7-Day Hike Alaska Glaciers + Denali Tour from Anchorage【Max 16 Pax Small Group】: Seward, Denali National Park and Preserve
What you'll experience
Highlights
• 6 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners included
• Hike among glaciers and icefields
• Marvel at the scenery in Denali National Park
• See dramatic views of a glacier on the Byron Creek trail
• Spend free time in Seward exploring this fun town
• Hike the Talkeetna Lake Trail en route to Denali NP
• Take in panoramic views from the Mt Healy Overlook trail
• Look for bears and other wildlife in their natural habitat
7 days
Day-by-day itinerary
- 1
Day 1 — Anchorage - Seward
After a brief welcome meeting with your CEO, travel to Seward this morning for a trip to Churgach State Park. Start out with a rewarding hike on the Crow Pass Trail to Crystal Lake. Keep a look out for wildlife along this 6.2 mile hike teeming with wildflowers. Climb over 2000 ft elevation to the clear waters of Crystal Lake, nestled in the alpine meadows. Enjoy a picnic lunch.
Afterwards, the group will transfer to the campground in Seward to set up camp along Resurrection Bay. In the evening, enjoy dinner together around the campfire.
【Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Meeting - Meet Your CEO and Group】
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
【Crow Pass Trail Hike in Seward】
Hike along the Crow Pass Trail to Crystal Lake. This 6.2-mile out-and-back trail near Girdwood, Alaska offers gorgeous scenery and a fun challenge. It takes about four hours to complete and is a great time to absorb Alaska's untamed beauty and wildlife.Meals: B: Excluded, L: Included, D: IncludedStay: Millers Landing Campground - 2
Day 2 — Seward
After a camp breakfast, spend the day hiking the Harding Icefield Trail. This spectacular 7.4 mile trail begins on the valley floor and then winds through cottonwood and alder forests, heather filled meadows, and climbs above the tree line for a breathtaking view of the Icefield. It will take 6-8 hours to complete and offers plenty of impressive views along the way to keep you going. Dinner will be made back at camp in the evening.
【Hike to View Exit Glacier on the Harding Icefield Trail】
Head out on an amazing hike to the Exit Glacier along the Harding Icefield trail. The 11.9km (7.4 mi) round trip of the Harding Icefield Trail is a spectacular day hike through the Alaska backcountry. Starting on the valley floor, the trail winds through cottonwood and alder forests, passes though heather-filled meadows and ultimately climbs well above tree line to a breathtaking view of the icefield. The top of the trail is a window to past ice ages – a horizon of ice and snow that stretches as far as the eye can see, broken only by an occasional nunatak or lonely peak. There are various lookout points along the trail that serve as good turnaround points. Portions of the upper trail are covered by ice and snow part of the year. Easier, shorter hikes to the base of the glacier are also options that also afford beautiful views for those not looking for a strenuous hike.
Black bears are spotted frequently from the Harding Icefield Trail.
Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: IncludedStay: Millers Landing Campground - 3
Day 3 — Seward
Today is all about Seward. After breakfast, how the day will go is up to you. The morning will consist of a challenging hike up Mount Marathon or free time in town to do as you please if you aren't in the mood for this hike.
In the afternoon, enjoy free time to find a lunch spot in Seward and then opt to walk around the waterfront of downtown, visit the Alaska Sealife Center, watch for otters playing in the water, or rent a kayak and explore Resurrection Bay. Dinner will be made back at camp in the evening.
【Mount Marathon Hike】
This particular hike is one of the more unique things to do in Seward. Located just one mile outside of town Mt. Marathon overlooks Seward and Resurrection Bay. Hiking to the top is challenging but well worth it for the views. You gain nearly 3,022 ft in elevation, a climb that puts you nearly in the clouds. It's a bit steep, but there's nothing quite like the accomplishment of completing this hike.
【Free Time in Seward】
Free time to explore Seward and find hidden gems. Maybe grab a bite to eat, walk around the waterfront, rent kayaks, or simply hang out.Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: IncludedStay: Millers Landing Campground - 4
Day 4 — Seward - Denali National Park and Preserve
Travel to Denali National Park with the group in the morning. Along the way make a stop to hike the Talkeetna Lake Trail through lush old-growth forest. Search for wildlife in one of the area's most beautiful settings.
In the late afternoon continue on to Denali National Park where you'll be staying in cozy cabins with shared bathroom facilities.
【Talkeetna Lake Trail】
A great place to hike and look for wildlife this 3.7 mile loop offers lake views and strolls through deep woods. Search for otters, beavers, bears, foxes, maybe moose, and hundreds of different species of birds. Walk through lush old-growth forest and listen for the loons calling across the water.
Denali National Park & Preserve
Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Denali Perch Resort - 5
Day 5 — Denali National Park and Preserve
Breakfast this morning will be boxed so you can eat it on the go. The group will be taking the shuttle bus into the park to experience more of the scenery and wildlife that Denali has to offer.
After a picnic lunch, the group will hike the Horseshoe Lake trail. Highlights of this easy, but rewarding hike include the calm waters of the lake nestled in its forested surroundings and views along the edge of the Nenana River where you could watch whitewater rafters pass by.
【Denali National Park and Preserve】
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.
【Horseshoe Lake Hike in Denali National Park and Preserve】
This trail is located near the park entrance and is easy to complete, but has surprisingly varied scenery and plenty of chances to spot wildlife. If you walk the whole loop you’ll see the rocky rapids of the Nenana River, a beaver dam along the creek, and a small beach along the lake. The hike starts off with a somewhat steep downhill, where you’ll get a scenic glimpse over both the lake and river below. After that it flattens into the loop portion of the trail.Denali National Park & Preserve
Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: ExcludedStay: Denali Perch Resort - 6
Day 6 — Denali National Park and Preserve
Wake up in cabins this morning and eat a quick breakfast before heading out to explore the park and the surrounding areas today. You'll have free time to enjoy optional front country hikes in the park: Mount Healy Overlook Trail which offers dramatic views over the Nenana Valley and surrounding mountains and ridges and gains 1700 feet of elevation in only 2.5 miles and/or The Horseshoe Lake Trail. Highlights of this easy, but rewarding hike include the calm waters of the lake nestled in its forested surroundings and views along the edge of the Nenana River where you could watch whitewater rafters pass by.
You can also choose other optional activities near Denali like rafting, or scenic flights with or without glacier landing before returning to the cabins in the evening.
【Mt Healy Overlook Trail Hike】
Mt Healy Overlook Trail is an easy to moderate hike after the first third of it. It's about 4km (2.5 mi) one way with an elevation gain of about 518.2m (1,700 ft). Enjoy gorgeous view of the Alaska Range on a clear day.Denali National Park & Preserve
Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Denali Perch Resort - 7
Day 7 — Denali National Park and Preserve - Anchorage
After breakfast at the cabins settle in for your drive back to Anchorage from Denali where the tour ends on arrival.Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: Excluded
What's included
Included
- 6-night accommodations
- Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Meeting - Meet Your CEO and Group
- A visit to Churgach National Forest with hikes to Byron Creek and Carter Lake
- A hike up Mount Marathon in Seward
- Free time for optional activities in Seward
- Harding Icefield Hike
- Hike along the Talkeetna Lake Trail en route to Denali NP
- A hike up the Mount Healy Overlook trail in Denali National Park
- Hike along Horseshoe Lake
- Free time in Denali National Park for optional activities
- National Park entrance fees
- All transport between destination and to/from included activities
- Private vehicle, national park shuttle bus, hiking
- Group Leader: 1 CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout
- 6 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners (Allow USD150-195 for meals not included.)
Not included
- Airfares or related transportation between your home and destination
- All personal expenses including hotel room service and meals; however, you have the option to pay for meals that tour guide arranges
- Optional tours (Items and prices may vary due to different seasons and are subject to the final confirmation made by tour guide when on tour.)
- Recommendations for tipping local guides would range from $2-8 USD per activity depending on the quality and length of the service, ask your CEO for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and culture. Also at the end of each trip if you felt your Chief Experience Officer did an outstanding job, tipping is appreciated. The amount is entirely a personal preference; however as a guideline $5-10 USD per guest, per day can be used as a guide. If your CEO(s) exceeded your expectations, feel free to tip more.
Meeting & drop-off
Departure points
- Four Points by Sheraton Anchorage Downtown · AnchoragePickup at 08:00:00325 W 8th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501Please meet the group at the Four Points by Sheraton lobby, no later than - 8:00am
Cancellation policy
| When you cancel | Refund | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0–31 days before | 0% | Cancellation Made Within 31 days prior to departure, No Refund |
| 32–61 days before | 50% | Cancellation Made Within 32 days to 61 days prior to departure, Refund 50% of total purchase amount |
| 62+ days before | 90% | Cancellation Made 62 or more days prior to departure, Refund 90% of total purchase amount |
Read the full cancellation terms
Important info
Special notes
- Be prepared before you leave for your trip
Please carefully read all of the info below as it's designed to help you have a smooth travel experience.
* One of our core values is to lead with service. Our Global Connection Officers (or GCOs, the people who answer when you call us) and travel agent partners will do their very best to provide you with the latest information before your trip. There are, however, certain things that are the responsibility of the traveller.
* All the travellers are responsible for arranging and obtaining the required entry documentation for the countries they intend to visit.
* In an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, entry requirements and restrictions dictated by foreign governments can change frequently and irrespective of your intended date of travel. These requirements and restrictions may depend on different factors such as your country of residence, passport nationality, destination and transit points, as well as previous travel history. Given these considerations, it is the traveller’s responsibility to research and to understand the latest travel and health requirements and restrictions by destination which are most relevant to them at the time of travel and to the destination(s) they are planning to visit, as well as to keep themselves up to date.
* Important considerations:
- Don't forget to consider the latest travel and health requirements and restrictions by destination, for both directions of travel - not just for the start country of your tour.
- Don't book your international flights before you do your own research, or before you talk to one of our GCOs or your travel agent, as you may be required to book post-nights before your return flight in order to accommodate COVID-19 testing.
- If you visit multiple countries as part of your itinerary or on the way to your destination, there may be additional entry requirements. Keep this in consideration when verifying your documentation.
- If you are travelling with minors (under the age of 18), additional documentation may be required to enter the country visited. Please contact the Embassy for more information. - Dossier Disclaimer
* The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.
* VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans. - Itinerary Disclaimer
* While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.
* Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances. - Important Notes
* All walks and hikes proposed in this itinerary are moderate to strenuous level. You may choose to participate or not, but exploring our national parks on foot is part of our way of travelling. It’s a healthy way to discover North America’s beauty and landscape.
* Please note that the legal drinking age in the United States is 21. Many bars and clubs will ask for ID at the door, therefore listening to live music in certain bars or spending a night out is not possible when you are under the legal age, even if you don't plan on consuming alcohol. Drinking laws are strictly enforced and our CEOs are unable to help those under age obtain alcohol of any kind. In Alaska, ID is often checked, even for the elderly, and in many places every single customer making an alcohol purchase must show identification (either US government-issued ID or passport if not from the States)..
While this should not stop those under legal drinking age from booking a tour, it is important to note that if a traveller is under-age there are certain optional nighttime activities that they may not legally be able to participate in. When trying to book the right trip, we recommend that travellers under legal drinking age take this into consideration. - Group Leader Description
* This group trip is accompanied by one of our group leaders, otherwise known as a Chief Experience Officer (CEO). The CEO will be the group manager, leader and sometimes the driver - this person is knowledgeable in the routes travelled and will organize and lead the meal preparations and has experience in cooking a variety of local and international dishes for large groups.
* As the group coordinator and manager, the aim of the CEO is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. They will also offer suggestions for things to do and to see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends.
* We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting - we think it's the best of both worlds. - Some meals on this tour are included in the tour price. When a meal is not included, this is because there are often many options available and we believe you should have the opportunity to explore a bit and taste the local cuisine yourself. In these cases, your CEO will be able to suggest some good local restaurants or options for you to choose from.
- About our Transportation
* For this trip we use 15-passenger vans for up to 14 people plus the CEO/Driver. For groups of 8 and more travellers, we also use a trailer to carry luggage. These durable vehicles allow us to drive on most types of roads in North America.
* Each van has a front passenger seat and 4 benches that will accommodate 3 people each with mandatory seat belts to keep us secure and safe. No standing is permitted in these vehicles.
* Please take note of the travel times and distances in the above itinerary. There is air conditioning to cool things down on warm days to keep everyone more comfortable. Despite some of the long days, most travellers feel that the diversity of the North American landscape, culture and wildlife are all well worth the experience! - About Accommodation
* Participation camping in campgrounds and shared bath cabins in Denali.
* Participation camping in clean local campgrounds. All camping equipment (with the exception of your sleeping bag and pillow) is supplied, including comfortable camp mattresses. We supply dome tents that take only 5 minutes to assemble/disassemble. They are good quality, durable, industry-standard, oversized 2-person tents, each with 2 separate and convenient zip-up doors, so that each person has his/her own entrance.
* We use 2 types of campgrounds:
- Private campgrounds: These are privately run sites, usually with all services such as fire pits, picnic tables, drinking water, toilets & shower buildings. Some have small outdoor swimming pools and laundry facilities. These campgrounds are typically located near national park entrances or towns.
- Public campgrounds: These are park-run sites, usually with basic facilities such as fire pits, picnic tables, and drinking water. Some may have shower fees for onsite facilities ($2-6/shower).
- Charging stations may or may not be available at every campground. Most provide them, but your CEO can alert you when there will be a time between charging access points. - Laundry can be done at least once a week while on tour. Some private campgrounds and most cities have laundromats where you can buy soap and wash your laundry in coin-operated machines. Your CEO will advise you along the trip where you will be able to do your laundry.
- Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.
- Do not rely on credit or debit cards as your only source of money. A combination of US Dollars as cash (preferably smaller bills, 5's, 10's and 20's), traveller's cheques and credit cards is best. Currency exchange is best obtained prior to travel or at the airport, currency exchange is very difficult to find in the USA and most banks do not accommodate. Always take more rather than less, as you don't want to spoil the trip by constantly feeling short of funds.
Pricing notes (children, single supplement)
* Price for Double applies when two people stay in one standard hotel room respectively.
* Children under 12 years of age are not permitted on this tour.
* All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
* Child shares the same price as adult.
* Maximum room capacity: 2 people.
Tour operator
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