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Alaskan Discovery Tour

Alaskan Discovery Tour

Overview
Itinerary
Dates & Prices
Add-Ons
Photos
Reviews
FAQs

Highlights

  • Visit iconic Denali National Park and sail Kenai Fjords National Park, two of Alaska’s most majestic natural treasures
  • Explore Seward and Homer, two quaint yet distinctively different remote fishing communities, during your combined 3-night stay on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula
  • Included visit to Gold Dredge #8 where you’ll relive Alaska’s gold rush history
  • Tour Fairbanks and Anchorage, the two largest cities in the state

On this Alaska tour, you will witness some of the state’s most stunning sites, and come back with memories to cherish for a lifetime.

Your journey begins in beautiful Fairbanks. Discover the story of one of Alaska’s biggest gold rushes on a visit to the restored Gold Dredge #8. Then, fall in love with Denali National Park on a tour that uncovers the history, culture, and natural environment of this breathtaking six-million-acre wilderness. Continue to Anchorage, the coastal city that half of Alaskans call home.

Cross the Kenai Peninsula to Homer, the “Halibut Capital of the World.” Then take a full day catamaran cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park. See marine wildlife, coastal fjords and islands, lush forests, and magnificent tidewater glaciers.

Check out our Travel Blog for more tips and ideas for your Alaskan Discovery Tour!

What Guests are Saying

Our tour guide and our bus driver made the trip the best possible. With Alaska as the backdrop, it’s hard to go wrong, but these two guys complimented each other with a hometown background of the places we visited.
Sharon Blue Reid

Jul 2024

Rating 5/5
Saw some great places- guide was very knowledgeable and accommodating.
Barbara Ann Alexander

Jun 2024

Rating 5/5

Activity level

  • Relaxed
  • Easy Going
  • Moderate
  • Active
  • Very Active
Click to Learn More

Moderate

On this tour type, you should be prepared to walk slightly longer distances, and be able to climb stairs (these may be steep and/or uneven). You should be comfortable with periods of standing, for example on city walks, sightseeing stops, or ship excursions. The daily pace and timing can fluctuate significantly between longer and shorter travel days, with additional activities which may occur in the early morning or evening. There may be some changes in altitude or temperature.
Click to Learn More

Tour Includes

Sightseeing

  • Fairbanks
  • Denali National Park
  • Anchorage
  • Seward
  • Homer
  • Kenai Fjords National Park

Hotel Accommodations

  • 8 Nights
  • Moderate hotels based on twin/double occupancy

Meals

  • 8 Breakfasts
  • 2 Lunches

Service

  • A professionally trained tour director who is knowledgeable about the area will provide you with a wealth of information. Their friendly service will make your trip a memorable experience.

Baggage Handling

  • To and from your hotel room throughout your land tour for one piece of Checked Baggage per person.

Add-Ons

Alaskan Discovery Tour

Alaska Railroad Upgrade

Enjoy splendid views from the glass-domed Alaska Railroad
Scenery of Fairbanks city

Riverboat Discovery with Lunch

Cruise the Chena River and enjoy lunch with a view!
Alaskan Discovery Tour
Tour Starts:

Fairbanks, Alaska

Tour Ends:

Anchorage, Alaska

Alaskan Discovery Tour
Day 1
Arrive in Fairbanks

Today your adventure begins upon arrival in Fairbanks, Alaska’s third largest city. If you booked your flight with YMT, a representative will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.

SpringHill Suites Fairbanks or similar
Day 2
Gold Dredge #8

Explore the area’s gold mining history as we visit the restored Gold Dredge #8. The visitor center offers a great perspective with artifacts from the gold rush era, bringing to life the history of Fairbanks. Learn to pan for gold, and take a picture with the Trans-Alaska pipeline, another American engineering marvel. In the afternoon, explore Fairbanks on your own. (B)

SpringHill Suites Fairbanks or similar

Add-On: Riverboat Discovery with Lunch
Day 3
Denali Natural History Tour
Travel along the George Parks Highway to Denali National Park. At six million acres, Denali is one of the world’s great frontiers for wilderness adventure. Discover more with a natural history tour that focuses on its rich cultural history. This memorable tour provides insight into the diverse native and early pioneer influences in and around the park. Your dedicated naturalist will provide a great introduction to Denali’s past, it’s landscape, and geology. Visit Savage Cabin, the original ranger’s post that is still used by the Park Service today. This afternoon, you will have free time to spend in the park at your leisure. Along with awe-inspiring mountain views, it’s not uncommon to see some combination of Alaska’s Big Five. Look for grizzly bears, caribou and moose, as well as dall sheep, and countless songbirds, among many other animals. (B)

Denali Park Village or similar

Add-On: Alaska Railroad Upgrade (Dome Car)
Day 4
Denali Leisure Day
Denali is your playground on your full leisure day in the park. Immerse yourself in stunning natural beauty on an easy hike or picnic, stop by the park’s visitor centers to learn more about Denali, or take a tram ride through the magnificent scenery. There is no shortage of sights to see in Denali, whose reputation as one of America’s finest national parks is well deserved. (B)
Denali Park Village or similar
Day 5
Iditarod Sled Dog Headquarters and Anchorage City Tour

Head south through the Matanuska-Susitna Valley. Next, stop at the Iditarod Sled Dog Headquarters to learn about the legendary dog sled race from Anchorage to Nome. Continue to Anchorage for a late lunch before continuing on for a tour of historic downtown Anchorage. (B, L)

Fairfield Inn Anchorage or similar
Day 6
Anchorage to Homer

Travel across the picturesque Kenai Peninsula to Homer, where your first stop will be the Homer Spit, a long, narrow finger of land that extends more than four miles into Kachemak Bay. Take a guided walking tour of the Homer Docks, and see the Salty Dawg Saloon, Homer’s oldest and most famous landmark. Now topped with a distinctive lighthouse tower, it started life in 1897 as one of the very first cabins in town. In more than a century since, the landmark has served as a post office, railroad station and grocery store, as well as a school house. For the full Salty Dawg experience, add a signed dollar bill to the saloon’s wall, alongside thousands of others. The peculiar practice started decades ago, when a local barfly tacked a dollar to the wall for his friend to use later on an ice cold beer! (B)

Best Western Bidarka or similar
Day 7
Homer Leisure Day
Enjoy a free day in Homer. Your Tour Director will be happy to help you plan your day to make the most of your time in this charming coastal destination. Whether you stay in Homer to sample its incredible halibut or take a ferry to the nearby town of Seldovia, you are sure to enjoy the beautiful surroundings! (B)

Best Western Bidarka or similar
Day 8
Kenai Fjords National Park Catamaran Cruise
Enjoy a memorable day on a catamaran cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park. See marine wildlife, coastal fjords and islands, as well as lush forests and magnificent tidewater glaciers. Enjoy lunch on your cruise (included). Back on land, you’ll have free time to explore Seward.  (B, L)

Windsong Lodge or similar
Day 9
Depart for Home

Enjoy a late morning start to your last day in Alaska. You’ll transfer from Seward to Anchorage for your final goodbye to The Last Frontier. (B)

Note: Most flights from Anchorage are non-direct with at least one or two connections. Departure flights from Anchorage to most cities are overnight and arrive the following day; some flights depart Anchorage after midnight. Guests choosing to book their own flights must book flights departing after 5pm.

Please note that this is a proposed itinerary; the actual itinerary may vary due to season, special events, or weather. Hotels may differ depending on date. Because our tour arrangements are often made a year or more in advance, YMT Vacations reserves the right to alter the itinerary. Itinerary changes are made to improve your vacation experience, as well as respond to any unforeseen circumstances that mandate alterations. By their nature, all tour vacations involve a certain level of physical activity. While YMT tours have been designed with our guests in mind and are not physically demanding, this tour does include walking and periods of standing during the sightseeing visits. You will also encounter steps and some uneven ground along the way, particularly at older, historical sights. Please ask your Travel Consultant for more information.

YMT Vacations itineraries may contain suggestions for activities for your leisure time; these suggestions do not constitute a recommendation nor an endorsement of any specific service provider and the decision to participate in any such activities should be made independently.

All tour prices include taxes and fees.

Request A Quote

9 Days from $3948 USD $3698 USD

Per person, double occupancy, excludes roundtrip airfare. Passport required.

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We’ll get back to you soon. To secure an exclusive limited-time offer for your trip, call 888-860-1969 now to uncover our best-kept secret deals!
Trans-Alaska Pipeline in Fairbanks
Kenai Fjords National Park
Denali National Park
Icefields Parkway
Moraine Lake

Reviews

Our tour guide and our bus driver made the trip the best possible.
Our tour guide and our bus driver made the trip the best possible. With Alaska as the backdrop, it’s hard to go wrong, but these two guys complimented each other with a hometown background of the places we visited.
Sharon Blue Reid Jul 2024
Alaskan Discovery Tour ↓
5/5
Saw some great places
Saw some great places- guide was very knowledgeable and accommodating.
Barbara Ann Alexander Jun 2024
Alaskan Discovery Tour ↓
5/5
Read All Reviews

FAQs

Can I arrange pre- or post-tour accommodations to extend my trip?

Unfortunately, additional nights are not available from YMT Vacations for this tour. Your YMT Sales Consultant will confirm the specific hotel related to your departure date, and you can then contact the hotel directly to arrange an extended stay.
Can this tour accommodate triples?

Yes, triples are permitted (depending on availability) in 2 beds.
I’m booking my own flights for this tour, what time should I depart?

You should arrange to depart from Anchorage no earlier than 5pm.
Will I need any visas or travel permits for this tour?

No, none are required.
What will the weather be like?

The weather in Alaska will be fairly cooler with average temperatures between 62°F and 48°F during the months of May through September.

You can find more on the weather in Alaska here.
What should I wear on this trip?

For more information, check out our How To Pack for Your Alaskan Vacation article.
At what time approximately will I be departing from Anchorage at the end of the tour?

Most flights from Anchorage are non-direct with at least one or two connections. Departure flights from Anchorage to most cities are overnight and arrive the following day; some flights depart Anchorage after midnight. Guests choosing to book their own flights must book flights departing after 5pm.
What are the options when meals are not included in a day's itinerary?

Experience the joy of diverse dining options on your tour! For meals not included in the itinerary, you’ll have the chance to explore a variety of eateries, from charming mini-mall restaurants to convenient grocery stores, catering to all dietary preferences. While some hotels outside city centers may not have on-site dining, this opens up opportunities for delightful evening strolls, quick rides, or the convenience of ordering in. Enjoy the flexibility and adventure of discovering new places to dine.

Add-Ons

Make your vacation extra special by adding optional excursions to your tour. It’s a great opportunity to enhance your trip, these experiences slot seamlessly into your package, and we’ll take care of all the logistics for you. Remember that adding an optional experience might increase the overall activity level of the tour, so always keep that in mind when planning your trip.

Alaska Railroad Upgrade

Experience panoramic views of the Alaskan wilderness from the comfort of your deluxe dome seat aboard the famous Alaska Railroad. This train offers passage year round for travelers between Fairbanks and Denali. With a curved glass dome atop the car, you’ll get a spectacular 360 degree view of the landscape. Listen to insightful commentary from the tour guides onboard as you take in the scenery around you. This is sure to be an immersive experience!

Inclusions

  • Ticket to the famous Alaska Railroad
  • Deluxe dome seating aboard the Alaska Railroad

Activity Level: Easy

Duration: Approx. 4 Hours

Price: $169 USD

Alaskan Discovery Tour
Riverboat Discovery with Lunch

Climb on board an authentic Alaskan sternwheeler and take a journey back in time along the Chena River. Go on a three-hour narrated cruise tour with native Alaskans and meet some pioneers who call this land home. Highlights include seeing Iditarod Champion sled dogs in action, a bush pilot demonstration, and a cultural walking tour of an Athabascan Village.

Inclusions

  • 3-hour Narrated Cruise Tour aboard Alaskan Sternwheeler
  • Bush pilot Demonstration
  • Included Lunch

Note: The cruise is wheelchair accessible. Comfortable walking shoes and bug spray are recommended.

Duration: Approx. 3.5 Hours

Activity Level: Easy

Price: $125 USD (2025)

Scenery of Fairbanks city
Cabin Nite Dinner Theater

Step into the heart of Alaska’s history at a lively, authentic roadhouse hosted by local legend Fannie Quigley and her husband, Joe. Together, they’ll treat you to an unforgettable evening filled with delicious food, lively entertainment, and captivating stories.

As you settle in, enjoy the company of colorful characters from early 1900s Alaska who bring the past to life through spirited service, live music, and performances of timeless Robert W. Service poetry. Indulge in a hearty, all-you-can-eat, family-style feast featuring fresh, wild-caught Alaskan salmon, slow-roasted BBQ pork ribs, garlic mashed potatoes, wilderness baked beans, summer corn, buttermilk biscuits, and Fannie’s famous mixed berry cobbler.

At this one-of-a-kind dinner theater experience, savor the food and immerse yourself in the rugged, untamed spirit of Alaska. It’s more than just a meal—it’s a celebration of history, hospitality, and the soul of the Last Frontier.

Inclusions

  • Live Theater show
  • All-you-can eat family style dinner

Duration: Approx. 2 Hrs (Evening)

Activity Level: Easy

Price: $119 USD

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