The Extraordinary Itinerary for your Trip of a Lifetime
Your Arctic Itinerary including the Denali Backcountry, Polar Bears in the Arctic, a Glacier Landing and so much more
Day 1
Arrive in Anchorage. We will pick you up from the airport if needed and have a meet-and-greet in the evening.
Maximum Guests: 6
Day 2 – Anchorage to Talkeetna then onto Denali National Park
Rise and shine for a 7:00AM breakfast and an 8:00AM departure. Our first stop will be on the way to Talkeetna is to stop for a flight-seeing tour of Mount Denali with a Glacier Landing. After the flight-seeing tour we will be heading into the town of Talkeetna for lunch and to explore the town, then back on the road to a lodge just outside the gates of Denali.
The historic village of Talkeetna is nestled at the base of North America’s tallest peak Mt. McKinley (Denali).
Talkeetna has an outstanding panoramic view of the Alaska Range that can be enjoyed and photographed from several places as you wander through the town, and discover what this unique location has to offer.
Said to be the inspiration for the fictional community of Cicely in the popular TV show “Northern Exposure,” it’s no surprise Talkeetna rings so true with visitors. Its artistic, outdoorsy and creative residents cling proudly to the character of their community and celebrate the influence of North America’s tallest peak, in whose shadow the community rests – Denali. A turn-of-the-20th-century gold-mining center, Talkeetna has retained much of its early Alaska flavor. Log cabins, a roadhouse and clapboard storefronts line the dirt streets. Main Street, the only paved road in town, greets visitors with a hand-hewn sign reading “Welcome to Beautiful Downtown Talkeetna.
Day 3 – Into Denali National Park
Heading over 90 miles into the park. Look out for Grizzly Bears, Moose, Dall Sheep, caribou, Wolves and more.
Get picked up at the lodge for your trip into the backcountry. We will be staying at an upscale back-country lodge. On the way look out for Grizzlys, Moose, Wolves and incredible scenery.
In a remote valley, deep in the heart of Denali National Park, experience authentic Alaska. All-inclusive private cabins. Stunning views. The warm hospitality and unmatched adventures. Guests will experience the best creature comforts in one of the world’s wildest landscapes. Located at the historic settlement of Kantishna, the lodge is a perfect base for exploring the ruggedly wondrous backcountry of Denali National Park. Return each evening to fresh and seasonal cuisine, a cozy fire and a serene sense of wonder.
The trip to the Lodge really proves that getting there is half the adventure.
Exploring Denali National Park
Lodging:Denali Backcountry Lodge – one of National Geographic’s Top 10 Wilderness Lodges in the World
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4 – Denali National Park – Hike, Pan for Gold, and fishing are just some of the activities you can enjoy today
Enjoy a day of hiking, game viewing, gold panning and fishing deep in the heart of Denali. Very few Denali visitors explore past the first 15 miles (it is restricted) of the park. This will be a definite highlight of your trip.
Hike, Fish or Pan for Gold in Denali National Park
Lodging: Denali Backcountry Wilderness Cabin
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5 – Leave Denali National Park but staying in Denali area
Sightseeing throughout Denali
Lodging: Denali Cabins
Breakfast
Day 6 – Denali to Fairbanks
Today we will wake up, have breakfast and get ready for our trip up to Fairbanks (about a 3-hour drive).
We will be watching out for bears, moose, and other Alaskan wildlife along the trip.
Along the way, we will build a fire and cook our lunch. A typical Alaskan day in the wilderness.
Sightseeing
Lodging: A 4 Star Hotel/Lodge in Fairbanks
Breakfast
Day 7 – Fly up to the Arctic and the village of Kaktovik
Early in the morning, we will be flying from Fairbanks to Kaktovik. Kaktovik is on Barter Island. Barter Island is an island located on the Arctic coast of the U.S. state of Alaska and about 380 miles north of Fairbanks past the Brooks Range. It is a small native Alaskan village of around 300 people.
Once there and after lunch, we will go out for 4 hours to see these magnificent animals in the wild.
Each year, polar bears gather along barrier islands just off Barter Island and the Inupiaq village of Kaktovik, as they wait for freeze-up in the Beaufort Sea, so they can head out onto the sea ice to hunt.
Viewing Polar Bears in the Wild
Lodging: Kaktovik, AK
Flights from Fairbanks to Kaktovik
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8 – Kaktovik to Fairbanks
After breakfast, we will head back out for another 4 hours with the Polar Bears. The morning gives you another chance to get that picture with just the right light that you want.
After viewing the bears, we will come back, have lunch and get ready to fly back to Fairbanks.
Viewing Polar Bears in the Wild
Lodging: Fairbanks, AK
Flight back to Fairbanks
Breakfast, Lunch
Day 9 – Fairbanks back to Anchorage
Today we return back to Anchorage. We will stop around Denali and have lunch and then head back. The trip is about 7 hours plus lunch so we will get off in the morning by 8:00 am and plan on getting back to Anchorage around 4 pm.
We will drop you off at your hotel or the airport. If you choose to leave from Fairbanks, let us know and we can arrange your transportation.
Watch for wildlife on the trip back to Anchorage
Breakfast
Included in Xpedition
- All activities
- All Internal Flights
- 8 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches & 3 Dinners
- Winter clothing when viewing Polar Bears
- Transportation to/from Airport
- Water
**Please note that the Itinerary is subject to change due to weather conditions.
Not Included in Xpedition
- Trip Insurance
- Flights to/from Anchorage
- Certain Meals (Please see Itinerary)