13-night Denali Explorer Cruisetour #KA6

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.

Step off your ship into a waiting railcar for our exclusive Direct-to-the-Wilderness rail service to the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge for a 2-night retreat. Here you'll settle in with Denali never far from view. Take in the sensational views with a glass of wine in the great room or on the expansive deck.

You have a full day to plan however you choose. Stop by the Tour Desk for a variety of optional excursions. Walk the nature trails around the lodge or 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.

Enjoy a scenic motorcoach drive to the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge, located just outside the national park entrance. 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, or sit outside at a fireside patio.

Start your morning with a quick stop at Fannie Q's saloon for a hearty buffet breakfast. Explore Denali National Park on a Natural History Tour, watching for glimpses of Denali as well as Denali's "Big Five"; moose, caribou, bears, wolves and Dall sheep. Later today, you may want to simply relax with a glass of wine on the deck overlooking the Nenana River.

Travel via motorcoach along the George Parks Highway to Fairbanks, Alaska's "Golden Heart" city. Spend the evening immersing yourself in the Gold Rush history, Native culture and authentic hospitality of the city.

A full day in Fairbanks gives you time to get a feel for the unique culture and history of the region. You'll take a cruise on an authentic Sternwheeler Riverboat down the Chena River then enjoy a Gold Dredge 8 tour with the chance to pan for your own gold. A hearty miner's lunch is included. The evening is at leisure.

Your tour ends today in Fairbanks.