Alaskan Discovery Tour

Arrive in Fairbanks

Today your adventure begins upon arrival in Fairbanks, Alaska’s third largest city. If you booked your flight with YMT, a representative will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.

Gold Dredge #8

Explore the area’s gold mining history as we visit the restored Gold Dredge #8. The visitor center offers a great perspective with artifacts from the gold rush era, bringing to life the history of Fairbanks. To round off your visit here you can learn to pan for gold and take a picture with the Trans-Alaska pipeline, an American engineering marvel. In the afternoon, explore Fairbanks on your own. (B)

Denali Natural History Tour

Travel along the George Parks Highway to Denali National Park. At 6 million acres, Denali is one of the world’s great frontiers for wilderness adventure. Get a deeper look at this amazing park on a Denali Natural History Tour. With a focus on the rich cultural history of Denali National Park, this memorable tour provides insight into the diverse native and early pioneer influences in and around the park. Your dedicated naturalist will provide a great introduction to Denali’s landscape, geology, and past. Visit Savage Cabin, the original ranger’s cabin that is still used by the Park Service today. This afternoon you will have free time to spend in the park at your leisure. Along with awe-inspiring mountain views, it’s not rare to see some combination of Alaska’s Big Five. Look for grizzly bears, caribou, moose, Dall Sheep, and wolves, along with other animals such as wolverines and countless songbirds. (B)

Iditarod Sled Dog Headquarters and Anchorage City Tour

Head south through the Matanuska-Susitna Valley. Next, stop at the Iditarod Sled Dog Headquarters to learn about the legendary dog sled race from Anchorage to Nome. Continue to Anchorage for a late lunch before continuing on for a tour of historic downtown Anchorage. (B, L)

Anchorage to Homer

Travel across the picturesque Kenai Peninsula to Homer. Your first stop will be the Homer Spit, a long, narrow finger of land that extends more than four miles into Kachemak Bay. Continue with a guided walking tour of the Homer Docks. See the Salty Dawg Saloon, Homer’s oldest and most famous landmark. Now topped with distinctive lighthouse tower, it started life in 1897 as one of the very first cabins in town. In the more than a century since, the landmark served as a post office, railroad station, grocery store, and school house. For the full Salty Dawg experience, add a signed dollar bill to the saloon’s wall, alongside thousands of others. The peculiar practice started decades ago, when a local barfly tacked a dollar to the wall for his friend to use later on an ice cold beer! (B)

Homer Leisure Day

Enjoy a free day in Homer. Your Tour Director will be happy to help you plan your day to make the most of your time in this charming coastal destination. Whether you stay in Homer to sample its incredible halibut, venture out on an optional tour, or take a ferry to the nearby town of Seldovia, you are sure to enjoy Homer and its beautiful surroundings! (B)

Kenai Fjords National Park Catamaran Cruise

Spend the day enjoying a memorable catamaran cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park. You’ll enjoy lunch on board. See marine wildlife, coastal fjords and islands, lush forests, and magnificent tidewater glaciers. Back on land, you’ll have free time to explore Seward. (B, L)

Depart for Home

On your way from Seward to Anchorage, visit the town of Whittier, known for its isolation and strategic importance during WWII. Then continue to Anchorage and depart for home. (B)

Note: Most flights from Anchorage are non-direct with at least one or two connections. Departure flights from Anchorage to most cities are overnight and arrive the following day; some flights depart Anchorage after midnight. Guests choosing to book their own flights must book flights departing after 5pm.