The Best 10 Day Alaska Summer Itinerary
This ten-day Alaska itinerary is perfect for a truly unforgettable vacation. Alaska offers a vast array of natural wonders, from towering mountains and glaciers to pristine forests and crystal-clear waters. Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast, a wildlife lover, or simply seeking a peaceful escape, Alaska has something for everyone.
This 10-day Alaska itinerary begins in Anchorage, travels north to Denali, south to Homer, and concludes in Anchorage. You will have the chance to experience some of the stunning highlights of Alaska and enjoy activities including flightseeing, dog sledding, and wildlife-watching. Pack your bags, grab your camera, and get ready for the trip of a lifetime!
Included in this sample itinerary:
Tundra Wilderness Tour in Denali National Park
Flightseeing in Denali National Park
Helicopter Flight and Glacier Dog Sledding
Whale Watching in Kenai Fjords National Park
Aerial Tram in the Chugach Mountains
Easy Hiking
Wildlife Viewing
Additional activities that can be added to this itinerary:
Brown Bear Viewing in Katmai National Park
Guided Salmon or Halibut Fishing
Travel on the Alaska Railroad
Iceberg and Glacial River Float
Alaska 10 Day Itinerary Map
Day 1 - Arrival
Welcome to Alaska! You’ve had a long journey, and we are excited to welcome you to our home! At the airport, you will collect your belongings and rental car before going to your hotel. You can spend the afternoon enjoying some of the local sights around Anchorage, including the Glen Alps Overlook, which offers a beautiful view over the city of Anchorage and the famous Mount Susitna (aka Sleeping Lady).
In the evening, you can enjoy dinner at one of the many excellent restaurants in Anchorage (you will receive our Alaska Restaurant Guide). After dinner, return to your hotel to rest up for your big first day tomorrow!
Day 2 - Denali
Begin the day with a visit to Westchester Lagoon, a beautiful area near downtown Anchorage with a large lake, birdlife, and panoramic views of the Chugach Mountains. We recommend visiting a local store to purchase bear spray and other items for your trip.
You will then start the beautiful drive to Denali National Park. Along the drive, stop in Denali State Park, where you can hike or take in the expansive view of the Alaska Range. Once you arrive in Denali, check into your hotel and find a place to have dinner. Make sure you turn in at a decent hour for a restful night, as the following day begins bright and early!
Day 3 - Denali
You will join the Tundra Wilderness Tour in Denali National Park in the morning. This narrated motorcoach tour is 5.5 hours and travels 43 miles into the park to the East Fork River. This tour boasts beautiful scenery, wildlife sighting opportunities (caribou, wolves, and bears, oh my!), and a narrated history of the park road.
After your tour, you can visit the Visitors Center to meet with local park rangers and ask them any questions about the park or for hiking recommendations. You can also visit Denali Dog Kennels, where you can see husky puppies, vies a dog sled demonstration, and learn how the dog sleds operate within Denali National Park.
Day 4 - Palmer
Today you depart Denali and drive south to the quirky and charming historic town of Talkeetna. We recommend first paying an early morning visit to Denali National Park. It is possible to drive the first few miles of the park road on your own, and it is possible to see a variety of animals along this stretch, including caribou, porcupines, bears, and more.
When you arrive in Talkeetna, you can walk through the historic downtown and take in the unobstructed view of Denali from the banks of the Susitna River. In the afternoon, you will hop aboard a Denali flightseeing tour that will circumnavigate the tallest mountain in North America and land on one of the glaciers. You don’t want to miss this once in a lifetime opportunity!
After visiting Talkeetna, you will continue the drive to Hatcher Pass. Here you can see Independence Mine, a well-preserved historic gold mine. It is also possible to spot wildlife here, including eagles, bears, marmots, and ptarmigans. From here, you will drive to Palmer, where you will overnight in a cozy mountainside cabin.
Day 5 - Seward
Begin the day with an adventurous and fun activity! You will travel by helicopter to a nearby glacier to participate in glacier dog sledding! You will meet with knowledgeable local guides who will teach you about dog sledding and then take you on a ride around the glacier. You will also have a chance to hold and play with husky puppies. This is one of the most popular activities with our guests.
When you finish this tour, you will drive to Anchorage to pick up any supplies you may need for the remainder of your trip. You will then drive the Seward Highway and travel along the stunning Turnagain Arm. Be sure to drive slowly as there are possibilities for spotting beluga whales swimming in the water or large mountain goats on the rocky cliff edges on the side of the road.
You will drive over Turnagain Pass and descend into the coastal community of Seward, where you will spend the night. The charming downtown is lined with shops and restaurants. There is also a coastal trail along the water where you can sometimes observe whales coming in for their evening meal.
Day 6 - Seward
In the morning, you will embark on a wildlife-watching extravaganza. You will travel by boat through Kenai Fjords National Park. You can observe wildlife in their natural habitat, including sea otters, whales, sea lions, puffins, and more.
After disembarking, you can regain your land legs with a visit to Exit Glacier. There is a gentle trail that will take you up close to the edge of the glacier. You can observe the glacier’s retreat and see how glaciers can reshape landscapes.
Day 7 - Homer
In the morning, grab coffee at our favorite cafe in Seward - Resurrect Art. You can sit outside with your coffee and enjoy the morning light on the famous Mount Marathon. You will then depart Seward and continue traveling south along the Kenai Peninsula. You will drive through the little fishing community of Cooper Landing, where you can walk on the shores and admire the turquoise waters of Kenai Lake. Kenai Lake is the headwaters for the Kenai River, world famous for its salmon fishing.
You will continue the drive to the town of Homer. On the drive, you will have a view of the waters of Cook Inlet. On a very clear day, you can see the land across the inlet and observe the volcanoes that are part of the Ring of Fire.
You arrive in Homer with plenty of time to stretch your legs and walk along the famous Homer Spit. Here you will find some great restaurants for dinner. Your options for fresh fish and seafood are abundant in Homer!
Day 8 - Homer
Today, the day is yours. How would you like to spend it? On a flight to Katmai National Park to view brown bears? Or maybe you would like to hop aboard the Rainbow Connection for a day tour of the historic Russian village of Seldovia? Or perhaps you would like a chance to try your hand at halibut fishing aboard a private chartered boat? The choice is yours!
Later in the day, you will explore the Homer Spit, a 4.5-mile-long piece of land jutting into Kachemak Bay. Here you will find an assortment of shops and restaurants, a beautiful rocky beach, and the local boat harbor. This is a fun place to explore, with the possibility of viewing eagles along the shore.
Day 9 - Girdwood
Today you will depart Homer and drive to the outdoorsy community of Girdwood. You can make many stops along the way, including the historic village of Ninilchik. In Ninilchik, you will find a traditional Russian Orthodox church perched on a bluff still in use today.
Girdwood is known for being a year-round outdoor lovers’ paradise. Here you can take the aerial tram from the hotel to the top of Mount Alyeska for a bird’s eye view over Turnagain Arm. Enjoy dinner and one of the many wonderful restaurants before turning in for the night.
Day 10 - Departure
On your last morning in Anchorage, you will have time to pack your bags and enjoy breakfast before heading to the airport. Thank you for visiting us in Alaska!
Ready to make this trip your reality?
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