Denali and the Alaska Northern Frontier

This itinerary starts BEFORE the accompanying cruise itinerary.

Upon arrival at the Fairbanks airport, you will be met and transferred to the Pikes Waterfront Lodge. Those guests who have made their own flight arrangements need to supply their flight schedule to RSSC reservations no later than 30 days prior to arrival in Fairbanks. The rest of the day and evening are at your leisure. Overnight at Pikes Waterfront Lodge, Fairbanks.

After breakfast at the hotel, spend the day touring Fairbanks. Visit the University of Alaska-Fairbanks Museum, before a historic cruise on the Chena River in a chartered stern wheeler. After the river cruise, lunch is scheduled at a local historical restaurant before you board your motor coach for a scenic 3-hour drive to Denali. Along the way visit Nenana, where you can see miners, trappers, homesteaders, Alaskan Natives, shopkeepers, boat crews and others together in this little river town. It is also home to the Ice Classic and the Tripod Raising, a type of lottery that is truly Alaskan. Arrive at the Grande Denali Hotel. Tonight, enjoy a lecture on Denali and dinner at the hotel. Overnight at the Grande Denali Hotel, Denali Park.

After a very early breakfast at the hotel, travel leisurely deep into Denali National Park on the seven-hour Tundra Wildlife Tour in search for wildlife. The tour is operated by the Denali National Park in assigned school buses. The trip is fully narrated and makes frequent stops for photos and restroom breaks. A snack box lunch is included on the bus. Keep your eyes open for moose, sheep, caribou or grizzly bear. The afternoon and evening are at your leisure for optional activities and tours. Overnight at the Grande Denali Hotel, Denali Park.

After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a 3-hour drive to visit the quaint town of Talkeetna filled with Alaska history and local charm. In the afternoon board the world famous Alaska Railroad for a 3-hour train ride to Anchorage. Dinner is served on the train while you see the majesty of Alaska pass your train window. Arrive in Anchorage and transfer to the Hilton Hotel. The rest of the day and evening are at your leisure. Overnight at the Hilton Hotel, Anchorage.

After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a morning at your leisure. After your lunch, depart on a scenic 2_-hour motor coach trip along the shoreline between the Chugach Mountains and the waters of Turnagain Arm. The road linking Anchorage with Seward passes through some of the most spectacular scenery in the country and holds triple designation: USDA Forest Service Scenic Byway, Alaska Scenic Byway, and All-American Road. Then on to Seward and your waiting cruise ship