Alaska in Summer: Explore the Land of Glaciers and Bears

Optional - The guided tour of Anchorage and the Native Heritage Centre, a living museum that retraces Alaska's indigenous history and culture.
Drive north to Denali National Park, about 250 miles from Anchorage. In this majestic park, with its vast wilderness and snow-topped peaks, any memory of the great distances crossed to get there fade away. Spend two nights on the edge of the park, in a welcoming, rustic wooden lodge nestling beside the river.

In your itinerary - Guided day tour of the park. Entry is at mile 237 on the Parks Highway. Private vehicles are not permitted inside the park; only school buses with nature-guide drivers circumnavigate a 53-mile loop offering wonderful glimpses of this natural setting. Along the way, watch for bears, caribou, elk, sheep and wolves. And weather permitting, it's also possible to see Mount McKinley, the tallest peak on the North American continent at 20,310ft.

Road along the Alaska pipeline from Prudhoe Bay in the north to Valdez in the south, through the rugged landscape, with Mount McKinley still dominating in the background.. Along the way, stop in the small town of Healy before reaching Fairbanks, where you'll spend the night. This former trading post, the second largest city in Alaska, was founded on the banks of the Chena River and still harks back to the Gold Rush.
Don't miss - Pioneer Park, a reconstructed typical Gold Rush-era town: authentic historic buildings salvaged from around the state and actors in period costumes. Take a bath in the hot springs of Chena Hot Springs.

Long road (about 248 miles again) due south on the Rirchardson Highway towards Copper Centre. Discover the towns of Paxson and Delta Junction along the way, nestling in the forest among mountain scenery. Stop for the night in this little picturesque riverside village, with wooden houses and a few hundred inhabitants. Overnight in a pleasant lodge facing the mountains.

Road to Chitina then flight to Kennicott by bush plane. This 30-minute tour offers the first (and spectacular) viewing of the landscapes of Wrangell St. Elias National Park and the first glimpse of the Root Glacier. Spend two nights in the former Kennicott miners' base, which was converted into a small tourist resort and is the starting point for many outdoor activities. The lodge occupies an old copper mine overlooking the glacier, with strikingly beautiful surroundings. You'll receive a warm welcome, share a meal, and go to bed early. You'll need rest before the next day's discoveries.

In the itinerary - Guided hike at the Root Glacier and visit Kennicott. A two-mile trail from Kennicott follows the old railway line built in the 1920s. After arriving at the foot of the Root Glacier, put your crampons on and begin the glacier walk, Along the way, there are several torrents that have carved deep crevices in the ice, forming a collection of blue pools and waterfalls. The day continues with the discovery of Kennicott's mining past, still with your guide.

Take the return flight to Chitina by bush plane, collect the car and head west to Knik Glacier. This is located at the northern tip of the Chugach Mountains. At 30-miles long and five-miles wide, this is one of the largest glaciers in Alaska.
Don't miss - A boat trip to see the multicoloured icebergs.
Spend the night at one of the cosy cottages nestled in the middle of the forest, in wild and remote surroundings.

Head south to Seward, a lovely fishing harbour in the heart of Resurrection Bay. It's also the starting point for the exploration of Kenai Fjords National Park.
On the way - Don't miss: a visit to Musk Ox Farm in Palmer, home to the world's only domesticated musk oxen. Native Alaskans use their wool to make traditional garments.
Stay for two nights in a lovely large structure built on stilts, opposite the harbour. There's the added bonus of an indoor pool, rare in Alaska.

In your itinerary - A day of cruising in the Kenai fjords : A 100-mile journey between glaciers and coastal landscapes and an opportunity to get close to the region's wildlife: otters, sea lions, seals, killer whales and humpback whales.

Drive to the southern tip of the Kenai Peninsula and the small fishing village of Homer, a four-and-a-half-mile stretch of land at the edge of the world, in the heart of a beautiful iceberg-filled bay. Settle there for two nights in simple, comfortable motel-like accommodation which marks the end of the road and the tip of the peninsula. Spotlight: the panoramic views of Kachemak Bay and Kenai Mountains.

In the Itinerary - Katmai National Park Exploration Day in search of brown bears . First, enjoy a spectacular flight in a bush plane over the active volcanoes and glaciers of the east coast of Katmai National Park. After landing on the beach, take a beautiful walk and observe brown bears in their natural environment: they fish, dig for clams and play together. If you're lucky, you might also see foxes, bald eagles and marine mammals.

Return road to Anchorage (it takes just over four hours), where you'll find your home for the night downtown.