15-night National Parks Cruisetour #ZA8

Glide into College Fjord where you will be completely surrounded by 16 ice-blue glaciers. Each was named for one of the Ivy League colleges by members of the expedition that discovered them.

Disembark in Whittier and travel by motorcoach to the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge for a 2-night retreat.

A full day in the beauty of the Kenai Peninsula awaits you on a Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise. The excitement begins when your vessel ventures out from Seward to Resurrection Bay. Then out to the open waters of the Gulf of Alaska, around Aialik Peninsula to the face of Aialik Glacier. About 20 species of seabird’s nest along the rocky coastline. Later, return to your bungalow-style room with its wood-burning stove and sun porch for an evening of pure relaxation.

This morning, a spectacular motorcoach journey awaits. You will travel along the Kenai Peninsula to Anchorage and onto Copper River. Our Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge welcomes you with incredible views of Mt. Drum, Mt. Wrangell, and Mt. Blackburn.

Today’s highlight is a Kennecott Explorer excursion into Wrangell St. Elias National Park. Let us do the driving as you enjoy the beautiful Copper River Valley! Your local driver-guide will point out the highlights of the area as you pass through the farming community of Kenny Lake and the historic town of Chitina. From there the road enters Wrangell St Elias National Park. The 60 miles of road from Chitina are gravel and sit directly on the old railroad bed. At the end of the road, you will get off at the footbridge with tickets to catch the McCarthy bus that will take you to the final 4½ miles into the historic mill town of Kennecott. You will have approximately five hours on your own to explore the area so make sure you visit the Kennecott Visitor Center and speak with a local Ranger! Travel time is approximately 3 ½ hours each way with a total tour duration of 12.75 hours. This tour is not suitable for guests with back or mobility issues.

Travel via the Richardson and Parks Highways as you head toward Denali National Park. The Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge is your home for the next two nights. Check in with the Guest Service Desk for help in planning your own Denali adventure. Or you may enjoy the spectacular main lodge, river view deck, and Princess Village with the popular Christmas cottage and sugar shack. Be sure to check out Fannie Q's Saloon, named after a famed local homesteader.

Explore Denali National Park on a Tundra Wilderness Tour, watching for glimpses of Denali as well as Denali's "Big Five"; bears, moose, caribou, wolves, and Dall sheep. Later today, you may want to simply relax with a glass of wine on the deck overlooking the Nenana River.

Between our two Denali lodges is some of Alaska's most beautiful scenery. Sightsee by Princess Rail to Talkeetna and then motorcoach to the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge for a 1-night retreat. Sit and gaze at the majesty of “The Great One” from the lodge’s treehouse designed and built by Pete Nelson of Animal Planet’s Treehouse Masters. Hear stories about climbing Denali in the Hudson Theater or roast a marshmallow at the fireside patio.

Take in final views of the mountains, over a leisurely cup of coffee, before you transfer via motorcoach to Anchorage. This is Alaska's most cosmopolitan city, so get out and explore the shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions. Overnight Hotel Captain Cook.

Your tour ends in Anchorage, but your memories of this trip will last a lifetime!