Our Complete Day-by-Day Itinerary through Alaska
Our tour commences in Fairbanks and ends in Seward. Rates are per person and in U.S. dollars.
DAY 1: WELCOME TO ALASKA
Fairbanks welcomes us to the edge of the great Alaskan wilderness — a place where vast skies, crisp northern air, and the spirit of adventure immediately begin to unfold. Upon arrival, meet our local representative for an included Meet-and-Greet and Arrival Transfer to our hotel. After check-in (rooms are typically available after 2:00 PM), take a moment to settle in and absorb the unique atmosphere of Alaska’s interior frontier.
Discovery Walk
Later this afternoon, join your Tour Captain for a Discovery Walk through Fairbanks. Together we’ll explore the character and stories of this remarkable northern city — from its Gold Rush roots to the resilient spirit that still defines life in Alaska today.
We’re truly delighted to welcome you to Alaska. Your Tour Captain will greet you with Now Journey’s signature welcome — a warm introduction to the adventure, thoughtfully designed to help you immediately feel part of the experience.
Welcome to Fairbanks Dinner
This evening, we gather for our Welcome Dinner — an intentionally relaxed and convivial evening designed to ease into the journey together. Your Tour Captain will select regional appetizers inspired by Alaska’s flavors and culinary traditions, along with thoughtfully chosen wines for the table. Excellent alcohol-free selections are always available.
After appetizers, guests are invited to enjoy selections from the restaurant’s primary menu at their own pace. It’s an evening of conversation, laughter, and quiet anticipation as we begin our Alaskan adventure together beneath the long northern evening light.
Where We Stay in Fairbanks, 2 Nights with breakfast
Now Journey Hotels & Lodge Collection
Springhill Suites by Marriott Fairbanks or Similar
Enjoy hand-selected hotels and lodges — inquire with your Trip Specialist if you'd like to upgrade to a larger room and/or upper category room with a specific view, where available.
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DAY 2: ARCTIC CIRCLE AIR ADVENTURE
Today's Adventure: Arctic Circle Flightseeing Experience and Brooks Range Wilderness
We make our way to the local airfield for an included flightseeing adventure, traveling north across Alaska’s immense and remote interior. Below us, we may see traces of historic gold mining, the remarkable Trans-Alaska Pipeline, and the expansive Yukon River Valley — home to traditional peoples who have sustained their culture and way of life for thousands of years.
One of the great thrills of the day is crossing the Arctic Circle. Our route continues near the rugged Brooks Range, just south of Gates of the Arctic National Park, before reaching a wilderness community along the Middle Fork Koyukuk River. Guests receive an official Arctic Circle Adventure Certificate upon return to Fairbanks.
We return to our hotel for an evening at leisure.
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DAY 3: TRAIN TO TALKEETNA
This morning, we make our way to the train station to board the GoldStar Dome Train to beautiful Talkeetna.
Today's Adventure: Dome Railcar through Denali Country
Breakfast and lunch are served on the train as we enjoy panoramic views of Alaska’s extraordinary landscapes, including snow-capped mountains, sweeping valleys, and the unforgettable scenery of Denali country.
- GoldStar Dome Railcar experience
- Panoramic views through Denali country
- Breakfast and lunch served onboard
- Now Journey discovery time in Talkeetna
About Denali National Park
Denali National Park and Preserve encompasses six million acres of Alaska’s interior wilderness. Its centerpiece is 20,310-foot Denali, formerly known as Mount McKinley and North America’s tallest peak. The park’s tundra, spruce forest, glaciers, and wildlife create one of the great wilderness landscapes of the world.
Upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel, our home for the next two nights.
Discovery Walk
Meet your Tour Captain for a Discovery Walk and learn more about Talkeetna’s colorful character and frontier stories.
Welcome Dinner
Your Tour Captain will select regional appetizers and wine for the table, with alcohol-free beverages available. Guests will then enjoy selections from the restaurant’s primary menu in a relaxed Now Journey style.
Where We Stay in Talkeetna, 2 Nights with breakfast
Now Journey Hotels & Lodge Collection
Talkeetna Denali View Lodge and Cabins or Similar
Enjoy hand-selected hotels and lodges — inquire with your Trip Specialist if you'd like to upgrade to a larger room and/or upper category room with a specific view, where available.
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DAY 4: DAY AT LEISURE
Enjoy a day at leisure in the Alaskan wilderness. Slow down, take in the mountain air, and enjoy the freedom to explore Talkeetna at your own pace.
For those wishing to further immerse themselves in Alaska’s wild beauty, a variety of optional experiences may be available today. Consider a breathtaking flightseeing adventure around Denali, where enormous glaciers, jagged peaks, and remote backcountry landscapes unfold beneath you. Guests may also choose to experience Talkeetna’s rivers by jet boat, enjoy guided hiking trails through the surrounding wilderness, or simply spend the afternoon wandering the town’s colorful historic district filled with local art galleries, cafés, and frontier character.
For a slower pace, relax at the lodge, savor the stillness of the Alaskan landscape, or enjoy a quiet drink while watching the ever-changing light dance across the mountains. Talkeetna has a way of inviting you to pause, breathe deeply, and simply experience Alaska.
This evening, join your Tour Captain for an optional dinner or explore independently at leisure.
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DAY 5: GIRDWOOD
Today we continue onward to Girdwood, savoring the breathtaking scenery that unfolds around every turn — a landscape of towering peaks, cascading waterfalls, and alpine beauty.
Today's Adventure: Alaskan Delights & Dogs
We enjoy the scenic drive toward Mt. Alyeska and a delightful experience connected to the legendary world of the Iditarod. Upon arrival in Girdwood, we check in with time to freshen up before gathering again with the Tour Captain.
Welcome to Girdwood Dinner
Your Tour Captain will select regional appetizers and wine for the table, with excellent alcohol-free options available.
Where We Stay in Girdwood, 2 Nights with breakfast
Now Journey Hotels & Lodge Collection
Hotel Alyeska or Similar
Enjoy hand-selected hotels and lodges — inquire with your Trip Specialist if you'd like to upgrade to a larger room and/or upper category room with a specific view, where available.
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DAY 6: ENJOYING GIRDWOOD
Enjoy a complete day at leisure in beautiful Girdwood, surrounded by mountain scenery and the quiet grandeur of Alaska’s glacier country.
Today's Optional Adventure: Helicopter Glacier Landing and Prince William Sound
Today’s optional experience boards a helicopter to explore the Lake George Glacier, Lake George Valley, and Colony Glacier. As you fly through the Chugach backcountry, the panorama opens to glacial valleys and magnificent fields of ancient blue ice.
The highlight is a glacier landing atop a high ridge with a 360-degree view. On the return, enjoy an exciting flight over the pristine waters of Prince William Sound, where rocky fjords and clear waters create breathtaking scenery and excellent wildlife-spotting opportunities.
This evening, your Tour Captain will invite guests to an optional dinner, or you may explore at leisure.
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DAY 7: GIRDWOOD TO SEWARD
We journey from Girdwood along one of Alaska’s most scenic routes, making our way toward Seward — our waterfront home for the next two nights.
Along the way, we visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, a meaningful introduction to Alaska’s native wildlife and conservation efforts.
Welcome to Seward Dinner
Your Tour Captain will select regional appetizers and wine for the table as we settle into this beautiful coastal chapter of the journey.
Where We Stay in Seward, 2 Nights with breakfast
Now Journey Hotels & Lodge Collection
Salted Roots Cabins or Similar
Enjoy hand-selected hotels and lodges — inquire with your Trip Specialist if you'd like to upgrade to a larger room and/or upper category room with a specific view, where available.
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DAY 8: EXPLORING THE KENAI
Today's Adventure: Kenai Fjords Glacier Cruise
Today we journey deep into Kenai Fjords National Park, where towering tidewater glaciers meet the sea. Keep your eyes open for sea lions, puffins, and breaching humpbacks as the wild beauty of Alaska’s coast unfolds around us.
Prefer another experience? Optional experiences may be available. Please inquire for pricing and availability:
- Exit Glacier & Harding Icefield Hike — Follow your naturalist guide through the glacial valley to one of Alaska’s most inspiring viewpoints overlooking the vast Harding Icefield. Based on availability: $190 per person.
- Kayaking Adventure in Resurrection Bay — Glide across turquoise waters framed by forested peaks and cascading waterfalls. Based on availability: $190 to $650 per person.
- Alaska SeaLife Center Visit — Encounter seals, puffins, and other native species up close at Alaska’s leading marine wildlife center. General admission: $45 per person.
Our Special Journey Finalé
Tonight, join your Tour Captain for a special and traditional Now Journey Farewell Aperitif as we gather one final time beneath the vast skies of Alaska. Together, we’ll celebrate the unforgettable moments, extraordinary landscapes, and shared memories created throughout our journey across the majestic Alaskan wilderness — an evening of reflection, laughter, and gratitude surrounded by the spirit of the Last Frontier..
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DAY 9: DEPARTURE DAY
Your included transfer to the airport is provided today. Guests may also consider adding a night in Anchorage. Please inquire with our team for options.
YOUR ADVENTURE ENDS TODAY — UNTIL NEXT TIME: GOOD TRAVELS!
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