The great state of Alaska is known as The Last Frontier. On this EarthCruiser Adventure you’ll explore the heart of the state, driving gravel and dirt roads deep into the interior. Along the way you’ll pick up new skills in backcountry survival, including bear safety and glacier traversing. You’ll see incredible wildlife, from bears and moose to otters and whales. You’ll have the chance to run a working sled dog team and enjoy a soak in a beautiful hotsprings, enjoying incredible mountain scenery along the way.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Moderate. Mostly dispersed camping with no water/power or facilities. Few services available some days. Cold nights, mosquitos, wildlife in campgrounds.
Moderate. Basic recovery and winching helpful, able to drive over difficult terrain, some gravel, mud, corrugations, rocky terrain.
Ellen Wayte has spent over a decade working in tourism as an overlanding tour leader, scuba instructor, naturalist, park ranger, and concierge. As a tour leader, she has led adventure holidays through over 40 countries on five continents. She has guided clients on expeditions from Cape Town to Cairo, across the Silk Road, throughout South America, and the Indian subcontinent. She is passionate about wildlife and can often be found with binoculars in hand.
Day 1 Skagway, Alaska, June 10, 2024
We begin our adventure in the small port town of Skagway. Some of the group may have arrived the night before via the Alaska Marine Highway Ferry system, others may have opted to drive to the starting point via Canada. Early arrivals may opt to take explore town, book a fishing charter, or go for a guided kayak along the coast. We’ll have a welcome dinner and pre-departure meeting this evening at our campsite.
Meals included: Dinner
Optional Activities: Fishing, Scenic Boat Tour
Day 2 Kluane Lake, Canada, June 11 2024
This morning we’ll begin our drive and enter Canada. We’ll stop to explore the scenic town of Whitehorse and take in the views at Miles Canyon. After, we’ll return to our vehicles and drive to the Kluane Lake area, looking for Dall Sheep along the rocky cliffs.
Day 3 Tetlin, Alaska, June 12 2024
This morning we cross back into Alaska at the Alcan border. We’ll spend the night in the backcountry of the Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge .
Day 4 Chitina, Alaska, June 13 2024
Today make our ways trhough Tok and the upper Eagle River area. Today’s scenery includes the Tanana River and we have a good chance of spotting moose along the way or at our camp near Chitina.
Day 5 Kennicott, Alaska, June 14 2024
Today we’ll drive south and into the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve – one of the state’s most pristine and rugged areas. We camp near a historic mining camp and ghost town, which we can explore, and will spend the evening preparing for our next day’s activities in the park.
Day 6 Kennicott, Alaska, June 15 2024
Today is for a private, full day guided adventure in the park, including backcountry skills, bear safety and a glacier hike. It doesn’t get more “Alaska” than this!
Inclusions: Backcountry skills seminar and guided glacier walk
Day 7 Valdez, Alaska, June 16 2024
This morning we’ll drive down to the coast and to the stunning coastal town of Valdez. We’ll enjoy a sunset boat cruise of the jaw-dropping bays and glaciers of the area, with the opportunity to see otters, seals, whales and other wildlife.
Inclusions: Boat Tour of Valdez
Day of 8 Denali Highway, Alaska, June 17 2024
This morning we’ll have time for some driving and recovery training as we explore some of the rugged dirt roads just outside Valdez. After lunch we’ll return north, turning onto the gravel Denali Highway and into the wilderness.
Day 9 Clearwater Mountain, Alaska, June 18 2024
Today we’ll continue west down the gravel portion of the Denali highway. Camping tonight is in the grounds of a mountain lodge. In the late afternoon, we’ll go on a Summer Mushing Experience with a local dog sled kennel, Squid Acres. You’ll get a chance to meet the team’s dogs, learn what it takes to Iditarod and go for a training run in an ATV pulled by sled dogs.
Inclusions: Sled Dog Experience
Day 10 Denali, Alaska, June 19 2024
Today we finish our drive of the Denali Highway and end at Denali National Park. We’ll make camp at one of the park’s campgrounds for the next two next evenings. We’ll have the afternoon free to explore the park or participate in optional activities.
Inclusions: Denali National Park Entry
Optional Activities: Scenic Flights
Day 11 Denali, Alaska, June 20 2024
Today is a day for visiting the interior of the national park. We will go on a full-day bus tour (the only way to access the center of the park) with a naturalist guide. This tour will guide you along the spectacular road corridor, promising different experiences every day, as Denali’s wildlife moves at its own pace and according to the seasons.
Inclusions: Denali National Park Entry, Guided Bus Tour
Day 12 Chena, Alaska, June 21 2024
Today is our last drive day as we leave Denali and head north to Fairbanks, Alaska’s second-largest city. Here we’ll make a stop at the University’s Museum of the North to view exhibits on the natural and cultural history of the state. We’ll then continue north out of town to Chena Hotsprings. Here we’ll camp at the resort’s campground and have the opportunity to go for a swim in the resort’s thermal pools. We’ll have a celebratory dinner tonight at the resort’s restaurant, featuring produce grown on-site in their thermal greenhouses.
Inclusions: Chena Hotsprings, Museum of the North
Meals included: Dinner
Day 13 Chena, Alaska, June 22 2024
Today our trip ends, and we say goodbye to our new friends. If you would like help in planning a continued adventure in Alaska and beyond, please reach out to EarthCruiser Adventure. Suggestions include driving the Dalton Highway to Deadhorse, at the very top of Alaska, or head east to visit the Yukon area at Circle or Eagle.
*Please note that the itinerary listed here represents the intended route and day to day schedule. Exact start date is dependent on the release of the Alaska Marine Highway Ferry Schedule and will be confirmed in early 2024. EarthCruiser Adventure reserves the right to make any itinerary changes with or without notice, which may become necessary, as is the nature of overlanding.
EarthCruiser or Terranova purchased new from EarthCruiser, used via EarthCruiser’s pre-owned program, or used via a third party with membership to the Cruiser Crew program.
Spare tire and full set of Maxtrax recovery board
Basic recovery gear including Snatch Block, Tree Saver, one pair each hard and soft shackles, and gloves.
You will be asked to show proof of valid insurance for operating your vehicle in the state of Alaska and the country of Canada.
Minimum 50% deposit required for booking. The remaining balance will be automatically charged 30 days before your adventure begins.
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