United StatesAlaska Family Journey: Wilderness Explorer
Welcome to Anchorage–your arrival transfer to the hotel is included. Check in and get excited to meet your fellow travelers during a welcome meeting this evening where all families can bond before the Journey ahead.
Arrival Transfer
You will be transferred from the airport to your start hotel.
Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting
The adventure begins tonight. Feel free to explore before your welcome meeting, but make sure you’re back in time to meet the group. Check for the meeting time on the welcome note at the hotel. After introductions, your Expedition Leader will review the details of your tour. Please note that normal check-in times apply at our start hotels, but you can usually store your luggage for the day if you arrive early.
Accommodation
Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.
Sheraton Hotel & Spa Anchorage
Travel down the scenic Seward Highway, past Turnagain Arm, where one of the largest bore tides in the world surges a massive wave into the waterway each day. Hike to view Exit Glacier on the Glacier Overlook trial. The afternoon is free to explore Seward; or opt for adventure in the Alaskan wilderness while hiking.
Private Vehicle
Sit back and enjoy the scenery from the comfort of your private vehicle from Anchorage to Seward. The drive will take you along the winding road along the Turnagain Arm waterway.
Hike to Exit Glacier
Head out on an amazing hike to view Exit Glacier. The Glacier Overlook Trail is a well maintained trail which provides views of Exit Glacier. Follow this moderately strenuous 2.2 mile loop trail to the Exit Glacier Overlook and view the glacier in its own glacially carved valley.
Free Time
Enjoy some time to explore this coastal town, go hiking or kayaking.
Accommodation
Gateway Hotel Seward
Visit the famed Alaska Sealife Center, an aquarium that collaborates with National Geographic on wildlife initiatives. Board a catamaran for a cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park, where nearly 40 glaciers flow down coastal mountains, forging icy pathways into the sea. Our boat takes us to the exit ramp for one of these massive ice sheets, where we may see—and hear—great chunks of ice fall straight into the water. Kenai is also a wildlife-lover’s paradise, home to orcas and humpbacks, puffins, porpoises, and much more. Enjoy lunch on board.
Alaska SeaLife Center
On the shores of the scenic town of Seward sits the renowned Alaska SeaLife Center, Alaska’s premier public aquarium. This esteemed marine science facility offers a combined focus on research, wildlife rehabilitation, and educating the public. Enjoy a visit to the centre, which frequently collaborates with the National Geographic Society on various wildlife initiatives such as critter cams, expeditions, and the important Photo Ark project, which aims to create portraits of the world’s species before they disappear to extinction.
Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise
Cruise through the glacial waters of Kenai Fjords National Park on a large catamaran hosted and narrated by a National Park Ranger. See three different kinds of glaciers, including a piedmont glacier, several cirque glaciers and an active calving tidewater glacier. Take time to look for wildlife in the sky and surrounding waters as you learn about the region. Keep an eye out for Humpback Whales, Orcas, Dall’s Porpoise, Harbor Seals, puffins, sea otters, sea lions, and more.
Accommodation
Gateway Hotel Seward
On our journey back north, experience a visit to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Centre where the National Geographic TV show, Alaska Animal Rescue has been filmed. The show follows dedicated animal caretakers from the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center—as well as other animal centres throughout the state—and showcases their efforts to protect and respond to wild animals in need in the unforgiving climates of Alaska. Wander the scenic loop, learn about the resident wildlife, and try spotting brown bears, moose, wood bison, or wolves in the sanctuary's 200 acres. From here, the group will travel to the Thunder Bird Falls Trail and enjoy a short hike out to the waterfall before finishing the journey to Talkeetna where everyone will have a free evening in town.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Your Family Journeys Moment: Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center Visit
Located in Portage Valley and surrounded by the breathtaking Chugach Mountain Range, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center works hard to protect animals native to the unforgiving climates of Alaska. Founded in 1993 and turned nonprofit in 2000, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center has been featured on National Geographic’s TV show, Alaska Animal Rescue. The caretakers work tirelessly year-round to take in orphaned or injured wild animals and give them a forever home on the sanctuary’s 200 acres of spacious habitats where they can display their natural wild behaviors. Experience the resident wildlife via the scenic 1.5-mile loop, accessible by foot, bike, or by car, while learning about the wildlife via interpretive signs at each animal habitat. Be on the lookout for roaming brown bears, moose, wood bison, muskox, wolves, and porcupines!
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Thunder Bird Falls Trail Hike
Get out and stretch those legs on a hike to Thunder Bird Falls. This trail is often called one of the best short hikes near Anchorage. The route is very moderate, all ages and fitness levels should be able to manage. Located just north of Eagle River, the trail follows Eklutna River and winds through a birch forest. You’ll finish at a viewing platform near a flowing 200-ft waterfall before returning to the starting point along the same trail. Duration: 1h-1.5h Distance: 2.8km (1.8 miles) Elevation gain: 347ft.
Accommodation
Swiss Alaska Inn
As we travel toward Denali National Park, we get ever closer to Denali—or “the great one”—North America’s highest peak. Even among the soaring summits of the Alaska Range, Denali dominates the horizon. Since the beginning of the early 20th century, many explorers have undertaken expeditions within the wilds of Alaska funded by National Geographic. These research initiatives included early aerial photographs and geographical mapping of what was once America’s “Last Frontier.” Once in the park we’ll travel to a dog sledding facility. Here, snuggle a husky puppy, watch sled dogs train for the upcoming racing season, and learn about mushing traditions
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Your Family Journeys Moment: Husky Homestead
Head to Husky Homestead to learn about the dog sledding traditions in the demanding Alaskan wilderness. Get a behind the scenes view of the sled dogs during their summer training. Hear tales about the people who live in this unforgiving terrain year-round and the heroic huskies that help them survive.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Denali Grizzly Bear Resort
This morning, venture into the heart of Denali National Park and Preserve on a wildlife safari. The park’s incredible creatures stand out against the sparse landscape, and a drive along the park road is often the best way to see them. As we drive to the East Fork Bridge at (Mile 43) and back, make it your mission to spot Denali’s “big five:” grizzly bears, moose, caribou, Dall sheep, and elusive wolves. The return trip to our hotel offers another chance for wildlife-viewing.
Denali National Park Visit
Spend the day exploring Denali National Park. The area is well-known for its diversity of wildlife and Denali, the highest peak in North America, formerly called Mt McKinley. There are 39 species of mammals, 167 species of birds, 10 species of fish, and one species of amphibian known in Denali. Summer is a time for raising the young and preparing for migration, hibernation, or survival during the winter and, with a little luck, we witness it all. Discover the dynamic glaciated landscape providing large rivers, countless lakes and ponds, and unique landforms which form the foundation of the ecosystems that thrive in Denali.
Scenic Shuttle to East Fork Bridge (Mile 43)
Depart early to explore Denali National Park. Take the shuttle bus to the East Fork Bridge at (Mile 43) and back, getting deeper into the heart of the park. The journey takes approximately 6 hours and shows off the stunning wilderness of Denali.
Accommodation
Denali Grizzly Bear Resort
This morning, meet up with an Alaska resident to hear all about life in America’s northernmost state. Then set off for a hike with a naturalist guide from the Denali Education Center where the kids will have the opportunity to wrap up their junior ranger activities. After having lunch, enjoy a free afternoon to explore the area.
Your Family Journeys Moment: Denali Immersive Presentation and Hike
Living next to the highest mountain in North America requires intense planning and preparation, and even then it's no easy feat. Learn how people live in this remote region, some without running water, and over a hundred miles from the closest grocery store. Meet a year-round resident of Denali and ask questions about surviving in a region with eight months of winter. Then head out with a naturalist on a guided hike to take in the awe-inspiring beauty of the Denali wilderness.
Free Time
Spend the afternoon exploring Denali NP – with so much to see and do, your options are endless! Lunch will finish up around 12pm and the afternoon will be open for activities in the area until 5:30pm.
Optional Activities - Day 7Show
Accommodation
Denali Grizzly Bear Resort
This morning stop for a visit to the Alaska Native Heritage Centre, which made National Geographic Travel’s “Top 10-things to do in Anchorage” list as THE cultural site to see during your time here. Enjoy a private tour and a unique presentation about the traditional and contemporary ways of Alaska’s Indigenous cultures. Afterwards, finish the short journey to Anchorage and join the group for a farewell dinner this evening.
Alaska Native Heritage Center Visit
Enjoy a unique experience at the Alaska Native Heritage Centre as you journey through 10,000 years of Alaska Native history and culture through art, dance, Native Games demonstrations, films, traditional dwellings, and in-depth exhibits. Regarded as THE cultural site to see on National Geographic Travel’s “Top 10-things to do in Anchorage” list, the Center is the perfect place to engage with history, discover a more in-depth look at Alaska’s past, and ask questions about what you learn.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle between Denali National Park and Anchorage.
Accommodation
Sheraton Hotel & Spa Anchorage
Depart at any time.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your Expedition Leader can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.
