Alaska Wildlife Viewing Itinerary
This sample wildlife viewing itinerary is designed for travelers who want the best opportunities to experience Alaska's incredible wildlife. From brown bears and whales to moose, sea otters, puffins, and bald eagles, this itinerary visits some of our favorite destinations for observing animals in their natural habitat.
Like all of our sample itineraries, this is simply an example. Every trip we create is personalized, so we'll tailor your itinerary to your interests, travel style, budget, and the amount of time you have available.
At a Glance
Duration: 13 Days
Best for: Travelers who want to experience Alaska’s wildlife and explore some of the best places to see animals in their natural habitat
Starts/Ends: Anchorage
Driving: Approximately 1600 Miles
Overnight Stops:
Anchorage (1)
Talkeetna (1)
Denali (2)
Fairbanks (1)
Valdez (2)
Palmer (1)
Seward (2)
Homer (2)
Girdwood (1)
Route Map
Itinerary Highlights
Brown Bear Viewing in Katmai National Park
Wildlife Cruise in Kenai Fjords National Park
Wildlife Viewing in Denali National Park
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
Alaska SeaLife Center
Guided Glacier Hike on Matanuska Glacier
Scenic Drives Through Alaska's Landscapes
Easy Hiking
Popular Additions:
Helicopter Flight with Glacier Dog Sledding
Guided Kayaking in Resurrection Bay
Halibut Fishing
Denali Flightseeing
Day 1: Arrive in Anchorage
Approximate driving time: 40 Minutes (plus time for stops)
Welcome to Alaska! After arriving at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, pick up your rental car and head to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may have a chance to begin exploring Alaska's largest city before setting off on tomorrow's drive north.
If the weather is clear, consider visiting Glen Alps Overlook for views across Anchorage, Cook Inlet, and the surrounding mountains. You could also spend some time exploring downtown Anchorage or one of the city's parks before enjoying dinner at a local restaurant.
After a good night's rest, you'll be ready to begin your Alaska adventure.
Day 2: Anchorage to Denali
Approximate driving time: 5.5–6 hours
Today you'll leave Anchorage and begin the drive north toward Denali National Park. We recommend making a stop in the historic town of Talkeetna, where you can walk through the downtown, enjoy lunch, and, on a clear day, take in views of Denali from the banks of the Susitna River.
As you continue north, consider stopping in Denali State Park for a short walk or simply to enjoy views of the Alaska Range before arriving at your hotel near Denali National Park.
Planning your visit to Denali? Read our guide to visiting Denali National Park.
Day 3: Exploring Denali National Park
Approximate driving time: 1 hour (plus time for stops)
Start your day at the Denali Visitor Center, where you can learn more about the park, speak with a ranger, and decide how you'd like to explore. While the first 15 miles of the park road are open to private vehicles, we recommend taking a park bus farther into Denali National Park. This gives you the opportunity to experience more of the park while keeping an eye out for wildlife along the way.
As you travel through Denali National Park, keep an eye out for grizzly bears, moose, caribou, Dall sheep, wolves, and many other species that call the park home. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but this is one of Alaska's best places to observe animals in their natural habitat.
After your tour, visit the sled dog kennels to learn about the park's working huskies and watch a ranger-led demonstration before returning to your hotel.
Day 4: Denali to Fairbanks
Approximate driving time: 2.5–3 hours
Today you'll continue north to Fairbanks, Alaska's second-largest city and the gateway to Alaska's Interior. The drive offers a different landscape than Southcentral Alaska, with wide river valleys, boreal forests, and expansive views.
After arriving, consider visiting the University of Alaska Museum of the North to learn more about Alaska's natural history, cultures, wildlife, and art.
Spend the rest of the day exploring downtown Fairbanks, walking along the Chena River, browsing local shops, or learning about the city's rich gold rush history.
Day 6: Fairbanks to Valdez
Approximate driving time: 6.5–7 hours
Today you'll begin the scenic drive south to the coastal town of Valdez along the Richardson Highway. This is one of Alaska's most beautiful drives, so we recommend allowing plenty of time to stop and enjoy the scenery along the way.
As part of your personalized itinerary, we'll recommend a few of our favorite places to stop along the Richardson Highway so you can make the most of the drive.
As you travel south, you'll pass mountain ranges, rivers, and sections of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline before reaching Thompson Pass. Just before the pass, take time to visit Worthington Glacier, where a short walk offers an up-close view of one of Alaska's most accessible glaciers.
After crossing Thompson Pass, descend through Keystone Canyon, where several impressive waterfalls line the highway, before arriving in Valdez.
Day 6: Exploring Valdez
Approximate driving time: 30 minutes
Today is yours to explore Valdez at your own pace. Surrounded by mountains, glaciers, and the waters of Prince William Sound, Valdez offers a variety of ways to experience Alaska's coastal landscape.
Wildlife is one of the highlights of the area, and you may have opportunities to see sea otters, sea lions, bald eagles, black bears, brown bears, and other animals that call the region home.
You can spend the day kayaking among glaciers, exploring the waterfront, hiking nearby trails, or joining a fishing charter in Prince William Sound. We'll help you choose experiences that match your interests as part of your personalized itinerary.
Planning your visit to Valdez? Read our guide to the best things to do in Valdez.
Day 8: Valdez to Palmer
Approximate driving time: 5.5–6 hours
Today you'll travel back over Thompson Pass before joining the Glenn Highway, our favorite drive in Alaska. The route winds through mountain valleys, alongside glaciers, and past some of the state's most impressive scenery, so we recommend allowing plenty of time to enjoy the drive.
As part of your personalized itinerary, we'll recommend a few of our favorite places to stop along the Glenn Highway.
One of today's highlights is a guided trek on Matanuska Glacier. Walking on the glacier is a fun way to experience Alaska's ice up close while learning about its unique landscape from a local guide.
This evening, you'll arrive in Palmer, where you'll spend the night in a cozy cabin surrounded by mountain views.
Day 8: Palmer to Seward
Approximate driving time: 3–3.5 hours
Today you'll continue south toward the coastal town of Seward, following one of Alaska's most scenic highways. The Seward Highway winds along Turnagain Arm, where you can enjoy views of the mountains, coastline, and surrounding waterways.
Keep an eye out for wildlife along the way, including mountain goats on the cliffs above the road and, if you're lucky, beluga whales in the waters below.
If you're interested in glacier dog sledding, today is a great opportunity to include this unique Alaska experience. A helicopter flight will take you to a nearby glacier, where you'll meet sled dogs, learn about the sport, and spend time with the puppies.
Once you arrive in Seward, spend the evening exploring the harbor, local shops, and waterfront before enjoying dinner at one of the town's many restaurants.
Day 9: Exploring Seward
Approximate driving time: 30 minutes
Today you'll explore one of the highlights of Alaska's coastal wildlife with a boat tour through Kenai Fjords National Park. The waters around Seward are home to an incredible variety of marine life, and you may have the opportunity to see sea otters, whales, sea lions, puffins, and other wildlife while learning more about the area's glaciers and coastal ecosystem.
A wildlife cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park is one of the experiences we try to include in almost every summer itinerary.
If you would like to learn more about Alaska's marine wildlife, the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward is also well worth a visit. The center is Alaska's only permanent marine mammal rehabilitation facility and offers a closer look at the animals that live in Alaska's coastal waters.
Day 10: Seward to Homer
Approximate driving time: 3.5–4 hours
Start your morning in Seward with coffee from one of our favorite local cafés and, on a clear day, views of Mount Marathon across Resurrection Bay.
Today you'll continue south through the Kenai Peninsula toward Homer. Along the way, stop in Cooper Landing to enjoy the turquoise waters of Kenai Lake and the surrounding mountain scenery. The area is also known for the Kenai River, one of Alaska's most famous salmon fishing destinations.
As you continue toward Homer, you'll follow the shores of Cook Inlet. On a clear day, you may be able to see the volcanic peaks across the inlet. There are also several opportunities along this route to look for bald eagles and other wildlife.
Arrive in Homer with time to explore the famous Homer Spit, browse local shops, and enjoy fresh seafood at one of the town's many restaurants.
Day 11: Brown Bear Viewing in Katmai National Park
Approximate driving time: 30 minutes
Today you'll have the opportunity to experience one of Alaska's most memorable wildlife encounters with a day trip to Katmai National Park. Located across the waters of Cook Inlet, Katmai is one of Alaska's best places to observe brown bears in their natural habitat.
After a scenic flight from Homer, you'll spend the day exploring the park with a guide who will help you learn more about the bears, the surrounding ecosystem, and how to safely observe wildlife in this remote part of Alaska.
After returning to Homer in the evening, take some time to explore the Homer Spit, a 4.5-mile stretch of land extending into Kachemak Bay. Here you'll find local shops, restaurants, a rocky beach, and the harbor, with opportunities to spot bald eagles and other coastal wildlife.
Planning a bear viewing trip from Homer? Read our guide to visiting Katmai National Park.
Day 13: Homer to Girdwood
Approximate driving time: 3.5–4 hours (plus time for stops)
Today you'll leave Homer and begin the drive north toward Girdwood. Take your time along the way and enjoy the changing landscapes as you travel from the coast of the Kenai Peninsula back toward the mountains.
One of our favorite stops along the way is the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, located just before Turnagain Arm. This nonprofit conservation center provides care for orphaned and injured animals and offers the chance to see many of Alaska's native species, including brown bears, moose, wolves, muskox, bison, and caribou. A one-mile loop allows you to walk or drive through the center at your own pace.
Continue along the scenic shores of Turnagain Arm before arriving in Girdwood, a small mountain community surrounded by the Chugach Mountains.
Day 13: Departure
Approximate driving time: 1 hour
After breakfast, begin the drive from Girdwood back to Anchorage for your flight home. Depending on your departure time, you'll have a little extra time to pack your bags, enjoy one final Alaska morning, and make your way to the airport.
We hope this sample itinerary has given you a glimpse of what ten days in Alaska can look like. Every trip we create is personalized, so we'll tailor your itinerary to your interests, travel style, budget, and the amount of time you have available.
Ready to start planning your Alaska adventure?
If this itinerary feels like the kind of trip you're looking for, we'd love to help you create one that's uniquely yours. Visit our Design Your Trip page to answer a few questions, and we'll begin creating a personalized itinerary built around your interests, travel style, budget, and the amount of time you have available.