15-night National Parks Cruisetour #ZB8

Arrive in Anchorage and get settled in the Hotel Captain Cook for an overnight stay. You might enjoy getting out to see the shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions of this surprisingly metropolitan city.

Motorcoach service takes you from Anchorage deep into the wilderness. Enjoy the scenic transfer to the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, featuring incredible views of Denali. Sit and gaze at "The Great One" from the lodge's treehouse, hear stories about climbing Denali in the Hudson Theater or roast marshmallows at the fireside patio.

Between our two Denali lodges is some of Alaska's most beautiful scenery. Sightsee by motorcoach to Talkeetna then enjoy Princess Rail service to the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge. 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.

This morning, board your motorcoach and settle in for a scenic drive to the Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge. The lodge welcomes you with incredible views of Mt. Drum, Mt. Wrangell, and Mt. Blackburn. End your day with a relaxing dinner at the Two Rivers Restaurant.

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.

Next you will head by motorcoach across the stunning Kenai peninsula to Cooper Landing and the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge.

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.

Travel by motorcoach to Whittier and your awaiting ship. Embark and sail this evening.

Seventy-five miles long and covering over 1,350 square miles in area, the Hubbard Glacier is the largest tidewater glacier in North America. It is also one of the most impressive, a 300-foot wall of ice rising sheer and jagged from the ocean. You may hear the rumble and see the monumental splash as the glacier breaks off in great ice chunks, known as "calves."