All the Colors of Alaska in Autumn

All the Colors of Alaska: From the Tundra to the Skies

Enjoy the many vibrant colors of Alaska’s late summer and autumn seasons, seacoast to tundra, while you explore Kenai Fjords National Park by cruise, Denali National Park’s wildlife and the Arctic Circle. Best of all? Watch the skies as color explodes in the skies above you with the dramatic lightshows of the Northern Lights. Aurora viewing in Alaska can start as early as August, as the days grow shorter, and the skies get darker and with fewer visitors, Autumn is the perfect season for showcasing Alaska’s natural treasures.

Celebrate the Fall Season in Style

Day 1

Arrive in Anchorage - Travel to Girdwood

Upon arrival in Anchorage Airport, receive a personal greeting and meet your private driver/guide and transfer to your luxury resort, located in the friendly community of Girdwood. The Alyeska Resort boasts the best in comfort, amenities and outdoor fun. The resort’s rich fields of blueberries produce spectacular colors and harvests in August and September. Pick up a bucket from the resort and explore the trails in hopes of finding some of this special Alaskan treat before the bears do!

Overnight in Girdwood, your home for the next two nights.

Day 2

Seward: Day Cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park

Today, journey south with your private driver/guide along the scenic Turnagain Arm to the coastal town of Seward. Board a high-speed catamaran to explore the world of wildlife and glaciers on a day cruise in Kenai Fjords National Park. Scout for sea otters, sea lions, seals, puffins, and whales before approaching an actively-calving tidewater glacier. You will begin to see the hints of yellow and orange in the fall foliage sprinkled along the shoreline.

Return to Girdwood for the evening where your private driver/guide can provide suggestions for dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 3

Girdwood to Talkeetna

Continue your journey, into Alaska’s interior to the historic gold mining community of Talkeetna. Notice the more dramatic color changes of the trees along your route as you travel further north. As you pass through the community of Willow, the towering mountain of Denali is front and center on the George Parks Highway. On a clear day, the mountain is unmissable, along with the rest of the Alaska Range.

Arrive in Talkeetna and settle into your room at your hotel. This afternoon you may choose to learn about Talkeetna’s goldmining past at the local museum, sample some refreshments at a Talkeetna brewery, or hit nearby hiking trails to stretch your legs and visually soak in the golden forests surrounding you.

Overnight in Talkeetna.

(c) Ashley Heimbigner. All rights reserved.

Day 4

Denali National Park Entrance by the Alaska Railroad

Watch the sunrise over the Alaska Range this morning with a cup of coffee before boarding luxury dome rail cars on the Alaska Railroad for your journey to Denali National Park. Viewing platforms and glass domed ceilings provide optimal viewing as you travel through fields of red and orange tundra. Your private driver/guide will greet you upon arrival and a short transfer will bring you to your accommodations tucked away in the boreal forest just outside Denali National Park.

Explore a local hiking trail this afternoon or get whisked away in a helicopter for a bird’s eye view of this special place on a classic flightseeing adventure.

Overnight at the Denali Park Entrance, your home for the next three nights.

Day 5

Discover Denali National Park's Wildlife and Color

At the entrance of Denali National Park, your adventure options are as vibrant as the fall foliage. Immerse yourself in the fiery tapestry of autumn colors with a variety of thrilling activities. Explore the russet and golden landscapes on an ATV or off-road Jeep excursion, where you’ll discover hidden gems amidst the kaleidoscope of foliage. If you’re seeking an adrenaline rush, embark on a white water rafting journey down the pristine rivers, where the thrill of the rapids meets the vibrant hues of fall.

For a more serene experience, take to the skies with a scenic flight tour that offers unparalleled views of the park’s forested hills, adorned in rich autumnal shades, and the chance to spot wildlife from above. Whether you’re an adventure seeker, a nature enthusiast, or simply looking for an unforgettable experience amidst the fall colors, the entrance of Denali National Park has something to offer everyone. Your Alaskan adventure awaits amidst the splendor of autumn.

Day 6

Denali National Park to Fairbanks - Northern Lights Fun

Travel north to Fairbanks with your private driver/guide and embark on an exclusive city tour exploring the best of Fairbanks: Golden Heart Plaza, the Trans-Alaska-Pipeline, and the Santa Claus House in North Pole.

Later this evening experience a private northern lights viewing tour where you will learn the best tips for photographing the dancing lights.

Overnight in Fairbanks, your home for the next two nights.

 

Day 7

Cross the Arctic Circle: By Air and Land

The morning is at leisure to sleep in after your evening of aurora viewing. This afternoon experience Alaska’s Arctic Circle by both land and air. Fly north from Fairbanks before landing above the Arctic Circle in ceremonious fashion. As you make your way back to Fairbanks on your guided tour by private vehicle, stop along the shores of the mighty Yukon River to scan the northern sky for the aurora’s colorful lightshows.

 

Day 8

Relax in Chena Hot Springs

Enjoy a leisurely fall day in Fairbanks, your private/guide is available to offer sightseeing and restaurant suggestions. This afternoon consider venturing to Chena Hot Springs and take a dip in the famous hot springs that once aided the aches and pains of gold miners and pioneers.

Tonight, travel by private vehicle to an aurora viewing location for another opportunity to witness the unique and memorable natural phenomenon of Alaska’s northern lights.

Day 9

Depart Fairbanks

Today, say farewell to Alaska and receive a private transfer to the Fairbanks Airport for your departure flight.

Amenities, nearby adventures and more...

Price range:  $1000 - $1500 per person, per day

  • All transportation services, including arrival and departure transfers, in a private vehicle with an experienced driver/guide
  • All hotel accommodations, including roundtrip baggage handling and daily breakfast
  • All tours and activities, carefully selected for you
  • Gratuity for included activities or hotel services
  • Meals, other than mentioned
  • Alcoholic beverages

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Extend your visit to Alaska with more time in Alaska’s interior at a unique lodge.

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