Exploring Alaska

This itinerary is the starting point for your tour, but it’s not set in stone. If there are days you would like to change, or specific places you’d like to go, we can work with you to create a personalized program that fits the needs of you and your students.

Day 1: Anchorage

Fly into Anchorage, Alaska's largest city. Meet your local ACIS Tour Manager and enjoy an orientation and Anchorage sightseeing tour en route to your hotel.

Day 2: Seward

Begin your day with a stop at the Alaska Native Heritage Center to learn all about the first Alaskans. While there, interact with local Alaskans and learn first-hand about their culture through singing, dancing and storytelling. Next you will meet an Alaskan Bush Pilot at the Alaska Aviation Museum and get to see bush planes up close and personal. Learn all about flying in the bush of Alaska, and how important the industry is for this large state. In the afternoon start your journey south towards Seward, stopping en route in the small town of Girdwood for a visit to Crow Creek Mine. Learn about the early time in Alaska when gold was the origin of many towns in Alaska. Finish your Alaskan day in the picturesque and small port city of Seward, Alaska.

Day 3: Seward

After breakfast, enjoy a short hike that lets you view the most accessible glacier in Resurrection Bay—Exit Glacier. Learn about the exciting science of glaciology as you discuss the causes and implications of the glacier's recession. Next continue your adventure as you head to Seward's Small Boat Harbor where you board your vessel for a (6 hour) Kenai Fjords National Park boat cruise, viewing marine wildlife. Keep an eye out for whales, otters and seals. On arrival back at Seward Harbor, enjoy an up close and personal visit to the Alaska SeaLife Center where you will learn more about the marine animals you saw in the wild.

Day 4: Wasilla

After breakfast, head north and along the way, stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center for a chance to see Alaskan animals up-close. A local guide from the center will share information and stories about the bears, bison, moose and many more animals at the center. Next head to a small community called Big Lake. Enjoy a visit to the home of four-time Iditarod winner Martin Buser and his sled dogs at Happy Trails Kennel. Learn about the history of the Last Great Race and the life and art of mushing dogs in Alaska. You even get to cuddle with puppies (no, you can't take one home!).

Day 5: Denali

This morning visit a local reindeer farm for a fun, up-close wildlife encounter with these beautiful animals. Your day continues as you head toward the quaint little town of Talkeetna, nestled at the base of Denali. Enjoy learning about the town via a historical walking tour and visit to the Talkeetna Ranger Station, which keeps track of the people climbing Denali. Then you'll arrive in Denali National Park and be regaled with tales of adventure—a talk by a local mountaineer shares insight on all the preparation and risk that comes with climbing to Denali's 20,310 foot peak, the highest in North America!

Day 6: Denali

This morning enjoy a visit to the Denali National Park Visitor Center before embarking on a true adventure—Wilderness Rafting along the beautiful Nenana River! In the afternoon you will enjoy stunning landscapes and wildlife watching opportunities on a 5-6 hour scenic tour of Denali National Park. Your local guide will provide information about this vast wilderness and the wildlife that takes up residence here. Keep an eye out for moose, caribou, wolves, bears and much more. You will also have the opportunity to get out and walk on the tundra. A box dinner is included on your excursion.

Day 7: Anchorage

Spend the morning at leisure before you tour south to Talkeetna, where you board a deluxe dome rail for your journey south to Anchorage. Along the journey, learn all about the history of the railroad! Tonight enjoy dinner on the rails.

Day 8: Departure

Depart for home.