Discover Denali National ParkItinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Fairbanks, AK
Sunday, July 13, 2025
Welcome to Fairbanks—known as “The Golden Heart of Alaska,” a reference to the discovery of gold in 1902 and its location in Alaska’s interior. Meet your Orbridge Expedition Leader and fellow travel companions at a welcome dinner, and prepare for your upcoming Denali activities and excursions.
Overnight: Pike's Waterfront Lodge (D)

Day 2: Fairbanks | Alaska Railroad | Denali National Park
Monday, July 14, 2025
With your Orbridge Expedition Leader, board the train to Denali National Park, traversing one of the most scenic stretches of the world-famous Alaska Railroad. It cuts through the northern boreal forests of interior Alaska where gold miners came to seek their fortune. Enjoy a rich panoply of views of America's northernmost frontier as you travel in the upgraded glass-dome train car.

Delight in breakfast aboard the train before arriving in Denali. Upon arriving at the park, take a short walk with your Expedition Leader to the Denali National Park Visitor Center for a brief orientation. View the exhibits or sign up for ranger-led talks, hikes, and other activities available during your stay in Denali. Afterward, take the courtesy shuttle to the Grande Denali Lodge.

This evening enjoy a lively dinner where you'll explore fun and unique features of the park with a presenter from the Murie Science and Learning Center.
Overnight: Grande Denali Lodge (B,D)

You may purchase the following optional excursions in advance from our Guest Services team.

DogGoneIt Dog Sled Tour:
$65 per person; $55 per youth 12 and under (not recommended for children under 3)
Visit the home and kennel of Iditarod musher, Mike Santos, for an authentic look into rural Alaskan life. Get a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into creating a championship dog-sled team, and hear compelling stories from the trail—see actual racing sleds, arctic survival gear, and equipment used to traverse 1,100 miles of Alaska’s most rugged terrain. Meet Alaskan husky puppies before watching adult huskies explode from the kennel on a training run. This excursion (including round-trip transportation) lasts approximately 3 hours. Transportation is included.

Denali Glacier Landing Flight:
$685 per person; $635 per youth 9 and under
This exclusive 100-minute plane tour of Denali is the only tour where guests are granted permission to land and stand (for approximately 20-25 minutes) on one of Denali's glaciers. On board the aircraft, witness dramatic views of Denali's summit and the surrounding peaks and glaciers in the park, including the worlds deepest gorge at Ruth Glacier. Flight routes may change based on weather conditions. This excursion (including round-trip transportation) lasts approximately 3.5 hours. Transportation is included.

Arctic Circle Flight:
$565 per person (not recommended for youth under 10)
Travel to the Arctic Circle on an extensive air-and-land adventure. From Denali, fly north across the Arctic Circle for a birds-eye view over the Alaskan wilderness, including the Brooks Mountain Range, Yukon River and the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Land and visit an Arctic community with a population of less than 15. In the Brooks Mountain Range, take a walking tour with your guide, a descendant of the first homesteaders, and learn about subsistence living, survival ingenuity and the choice to live in the Arctic year-round. Re-board the plane for the return flight and, if the weather permits, take in aerial views of Denali. Upon returning, receive an official Arctic Circle Certificate. This excursion (including round-trip transportation) lasts approximately 7 hours. Transportation is included. Age and weight restrictions apply.

Wilderness Wave Raft Tour:
$120 per person; $70 per youth 5-11 years old
Enjoy a rafting trip along the natural boundary of Denali National Park. Glide through 11 miles of glacially carved valleys and amazing vistas with panoramic views of Mount Fellows and the Nenana Canyon with your rafting guide. Although you’ll encounter the occasional rapid, this option is mellow enough for all ages. You can actively paddle or sit back and relax.

Canyon Wave Raft Tour:
$120 per person; $70 per youth 5-11 years old
Set off on a rafting excursion through 11 miles of amazing rapids on the Nenana River with spectacular views of Mount Healy and Sugarloaf Mountain. Paddle with the rafting team or sit back and enjoy the ride on the oar boat.

Denali Wilderness ATV Adventure:
$130 per single-rider ATV; $225 per 2-person side-by-side ATV
Whether a novice or experienced ATVer, this excursion is a memorable experience in the Alaskan wilderness on your own automatic single ATV or 2-passenger side-by-side ATV. Led by knowledgeable guides, ride along trails around Denali National Park, at speeds up to 30 mph, including photography stops with breathtaking 360° views of the Alaska Range. This excursion covers approximately 10 miles during 1.5 hours on the trails.

Midnight Sun ATV Adventure:
$130 per single-rider ATV; $225 per 2-person side-by-side ATV
Make the best part of your day the start of your night. Novice and experienced riders, night owls and daylight adventurers can appreciate this exclusive Wilderness Adventure guided tour departing at 9:00 pm during the weeks surrounding the Summer Solstice. The Midnight Sun illuminates forest trails and prolonged sunsets bathe the mountains in a rosy glow. Choose from an automatic single ATV or multi-passenger side-by-side ATV. This excursion covers approximately 10 miles during 1.5 hours on the trails. NOTE: This tour is offered during certain departure dates due to seasonality and varying hours of daylight. Call for more information.

Optional excursions are non-refundable within 90 days of departure; prices subject to change. Not all excursions may be available. Availability is subject to sufficient participation and weather conditions. Space is limited. We recommend reserving early for best availability. For flight excursions, weight and minimum age requirements apply. Individual dressed weight and birthdate must be provided at time of booking.

Day 3: Denali National Park Wilderness Excursion 
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Today travel along the Denali National Park Road on a naturalist-guided, back-country adventure for incredible scenery and some of the best opportunities to view the majestic Mount Denali. This tour includes walks and in-field discussions inside the park. Be sure to have your binoculars ready as you watch for wildlife. Enjoy a box lunch in this special setting.

The evening is at leisure. Choose either tonight or tomorrow evening to redeem your Alpenglow Restaurant dinner voucher at the lodge. The restaurant features breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and gourmet menu selections.
Overnight: Grande Denali Lodge (B,L,D)

Day 4: Denali National Park
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
After breakfast participate in one of the pre-purchased optional excursions or enjoy free time to explore Denali. Take advantage of the self-guided hiking trails or informative ranger-led talks and activities offered in the park while marveling at the scenery.

Later reconvene for wine and dessert as you listen to Alaskan homesteader, Jimmie Hendricks, as he relives his journey and lifelong dream to explore Alaska and make it his home. Be amazed by his years of training, hard work, determination, and eventual summiting of North America’s tallest peak.
Overnight: Grande Denali Lodge (B,R)

Day 5: Denali National Park | Talkeetna | Anchorage
Thursday, July 17, 2025
After an early breakfast continue your journey to Anchorage by motor coach.

At 2,363 feet, Broad Pass is the highest point and a migratory route for caribou. Arriving in Talkeetna embrace the panoramic views of Denali, North America's tallest peak (weather permitting). Enjoy free time to explore the Talkeetna Historical Society Museum and the Walter Harper Talkeetna Ranger Station to learn about mountaineering operations, the scenic Talkeetna river trail, and various shops and cafes in town.

In Anchorage visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center—a vibrant cultural and educational institution dedicated to celebrating and preserving the rich heritage of Alaska's Indigenous peoples. The center offers an immersive experience into the diverse cultures, traditions and histories of Alaska's 11 major Native groups through its comprehensive exhibits and interactive displays.

Later gather for a special farewell reception followed by an evening at leisure to explore Anchorage's many fine eateries and shops.
Overnight: Hotel Captain Cook (B,R)

Day 6: Depart Anchorage
Friday, July 18, 2025
Enjoy a leisurely morning at the hotel before taking the complimentary transfer to the airport for flights home. (B)

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, R = Reception

Tour days tend to be long, flow at a consistent pace and may include long periods of travel. Guests should be prepared to walk longer distances, climb stairs and tolerate periods of standing, for example on city walks, sightseeing stops or excursions, on sometimes uneven surfaces including cobblestones or unpaved pathways and trails. Some destinations may have variations in altitude and/or temperature. Daily pace and timing may vary significantly between longer and shorter travel days, with additional activities possibly occurring in the early morning or evening. Guests are expected to board transportation without assistance. Elevators are not always available at accommodations or sites visited.