Spirit of Alaska 7 Day Tour 2023

PLEASE NOTE: The rates and itinerary shown on this page are only available for private groups of 9 or more passengers. If you have less than 9 members in your group, please visit this page to learn about our mixed group tour options: 2023 Alaska Land Tours, or contact us to find out what is possible.

The Spirit of Alaska tour is a 6 night, 7 day Alaska land package. The tour begins and ends in Anchorage, Alaska.  Travel north to explore Denali National Park. Then travel south to enjoy a glacier day cruise of Kenai Fjords National Park.  Ride aboard the Alaska Railroad dome rail-cars to see breathtaking views.  Tour a working sled dog kennel to learn about this long-time Alaskan sport.

These small private tour groups are a maximum 13 passengers and 1 Alaska resident guide traveling mainly by small coach.

Only meals provided by lodging or activity as noted are included, all other meals are at travelers’ cost. Access to dining choices will be provided during travels by your guide.

Alaska Day 1

Arrival Day, Anchorage, Alaska

Today is the scheduled arrival day into Anchorage, Alaska.  Alaskan Tour Guides is happy to assist with additional hotel reservations for those who wish to arrive earlier.

Arrival day is unguided. Meals and activities for this day are the traveler’s own expense. The hotel room and tax for this night is included in the tour rate.  Additionally, a breakfast voucher for tomorrow is included.

Hotel: The Lakefront Anchorage, offers modern, lodge-like accommodations on the shores of Lake Spenard and Lake Hood. From a lakeside deck, guests can watch over 800 float planes land every day at Lake Hood, the largest and busiest floatplane base in the world.  This hotel offers complimentary 24/7 airport service and daily shuttle service to the downtown Anchorage area and the Alaska Railroad Depot. Deluxe rooms feature one King or two Queen beds.

Day 2

HIGHLIGHTS: Escorted Tour Begins;  Sled Dog Kennel tour;  Denali, Alaska

9:00 am Meet your Alaskan Tour guide in the hotel lobby to begin your exciting Alaska tour. This 7 day Alaska private tour is exclusive to your group, and travel will take place mostly in a deluxe small coach. A longtime Alaska resident will be your driver-guide. Benefit from local resident knowledge and first hand experiences. Your ATG guide provides genuine Alaskan hospitality and concierge-level service to provide you the best vacation experience.  Depart Anchorage to travel north to Denali Park.

Visit Palmer, a small Alaskan town first settled in the early 1930’s as part of Roosevelt’s New Deal.  It’s centered around agriculture and surrounded by impressive mountain peaks. 

1:00 pm Make an in-route stop in Willow, Alaska. This Alaska town is the heart of mushing country. Tour Dream a Dream Kennels to meet the team of Vern Halter, a veteran Iditarod musher.  Presentations weave the history of the Iditarod into an informative and interactive experience. Take a ride on a multi-seat All Terrain Vehicle.  These dog limos are the most realistic way to ride with a sled dog team in the summer months It’s great training for the dogs and you’ll see how they love it!  

Continue the drive to our destination, Denali National Park.

Denali Bluffs Hotel newest rooms in Denali feature spacious river view rooms with two Queen or one King bed.

MEALS: none | DRIVE TIME: 5 hours

Alaska Tour Day 3

TOUR DAY HIGHLIGHTS: Denali National Park Transit

Depart for Denali Park entrance. Denali National Park and Preserve, which is located in Interior Alaska, features Mt. Denali, the highest mountain in North America. The park encompasses more than 6 million acres and provides visitors with a scenic experience of a lifetime.

The Denali Park Road parallels the Alaska Range. Scenic travel through low valleys and high mountain passes. This is the only road inside the park. Along its route, sightseeing of beautiful landscapes at every turn, and a view of Denali – if weather allows. Witness wildlife in its natural habitat.

The turnaround point for your park experience will be at Mile 43 of the park road.

This shuttle travels 43 miles one way, 5-6 hours round trip if you stay with the same bus. It stops every hour and 15 minutes for view points and restroom stops. Stops are made whenever wildlife is sighted.

Spend your second night at the Denali Bluffs Hotel.

MEALS: none | DRIVE TIME: 30 min. plus Park Shuttle (not all drive time)

Day 4

TOUR DAY HIGHLIGHTS: Alaska Railroad Goldstar – Denali to Talkeetna;  Wasilla, Alaska

11:20 am check in to board The Denali Star, the Alaska Railroad’s flagship train, GoldStar Service from Denali to Talkeetna. On this Alaska tour route, sparkling salmon streams and stands of birch and spruce come into view, while carpets of fireweed add dramatic purple to the scenic landscape. Enjoy first-class service aboard double-deck dome cars. Reserved upper-level dome car seating, upper-level outdoor viewing deck, exclusive lower-level dining room, lunch and two adult beverages included. 

The train departs at 12:20 and your guide will meet you with your luggage in Talkeetna at 4:40 pm. Then, depart Talkeetna by ATG small coach for the drive to our overnight destination in Wasilla.

Lake Lucille Inn guests enjoy beautiful mountain and lake views along with comfortable accommodations. Guest laundry and wireless internet available. Deluxe rooms feature a lake view.

MEALS: L | DRIVE TIME: 1.5 hours | RAIL TIME: 4.5 hours

Tour Day 5

TOUR DAY HIGHLIGHTS: National Scenic Byway; Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center; Seward, Alaska

Hotel breakfast included.

Travel south along the Seward Highway. This National Scenic Byway passes through some of the most spectacular sightseeing in the country. The landscape varies from the muddy ocean waters of Turnagain Arm to the icy blue glaciers hanging above. Wildflowers and waterfalls seem to brighten every turn of the road as it glides below rough mountains that pierce thick, heavy clouds. Only Alaska’s Seward Highway can offer this particular mix created by climate, geography, and geology.

The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is a non profit organization that cares for rescued wildlife; injured and/or orphaned. This is a fantastic opportunity to photograph Alaska wildlife up close. See moose, brown and black bear, wood bison, musk ox and many more rescued animals.

Continue the drive south.

Seward, Alaska is a picturesque coastal community where the mountains melt into the seas. Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park offer spectacular views of wildlife, glaciers and mountains. Stop by the harbor to see returning fish charters and their catch of the day, peruse the souvenir shops, or stroll along the bayfront.

Hotel: The Gateway Hotel. Seward’s newest hotel with spacious and quiet rooms with either 2 queen beds or one king. Includes continental breakfast room. Easy walking distance to shops, dining, and convenient for a walk along the bay under the late evening sun.

MEALS: B | DRIVE TIME: 3.5 hours

Alaska Tour Day 6

TOUR DAY HIGHLIGHTS: Kenai Fjords National Park Wildlife and Glacier Tour

Hotel breakfast room included.

10:30 am check in for the 6 hour Kenai Fjords National Park tour. This 6 hour Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise explores the world of whales, wildlife, and glaciers found in Kenai Fjords National Park.

Providing a full narration to your journey, an experienced captain will point out the spectacular sights and provide information on the area’s ecology, history, and geology. Spend time in front of the mighty Holgate Glacier, an actively calving tidewater glacier. Cruise about islands and coves of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, home to thousands of nesting seabirds including puffins, common murres, and black-legged kittiwakes. Other possible wildlife sightseeing include bears, mountain goats, sea otters, seals, sea lions, porpoises, fish, and whales. A deli style lunch is included.

The tour returns 5:30 pm.

Spend your second night at the: Gateway Hotel.

MEALS: B, L | DRIVE TIME: none | CRUISE TIME: 6 hours

7 Day Alaska Tour – Final Day

TOUR DAY HIGHLIGHTS: Alaska Sealife Center; Anchorage, Alaska 

Hotel breakfast room included.

Visit the Alaska SeaLife Center for an unrivaled, up-close and personal experience with Gulf of Alaska marine wildlife. Witness a 2000+ pound Steller sea lion gliding past underwater viewing windows, puffins diving in a carefully crafted naturalistic habitat, and engage your senses at the Discovery touch tank. Alaskan king crab, sea stars, a variety of fish, sea creatures and the Giant Pacific octopus also await you.

Travel north as you return along the Seward Highway allowing a second opportunity for magical views and potential wildlife sightings in their natural habitat.

3 pm arrival into Anchorage. Departing flights with a check in time of 3:30 or later are advised (recommend at least 2 hours between check-in and departure times).

City tours are dependent on time allowed and weather of the day. Options include visits to Earthquake Park, Ship Creek, and other downtown locations for shopping, dining or to add small attractions.

*Your 7 day Alaska tour concludes in Anchorage with pre-arranged drop off at the airport or hotel. Drop times are scheduled and no later than 7 pm.

MEALS: B | DRIVE TIME: 2.5 hours