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| Alaska: Denali National Park
A 6-Day tour starting from $3,998
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| About This Tour | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A trip to Alaska is an incomparable journey into one of the world’s last great wilderness frontiers. The enormity and grandeur of Alaska has to be felt to be understood; the vastness of its unspoiled terrain, rich with compelling flora and fauna. This walking tour captures its essence, Denali National Park and Preserve, with a prelude composed of the Matanuska Valley and the mountain getaway town of Talkeetna, rich in Alaskan character and history. Denali National Park is located in south-central Alaska, approximately 240 miles north of Anchorage where your tour begins. Slightly larger than the state of Massachusetts, its “crown jewel” is North America’s highest peak, 20,320-foot Denali, also known as Mt. McKinley. The park was conceived in the early 20th century to study, protect, and preserve a wealth of wildlife including moose, caribou, wolf, dall sheep, and grizzly bear. The sub-arctic ecosystem hosts visitors and researchers year round. June’s Midnight Sun and riot of wildflowers frame a carefully selected itinerary and accommodations; moving from Anchorage to Talkeetna in stylish mountain lodges, and then immersion in the wilderness, with the mountain comfort and warmth of Camp Denali, one of the finest spots in the park to view the Alaskan Range and Denali. The camps founders put it best “...here people could come to discover the lure of Alaska and feel the spell of the North...” A panoramic train journey brings you full circle to conclude the tour. An exclusive itinerary with expert guides, immediate access to remote backcountry, and perfectly placed comforts combine to sweep in and capture the essence of this vast and pristine wild land. |
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• Experienced, friendly, and knowledgeable local and Denali National park guides
• Transportation during the trip • Scenic train trip returning to Anchorage • All accommodations while on tour, including comfortable wilderness lodges and private cabins with wood stoves • Park fees • All meals included; alcoholic beverages not included
DAY 1
Meet in Anchorage; Transfer to Talkeetna (3-hour drive in total); Independence Mine State Historical Park; Walk to Gold Cord Lake; 2 miles, easy to moderate
Your Alaskan exploration begins with an early morning meeting (after breakfast) in one of downtown Anchorage's centrally located hotels. You immediately embark on a drive north on the Glenn Highway, passing through the glacially carved Matanuska Valley, one of Alaska's few agricultural areas where 80-pound cabbages grow in the rich soil beneath the Midnight Sun. The landscape is also made up of mountain passes, as well as working and extinct gold mines. One of these abandoned mines is the site of the first morning walk—the alpine area surrounding the Independence Mine State Historical Park. The park's visitors' center provides a glimpse into one of Alaska's gold-rush regions, in use from the early 1900s until a Second World War ban on gold mining. From here, a two-mile loop reaches Gold Cord Lake, a secluded alpine tarn surrounded by jagged pinnacles. After the walk, a satisfying lunch is served at the Hatcher Pass Lodge in its striking mountain-pass location just above tree line at 3,000 feet; you then continue the drive over Hatcher Pass, which is still an active mining district. Later in the afternoon you arrive at the first of several fine lodges in spectacular settings; this one is located just above the town of Talkeetna, the gateway to Denali National Park on the south side of Mt. McKinley. The lodge's spacious deck boasts superb views of the Alaska Range and, weather permitting, your first glimpse of Denali. Sinking into your comfortable room and partaking in the lodge's many amenities, you have time to refresh before a fine dinner of Alaskan salmon or game at the lodge's award-winning dining room. Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, Talkeetna DAY 2 Talkeetna town walk; 2 miles, easy; Optional Denali flightseeing trip (at your own expense); Transfer to Denali State Park (1 ½ hours); Kesugi Ridge; 5 miles, moderate (1500 ft. elevation gain and loss) After an early breakfast at the lodge you have the choice of two activities. One morning option is a walk leaving directly from the lodge along an easy trail into Talkeetna for a glimpse of an authentic Alaskan town and its shops. The morning's other choice is a flightseeing trip (weather permitting and at your own expense), which provides incomparable views of the massive 20,320-foot Denali, North America's highest mountain. Later, an hour-and-a-half drive brings you to tonight’s accommodation; but first you are welcomed with lunch at its Alaskan grill. After lunch, a short drive enters Denali State Park and climbs several thousand feet above the Chulitna Valley to the Kesugi Ridge. The state park is contiguous with Denali National Park and Preserve, and its open landscape provides spectacular views of Denali and the entire Alaska Range. This long north-south ridge, (Kesugi means the "ancient one" in Native American Tanaina) rises above the Chulitna River, which is formed by the melt water of Denali's five glaciers. The afternoon walk begins with a sustained ascent of just under three miles along fairly even terrain with some rocky spots and perhaps some mud depending on the recent weather. You are amply rewarded at the top of the ridge with a stunning panorama (weather permitting) of Denali's massif and its many satellite peaks. The return descent is the same distance and grade. Tonight's wilderness lodge further invites relaxation and immersion in its surroundings, perhaps soaking in the outdoor hot tub or enjoying a glass of wine on the terrace in the warm evening light. An inviting dinner of Alaskan specialties is served in the lodge's main dining room, and after you may choose to linger in front of the great room's massive stone fireplace. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, Denali State Park DAY 3 Transfer to Denali National Park and Preserve; Drive to Camp Denali (6-hour drive with stops for wildlife sightings, panoramic views, and a picnic dinner) You awake in your wilderness resort and again avail yourself of its location with its unforgettable views and grounds. After a late breakfast at the lodge, the group sets out on the drive to Denali National Park and Preserve. The six-million-acre national park, Alaska's first, was established in 1917 as Mount McKinley National Park, named after President William McKinley. The name was changed to Denali National Park and Preserve in 1980; Denali, which means "The Great One" in native Athabaskan language, refers to the mountain itself. Your stay in the heart of the park at remote Camp Denali provides a unique window onto the park's grandeur; this rich experience affords the pace and atmosphere of a remote wilderness camp and proximity to nature combined with indulgence in the comforts of excellent food, a choice of activities, and exquisite views. Camp Denali is located 90 miles from the main park gate on the one road in and out of the park, and the drive there, while long at six hours, is an integral part of the journey and can be considered an experience of a lifetime! You are met by the camp's own bus and naturalist driver, assuring an intimate and knowledgeable day during which wildlife sightings of the park's great denizens are highly probable; such as grizzly bear, caribou, and Dall sheep. Late into the drive, a picnic dinner is unpacked and served before a spectacular backdrop of rolling taiga. Continuing on, you arrive at the camp in the evening where you are welcomed with a dessert reception. Camp Denali's location on a sweeping ridgeline opens up to quintessential views of Denali and eight major mountains of the Alaska Range. Soon you retire to your cozy mountain log cabin, a fitting haven warmed by individual woodstoves, handmade quilts, and lamp light. Awakening and peeking out into the light of the Alaskan "night," if the weather is clear, you may see the north face of Denali, known as Wickersham Wall, lit by magical alpenglow. Camp Denali, Denali National Park and Preserve DAY 4 Denali National Park; Various hiking or walking options ranging from easy to challenging. Canoe and bicycling options also available. Evening educational program Today is the first of two full days spent at Camp Denali. On both days you are able to choose from three different outings, led by Camp Denali naturalist guides and accompanied by your Country Walkers guide(s). On these excursions you will also have the opportunity to interact with other Camp Denali guests. These options range from easier naturalist forays, to moderate walks, to strenuous hikes. You may also choose, with your guides' assistance and expertise, an independent excursion to explore at your own pace, either on foot, by bicycle, or by canoe. These activity options are all included in your tour price. Regardless of your choice, all activities take place in the park's pristine backcountry, accompanied by majestic views of Denali and surrounding mountains. The camp day begins with the cook's breakfast bell welcoming everyone to a hearty breakfast in the main lodge, where you can discuss your day's outing. Following breakfast, your hosts lay out an array of homemade baked goods, sandwich fillings, and fresh fruit from which to pack your own lunch and snacks to be eaten on the trail. Embarking on the walk or activity of your choice, you return to the camp in the late afternoon, with time to simply imbibe the spirit of the setting, perhaps recording your day in a journal, reviewing your photographs, or in conversation with fellow guests. A fine dinner is served in the main dining room; creative and healthy gourmet cuisine from the bounty of the camp's own greenhouses and Alaska's waters, a delightful treat in the remote park. After dinner, an evening program is offered by a staff naturalist or visiting specialist, providing further insight into the region-a hallmark of the Camp Denali experience. A special treat in September is the night sky being illuminated by Aurora Borealis, the Nortern Lights. Camp Denali, Denali National Park and Preserve DAY 5 Denali National Park; Various hiking or walking options ranging from easy to challenging. Canoe and bicycling options also available. Evening educational program You awake in your cabin overlooking the snow-covered peaks of the Alaska Range, and after the ringing of the breakfast bell, sit down to breakfast, such as pancakes laden with freshly picked berries. The day promises again a blend of invigorating activity and inspirational natural discoveries. The camp's exclusive location permits access to remote alpine valleys and vast tundra, which is on the route of a moderate or strenuous hike in the company of the camp's naturalists, your Country Walkers guide(s), and other guests at the camp. Exploration in this sub-arctic environment in the company of a skilled naturalist is a unique opportunity to observe and learn about the wildlife of the region. The park is home to 39 species of mammals, ranging in size from awe-inspiring moose, caribou, grizzly bear, and wolf to intriguing fox, snowshoe hare, lemming, and vole, all of which are adapted to survival in the extreme winter and short summer conditions. Returning in the afternoon from your hike or perhaps a serene paddle in a canoe on the camp's central Nugget Pond, you may be inspired to further delve into the region's natural and human history at the camp's well-stocked library and resource center. Later you and other camp guests gather for a final dinner, perhaps Alaskan halibut or marinated pork tenderloin followed by a luscious homemade dessert. You may choose to participate in the evening's activity, an in-depth talk on the fascinating topics at hand, such as the Aurora borealis, Alaskan wildflowers, bird migration, or photography. Camp Denali, Denali National Park and Preserve DAY 6 Transfer to Park Entrance/Train Station (4 ½ hours); Full-day scenic train journey to Anchorage; Departure You depart Camp Denali this morning for the return drive to the park entrance and train station. The journey along the park's one road provides another opportunity for wildlife sighting as you traverse the rolling tundra landscape. At the park gate, your Denali experience comes nearly to a close, however an exhilarating train ride compensates, as the scenery and views remain superlative on the full-day ride to Anchorage. Departing around noon, the southbound train crosses the Alaska Range and traverses the Susitna and Matanuska Valleys, winding its way south; the train car is comfortable and spacious with enormous windows, affording a lasting glimpse of this vast wild country. You arrive at the Anchorage train station at approximately 8pm where the tour concludes, and you continue on to an Anchorage hotel and your independent travels or journey home. Note: The above is a 2008 itinerary. The 2009 itinerary will be available soon - please call for details Itinerary Changes Please bear in mind that this is a typical itinerary, and the actual walks and sites may vary due to season, special events, or weather. We reserve the right to alter the itinerary since tour arrangements are made up to a year in advance, and unforeseen circumstances that mandate change may arise. Itinerary changes are made to improve the tour and your experience.
Tour Highlights:
• Walks offer dramatic views of the Alaska Range and Mt McKinley • Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) • Wildlife viewing - caribou, grizzly bear, dahl sheep • Stay deep in the heart of Denali National Park at Camp Denali • Optional flightseeing tour around Mt. McKinley from Talkeetna (at your own expense) • Local expert, naturalist guides in addition to Country Walkers guides • Train across the Alaska Range Walk Ratings • Easy to moderate with moderate sections • 3-8 miles per day with a variety of options All tour prices are per person, in US dollars, based on double occupancy.
2008 Single Supplement $1850 2009 Single Supplement $1900 As arrangements are confirmed at least a year in advance, the tour price is subject to change. Reserve early to guarantee the best available price. |
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| Note: All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to confirm availability and pricing. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
