Last updated: April 9, 2026
Itinerary
What follows is a general flow of events. Expect the unexpected and prepare to be flexible.
July 6
Arrive in Anchorage at your leisure, pick up your rental car and make your way to the Parkside Guest House. Explore downtown, including the Anchorage Museum. (Lodging included. Meals, transport and activities on your own.)
July 7
Explore Anchorage. Make sure to visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center (about a 15 minute drive). Local hikes include Tabletop Mountain, or a more leisurely stroll on the Coastal Trail. (Lodging included. Meals, transport and activities on your own.)
July 8
After breakfast start your 4.5 hour drive to Homer. This is a stunning drive, so leave extra time. If you leave enough time, you can make a detour to the tiny town of Hope. Arrive in Homer and check into the Driftwood Inn. Please note that this is a historic hotel. It is a little run-down, but the location can’t be beat. If you only have one night in Homer, you don’t want to spend it driving. Driftwood Inn is steps away from Bishop’s Beach. (Lodging included. Meals, transport and activities on your own.)
July 9
Take a walk to Two Sisters Bakery for breakfast. Return your rental car, but make a stop at the Salmon Sisters Flagship store first (it’s nearby!). A representative from Tutka Bay Lodge will pick you up and take you to the water taxi, where you’ll board the boat to Tutka Bay Lodge. Once you settle into your cabin and make a massage appointment, your choice of activities is nearly endless. (B on your own, L,D included)
July 10
The Lodge’s helicopter will take you on an adventure never to be forgotten, and return you for a dinner almost equal to the surroundings. (B,L,D)
July 11
A full day at Tutka Bay Lodge to enjoy the trails, lake and amenities such as cooking classes, bear viewing, deep sea fishing, etc. Work with the lodge to schedule your time. (B,L,D included)
July 12
You’ll have to tear yourself away from this place to board a plane back to Anchorage. The lodge will spirit you back across the Bay to Homer, and then to the airport. Once in Anchorage, you’ll pick up another rental car and head north to Denali National Park. This first night will be in the busy front-country, and you’ll stay at Denali Princess Lodge. (Lodging and B included L,D on your own)
July 13
Check-in for your flight is at the Camp Denali Park Entrance office at 10:15 am. The flight will leave at 11:15 and though point to point, it is a short flight, the pilot will take you flight-seeing. Hope for clear skies and a spectacular view of Denali, The Great One. Arrive at Camp Denali Lodge and settle in. (Lodging, L and D included, B on your own).
July 14
Awake to the rustic peace of Camp Denali. Sip your coffee, and plan your day of hiking, reading, or self-guided canoeing. (B,L,D)
July 15 - 16
Work with lodge staff to plan your days.
July 17
One last morning at the lodge, one last scone… you will depart today and head back to Glitter Gulch (as the locals call the busy front country of the Park). You’ll return to your rental car and head further north the the small city of Fairbanks, about a 2-hour drive. Check in to Sophie Station hotel. We suggest dining outdoors on the banks of the Chena River at the old Pump House Restaurant. (Lodging and B included, L and D on your own)
July 18
Explore Fairbanks. The University campus is a destination, with excellent trails, a botanical garden, a musk ox farm, and the Museum of the North. Downtown you can visit the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitor’s Center, or take a walk along the banks of the Chena River which flows right through town. Evening flight home. (Lodging included, B,L,D on your own)
