3-Week Alaska Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 3-week Alaska tour itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaAlaska travel expert at TourRadar

• 17 Days in Alaska, incl. Anchorage and Denali National Park

  A 17-day Alaskan tour winds through Denali National Park, Fairbanks, Prince William Sound, and Inside Passage. The itinerary combines Alaska Railroad's scenic route, glacier encounters, and cultural experiences, earning a 4.7/5 rating from travelers.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Anchorage & Valdez

    Start your Alaska adventure in downtown Anchorage. You'll find plenty of local restaurants serving fresh wild-caught salmon for about $30-40 per plate. Head out early the next morning for Valdez through the Matanuska Valley. "The schedule and locales were excellent. Watching massive cabbages grow in 24-hour daylight was fascinating," one traveler shared. Make time for Bridal Veil Falls on your way. The full journey takes 6-7 hours with photo stops.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Prince William Sound & Fairbanks

    Take a cruise through Prince William Sound to see the impressive 3-mile face of Columbia Glacier. Watch for seals, sea otters and whales along the way. The next day brings a longer drive to Fairbanks (about 8 hours) on the Richardson Highway. Stop at the historic Delta Junction Roadhouse to stretch your legs.

    
  • Days 5-7

    Fairbanks & Denali

    Start at Gold Dredge #8 to try your luck panning for gold. Take the Sternwheeler Discovery river cruise to learn about Athabascan culture. Next day, take the Alaska Railroad to Denali National Park. "The upgraded dome car experience was worth every penny for the panoramic views," according to one guest. Spend a full day in Denali with a naturalist guide. Early morning offers the best wildlife viewing.

    
  • Days 8-9

    Anchorage & Seward

    Visit Happy Trails Kennels to meet Iditarod sled dogs before going back to Anchorage. Take a day trip to Seward the next day for a Kenai Fjords cruise. One traveler suggests: "Dress in layers and bring motion sickness pills - the waters can get choppy but the glacier calving is incredible."

    
  • Days 10-13

    Cruise Embarkation & Glacier Bay

    Start your cruise from Whittier after driving from Anchorage. Spend two days on the Gulf of Alaska before reaching Glacier Bay National Park. "The sounds of creaking glaciers and calls of soaring eagles made this the highlight of our trip," say recent reviews. You'll stop in either Skagway or Haines.

    
  • Days 14-17

    Inside Passage to Vancouver

    Visit Juneau, Alaska's capital, then explore Ketchikan. Your final full day takes you through the Inside Passage before arriving in Vancouver. Book late afternoon flights to allow time for immigration.

    

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• 20 Day Alaska Itinerary, incl. Denali and Seward

  The 20-day Alaska adventure covers 6 key destinations with extended stays in Seward and Denali National Park. Highlights include Maclaren River Lodge's Glacier Camp, Columbia Glacier excursions, and in-depth visits to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Anchorage & Seward

    Begin in Anchorage with views of four mountain ranges: Chugach, Alaskan, Kenai, and Talkeetna. The 2.5-hour drive to Seward along Turnagain Arm offers chances to spot Beluga whales. "The scenic drive alone was worth it - we saw Dall sheep on the cliffs and even caught glimpses of beluga whales in the inlet," shared one traveler.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Kenai Fjords National Park

    Join a wildlife cruise through Kenai Fjords to spot calving glaciers and marine life. The Exit Glacier trail offers two options: a challenging 8.2-mile Harding Icefield trail or an easier 2-mile lower loop. Start by 8am to avoid typical afternoon storms in summer.

    
  • Days 5-7

    Homer & Kachemak Bay

    Take the 4-hour drive to Homer and stop at Russian River Falls to watch salmon running in July-August. A water taxi to Kasitsna Bay opens up wilderness camping and kayaking opportunities. "The half-day sea kayaking was incredible - we paddled right next to curious sea otters and saw bald eagles diving for fish," one visitor reported.

    
  • Days 8-12

    Denali National Park

    The 6-hour drive north to Denali rewards you with spectacular scenery. Spend 3 full days exploring and wildlife watching. Take the park shuttle bus into the park's interior. Early morning departures between 6-7am offer the best wildlife sightings. "Bring layers and rain gear even on sunny days. Weather changes fast and afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer," advised a traveler.

    
  • Days 13-14

    Maclaren River Lodge

    Follow the remote Denali Highway to Maclaren River Lodge. Take a jet boat to Glacier Camp for wilderness camping without cell service. Canoe downstream the next day. The riverside camping spots offer excellent northern lights viewing in late August.

    
  • Days 15-17

    Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

    Allow 3 hours for the historic 60-mile McCarthy Road into America's largest national park. Try ice climbing on Root Glacier if you're reasonably fit. No experience needed but bring extra socks. Glacier hiking will get your feet wet despite waterproof boots.

    
  • Days 18-20

    Valdez & Return to Anchorage

    Visit Valdez via Thompson Pass. Stop at the salmon hatchery to spot feeding bears. Book a Columbia Glacier kayak trip in the morning when waters are calmest. Return to Anchorage on a 6-hour drive past Matanuska Glacier.

    

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• 20 Day Alaska & Yukon Itinerary, incl. Denali and Inside Passage

  Your 20-day Alaskan tour combines Denali National Park, Fairbanks, Valdez, and Inside Passage ports. The package includes 12 hotel nights plus a 7-night Holland America cruise, daily breakfast, 9 lunches, and 10 dinners, featuring Alaska Railroad travel and Prince William Sound wildlife viewing.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Anchorage to Denali

    Start in Anchorage, Alaska's largest city. "Get dinner at Simon & Seafort's overlooking Cook Inlet - the fresh halibut was incredible and we saw beluga whales from our table!" On Day 2 take the Alaska Railroad to Denali. Book morning tickets to get the best mountain views. Remember to pack layers since the open-air platform cars can get cold even in summer.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Denali National Park & Fairbanks

    Take two full days to explore Denali's wilderness. The Tundra Wilderness Tour goes deep into the park and early morning trips offer great wildlife spotting. "We saw 12 grizzlies, countless caribou, and even a wolf pack at dawn," shared one visitor. On day 4 head to Fairbanks and stop at 49th State Brewery for lunch to try their caribou burger and local IPA.

    
  • Days 5-7

    Fairbanks to Dawson City

    Take a Chena River cruise on a historic sternwheeler to learn about Athabascan culture. Drive the scenic Top of the World Highway to Dawson City, Yukon. The unpaved road can be bumpy so bring motion sickness medicine if you need it. Make sure to visit Diamond Tooth Gerties gambling hall for the can-can shows. "It felt like stepping right back into the Gold Rush era!" one guest said.

    
  • Days 8-12

    Whitehorse to Prince William Sound

    Visit Whitehorse and stop at sled dog kennels to meet champion Iditarod huskies. Travel through Kluane National Park to Valdez, known as "Little Switzerland." Take a morning glacier cruise in Prince William Sound when the water is calmer and wildlife is more active. Bring warm clothes since the glacier creates cold temperatures around it.

    
  • Days 13-20

    Inside Passage Cruise

    Start your 7-night Inside Passage cruise from Whittier. Past travelers recommend booking a balcony cabin on the starboard side for glacier views. Get to the Mount Roberts Tram early in Juneau before the crowds arrive. Book morning whale watching tours to see active humpbacks. Look for salmon running upstream at Creek Street in Ketchikan during low tide.

    

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