Originally Posted by
nsquare
Me and my wife and planning our first visit to Alaska this summer. After going through various online forums/sites, I have come up with following itinerary. It is not yet complete, so I'll really appreciate if someone can help me finalize it.
June 29 - arrive to ANC late night
30 - drive to Seward (
http://alaska.org/driving/seward-drive.htm)
I don't know if we can cover all places provided in above link. We should be able to cover Potter Marsh, Turnagain Arm, Gridwood, Portage Valley, Exit Glacier.
1 - Kenai Fjordes National Park tour
2 - drive back to ANC
I think this return drive should not take more than 3-3.5 hours, so we can spend full day in kenai peninsula before we return to ANC. Any suggestions?
3 - Nothing planned as of now. Recommendations?
4 - Drive to Talkeetna. Do a flightseeing tour, then drive to Denali NP
5 - Denali NP: Shuttle bus to wonder lake
6 - Denali NP: Nothing planned. Suggestions?
7 - Drive back to ANC for red eye flight
We have already reserved a rental car for 8 days.
Hotel reservations for 2 nights in Seward and 3 nights in denali is done as well.
I would try and stop by the Alaska SeaLife cetner while in Seward. Also, take the longest possible (6 hour or more) cruise, more time on the water means more chance to spot wildlife.
I would try and drive back to anchorage in early evening, then get to Talkeetna by early afternoon and maybe go fishing if thats your thing. My wife and I fished with Phantom and absolutely loved it. Or you could schedule your flight seeing for afternoon that day, then you could reschedule for next morning if needed due to weather/conditions.
So maybe after your kenai fjords park tour, drive back to Girdwood or Anchorage that evening. Then Drive to Talkeetna the next morning/early afternoon? I regret not doing the Winner Creek Trail in Girdwood. but my wife and I are really into hiking. The Alyeska tram is also cool, but had I known better, personally, I wouldve opted for the winner creek trail instead.
This would get you to talkeetna on the 3rd and 4th as you listed. If you do flight seeing early enough you can still get to Denali NP for a 2:00 to Eielson if you wish. On that bus for our trip we saw the most wildlife, but it does get back fairly late. However, I would spend at least 2 days on the bus. We did 3 and each trip was different.
Lots of free hiking within park. The alpine trail near Eielson is VERY worth the hike up to the top for the veiw. The trails near the entrance are worth while as well. Dont forget you can drive the first 15 miles of the road yourself as well.
These are just my suggestions. I am sure someone like FTI, who is very experienced with Alaska, will pop on and have even better suggestions.