Alaska's Backroads & Scenic Highways - Tour 183
Take the road less traveled on an Alaskan vacation to out of the way places (and popular places, too).
Alaska's Backroads & Scenic Highways - Tour 183
Take the road less traveled on an Alaskan vacation to out of the way places (and popular places, too).
Alaska's Backroads & Scenic Highways - Tour 183
Take the road less traveled on an Alaskan vacation to out of the way places (and popular places, too).
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- Alaska's Backroads & Scenic Highways - Tour 183
Trip Overview
Featuring an Alaskan 4x4 car rental approved for Alaska's more remote "highways," this vacation package is built for a bit of spirited exploration. The trip lasts 10 days. It starts in Fairbanks and continues to Denali National Park, Valdez, Palmer, and Seward before a final night in Girdwood near Anchorage. There are many chances to experience authentic Alaska, both on the road and through guided excursions like a glacier cruises, wildlife bus trips, and rafting. The package includes seven planned tours and all accommodations for 10 nights.
Trip Highlights
- Drive throughout Alaska in a 4x4 rental car approved on remote roads like the Denali Highway and McCarthy Road.
- Explore Fairbanks' rich history, from Alaska Native cultures to today's modern miners.
- Spend a day kayaking in Resurrection Bay near Seward.
- Travel into Denali National Park on a guided wildlife bus tour down the Park Road.
- Take a day cruise to Columbia Glacier, one of the most active glaciers in Alaska.
Why Pick This Trip
This road trip vacation is planned so that you see the most of Alaska: The most landscapes, the most wildlife, the most interesting little towns, the most history. You'll cover more than 1,000 miles. Plus, because the package includes a special 4x4 rental car, you'll have access to remote "highways" you wouldn't be able to travel in a standard rental car.
What's Included
Here is everything that is included. Remember, we can easily add or remove services so this vacation package is the perfect fit for your party.
Fairbanks | 2 Nights
Relax in a private riverfront or garden cottage in this quaint property. The resort, which offers a free shuttle service to the Fairbanks airport and depot, is located on the banks of the Chena River. Learn More >
Fairbanks | 9 Days
Skip the roundtrip drive with this convenient Anchorage drop add-on to a rental 4x4 SUV or van picked up in Fairbanks. Learn More >
Fairbanks | Depart 2:00 PM | 3 Hours
Ride on a historic sternwheeler on this fully narrated three-hour tour featuring floatplane and sled dog demonstrations and an Athabascan village walk. Learn More >
Denali Park | Depart 12:30 PM | 3 Hours
Float down the Nenana River on mild water excursion with Denali's longest-running rafting company. Learn More >
Denali Park | 2 Nights
Stay in a cedar cabin or comfortable lodge room at this resort-style property. The Village is seven miles from the entrance to Denali Park and offers guests free shuttle service. Learn More >
Denali Park | Depart 6:00 AM | 5.5 Hours
Fully narrated bus tour with a turnaround point at the historic Murie Cabin deep inside Denali National Park. Learn More >
Denali Park | Depart 6:20 PM | 3 Hours
Spend three hours meeting sled dogs (puppies, too!) and learning about the adventurous life of a musher on this tour near Denali Park. Learn More >
Valdez | 2 Nights
Centrally located in the small coastal town of Valdez, this hotel offers fresh, modern accommodations along with an indoor pool and continental breakfast. Learn More >
Valdez | Depart 10:30 AM | 6 Hours
Take to the waters of Prince William Sound on this remarkable six-hour glacier and wildlife cruise out of Valdez. Learn More >
Palmer | Depart 3:00 PM | 3.5 Hours
Learn a fascinating blend of glaciology, geology, and Alaskan history on this fun and educational hiking tour in Palmer. Learn More >
Palmer | 1 Night
Featuring private cabins on a hillside overlooking the Knik River, this lodge is known for both its accessibility to Anchorage and the quiet backcountry experience it provides. Learn More >
Seward | 2 Nights
Centrally located within walking distance to Seward's major attractions and transfer points, this hotel offers mountain and harbor view rooms along with a complimentary continental breakfast. Learn More >
Seward | Depart 9:30 AM | 7 Hours
Enjoy seven splendid hours exploring Resurrection Bay by boat and beach on this family-friendly kayaking excursion. Learn More >
Girdwood | 1 Night
Offering deluxe accommodations and luxurious amenities just 40 miles southeast of Anchorage in the ski town of Girdwood. Learn More >
Itinerary
Read on for a day-by-day breakdown of this tour package. Click on an item to get started, and be sure to contact us if you have any questions.
Fly into the Fairbanks Airport and transfer to your lodging by courtesy shuttle. Your riverside hotel has outdoor seating areas and a nearby walking path perfect for enjoying Alaska's midnight summer sun. Overnight Fairbanks.
You'll pick up your rental car this morning, then spend a little time exploring Fairbanks.
Later today you'll learn more about a few other Alaskan pastimes on a Chena River cruise. As the sternwheeler makes its way down the river, you'll see a bush plane demo, learn about sled dog mushing, and visit a traditional Alaska Native fish camp. Overnight Fairbanks.
Head south along the Parks Highway this morning through small communities like Nenana and Healy on your way to Denali National Park. At midday you'll join Denali Park's longest-running raft company for a guided float on the Nenana River.
Once you're off the river this afternoon, spend some time at the Denali National Park Visitor Center. From there take a walk on one of the nearby marked trails. Overnight Denali.
Today's tour takes you well beyond the Denali National Park entrance area on a modified school bus down the park's only road. It's common to see wildlife on this tour and beautiful landscapes are all but guaranteed. In the evening you're heading on a special tour to see some Alaskan sled dogs in action. Overnight Denali.
Stock up on snacks before you leave the Denali Park area for the full day of driving ahead of you. As for the route, you have a few options. The shortest and perhaps the most Alaskan way is to take the Denali Highway from Cantwell to Paxson. This stretch is less a highway than a wide gravel road running 135 miles along the eastern Alaska Range. Start with a full tank of gas and take your time, the scenery alone is worth driving slow.
Once you reach the Richardson Highway at Paxson, it's another 180 paved miles to Valdez. Overnight Valdez.
Walk the few short blocks from your Valdez hotel to the harbor this morning for a day cruise to Columbia Glacier. From the cruise catamaran's wrap-around deck you'll be able to fully take in the misty beauty of Prince William Sound. The trip includes a hot chowder lunch. Overnight Valdez.
You're on the road again today, retracing a path through Keystone Canyon and over Thompson Pass to the crossroad town of Glennallen. From here, your Glenn Highway route winds across rolling taiga and into the rugged Matanuska Valley. Your destination is a quiet wilderness lodge overlooking the Knik River. Overnight Palmer.
Enjoy a serene morning with a cup of coffee on your private porch before heading for Seward, a coastal town just under three hours away. Fill your afternoon with a visit to Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park, or soak in the sea air along the Small Boat Harbor. Overnight Seward.
Seward sits on the tip of Resurrection Bay, a glacially carved inlet bordered by rugged cliffsides and tall mountains. You'll explore this beautiful setting today on a guided kayaking and hiking trip. Overnight Seward.
Savor the last moments and remaining miles of your Alaska road trip as you return to the Anchorage area today. Enjoy a final night in style at the premier Alyeska Resort in nearby Girdwood.
Map
Check out the map below for a visual overview of this specific tour package. You can see a larger version of the map here, or try our an interactive tour map by using the link below.
Rates & Dates
The prices below will give you an idea of approximately how much this trip will cost. Keep in mind your actual price will likely vary based on your departure date, availability, and any modifications you make. You can use one of the links below to request an exact quote for your party, or price the trip yourself if you prefer using our My Trip feature. You can often save money by traveling in the value season, typically May and September.
| Single | Double | Triple | Quad | Child | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tour Price | Single: $6,974 | Double: $3,975 | Triple: $3,058 | Quad: $2,602 | Child: $688 |
| Taxes & Fees | Single: $1,544 | Double: $789 | Triple: $544 | Quad: $422 | Child: $14 |
| Total | Single: $8,518 | Double: $4,764 | Triple: $3,602 | Quad: $3,024 | Child: $702 |
| The columns above represent room occupancy. For example, "Double" means two adults sharing one room. The "Child" rate shown is based on an 11 year old sharing a room with two adults. | |||||
| Single | Double | Triple | Quad | Child | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tour Price | Single: $6,954 | Double: $3,965 | Triple: $3,055 | Quad: $2,600 | Child: $688 |
| Taxes & Fees | Single: $1,542 | Double: $788 | Triple: $544 | Quad: $422 | Child: $14 |
| Total | Single: $8,496 | Double: $4,753 | Triple: $3,599 | Quad: $3,022 | Child: $702 |
| The columns above represent room occupancy. For example, "Double" means two adults sharing one room. The "Child" rate shown is based on an 11 year old sharing a room with two adults. | |||||
Options and Add-Ons
This is one of our most popular rental car packages, but you can make it even better! We can add or remove services to make it a perfect match for your party. For example, guests often add an extra day in Seward for a guided hike to Exit Glacier, while others opt to spend a night in Copper Center on their way from Valdez to Palmer. Looking for a dash more adventure? Try whitewater rafting in Denali instead of the included mild water float. You have many choices, and just a few suggestions are listed below.
You can make these changes at check out and your final package price will be updated to reflect just the services you choose. Give us a call or request a quote for more specifics.
Fairbanks | Depart 1:00 PM | 12 Hours
Fly into the Arctic Circle and then return to civilization on the infamous “Haul Road” on this guided day trip out of Fairbanks. Learn More >
Seward | Depart 11:30 AM | 5 Hours
See Seward's highlights and visit Kenai Fjords National Park on this five-hour city tour. Learn More >
Valdez | Depart 8:45 AM | Minutes
Get an up-close view of the massive Columbia Glacier on this 90-minute helicopter tour with glacier landing. Learn More >
Package Detail
- Tour ID 183
- Price From $3,965 + Tax
- Duration 11 Days / 10 Nights
- Start / End Fairbanks / Anchorage
- Departure Dates Daily from 5/31/2025 to 8/30/2025
- Travel By Rental Car
- Tour Type Self Guided
- Destinations Fairbanks, Denali Park, Valdez, Palmer, Seward, Girdwood, Anchorage
Next Steps
Select an option to book or get more details. Questions? Give us a CALL or CONTACT US online.
