Alaska - 5 day action packed Itinerary
- wanderer
- Jun 20, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 30, 2024
Alaska's breathtaking landscapes and rich heritage make it an appealing destination for nature enthusiasts, adventurers, and those seeking a unique cultural experience. Whether you're exploring its glaciers, enjoying the wildlife, or immersing yourself in native culture, Alaska offers a one-of-a-kind journey into the wild and untamed.
Here is a 5 day Itinerary for the largest and northernmost state of the US. As you can imagine, it's impossible to cover such a large and varied landscape in only 5 days. This itinerary barely scratches the surface, but is a good starting point for anyone who wants to get a taste of Alaska in a limited time-frame.
Day 1: Anchorage Downtown and surrounding areas
When you arrive in Anchorage, consider arriving either the night before or early in the morning. Take a leisurely walk in downtown Anchorage and be sure to stop by the Visitor Center situated at the intersection of 4th Avenue and F Street. Anchorage downtown is where you'll find the largest museum in Alaska, known as The Anchorage Museum.
A brief stroll from there will lead you to the town square park where you can enjoy some live music. Additionally, Anchorage downtown offers a variety of dining options, including restaurants serving Thai, French, Japanese, and Mexican cuisines.
Depending on the time of year, you might also be able to catch the Centennial Rose Garden in full bloom.
If you have time and are craving some peaceful and beautiful hikes, head over to The Chugach National Forest. Many of the trailheads are a mere 20 minutes from downtown.
Day 2: Girdwood, Seward
Start your day with a hearty breakfast at https://www.snowcitycafe.com/
Let's start our journey towards Seward. The first stop on this drive is the beautiful Alyeska resort located in Girdwood.
Even if you are not staying at the resort be sure to check out the Alyeska Resort Aerial Tramway.
After spending a good amount of time here, we continue onwards to Seward.
Seward is a stunning coastal city in the southern part of Alaska and is known as the gateway to the famous Kenai Fjords National Park.
We would need a lot more time to cover the entire national park, but to get a taste of what this place has to offer you should visit the Exit Glacier. The trailhead is located just 12 miles from Seward.
The Glacier Overlook Trail is a well maintained trail that provides excellent views of the Glacier.
Day 3: Seward
One of the best ways to see wildlife in Alaska is on the water. We will spend today on a 4 Hour Kenai Fjords Wildlife Cruise.
This cruise offers passengers unforgettable views of the rugged coastline, glaciers, fjords and towering cliffs that make up the dramatic scenery of the Kenai Fjords region. True to its name, this cruise is a perfect opportunity to observe a variety of wildlife in their natural habitat. Common sightings include humpback whales, orcas, sea otters, sea lions, puffins and various seabird species.
You could spend the rest of the day exploring Seward, or return to Anchorage to rest and get a head start for a drive to the famous Denali National Park on Day 4!
Day 4: Denali National Park
We start early in the morning for a 4hr drive to one of the most iconic and spectacular natural areas in the United States, The Denali National Park. It encompasses a whopping 6 million acres of wilderness, making it the largest national park in the United States.
The park is renowned for its abundant wildlife. Visitors have the opportunity to spot a wide range of animals including grizzly bears, moose, caribou, Dall sheep, wolves, foxes, and a variety of bird species. The park's wildlife is a major draw for nature enthusiasts and photographers, and every season has something different to offer.
The best way to visit the main points of the park in a limited time are the various bus services operated by the National park authority.
Day 5: Matanuska Glacier
We get an early start on our final day to drive back towards Anchorage, stopping at the most impressive and accessible Glacier in Alaska, The Matanuska Glacier. This valley glacier is approximately 27 miles in length and 4 miles in width at its terminus, and formed by the accumulation and compaction of snow over thousands of years.
Beginning in 2021, self-guided glacier tours are no longer available. You can explore the glacier only with guided tours which include equipment and a trained guide.
We end our trip back in Anchorage with some wonderful memories!
As mentioned earlier, 5 days barely touch the marvels of Alaska, but I hope this itinerary will inspire you to come back to this magical wonderland many more times.
Places to stay:
