Current as of: March 12, 2025 - 01:52
Current as of: March 12, 2025 - 01:52
3 out of 7 - Moderate
With twinkling glaciers, rushing rivers and some of the most beautiful hikes in North America, Alaska has the wow factor. The wildlife is legendary, thriving on land and in sea. And as one of the last bastions of true wilderness, it is the perfect place to spot animals in their natural habitat, including Alaska’s own Big 5: bear, moose, Dall sheep, wolf and caribou. Join this wilderness trip to experience it all, with bear-viewing opportunities, wildlife cruises and wilderness walks. Visit the vast expanse of peaks and glaciers in Denali National Park and enjoy excellent opportunities to see marine giants, including humpback whales and orcas, in Kenai Fjords National Park.
From 1 January 2026, this adventure is only available as a private departure. Contact us to find out more.
Highlights
This tour is graded Activity Level 3 (Moderate) with a Wildlife Rating of Three. Visit our Wildlife Holidays page for more on our Wildlife ratings. For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.
This is an active and varied trip, suitable for people with reasonable fitness. Walks, hikes and activities range in difficulty from easy to strenuous. The walk on Day 7 (Harding Icefield Trail along Exit Glacier) has challenging parts with uneven and sometimes slippery terrain – there are sections of scree and snow, so walking poles are recommended for this day. The views across Exit Glacier are well worth the journey!
The tour leader will organise the optional activities on your behalf and you will pay locally in card or cash (depending on the activity), however we recommend to book the optional bush plane at Mount Denali (Day 5) in advance to guarantee availability. Find the main optional activities listed under each itinerary day description, along with guideline prices, which although correct at the time of publication, can fluctuate throughout the season. It may not be possible to do all optional activities listed on each tour.
Although each tour follows an itinerary, there is a certain amount of flexibility and from time to time your tour leader may suggest changes. This may be due to road conditions, weather or a visit to a special attraction or event that happens to be in progress. Flexibility is key and often a side diversion will be a tour highlight. Hikes and optional activities cannot be guaranteed and may vary depending on ability, group interest, local weather conditions and time of year.
All travellers over the age of 70 will be requested to complete a self-declaration of fitness form prior to travel. Our tours are a unique experience and much of your enjoyment comes from the team spirit of the group and the fun we have together, as well as from the local setting. We cannot stress strongly enough the importance of bringing a positive attitude with you on tour; a guarantee to enjoying each and every moment, even in the adversity of the odd rainstorm.
There is a high likelihood that you will come into contact with wildlife, including bears. You should always follow your guide’s instructions.
Your tour leader takes care of all the planning and organisation throughout the tour, they will drive the van taking you from A to B and make sure everything runs smoothly. Your tour leader is there to make sure you get the most out of your tour, organising activities, providing information, answering any questions and sorting any queries or problems. If you have any particular interests or things you would like to do on tour, let your tour leader know at the beginning of the trip and they will do their best to help.
Please note, US law regulates the total number of hours your group leader is available to work. Tours are designed to make the most of your time in the States, but there are certain times each day your leader must be off duty from work to rest and recuperate. Due to these restrictions, particularly after the longer driving days, your leader may not be able to join you for some of the daily activities or may need to tend to other work duties.
Adult min age: 16
Min group size: 5
Max group size: 13
Those on the group flight will be met at Anchorage Airport and transferred to our hotel.
Welcome to Anchorage, the largest city in Alaska with 300,000 people and a city that has undergone quite a change since the 1964 earthquake. Now a bustling city fuelled by an oil boom and tourism, it wasn’t so long ago that Anchorage was the final outpost for explorers heading into the Last Frontier. This is a city mixed with metropolitan luxuries and unrivalled natural wonders. It’s not uncommon to find bear roaming the outskirts; this is one truly wild place.
Depending on the group flight arrival time, a welcome briefing may be held this evening or tomorrow morning.
Accommodation: La Quinta Inn & Suites Anchorage Airport (or similar)
Welcome to Anchorage, the largest city in Alaska with 300,000 people and a city that has undergone quite a change since the 1964 earthquake. Now a bustling city fuelled by an oil boom and tourism, it wasn’t so long ago that Anchorage was the final outpost for explorers heading into the Last Frontier. This is a city mixed with metropolitan luxuries and unrivalled natural wonders. It’s not uncommon to find bear roaming the outskirts; this is one truly wild place. A great way to spend your day is to wander around town and check out some of the great cafes and restaurants.
Depending on the group flight arrival time, a welcome briefing may be held this evening or tomorrow morning.
Accommodation: La Quinta Inn & Suites Anchorage Airport (or similar)
Leaving Anchorage, we enter the wilderness almost instantly and head towards Talkeetna where we’ll stop to stretch our legs and pick up a local delicacy, reindeer sausages, to try later on. Our destination is Denali National Park, home to legendary Mount Denali, the highest mountain in North America (20,321ft/6,194m). The park covers six million acres (2.43m ha) and protects some of the most unspoiled wilderness and spectacular scenery in Alaska.
In the afternoon, we enjoy a 30-minute sled dog demonstration. Travelling by sled is a traditional Alaskan mode of transport and the park rangers show how they train and work with the Alaskan huskies, who love to be outdoors and run. There is also a chance to tour the park kennels.
Accommodation: Denali Grizzly Bear campground
Enjoy a full day exploring the park with an included bus pass on the East Fork Shuttle – the only way to get into the incredible (and vast) wilderness. Try to spot Alaska’s Big 5: caribou, Dall sheep, moose, bear and wolves. Denali is one of very few national parks where you are encouraged to find your own path off the trails, great if you’re looking for unadulterated adventure. There are plenty of optional walks and activities in Denali; as the trails are wild and unmarked, the hiking opportunities are endless.
Your tour leader will suggest some spots of scenic beauty and the best places to view wildlife. One of the most popular walks is to Horseshoe Lake, a scenic two-hour hike that gives good opportunities to see beavers and plenty of birdlife.
Accommodation: Denali Grizzly Bear campground
Today we discover more of Denali National Park and its vast wilderness using our included shuttle bus ticket. For those looking for a little more adventure, there are several optional activities available, including mountain biking and white-water rafting.
Optional activities:
Accommodation: Denali Grizzly Bear campground
Today we depart from the Alaska Range and travel south, making our way to Cooper Landing at the heart of the Kenai Peninsula. We stop to stretch our legs and for photo opportunities along the way.
There is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity today to experience Alaska from above on a bush plane flight over Denali National Park. Fly past Denali’s summit then descend into the incredible Ruth Amphitheater and Great Gorge. Discover the Tokositna Glacier, the hanging glaciers clinging to Mount Hunter and the famous Moose’s Tooth. It’s also possible to add a landing on Ruth Glacier for a truly memorable experience. Prices start from US$420 and this experience is subject to availability/local weather conditions. Please speak to your sales representative for more details.
Accommodation: Russian River campground (or similar)
The adventures come thick and fast today as we first embark on a moderate hike through the Chugach National Forest to Russian River Falls, where we can see sockeye salmon leaping upstream to spawn.
In the afternoon, we have another wildlife-spotting opportunity as we take a two-hour river safari along a non-motorised stretch of the scenic upper Kenai River through the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Our guide will regale us with tales of the wildlife, native inhabitants and early settlers while we float down the river amidst spectacular scenery, all the while keeping our eyes peeled for moose, eagles, Dall sheep, beavers and bears. Afterwards, we make our way to camp for the evening.
Accommodation: Russian River campground (or similar)
Take a deep breath and enjoy Alaska at your own pace with a free day in Cooper Landing. Your tour leader will have recommendations for how to spend the day – you may like to take a hike to Crescent Lake, where moose, goats and bears are often spotted, or take a kayaking excursion across the sparkling waters of Kenai Lake, surrounded by imposing mountains. Cooper Landing is best known for its world-famous fishing. You’ll be sure to spot fishermen trying their hand at catching rainbow trout or salmon throughout the summer months. You may even want to give it a go yourself!
In the late afternoon, the group comes together to transfer to the small fishing town of Seward, which sits on Resurrection Bay.
Accommodation: Resurrection South campground (or similar)
The staggeringly beautiful Kenai Fjords National Park offers wonderful wildlife- and bird-watching opportunities amid dramatic fjords and glaciers. Within the park is the huge Harding Icefield, claiming 300sqmi (775sqkm). If weather conditions permit, take a spectacular walk along Exit Glacier to the Harding Icefield for views of deep crevasses and huge seracs. At an elevation of 2,950ft (900m), we eventually reach a lookout point over the icefield for out-of-this-world views. The walk is strenuous and entirely dependent on weather conditions; if there is too much snow and ice on the trail, it may be impassable. There’s an easier option available if you prefer, using an accessible trail to reach a different viewpoint of the glacier. Afterwards, we return to Seward.
Accommodation: Resurrection South campground (or similar)
Set off on a full-day wildlife-viewing cruise around Resurrection Bay, Kenai Fjords National Park and the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. To maximise the experience, the captain of the boat provides a detailed commentary on the wildlife we see and the area. On previous trips, travellers have spotted Steller sea lions, harbor seals, sea otters and an endless variety of seabirds including puffins and eagles. Orcas often appear and, if we’re lucky, humpback whales may grace us with their presence.
Accommodation: Resurrection South campground (or similar)
After breakfast and packing up camp, we return to Anchorage. Containing around half the state population, Anchorage in some ways looks just like any other sprawling American town, and after nearly 10 days in small towns and villages, the bustling streets will feel somewhat different.
This tour ends at Anchorage Airport. If you wish to spend additional nights in Anchorage, please speak to your sales representative.
After breakfast and packing up camp, our adventure comes to an end and we return to Anchorage Airport.
The first night of this trip is at a hotel between Anchorage Airport and the city centre. Our US camping tours use national and state park campsites and a wide assortment of private campgrounds. Campgrounds in Alaska tend to be fairly rustic and remote, but most will have flush toilets and hot showers.
We sleep in high quality, heavy-duty tents and solo travellers will share with one other passenger of the same sex (unless opting to purchase the single supplement). Our camping equipment also includes field kitchens, inflatable sleeping pads, food storage and camp lanterns. Most campsites have a quiet time from 10pm to 7am. Please respect your fellow campers who are there to enjoy the peace of camping.
Camp duties
An essential part of a camping tour is helping out with the day-to-day camp duties and everyone will assist with the setting up and packing up of the campsite. Your tour leader will provide guidance on what to do; typically it will only take 15 minutes to set up or break down the tents and camp kitchen. Before you know it, you’ll be enjoying home sweet home in the great outdoors. Your tour leader will also co-ordinate and assist the group with food shopping, preparing meals and cleaning up. Sharing the camp duties is a great way to bond with your fellow travellers and the group camaraderie is all part of the experience.
Single supplement from £ 550
This tour begins at a hotel in Anchorage, conveniently located close to the airport. We offer you the option to book additional hotel nights before or after your tour, which should be booked prior to departure with our reservations team. If you are planning to spend additional nights in Anchorage, we recommend you stay at a hotel in the downtown area rather than close to the airport.
Some hotels may take a debit or credit card as a deposit at check-in. They may also take an amount to cover incidentals. Funds can be held until checkout at which time the amount actually incurred will be charged. Please clarify with the hotel when you check out that all deposits will be refunded as promptly as possible.
We recommend adding one night’s accommodation in Anchorage post-tour, so that you can take advantage of a hot shower, a comfy bed and an opportunity to sort your luggage before flying home. Please speak to your sales representative to add this to your booking.
There are nine breakfasts, eight lunches and eight dinners included on this trip.
Your tour leader will co-ordinate local shopping and assist the group in preparing healthy, hearty breakfasts, picnic lunches and delicious dinners.
Dinner on Day 1 and lunch on Day 10 are not included. To help you budget for these meals, average costs are:
Drinks cost on average:
A tip of approximately 17%-20% is added to group meals in North American restaurants. Applicable taxes will also be added to all listed menu prices.
Please make sure we are aware of any special meal requirements before travelling. We do all we can to accommodate for various dietary requirements but in certain parts of Alaska, specific food types can be limited.
Transportation is by private vehicle, cruise and non-motorised inflatable boat.
We travel in a private 15-seater vehicle driven by the tour leader. All luggage, equipment, and other necessities are stored in a specially designed trailer or storage area to maximise space and comfort. The size of our vehicles allows us to reach more remote destinations not accessible to larger vehicles and a willingness to rotate seating positions during the trip will be appreciated by all. All are equipped with air conditioning, Bluetooth-compatible stereo, and USB charging ports throughout.
Alaska’s weather is changeable – expect cloudy, overcast and rainy days as well as some sunshine and long, light evenings (in the far north, the sun does not set at all in June!). June is typically drier than July and August, but on all departures you should be prepared for some heavy rain.
There are, great differences between the weather on the coast and in the interior. Average daytime temperatures will be around 17C (63F) on the coast, a few degrees higher inland; however, temperatures nearing 30C (around 86F) are not unusual. Night-time minimum temperatures are around 12C (54F), but a little colder inland and during June (occasionally hitting freezing point) and towards the end of August.
Start hotel: La Quinta Inn & Suites Anchorage Airport, 3501 Minnesota Dr, Anchorage, AK
Phone: +1-907-276-8884
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. The welcome briefing usually takes place in the morning of Day 2
The start hotel is approximately 10 minutes’ drive from the airport. Your options for this journey are:
Take an Exodus transfer
Exodus provides one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves.
Make your own way
The start hotel offers a free 24/7 shuttle service between the airport and the hotel – please contact the hotel directly for shuttle reservations.
You are free to arrive any time on Day 1. Due to the late arrival time of the group flight from London, UK, it is likely that the welcome meeting will take place on the morning of Day 2. Details on the time and specific location of your meeting will be available by midday on Day 1. During the welcome meeting, you will meet your tour guide and fellow travellers and spend a few minutes filling out necessary paperwork, so please bring your insurance documents, passport and tour documentation to the meeting.
If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.
Arrival complications
Sometimes the unexpected can happen; your plane may be delayed or you may even miss it. If you have missed your tour departure, first call the hotel to see if your tour leader has left you a message. If not, call the relevant emergency number and speak to our staff who will be happy to help you catch up with the group. Please note that you are responsible for any extra travelling expenses incurred due to missing your tour’s departure.
There’s a group departure transfer to Anchorage Airport for customers who Exodus have booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. If you have booked your own flights, you may still join this transfer at no extra cost – please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Location start: Anchorage
Location end: Anchorage
Each passenger will be allowed one bag, backpack or suitcase (50lb/23kg maximum) plus a sleeping bag. A small backpack and camera may also be carried in our vehicle. Before you travel, please check the baggage allowance with the airline you’re flying with as this may be less than 50lb (23kg).
Dress tends to be informal. Take a practical selection of clothes for both warm and cool climates to suit the season. You may encounter a wide variety of temperatures due to altitude and unforeseen weather conditions – so it’s best to be prepared!
Besides your essential clothing, here’s a checklist of other items you should take:
Help reduce plastic waste
Please note airlines have various rules on what can be carried in your luggage – if in doubt check with your airline before travelling.
Footwear
We recommend walking shoes/boots, as comfortable shoes with good ankle support will make walking more enjoyable. If you do not own a pair, then sports trainers will suffice although this is a personal choice. If you intend to do some walking, bring thick walking socks for comfort.
Clothes washing
You have the opportunity to wash your clothes on tour; this can often be done at the campsite or in town. Ask your tour leader for local information.
Battery charging
It is often difficult to find a safe and secure wall outlet to recharge devices when camping; therefore, we recommend you bring a car charger. Every vehicle has two outlets for your use, but please bear in mind that 13 people travelling with multiple devices can mean very little charge time per person per day so it may be useful to bring extra batteries. When you are staying in hotels, your room will have an electrical outlet.
Travellers from the UK and most EU countries can enter the US under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) provided they have registered for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) – which costs US$21 – and are in possession of an onward air ticket and machine-readable passport when entering the US. Visas are required for some nationalities and requirements often change; it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas and fulfil any requirements for this trip. We recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
Please note, regulations stipulate that any person who has travelled to Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen since March 2011 (or has dual nationality of Iran, Iraq, Sudan or Syria) may no longer qualify for the VWP. In addition, if you have travelled to Cuba since 12 January 2021, you will not be eligible for the VWP and should instead apply for a visa to travel to, or transit via, the USA.
There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for polio, tetanus and rabies. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.
We are advised that there is no risk of malaria on this trip.
Alaska’s time zone: America/Alaska (UTC -09:00)
USA's electricity: Plug types A (two flat pins) and B (three pins: two flat, one round) – 120V, 60Hz
USA's currency: US dollar (USD)
ATMs are readily available throughout North America and major credit cards are widely accepted. All ATMs in the US charge to withdraw money (US$1-US$5). In some off-the-beaten-track destinations, ATMs may be limited. Please ensure your credit or debit cards have international access and a PIN to access your funds at the start of the tour.
We recommend you take at least US$50 per day for any meals not included in the tour, drinks, snacks and other incidentals. You should also budget for expected tipping, as well as for the optional activities you would like to do.
We suggest you bring US$150 cash for the beginning of your trip.
It is normal and expected in North America to tip local guides, waiters, bar staff, taxi drivers and anyone who provides a service for you. Service workers are paid a low wage and depend on tips for their livelihood. It can be embarrassing for travellers when confronted by locals who expect a tip, so we have provided a tipping guideline below.
A 15%-20% tip is standard in restaurants and you should also expect to tip US$1 per drink in bars, US$1-US$2 per bag for porters, US$2-US$3 for hotel housekeeping as well as 10% for taxi drivers. It’s also typical to tip around 10% for local guides who provide optional activities.
Your tour leader will work long and hard for you during your tour and we recommend a discretionary tip of US$12-US$15 per passenger per day if your leader’s performance meets or exceeds your expectations.
As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.
We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.
This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony though practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.
Your safe participation
When booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability, please call us and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary.
Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely take part in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity.
By booking this trip you agree to our Booking Conditions which clearly state that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these rare instances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred.
Seatbelts
All vehicles used by us should be equipped with working seatbelts, except where approved by us based on the vehicle type or journey. Wherever seatbelts are available, we require our customers to use them for their own safety, even where it may not be a legal requirement.
When you’re ready to book, go to our website for online bookings, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque.
After booking
You will receive your booking confirmation letter and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements.
Full joining instructions, including local emergency numbers and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately two to three weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier, please contact our office or your travel agent.
Trip Note validity
These Trip Notes are valid from the “Current as” date on page one. They will occasionally be updated after booking and before departure; if there are any updates that significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary, customers will be written to separately. They will also receive a link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes with their Final Joining Instructions before travelling.
The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons – climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.
Licensing
Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582, issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA – The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all money paid to us for your trip is fully protected.