Today we are transported to the Charlotte airport for our flight to Alaska, “The Last Frontier.” Anchorage is Alaska’s largest and most sophisticated city, with a backdrop of inlets, glaciers and majestic mountains looming thousands of feet overhead.

Enjoy breakfast this morning, then climb aboard the Alaska Railroad. Today’s journey takes us to the historic town of Talkeetna, a gathering place for mountaineers from around the world to challenge North America’s highest peak, Denali (formerly Mt. McKinley). We make a brief visit here, then travel the Parks Highway to Denali National Park. This evening we get a taste of old-time Alaska at Alaska Cabin Nite, the popular dinner theater performed in an authentic, log-paneled roadhouse. After dinner we’ll sit back and enjoy a hilarious show of tall tales, funny songs and foot-stompin’ music. (D)

Early this morning we board a Denali tour bus for an excursion through our nation’s most untamed National Park, Denali. Chances are good that we’ll spot caribou, grizzly bear, moose, fox, wolves, Dahl sheep, and other animals along our route. Don’t forget your camera! A box lunch is included today. Later today we enjoy a leisurely drive with beautiful scenery as we travel to Fairbanks, our home for the next three nights. (L)

The city of Fairbanks is located in the heart of Alaska’s great interior region. The city is bound to the north, east and west by low rolling hills of birch and white spruce, and to the south by the impressive Alaska Range and sprawling Denali National Park. This morning we begin a sightseeing tour of Fairbanks. See exhibits on native culture, wildlife and Alaskan history at the University of Alaska Museum. Find out how the Indians and Eskimos have survived here for hundreds of years, see how white settlers adapted to this strange land, and learn about the construction of the famous Alaska Highway. This afternoon we take a trip through Alaska’s gold mining history at Gold Dredge 8. Ride the Tanana Valley Railroad for an adventure into the gold fields of the interior. We enjoy a walking tour of our mining camp and meet and talk with Alaska miners. After a short course in gold mining, grab your own “poke” filled with pay dirt right out of a sluice box and try your hand at panning for gold. Dinner this evening is at the old Fairbanks Pumphouse, now a popular riverside restaurant, where our delicious dinner is waiting. (D)

This morning we board the pioneer Binkley family’s sternwheeler riverboat Discovery for a cruise on the Chena and Tanana Rivers. See authentic trapper’s base camps, Indian fishwheels, sled dogs & view homesteaders’ riverside log homes. This afternoon we travel to North Pole, Alaska, where we visit Santa Claus House. While here you might want to mail a postcard home to relatives. Tonight, you’re in for a treat at a traditional Alaska salmon bake. The food is plentiful, so eat hearty! We enjoy the entertainment this evening at the Palace Theater with a musical show “The Golden Heart Revue.” (D)

We leave Fairbanks this morning traveling south to Mt. McKinley Wilderness Lodge for lunch on your own. The lodge features enormous floor-toceiling windows that look out upon majestic Mt. McKinley and the Alaska Range. We travel to Talkeetna, the town said to be the inspiration of Cicely in the popular TV show, Northern Exposure. Log cabins, a roadhouse, and clapboard storefronts line the dirt streets. We’ll have time this afternoon to explore this “authentically Alaskan” town. Next, we board our jet boat for our wilderness excursion. The folklore, artifacts and the panoramic views make this 20 mile Alaska river adventure unforgettable. Afterwards, we board our motorcoach again and travel to Anchorage, checking in to our hotel for a threenight stay.

Today we travel from Anchorage down the Seward Highway, which is designated a National Scenic Byway. At mile 79, our coach turns onto Portage Glacier Road and we continue to Whittier via the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel. The 26 Glacier Cruise departs from Whittier and travels through the pristine passageways and fjords found in Alaska’s Prince William Sound. High mountains protect this narrow channel from rough seas and winds. Wildlife is abundant from sea otters, harbor seals, migratory birds, and even whales. A hot meal is served shortly after departure on a smooth cruising, high-speed catamaran. After the cruise we travel back to Anchorage for the night. (L)

This morning is free to sleep late or spend time shopping or sightseeing on your own. This afternoon we tour the beautiful city of Anchorage, home to nearly half of Alaska’s population. Tonight we will enjoy dinner together. (D)

We depart Anchorage early this morning, arriving home late tonight.