Transfer from your local departure point to Chicago’s O’Hare airport for the flight to Anchorage, Alaska. Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your downtown hotel. Your evening is free.

This morning, breakfast is provided before boarding a deluxe motorcoach for today’s adventure to Valdez. Drive through the Matanuska Susitna Valley where record monster size vegetables grow in the 24-hour daylight and stop by Worthington Glacier for a look at this gigantic piece of ice. Early evening you arrive in Valdez, known as Alaska’s Little Switzerland, check into your overnight accommodations.

Enjoy a continental breakfast at the hotel prior to the chance to explore this port community, including entrance to the Valdez Museum. Later board a glacier & wildlife cruise and travel through the majestic Prince William Sound. Explore the three-mile face of the mighty Columbia Glacier and keep your eyes open for seals, sea lions, otters, whales and puffins. Overnight will be in Valdez.

After a continental breakfast your motorcoach travels north to Fairbanks, the largest city in the interior of Alaska. The route today will take you along the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, the largest park in the United States and the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Overnight will be in Fairbanks, known to Alaskans as the Golden Heart City.

Today you will learn how the gold rush affected Alaska’s interior on a sightseeing tour that will include a visit to the University of Alaska’s Fairbanks Museum. You will have time for shopping, walking and dining on your own in downtown Fairbanks before a cruise on the Chena River aboard a sternwheeler. Tonight will be your second overnight in Fairbanks and your can choose to partake in an optional salmon bake.

It is time to head south today, on the way to Denali National Park. When you arrive enjoy an afternoon of exploration at your leisure either in a complimentary park service activity or an optional tour. Your choices might be a river rafting adventure, flight seeing to Mt. McKinley, or a visit to the award winning dog kennels of Iditarod champion Jeff King. Tonight an optional Denali Dinner Theatre is available. Overnight is in Denali Park.

Travel deep into Denali Park today on the Tundra Wilderness Tour, searching the pristine wilderness for bear, moose, caribou and Dall sheep. This five hour narrated journey provides great insight into this spectacular region. The remainder of the day and evening are on your own with overnight lodging again in the Park.

This morning will be your final opportunity to explore Denali Park on your own. This afternoon board the world famous Alaska Railroad for the trip to Anchorage. Traveling the scenic route along the Susitna River, you may catch a glance of Mt. McKinley or maybe a black bear along the river’s edge. You will overnight in Anchorage.

Enjoy a brief city tour of Anchorage which will include the downtown historic district and a visit to the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Tonight feast on an Alaskan style meal and share tales from the road with your traveling companions. Overnight is in Anchorage.

Your Grand Alaska adventure comes to an end as you transfer to the Anchorage airport for the flight home. You will be met at the Chicago airport for the shuttle to your original departure point.