7-Day Alaska Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 7-day Alaska tour itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaAlaska travel expert at TourRadar

• 7 Day Alaska Itinerary, incl. Denali and Kenai Fjords

  The 7-day tour covers Alaska's highlights from Denali National Park to Kenai Fjords. Traverse 45+ miles of varied terrain, staying in lodges near Nenana River and Resurrection Bay. All meals and expert guides provided.

  

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  • Day 1

    Anchorage to Denali

    Leave Anchorage early for the 4.5-hour drive north through the Chugach Mountains. Stop at Byers Lake in Denali State Park for an 8.5-mile hike. Get there before 10 AM to avoid afternoon winds. Bring plenty of layers since temperatures can swing 30°F even in summer. End your day at a lodge near the Nenana River.

    
  • Day 2

    Denali National Park

    Spend the day exploring Denali's tundra landscape. Take on the 6-mile Savage Alpine Trail in the morning when wildlife is active and skies are usually clear. Try to get a spot on the first shuttle bus at 5:15 AM during peak season. You'll see more wildlife and avoid the crowds.

    
  • Day 3

    Alaska Range

    Start your last morning in Denali with a 6.5-mile hike on Kesugi Ridge trail. The clearest mountain views typically happen between 6-10 AM. Bring micro-spikes because snow can stick around even in July.

    
  • Day 4

    Kenai Peninsula

    Head south for 3.5 hours to explore coastal Alaska. The 6.5-mile Crow Pass trail shows off the transition from inland to coastal environments. Keep your distance from bears near salmon streams. Stay at least 50 yards away and keep bear spray on your belt where you can reach it quickly.

    
  • Day 5

    Kenai Fjords National Park

    Visit Exit Glacier and tackle the 5-mile Harding Icefield Trail. Start by 8 AM before the afternoon ice melt makes things slippery. The 2,000-foot climb is steady but manageable with trekking poles and the views are incredible.

    
  • Day 6

    Fort McGilvray and Seward

    Take the 9-mile coastal hike to Fort McGilvray. Time your walk with the tides and catch a boat shuttle back to Miller's Landing. A recent visitor shared: "The coastal trail can get slippery after rain - wear shoes with good grip and time your hike with low tide for the best beach walking."

    
  • Day 7

    Return to Anchorage

    Finish with a 4-mile hike in the Turnagain Arm area on Byron Glacier Trail. The 1,400-foot climb offers great glacier views without wearing you out. The 3-hour drive back to Anchorage has plenty of photo spots. Stop at Beluga Point between June and August to look for whales.

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• 7 Days in Alaska & Yukon, incl. Whitehorse and Anchorage

  A 7-day route through Tok, Valdez, Whittier, Seward, and Anchorage. Highlights include Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Prince William Sound ferry crossing, and Kenai Fjords, with comfortable lodging throughout.

  

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  • Day 1

    Whitehorse, Yukon

    Start your adventure in Whitehorse, the capital of Yukon. You'll be downtown just 10 minutes after landing. Visit the S.S. Klondike National Historic Site along the Yukon River before it closes at 5 PM. If you can, plan to visit the MacBride Museum of Yukon History the next morning to learn about the region's rich history.

    
  • Day 2

    Whitehorse to Haines Junction (154 km)

    The Alaska Highway takes you west to Haines Junction, your gateway to Kluane National Park. The drive is about 2 hours but allow 3-4 hours for stops. Visit the Tachäl Dhäl Visitor Centre before 11 AM to spot Dall sheep in their natural habitat. Looking for a good hike? The Auriol Trail offers stunning mountain views on a 3-hour loop but pack sturdy boots since the trail often gets muddy.

    
  • Day 3

    Haines Junction to Tok (467 km)

    Your route today follows beautiful Kluane Lake for 80 kilometers. Take a break at Soldier's Summit for some Alaska Highway history and great photo opportunities. Have your passport ready for the Canada-US border at Port Alcan. You'll reach Tok by late afternoon. Remember you'll gain an hour when entering Alaska.

    
  • Day 4

    Tok to Valdez (407 km)

    Get an early start on the Glenn Highway. You'll climb Thompson Pass at 2,678 feet where waterfalls line the road. Take the final descent into Valdez slowly in low gear. Watch for snow between September and April even if Tok is clear. As one visitor shared: "The road into Valdez is intense but the views are incredible. Stop at Worthington Glacier—it's right beside the road and you can walk right up to it."

    
  • Day 5

    Valdez to Seward via Prince William Sound

    Book the earliest ferry possible across Prince William Sound to make the most of glacier viewing. The 6-7 hour journey starts around 7 AM. Pack layers and a windproof jacket for time on deck. Watch for sea otters near Valdez harbor and humpback whales in the sound. After arriving in Whittier you'll drive through North America's longest combined rail-highway tunnel. Check the schedule in advance since the tunnel runs on specific intervals.

    
  • Day 6

    Seward and Kenai Fjords

    Start your day in Kenai Fjords National Park. The marine tour costs $180-220 but offers incredible views of calving glaciers and wildlife. Book the 8 AM tour when the water is usually calmest. If you prefer staying on land the Exit Glacier trail takes about 2 hours round trip with clear views of the glacier. Head to Anchorage in the afternoon with a stop at Beluga Point to look for white whales hunting salmon.

    
  • Day 7

    Anchorage

    Start early at Lake Hood to watch floatplanes taking off and landing. Visit the Alaska Aviation Museum after it opens at 9 AM to learn about bush pilots. Schedule your departure flight after noon since morning fog can cause delays especially from September to May.

    

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• 7 Day Alaska Itinerary, incl. Anchorage and Denali National Park

  The 7-day route spans 6 Alaskan destinations, from Anchorage to Denali National Park. Features include Alaska Railroad to Talkeetna, Thompson Pass scenic drive, and Prince William Sound cruise past Meares Glacier. Enjoy Valdez's alpine-style lodging and guided tours of 20,310-foot Denali peak.

  

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  • Day 1

    Anchorage

    Start your Alaska adventure in Anchorage. Book a hotel downtown near 4th Avenue to be close to restaurants and shops. A TourRadar traveler confirms, "The city's walkable downtown area made it easy to explore on our first day, even after a long flight."

    
  • Day 2

    Anchorage to Denali National Park

    Take the early Alaska Railroad to Talkeetna (3 hours). Get seats in the upper level glass-dome cars for the best views. You'll have 2 hours to check out Talkeetna's cafes and shops before driving 2.5 hours to Denali. If you get motion sickness, bring medication for the winding roads.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Denali National Park

    Plan two full days to explore this vast park. Take the park shuttle bus to Wonder Lake to spot wildlife, especially during early morning or evening hours. Pack warm clothes since temperatures can change by 30°F in one day. One visitor noted: "Watching a grizzly and her cubs grazing in the tundra made the 6am wake-up completely worth it."

    
  • Day 5

    Denali to Valdez

    The drive to Valdez takes 8-10 hours along the Denali Highway and Thompson Pass. Take breaks at Tangle Lakes for photos. The road is rough in spots, so bring motion sickness medication if needed. You'll see why Valdez is called "Little Switzerland" when you spot its mountain backdrop.

    
  • Day 6

    Prince William Sound Cruise

    Join a morning cruise through Prince William Sound to view Meares Glacier. Bring binoculars to spot wildlife. Drive back to Anchorage (5-6 hours) in the afternoon. A past traveler shares: "Seeing a pod of orcas breach right next to our boat was incredible - have your camera ready at all times."

    
  • Day 7

    Anchorage

    Visit the Anchorage Museum in the morning to learn about Alaska Native culture. Spend your afternoon shopping on 4th Avenue or doing optional activities. Book an evening flight to make the most of your final day.

    

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