Alaska

Arrival in Anchorage, the state’s largest city, surrounded by the Chugach Mountains and bordered by the waters of Cook Inlet. Founded during the gold rush, Anchorage is now a meeting point between urban culture and pioneer spirit.

Travel inland toward Talkeetna, a rustic village located at the confluence of three rivers. This is the starting point for expeditions to Denali, North America’s highest peak. Once a trappers’ outpost, Talkeetna is now popular with artists and mountaineers.

A full day exploring Denali National Park, a vast wilderness home to grizzly bears, wolves, caribou, moose, and Dall sheep. One of the few U.S. parks that restricts road access to protect wildlife, Denali offers a raw and authentic nature experience.

Journey along the Denali Highway, a mostly unpaved road winding above the tree line. Panoramas open onto the Alaska Range, glacial valleys, and endless tundra. This isolated road is often ranked among the most scenic in the country.

Descend toward the southern coast to Port Valdez, nestled at the end of a deep fjord. Along the way, cross Thompson Pass—the snowiest place in Alaska—and stop at Worthington Glacier, one of the state’s most accessible glaciers. A rare opportunity to observe the textures and forms of ice up close.

A full day dedicated to exploring Columbia Glacier. Stretching over 60 kilometers, this massive glacier has been retreating rapidly since the 1980s, dramatically reshaping the surrounding fjords. Cruising among drifting icebergs reveals deep blue ice, fractured walls, and massive chunks calving into the sea with a thunderous roar—an impressive display of the power of Alaska’s coastal glaciers.

Travel east along the McCarthy Road, a 60-mile track crossing forests, rivers, and remnants of old mining infrastructure. This route leads into the heart of Wrangell–St. Elias, the largest national park in the United States. Once used to transport copper from the Kennecott mines, it still retains a true end-of-the-world atmosphere.

Explore Wrangell–St. Elias, an immense land of mountains, glaciers, and vast valleys. The park contains nine of the sixteen highest peaks in North America, as well as some of the continent’s longest glaciers. It is one of the few places where landscapes range from sea level to over 5,000 meters in a single day.

Return along the McCarthy Road with stops along the Copper River, famous for its sockeye salmon, considered among the finest in North America. This powerful river has been a vital lifeline for Indigenous communities for thousands of years, and traditional fishing methods are still practiced each summer.

Return to Anchorage through the impressive Matanuska Valley, dominated by the Matanuska Glacier, which stretches over 40 kilometers. The road winds through the steep peaks of the Chugach Mountains, an area known for one of the highest concentrations of black bears in the state. As Anchorage approaches, sweeping views over Cook Inlet and its dramatic tides remind visitors that nature remains ever-present.

Discover Kenai Fjords National Park, where tidewater glaciers, sheer cliffs, and deep waters are home to sea otters, puffins, humpback whales, orcas, and Steller sea lions. This spectacular ecosystem, where ice meets ocean, was sculpted by the massive Harding Icefield—one of the largest icefields in the United States.

Cross the Kenai Peninsula following the Kenai River, famous for its giant salmon and turquoise, glacier-fed waters. The road leads to Homer, known as the “Halibut Fishing Capital of the World,” a vibrant coastal town blending fishing, art, and maritime life. The Homer Spit, a long strip of land extending into the bay, offers one of the region’s most iconic views. Homer is also a hub for local arts, with galleries, artisan workshops, and cafés reflecting the creative spirit of this remote community.

Return north toward Anchorage with a stop at Tern Lake, where Arctic terns nest each year. These birds are famous for completing the longest known animal migration, traveling from the Arctic to Antarctica. The area is also an excellent spot to observe moose and trumpeter swans.