Unique adventure through vast, unspoiled wilderness. Whether it's towering mountains, expansive glaciers, or abundant wildlife, Alaska is for you!  

A week in Alaska promises unforgettable experiences, from the awe-inspiring sight of calving glaciers to the thrill of spotting a grizzly bear in the wild. This itinerary provides a balanced mix of adventure, relaxation, and cultural exploration, ensuring you make the most of your time in this incredible state.


Denali, Alaska, USA

Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska, USA

Alaska, USA

Seward, AK, USA

Anchorage, AK, USA

Harding Icefield, Alaska, USA

Kenai Fjords National Park, Seward, AK, USA

Aialik Glacier, Alaska, USA

One week in Alaska for First-timers 

Let me tell you…the name ‘Flat Top Mountain’ is VERY accurate. The only flat part of this trail exists only at the very top. The way up there is nothing but steep steep climb. At one point the trail disappears and in front of you is nothing but piles of rock that you have to literally climb up with both hands. It was quite a challenge but we made it! The view is amazing, you can see Anchorage city and the ocean. The good thing about Alaska in the summer is that the day light doesn’t disappear until after midnight and operating hours of trails and parks are set accordingly. So hiking can be done until very late. We were at the top at 9 pm and people were still coming in when we were on our way out.

Harding Ice field Trail is one of the greatest and most rewarding hikes I have ever done! At the end of the trail you get to stand on top of the mountain looking over the massive 1,813 square kilometers worth of ice-field. Despite the rain, we hiked up there. It is a 13 Kilometer hike (round trip) so it’s a day hike type activity. 

We stopped by at REI for some camping supply then chatted with some locals who mentioned that we should go to Flattop Mountain to see the panoramic view of Anchorage. And so we did.

It takes around 4 hours (add more for photo stops) to drive from Anchorage to Denali National Park. There is just one highway and it is really easy to drive. Just go straight. I have never been on the road where everything outside looks like photographer’s dreams before. The view along the way is magnificent. 

As soon as you arrive at the national park you will realize that the park is huge! There are a few main facilities/buildings you need to go to for information. 

Comes the camping day. In the morning, take a camper bus to get us all the way into the park (park bus is the only way to get inside the park). There are total of 6 different campgrounds in the national park for you to choose from. Some are accessible all year round and some are only opened in Summer. You can check on the website and choose the campground you wish to camp at according to your preference. The website also gives you detailed information on each campground's amenities so you know what you need to bring with you. For example, some campgrounds provide potable water and some don't. So you might need to bring water/water treatment pills with you. In addition, you need to book the campground prior to your date of arrival.

The only negative thing about this particular camp site is the mosquito and fly infestation. Yes, ‘infestation.’ as in millions of them hanging around making more babies. They don't bite or anything, they just like to fly around your face. We were warned beforehand so we brought along head net and wore it most of the time. We looked absolutely ridiculous. But the view is so breathtakingly beautiful the bugs couldn’t ruin that for us.

Apart from the joy of camping and being surrounded by exquisite nature, there are hiking trails around the campsite. In Denali you can hike on your own or you can sign up for organized hikes with park rangers but need 24 hour notice in advance for the latter option and the trails they offer are scheduled by the park. 

 The journey back to land was super rocky but we all happily made it with zero person throwing up. Close call though. 400 USD a pop is really pricey but I would recommend anyone traveling to Seward to do this day trip.  

By the end of the hike we were soaked! We spotted a mama grizzly and 2 cubs up on the waterfall maybe 100 meters away from us on the way down and it was really cool! I caught a cold that lasted a bit over a week from this hike but it was so worth it.

Driving pass several creeks you can spot a lot of people fly fishing for salmon. It is a an interesting hobby to observe. 

Day 4: Full Day in Denali National Park 

Day 6: Kenai Fjords National Park & Aialik Glacier

Day 2: Anchorage - Denali National Park & Mt. Healy

Day 3: Denali National Park --> Wonder lake Campsite

Anchorage, the largest city in Alaska, is a vibrant urban center surrounded by breathtaking wilderness. Nestled between the Chugach Mountains and the Cook Inlet, it offers a unique blend of natural beauty and modern amenities. The city is a gateway to outdoor adventures, with opportunities for hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing just a short drive away. Definitely a destination for the outdoor people. You could already tell from looking at people on the flight here with their hiking boots, fishing rods, and rifle cases. 

• Everything that has to do with Denali National Park has to be booked in advance including the bus and campsite. Do that via national park's website

• The only way to get into the national park is via national park's buses. You cannot drive in yourself

Reserve Denali | ReserveDenali.com

• You can't carry or check-in bear spray on the flight so you have to buy it in Alaska and discard it before departure

Anchorage Airbnb

Spend the first day exploring the city. It is just like any other medium sized modern American cities, just with nicer background and better probability of a moose encounter.

Visit Farmer's Market for fresh produce from local farmers. Grab some fresh fruits and try some artisan cheese

Today we start the journey to Denali National Park and Preserve, one of the highlights of this trip.

Go to the visitor center to check out information on different hiking trails around the entrance of the park as we are not going inside the park today. There are around 8 different trails starting from the visitor center area with variety of difficulty ranging from easy to strenuous depending on the elevation, terrain, and distance. We went for the strenuous Mt. Healy overlooking trail, one of the steepest trails in the National park. It is a 8.6km hike (round trip) and takes around 4 to 5 hours to complete depending on your fitness level.

The hike begins with a moderate ascent through dense spruce forests, gradually becoming steeper and more challenging as hikers approach the rocky upper slopes. We reached the summit after 2.5 hours. The rewarding summit provides panoramic vistas of the surrounding valleys, the Nenana River, and, on clear days, glimpses of Denali itself. Sitting there overlooking the entrance area of the national park fills you up with excitement of what’s coming when you actually get to be inside the park.

After the hike, come down and walk around a little more then leave the national park to our accommodation for tonight.

 We aimed to camp at the furthest campsite of the park located at the 85th mile called Wonder lake campground. It takes a total of 5 hours of bus ride until we reach the site.

Campgrounds - Denali National Park & Preserve 

The whole ride in the park was nothing short of magnificent! The beautiful view and the wild animals we spotted.  The bus stopped at a few viewpoints so we could enjoy the scenic view of the park. And if the driver spots any wildlife, they will also stop the bus and point us to the direction of the animals as well. We saw so many grizzlies, moose, mountain goat, caribous, and many random smaller animals. The most special thing about that day was that the sky was so clear and we were greeted by the full frontal view of Mt. Denali (AKA Mt.Mckinley) which only 30% of park visitors get to see. We were among the lucky 30 percent.

After 5 hours of joyful ride, we arrived the campsite. It is the most beautiful camp site I have ever seen. This remote campground features 28 tent-only sites, providing a peaceful retreat for nature lovers. The area is renowned for its stunning reflections of Denali on Wonder Lake, abundant wildlife, and vibrant wildflower displays during the summer. 

We wanted to hike on our own — more exciting that way so that’s what we did. Wandered around the park visiting the wonderful Wonder Lake, which is a stunning glacial lake renowned for its mirror-like reflections of North America's tallest peak, Denali. The lake's pristine waters are surrounded by lush meadows, vibrant wildflowers, and an abundance of wildlife, including moose, bears, and a variety of bird species.

We also walked to the reflection pond (3.2km from camp site). This pond is a favorite spot for photographers and nature enthusiasts, offering some of the most iconic and picturesque views in the park. On calm days, the clear, still waters create a stunning mirror image of the snow-capped peaks and vibrant landscapes, making it an ideal location for capturing the majestic beauty of Denali.

Apart from the noise from the bell attached to our backpacks and occasionally birds chirping, the whole park was really quiet. And I really enjoyed that. Denali is truly the perfect place if you search  for tranquility.

Today we pack up and leave Denali National Park and make our way to Seward. This is a 6 hour journey so we spend pretty much the whole day on traveling.

Seward is a charming coastal town located at the head of Resurrection Bay on the Kenai Peninsula. Known as the "Gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park," Seward offers breathtaking natural beauty, with towering fjords, lush forests, and abundant marine wildlife, including whales, sea otters, and puffins. The town boasts a rich history, highlighted by its role in the historic Iditarod Trail and its lively harbor.

Today we explore the Alaskan sea. Take a day trip out to sea to kayak next to the Aialik glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park.

Located on the Kenai Peninsula in southern Alaska, is a stunning expanse of rugged wilderness known for its dramatic fjords, towering glaciers, and abundant marine and terrestrial wildlife. The park's centerpiece is the Harding Icefield, one of the largest icefields in the United States, which spawns over 40 glaciers that flow into the surrounding valleys and fjords. 

The boat ride takes 3 hours but the whole way we encountered all sorts of wildlife; otters, puffins, seals, seagulls, eagles, and even a humpback whale!! So it was a very eventful boat ride. 

Once we arrived at our destination, we got into a sea kayak and paddled into the bay where the majestic glacier lies. We occasionally heard thunder-like sounds but it’s not thunder, it’s the glacier crumbling. It was melting and we witnessed big pieces of glacier falling into the sea quite a few times. It was astounding. I didn’t even care about how it was raining and how I was freezing to death. The whole experience washed those feelings away and replaced them with a big fat fascination. 

Kayak Adventures Worldwide | Sea Kayaking in Seward, Alaska

Our full last day in Alaska, of course we are going to get some more hiking in. Today we hike the Harding Icefield.

The trail starts in a forest and it leads you to a beautiful meadow overlooking the exit glacier at half way. Some people choose to stop here and walk back down. The rest hike further, way up! The top of this trail is covered by snow so waterproof hiking boots are preferred. Note that you need to check the weather condition beforehand as conditions up there can drastically change with no warning. When we got up there it was still bright out and we could see the ice-field stretching miles and miles away. Then within half an hour we could not see what was in front of us. The fog came out of nowhere so we had to leave abruptly. Looking for the trail signage on the snow was really hard with the fog. Once we found the trail we kept walking and the rain started to pour.

Today we make our way back to catch a flight from Anchorage. It is only 2.5 hour of driving but you can enjoy scenic route the whole way.

Day 2: Drive to Denali National Park + Hiking 

Day 3: Reenter the Park and go to wonder lake camp 

Day 4: Out of the park and drive straight to Seward

Anchorage

Denali National Park and Preserve

Wonder Lake

Seward

Flattop Mountain

Mount Healy

Kenai Fjords National Park

Harding Icefield

Anchorage Farmers Market

Aialik Glacier

Murphy's Alaskan Inn

McKinley Creekside Cabins, Café & Bakery

Reflection Pond

Wonder Lake Campground

Leaves much to be desired.  Very minimal for something with a $10 price tag.  The post was devoid of food recommendations and price estimates of the various experiences covered.

One week in Alaska for First-timers

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