My wife and I are planning to go to Alaska for 10 days in last week of July - first week of Aug time-frame. After a lot of thinking, we figured it might be cheaper as well as less time consuming if we fly to Anchorage and visit inner Alaska by car. I had enough mileage from United to our non-stop flights to Anchorage are free in a sense.
Day 1 - Fly to Anchorage from Chicago, Landing @ 7 PM, Pick up rental car from Airport, Stay in Anchorage Downtown
Day 2 - Leave for Denali (If we leave by 9, should be there by 2) - leave bags @ hotel - white water rafting (need to pick 2 or 4 hours), if time permits some trais
Day 3 - Take the Denali National Park tour - whole day - do some hiking
Day 4 - Mt. Mickenley air tour (2-3 hour), Attend Sled Dog Demo (if not done on Day2), Leave for Fairbanks (128 miles), University of Alaska & Museum, Mini Golf
Day 5 - if we get lucky will get wake up call from hotel for Northern lights :-: , Alaska Pipeline, Leave for Copper Center (263 miles) - pass by North Pole town, Night stay at Princess lodges
Day 6 - Leave for Valdez - do some hiking, Stay near Whittier/Portage Glacier/Valdez
Day 7 - Day cruise from Whittier for Glacier (26glacier - 11:30 AM to 5:30 PM), Leave for Kenai (115 miles), Night in Kenai
Day 8 - Leave for Exit Glacier & Seward (120 miles total), hike to the Harding Ice Field, Night in Princess Lodge @ Cooper Landing (45 miles)
Day 9 - Leave for Anchorage around 10 AM, Dogsleeding & lunch @ Alyeska Resort, some sightseeing in Anchorage, Night in Anchorage
Day 10 - Some shopping in Anchorage, Leave for Chicago @ 8 PM
I know I will be travelling a lot but I wanted to cover most of the Alaska in my 10 day visit. I might be able to extend my stay by an extra day (but I will have to change my flight plans within next 2 days to do so).
I am renting either a compact car (National - $435 with taxes) or Full-size car (Hertz - $657) with unlimited mileage. Have done both reservations and will be deciding between two later point. National only has compact car and I was thinking a full-size car may help in Alaska.
Hotel reservations are done for -
Night 1 - Sheration through Priceline ($100 with tax)
Night 4 - Super 8 @ Fairbanks (Free through Super8 price gurantee)
Night 5 - Princess Lodges @ Cooper Center ($99)
Night 8 - Princess Lodges @ Cooper Landing ($99)
Except Priceline all other reservations can be modified within next week.
Night 6 - Keystone Hotel @ Valdrez / open for other ideas
Looking for Ideas for
Nigh 2&3 @ Denali - looking for more of B&B experience but will like to have Pvt. bath
Night 7 - Any good place around Kenai
Also, looking for other ideas for activities. We are also looking for hiking/trail ideas for easy to medium level.
we are vegeterians (no fish either - eggs OK) so won't be able to enjoy a lot of restaurants but don't mind going to check out restaurants with good views
This is our first visit to Alaska (and could be the only 1 in next 8-10 years) so want to make most out it. So looking for ideas/suggestions from everyone. Thanks!
Edit: Typos as suggested by cbalaska
Edit: Please find the updated travel plan with 11 day trip few posts below. (7/9/06).