s also known by its nickname “little San Francisco”. Start in the morning with a stroll through the central streets, populated by old pubs, art galleries, cozy bars and sophisticated restaurants. Then, we’ll head out on a canoe excursion to Mendenhall Glacier, where we’ll paddle amongst the rich wildlife of Mendenhall Lake, navigating around icebergs and observing the spectacular glacier up close. After the tour, you will be escorted back to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 9: Glacier Bay
After breakfast, you’ll head to the airport and take a flight to Gustavus, which is considered the gateway to Glacier Bay and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. Then, you will most embark on a beautiful cruise ship for your icy adventure, where you will observe the most important Alaskan glacier. On board you will enjoy a tasty lunch while you sail under the famous glacier fronts and observe the spectacular fauna, including orcas, dolphins and sea lions. Big blue whales and humpback whales feed in the bay, and during this time of year they come from the southern seas to begin the breeding and nursing period of newborns. At the end of the tour, you will return to Gustavus and board your flight back to Juneau, where you’ll have dinner at a restaurant and stay overnight at a hotel.

Day 10: Admiralty Island
This day will be dedicated to ‘the fortress of the bears,’ also known as Admiralty Island. There are more than 1,600 bears living on this island, with the highest concentration in the world. From the docks of Juneau, you will climb aboard a seaplane, and after a one-hour flight arrive at your destination. Here, you will be accompanied by a driver/guide to observe the bears. The tour (3 – 5 hours long) is scheduled to take full advantage of observation opportunities. Afterwards, you will return to your hotel in Juneau for dinner and an overnight stay.
* The excursion to Admiralty Island is offered as an alternative to the bear-watching tour of Katmai, if the season in which you are travelling is not conducive to the latter. Otherwise, your trip to Glacier Bay will last for two days, staying overnight at a lodge in the park.

Day 11: Anchorage
Enjoy free time in the morning, and then transfer to the airport where you will board your flight to Anchorage. In Anchorage, enjoy some free time, dinner and overnight stay in a hotel.

Day 12: Seward and Kenai Fjords
Early in the morning, after finishing up breakfast, you’ll get on a comfortable coach bus that will take you to the town of Seward. Here will be the starting point for your tour of the Kenai Fjord National Park, which is famous for its spectacular fjords and covers an area of more than 2,700 km2 in the Kenai Peninsula. Inside the park you’ll spot the Harding Icefields, which are among the largest in the United States and composed of at least 38 glaciers, many of which break off into the sea. You can view these from your prime vantage point, along with puffins, porpoises and sometimes even humpback whales and orcas. Lunch will be served on board, and at the end of this excursion, you’ll return to your hotel in Seward for free time, dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 13: From Seward to Talkeetna through the Glaciers
Today you will take a coach bus for convenient and spectacular transport from Seward to Talkeetna. You will travel along the Seward Highway between the Kenai Mountains, and then cross the Turnagain Pass, moving along the Turnagain Arm where you’ll view the spectacular tides of the sea. You can admire the beautiful Chugach Park before arriving at 12pm to Anchorage, where you’ll take a refreshing break and possibly visit the Museum of Anchorage. Then, you will proceed to Talkeetna, where you can catch the wonderful views of Mount McKinley (weather dependent; driver can make several stops for photos if conditions are good). You will arrive at 5:30pm to settle in Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, in a nice and comfortable double room. Enjoy free time on your own for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 14: Flight to the Glacier
Today you will participate in an exciting excursion flying over top of a glacier. You will leave Talkeetna by plane, and take in the stunning scenery and mysterious nature that will appear right before your eyes. You will find yourself in the heart of Denali National Park, one of the true wonders of Alaska and certainly the most admired and protected one. To top off the tour, you will land right on the glacier where we will have the opportunity to go for a short walk. Afterwards you will return to Talkeetna airport with enough time to board your motor coach to Denali Park, leaving from Talkeetna Alaskan lodge at 6pm toward the Denali Princess lodge. A rafting trip is also an option.

Day 15: Visit to Denali Park
Your lodge is the perfect starting point for today’s exploration of Denali National Park, the huge park of nearly 2.5 million hectares that surrounds Mount McKinley and is home to 39 species of mammals, including grizzlies, black bears, moose, bighorn sheep, wolves and wolverines. Here, there are 167 species of birds, 10 species of fish as well as approximately 650 species of flowering plants and about as many species of moss, lichen, mushrooms and seaweed. Filled with majestic nature, you can experience it all on your guided hike along the Kantishna Wilderness Trails, considered the best route for viewing the many beauties of the park. During the hike, you will be served snacks, while lunch will be included at the Kantishna Roadhouse, where you will also have an opportunity to see a sled dog demonstration. You will then have the choice of either taking the same bus back to your lodge, or going on a scenic 55-minute flight over the beautiful Muldrow Glacier and Alaska Range, the huge central mountain chain of Alaska. Upon your return to your lodge, you will have free time to relax and enjoy dinner on your own, and an overnight stay.

Day 16: Denali – Anchorage via GoldStar Dome Train
In the early afternoon you will set out to the Denali Depot to begin your spectacular journey on the Gold Star Dome Rail Road Train, departing at 12:25pm. You will be seated on a special carriage specially built with floor-to-ceiling glass windows that will allow you to observe the wonderful nature of Alaska while comfortably seated in your armchair. Just like in the movies, the magnificent scenes of Mount McKinley will be on display. You will reach Anchorage at 8pm, where you will check in to your hotel and enjoy dinner on own (breakfast included).

Day 17: Transfer to Valdez
This morning you will collect your rental car and drive to Valdez. There is only one road connecting Anchorage to Valdez: the AK1, which leads to the Richardson Highway (or AK 4). The road is about 450 km long and you can cover it safely within six hours, crossing the Thompson Pass and descending into the narrow valley where Valdez is located. This path will allow you to learn more about the natural wonders of Alaska, offering many scenic points to take breaks, such as the Worthington glacier. You will arrive at Valdez in the evening, where you’ll have dinner and stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 18: Trekking
Your entire day will be dedicated to trekking across the glaciers of Valdez and/or Worthington, with optional trekking excursions with different degrees of difficulty. A guide will be your best option, and depending on your choice, the duration of your hike will be 4-5 hours or a full day. In the first case, you can book a half-day paddling amongst creeks and ice caves in complete safety and accompanied by an expert guide who will teach you about the geology and nature surrounding you. Upon your return, enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at the same hotel.

Day 19: Back to Anchorage
To return to Anchorage, you can choose to drive back or return your rental car and take a comfortable flight as a faster option. In the latter case, you’ll have enough free time for shopping before dinner.

Day 20: The Bears of Katmai
Your last day in Alaska will be dedicated to bear-watching at Katmai National Park and Preserve, one of the world’s most important areas for the observation of these impressive and fascinating animals. Indifferent to the presence of humans (at a safe distance), these creatures feed on berries or salmon, depending on the season and location. You’ll reach Katmai by plane, and then fly to Kulik or King Salmon, where you’ll be transported via seaplane to the best location for viewing. After undergoing a briefing on the bears by the park rangers, you will be free to wander safely within the park, following fixed paths linking the various locations. In the evening, enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at your the hotel.
*Option two for Day 20: Katmai
On request, you can opt for a 1-night stay at a lodge in the park instead of a day trip.

Day 21 (or 22): Return Flight
After a rich breakfast, you’ll have free time on your own before transferring to the airport for your return flight.