Epic Alaska cruise with road trip: sea otters, glaciers and kayaking

Itinerary in brief: 

• 1 night Anchorage 
• 2 nights Seward
• 2 nights Homer 
• 1 night Girdwood 
• 7 night cruise

Day 1: UK to Alaska 

Depart the UK from your chosen airport. On arrival, you’ll make your own way into the city, check into your hotel for the night and head to bed early, ready to start your Alaskan adventure tomorrow.

Included: International flight, 4* hotel

Day 2: Drive to Seward

This morning, you’ll pick up your rental car and begin your road trip through Alaska! You’ll drive along the Seward Highway towards Turnagain Arm, a huge body of water where you might spot Beluga whales chasing salmon in the bay or Dall sheep grazing by the shore. Stopping in Whittier, you'll head out on the Prince William Sound Glacier cruise, heading into a world of floating ice, waterfalls and glaciers, all the while looking for sea otters, whales and seabirds. Enjoy lunch onboard before driving on to Seward, where you'll check into your hotel for two nights before heading out into the town for a look around – we recommend the SeaLife Centre for a glimpse into local marine life.

Included: Cruise, car hire, 4* hotel    

Day 3: Seward

Today we’ve arranged an all-day cruise of Kenai Fjords National Park. You’ll head deep into the park and visit the magnificent Northwestern Fjord, home to numerous tidewater and alpine glaciers. There is an abundance of wildlife to be found here – black bears, beavers, lynx and red squirrels on land as well as orcas, sea otters and porpoises under the waters. You’ll also visit the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Reserve, an island home to teeming seabird rookeries and enjoy lunch onboard. This cruise will give you a great insight into the wild beauty of Kenai Fjords before heading back to your hotel at the end of the day.

There are loads of other activities you could enjoy here instead of the cruise - dog sledding, kayaking, canoeing, fishing and even a helicopter flight to the glacier - if you want to change to one of these, just ask!

Included: Cruise, car hire, 4* hotel           

Day 4: Drive to Homer

Continuing your road trip you’ll follow the Sterling Highway today, a designated scenic highway covering miles of spectacular wilderness – think snow-capped mountains and active volcanoes, as well as excellent salmon fishing along the Kenai River. Homer is blessed with a view to the south, where the rugged Kenai Mountains sit above the sparkling waters of Kachemak Bay. If you love fishing, then this is the place to be - King salmon and halibut are found here in the spring and into the summer. On arrival, you’ll check into your hotel for two nights.

Included: Car hire, 4* hotel        

Day 5: Homer          

Homer is a haven for foodies – every street corner has a local coffee shop, gourmet sandwich bar or fine dining restaurant, unusual for rural Alaska and one of the things that makes Homer so special. It is a centre for artists in the area and the plethora of galleries, museums and music venues give credence to Homer being the cultural capital of Alaska. It is also located in a beautiful spot where the looming Kenai Mountains stand sentry over the wildlife-filled bay – you’ll spend much of your day here falling in love with this quirky little town. If you'd like to add in something more adventurous, we can book bear viewing flights or fishing excursions - just ask!

Included: Car hire, 4* hotel         

Day 6: Drive to Girdwood

This morning you'll drive north to reach Girdwood, the home of the only 5-star resort in Alaska – the Hotel Alyeska, where you’ll check in for 1 night. On the way you'll pass the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Centre, which provides care and rehabilitation to some of Alaska's largest land mammals - you'll be able to get close to moose, caribou, bears and musk ox. In the evening, enjoy some top-quality food in one of the resort's restaurants and relax after an exciting day.

Included: Car hire, Alyeska Hotel

Day 7: Fly to Juneau, embark cruise

This morning, you'll drop your hire car off at the airport in Anchorage and fly south to the capital of Juneau, ready to board your seven night cruise through the northern section of the Inside Passage. On arrival, you'll be driven into the city and board your cruise, settling into your cabin and setting sail towards Icy Strait. 

Included: Car hire, internal flights, transfers, cabin on Sea Quest with UnCruise

Days 8 - 13: Alaska's Glacier Wilderness with Glacier Bay with UnCruise

Spend the next week exploring the wild and remote corners of Alaska on this cruise from Juneau, on the Safari Quest with UnCruise. With only 22 guests onboard, you'll spend your time kayaking through sheltered bays and lush kelp forests, hiking along the rugged coasts and taking excursions out on skiff boats to tiny inlets tucked away from sight. 

Visit the craggy shores of Chichagof and Admiralty Islands, searching for brown bears and sea otters before soaking in the hot springs of Baranof Island. Cruise through dramatic fjords with plunging waterfalls and ancient rainforests, before arriving at the spectacular Dawes Glacier and Endicott Arm. You'll spot drifting icebergs, calving glaciers and whales leaping from the frozen waters. 

On board, you'll enjoy the yacht, whose small size allows it to reach areas of the fjords that many ships cannot reach. Relax in the small library, play cards in the bar, sit back and admire the views and enjoy delicious meals as you chat with fellow guests about each day's epic adventures. 

Included: All meals and activities on board, cabin on Sea Quest with UnCruise

Day 14: Depart Alaska 

Disembark your cruise in Juneau, before heading to the airport for your flight back to the UK. 

Included: Breakfast, transfers, international flights

Day 15: Arrive UK