- Visit the iconic Denali National Park
- Sail the stunning Kenai Fjords National Park
- Explore Seward and Homer, two quaint yet distinctively different remote fishing communities, during your combined 3-night stay on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula
- Included visit to Gold Dredge #8 where you’ll relive Alaska’s gold rush history
- Tour Fairbanks and Anchorage, the two largest cities in the state
Alaskan Discovery Tour
Highlights
Get ready to experience the untamed beauty of Alaska like never before! Your adventure kicks off in Fairbanks, where you’ll step back in time at the restored Gold Dredge #8 and relive the excitement of Alaska’s legendary gold rush. Next, journey deep into the heart of Denali National Park—six million acres of awe-inspiring wilderness, rich history, and unforgettable wildlife.
From there, make your way to vibrant Anchorage, a coastal gem that half of Alaskans proudly call home, before crossing the stunning Kenai Peninsula to Homer, the world-famous “Halibut Capital.” The highlight? A full-day catamaran cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park, where dramatic glaciers and endless seascapes abound. If you’re lucky, you might get a chance to see playful sea lions, and majestic whales.
What Guests are Saying
Moderate
Designed for travelers comfortable with a mix of walking and sightseeing.
Walking distances average 1 mile per day, with some extended periods on foot.
May involve stairs, moderate inclines, and occasional uneven surfaces.
Travel days may vary, with some early departures or longer sightseeing excursions.
Suitable for those looking for a balanced blend of activity and relaxation.
Click to Learn More
Tour Includes
Locations Visited
- Fairbanks
- Denali National Park
- Anchorage
- Seward
- Homer
- Kenai Fjords National Park
Hotel Accommodations
- 8 nights
- Moderate hotels based on twin/double occupancy
Meals
- 8 breakfasts
- 2 lunches
Service
- A professionally trained tour director who is knowledgeable about the area will provide you with a wealth of information. Their friendly service will make your trip a memorable experience.
Baggage Handling
- To and from your hotel room throughout your land tour for one piece of checked baggage per person.
Tour Starts:
Fairbanks, Alaska
Tour Ends:
Anchorage, Alaska
Day 1
Arrive in Fairbanks
If you purchased your airline tickets from YMT, you will be welcomed by a representative and transferred to your hotel.
SpringHill Suites Fairbanks or similar
Day 2
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. Learn to pan for gold, and take a picture with the Trans-Alaska pipeline, another American engineering marvel. In the afternoon, explore Fairbanks on your own.
Meals: Breakfast
SpringHill Suites Fairbanks or similar
Add-On: Riverboat Discovery with Lunch/Alaska Salmon Bake
Day 3
Denali & Leisure Afternoon
Denali is your playground this afternoon as you enjoy leisure time in the park. Immerse yourself in stunning natural beauty on an easy hike or picnic, stop by the park’s visitor centers to learn more about Denali. There is no shortage of sights to see in Denali, whose reputation as one of America’s finest national parks is well deserved.
Meals: Breakfast
Denali Park Village or similar
Add-On: Alaska Rail Dome Car – Fairbanks to Denali
Day 4
Denali Natural History Tour
Travel along the George Parks Highway to Denali National Park. At six million acres, Denali is one of the world’s great frontiers for wilderness adventure. Discover more with a natural history tour that focuses on its rich cultural history. 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 past, it’s landscape, and geology. Visit Savage Cabin, the original ranger’s post 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 uncommon to see some combination of Alaska’s Big Five. Look for grizzly bears, caribou and moose, as well as dall sheep, and countless songbirds, among many other animals.
Meals: Breakfast
Denali Park Village or similar
Add-On: Cabin Nite Dinner Theater
Day 5
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.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Fairfield Inn Anchorage or similar
Day 6
Anchorage to Homer
Travel across the picturesque Kenai Peninsula to Homer, where your first stop will be the Homer Spit, a long, narrow finger of land that extends more than four miles into Kachemak Bay. Take a guided walking tour of the Homer Docks, and see the Salty Dawg Saloon, Homer’s oldest and most famous landmark. Now topped with a distinctive lighthouse tower, it started life in 1897 as one of the very first cabins in town. In more than a century since, the landmark has served as a post office, railroad station and grocery store, as well as a 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!
Meals: Breakfast
Best Western Bidarka or similar
Day 7
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 or take a ferry to the nearby town of Seldovia, you are sure to enjoy the beautiful surroundings!
Meals: Breakfast
Best Western Bidarka or similar
Add-On: Homer Seldovia & Wildlife Cruise
Day 8
Kenai Fjords National Park Catamaran Cruise
Enjoy a memorable day on a catamaran cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park. See marine wildlife, coastal fjords and islands, as well as lush forests and magnificent tidewater glaciers. Enjoy lunch on your cruise (included). Back on land, you’ll have free time to explore Seward.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Windsong Lodge or similar
Day 9
Depart for Home
Enjoy your final day in Alaska before you’re transferred from Seward to Anchorage for your final goodbye to The Last Frontier.
Meals: Breakfast
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.
Please note that this is a proposed itinerary; the actual itinerary may vary due to season, special events, or weather. Hotels may differ depending on date. Because our tour arrangements are often made a year or more in advance, YMT Vacations reserves the right to alter the itinerary. Itinerary changes are made to improve your vacation experience, as well as respond to any unforeseen circumstances that mandate alterations. By their nature, all tour vacations involve a certain level of physical activity. While YMT tours have been designed with our guests in mind and are not physically demanding, this tour does include walking and periods of standing during the sightseeing visits. You will also encounter steps and some uneven ground along the way, particularly at older, historical sights. Please ask your Travel Consultant for more information.
YMT Vacations itineraries may contain suggestions for activities for your leisure time; these suggestions do not constitute a recommendation nor an endorsement of any specific service provider and the decision to participate in any such activities should be made independently.
Reviews
We look forward to traveling with YMT again
Tammy was very helpful and explained everything. We look forward to traveling with YMT again. We are very excited about finally seeing Alaska.
Our Tour Guide Angie was extremely knowledgeable and organized
Our Tour Guide Angie was extremely knowledgeable and organized, great personality and made our trip very memorable and educational. Also Betty our Tour Bus Driver got us to the appointed locations safely and on time. Her personality was great.
What a beautiful state filled with picturesque mountains, wildlife and clear fresh air!!!
My trip to alaska was beyond fulfilling and exciting. Our guide (Angie) bus driver (Betty) made it exquisite. What a beautiful state filled with picturesque mountains, wildlife and clear fresh air!!!
We were able to see and learn about so many things on the Alaska Discovery Tour
Our tour went very smoothly. We were able to see and learn about so many things on the Alaska Discovery Tour. Our guide, Angie, and our coach driver, Betty, were the best. They helped answer so many questions and shared lots of good knowledge about where we were traveling.
Our tour guide and our bus driver made the trip the best possible.
Our tour guide and our bus driver made the trip the best possible. With Alaska as the backdrop, it’s hard to go wrong, but these two guys complimented each other with a hometown background of the places we visited.
Saw some great places
Saw some great places- guide was very knowledgeable and accommodating.
Add-Ons
Make your vacation extra special by adding optional excursions to your tour. It’s a great opportunity to enhance your trip, these experiences slot seamlessly into your package, and we’ll take care of all the logistics for you. Remember that adding an optional experience might increase the overall activity level of the tour, so always keep that in mind when planning your trip.
Alaska Rail Dome Car - Fairbanks to Denali
Experience panoramic views of the Alaskan wilderness from the comfort of your deluxe dome seat aboard the famous Alaska Railroad. This train offers passage year round for travelers between Fairbanks and Denali. With a curved glass dome atop the car, you’ll get a spectacular 360 degree view of the landscape. Listen to insightful commentary from the tour guides onboard as you take in the scenery around you. This is sure to be an immersive experience!
Inclusions
- Ticket to the famous Alaska Railroad
- Deluxe dome seating aboard the Alaska Railroad
Activity Level: Easy
Duration: Approx. 4 Hours
Price: $189 USD (2026)
Alaska Salmon Bake
Experience Alaskan heritage with an unforgettable evening at the Alaska Salmon Bake, an iconic eatery nestled in the historic Pioneer Park. Here, you’ll get a chance to enjoy a spectacular meal steeped in over 40 years of family tradition, under the golden light of the Midnight Sun. Founded in 1979 by Rick Winther, a fourth-generation Alaskan raised on fresh-caught fish and the rich flavors of generations-old recipes, the Salmon Bake is more than a dinner. It’s a celebration of Alaska’s soul, served one plate at a time.
Feast on wild-caught salmon grilled over an open alderwood fire, beer-battered cod, slow-roasted prime rib, and a spread of hearty sides. Meals here draw inspiration from the recipes of Rick’s mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Save room for dessert, where new family creations like the Chocolate “Moose” and the beloved Strawberry-Rhubarb Compote bring a playful and delicious twist to the legacy. Note that the menu is subject to change.
As you dine under the open sky, you’ll be part of something truly special. Watch three generations of the Winther family work together to share their passion for food, storytelling, and authentic Alaskan hospitality.
Inclusions
- Dinner
- Round trip transportation
Duration: Approx. 2.5 Hrs (Evening)
Activity Level: Easy
Price: $65 USD (2026)
Cabin Nite Dinner Theater
Step into the heart of Alaska’s history at a lively, authentic roadhouse hosted by local legend Fannie Quigley and her husband, Joe. Together, they’ll treat you to an unforgettable evening filled with delicious food, lively entertainment, and captivating stories.
As you settle in, enjoy the company of colorful characters from early 1900s Alaska who bring the past to life through spirited service, live music, and performances of timeless Robert W. Service poetry. Indulge in a hearty, all-you-can-eat, family-style feast featuring fresh, wild-caught Alaskan salmon, slow-roasted BBQ pork ribs, garlic mashed potatoes, wilderness baked beans, summer corn, buttermilk biscuits, and Fannie’s famous mixed berry cobbler.
At this one-of-a-kind dinner theater experience, savor the food and immerse yourself in the rugged, untamed spirit of Alaska. It’s more than just a meal—it’s a celebration of history, hospitality, and the soul of the Last Frontier.
Inclusions
- Live Theater show
- All-you-can eat family style dinner
Duration: Approx. 2 Hrs (Evening)
Activity Level: Easy
Price: $119 USD
Homer Seldovia & Wildlife Cruise
Discover the stunning beauty of Kachemak Bay, one of Alaska’s most vibrant and ecologically diverse marine areas. Experience breathtaking views of seabird rookeries, towering rock formations, and majestic fjords. Visit Seldovia, a charming Alaskan village with just 270 year-round residents. There are no road networks here, so you’ll explore the region on a cruise. Here, you’ll have free time to explore the local attractions, including cozy restaurants, the historic boardwalk, a visitor center, museum, and scenic trails. You can also enjoy berry picking, and lose yourselves in the untamed beauty of the region.
Inclusions
-
Transfers to and from the hotel
Duration: Approx. 8 Hours
Activity Level: Moderate
Price: $149 USD (2026)
Riverboat Discovery with Lunch
Climb on board an authentic Alaskan sternwheeler and take a journey back in time along the Chena River. Go on a three-hour narrated cruise tour with native Alaskans and meet some pioneers who call this land home. Highlights include seeing Iditarod Champion sled dogs in action, a bush pilot demonstration, and a cultural walking tour of an Athabascan Village.
Inclusions
- 3-hour Narrated Cruise Tour aboard Alaskan Sternwheeler
- Bush pilot Demonstration
- Included Lunch
Note: The cruise is wheelchair accessible. Comfortable walking shoes and bug spray are recommended.
Duration: Approx. 3.5 Hours
Activity Level: Easy
Price: $149 USD (2026)
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