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Grand Circle Self-Drive - 1CB Itinerary

Explore Alaska from the comfort of your own rental car and by train. This enticing 9-day Alaska tour includes visits to America's largest national park, Wrangell-St. Elias, and the famed Denali National Park.

Included in your Tour:

• 8 nights hotel accommodations
• 4-day car rental
• Columbia Glacier Cruise with lunch
• Gold Dredge 8 tour
• Riverboat Discovery Sternwheeler Cruise with lunch
• Travel aboard Alaska Railroad's Adventure Class (picture window) from Fairbanks to Denali (upgrade available)
• Travel on the Alaska Railroad route aboard luxury, glass-domed railcar from Denali to Anchorage
• Guided tour into Denali National Park
• Airport, rail and hotel transfer

Prices include a compact car. During checkout you will have the ability to upgrade to a full-size car or a small SUV for an additional charge.

Available during check-out:
Upgrade your rail experience from Fairbanks to Denali for $100 per person. The standard tour features Alaska Railroad’s Adventure Class for this rail component of the tour. When you choose the upgrade, you will travel aboard Alaska Railroad's GoldStar service instead.  Adventure Class railcars do not feature a dome and meals are available for purchase.  GoldStar service is aboard Alaska Railroad’s domed railcars and breakfast aboard the train is included.  

With the standard option, rail travel from Denali to Anchorage is aboard our own luxury, glass-domed rail service (meals not included, but available for purchase) and the upgrade applies only to the portion of the trip from Fairbanks to Denali.

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Unless noted, tour is not escorted and does not include meals, sightseeing or home city air.

Day 1: Anchorage

We’ll transfer you from the Anchorage airport to your hotel and will provide you with your copy of The Milepost upon your arrival. Overnight Anchorage hotel.

Day 2: Anchorage - Valdez (300 miles)

Pick up your rental car from Avis in downtown Anchorage. Enjoy a scenic drive to Valdez, a charming seaside town. Overnight Valdez hotel.

Day 3: Valdez - Copper Center (105 miles)

Embark on a Columbia Glacier Cruise for a 6-hour journey through Prince William Sound, providing opportunities for viewing the glacier and an abundance of sealife. Drive north to Copper Center for your overnight at Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge. (L)

Day 4: Copper Center - Fairbanks (260 miles)

Continue north along the Richardson Highway for your drive to Fairbanks, Alaska’s Golden Heart City. Overnight Fairbanks hotel.

Day 5: Fairbanks

Relive the gold rush at its height with your visit to Gold Dredge 8 and a cruise on the Chena and Tanana Rivers aboard an authentic sternwheeler. In the afternoon, drop the car off at the Avis airport office and we will transfer you to your Fairbanks hotel to spend the night. (L, S)

Day 6: Fairbanks - Denali

This morning, we will transfer you to the Rail Depot for your journey to Denali. In the evening you’ll have time on your own to explore the Denali area and Visitors Center. Overnight Denali hotel.

Day 7: Denali

Venture into Denali National Park on your guided tour in search of moose, caribou, bear, wolves and Dall sheep. Look for glimpses of “The Great One,” Denali along the way. Then, head back to the hotel and relax or take an optional excursion to maximize your time in the area. You may choose the Music of Denali dinner theater for a fun, interactive experience. Overnight Denali-area hotel. (S)

Day 8: Denali - Anchorage

Travel by luxurious railcar to Anchorage — continue to look for wildlife and enjoy views of the peaks of the Alaska Range as you travel. Overnight Anchorage hotel.

Day 9: Anchorage

We’ll transfer you to the airport at the end of your tour.

Key for Meals Included:
B - Breakfast
L - Lunch
S - Snack
D - Dinner