Alaska in Summer: 11 Day Glacier Getaway

As I crunched my way across the blue ice of Root Glacier, the sound of my crampons biting into the frozen surface echoed through the silent valley. Cold air rushed past my face as I peered into a bottomless moulin, where meltwater spiraled into the depths of the glacier. For a moment, I just stood there, dwarfed by the sheer scale of this frozen world, feeling both exhilarated and impossibly small.

@camillalxy, Your AAdventure Guide

Essential Information

Sample Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival in Anchorage (ANC)

Arrive at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) in the afternoon, pick up your rental car (authorized to drive the McCarthy Road) and stock up on supplies for the adventure ahead. Enjoy fresh seafood or reindeer sausage for dinner before settling into a cozy hotel.

Day 2 - Talkeetna -> Horseshoe Lake Trail -> Healy

Set out on the Parks Highway towards Denali, a 4.5-hour drive through stunning wilderness. Stop in Talkeetna for a hearty brunch and a taste of small-town Alaska charm. After checking into your Healy lodging, stretch your legs on the 2-mile Horseshoe Lake Trail, a peaceful forested loop with a beautiful lake view and beaver dams—an easy yet rewarding first hike before dinner.

Day 3 - Savage Alpine Trail -> Mount Healy Overlook Trail

Start with the 4-mile point-to-point Savage Alpine Trail, a breathtaking ridge hike with panoramic views of Denali's wild landscapes. After a picnic lunch, challenge yourself on the 4.9-mile Mount Healy Overlook Trail—a steep ascent that rewards you with sweeping views over the Alaska Range before returning to Healy for a well-earned dinner.

Day 4 - Triple Lakes Trail -> Denali Sled Dog Kennels

Begin the day with the Triple Lakes Trail (hike 3 miles to the Triple Lakes and return), a scenic, lesser-known hike winding through forested valleys and tranquil alpine lakes. After a picnic lunch, visit the Denali Sled Dog Kennels, where you'll meet the park's hardworking huskies and watch a sled dog demonstration.

Day 5 - Glennallen -> McCarthy Road -> Kennecott

Hit the road early for a full-day drive into America's largest national park, Wrangell-St. Elias. Enjoy lunch in Glennallen before tackling the rugged McCarthy Road in your authorized rental car, a remote, 60-mile dirt road leading to the historic mining town of Kennecott. Check into a lodge and enjoy dinner surrounded by towering glaciers and century-old ruins.

Day 6 - Root Glacier Ice Climbing Adventure

Spend the day exploring one of Alaska's most epic landscapes—Root Glacier. A guided ice climbing tour will have you trekking across glistening blue ice, learning how to use crampons and ice axes, and scaling frozen walls under the shadow of the mighty Stairway Icefall. It's an adrenaline-packed adventure unlike anything else in Alaska.

Day 7 - Valdez

Trade glaciers for the sea as you drive 5 hours to Valdez, a coastal town known for its fjords and waterfalls. Stop along the way to admire Worthington Glacier and the roaring Bridal Veil Falls. After checking into your lodging, explore the harbor and visit Valdez Glacier Lake, where icebergs float peacefully beneath dramatic mountain peaks.

Day 8 - Whittier -> Glacier View and Overlook Loop -> Seward

Board the ferry to Whittier, a 5-hour cruise across Prince William Sound, where you'll spot whales, sea otters, and towering tidewater glaciers. Once in Whittier, drive 2 hours to Seward, check in, and spend the afternoon hiking the Glacier View and Overlook Loop—a gentle trail offering stunning close-up views of Exit Glacier before unwinding with dinner by the waterfront.

Day 9 - Harding Icefield Trail

Embark on one of Alaska's most spectacular hikes, the 9-mile Harding Icefield Trail. This challenging ascent rewards you with surreal views of a massive icefield stretching endlessly into the horizon. Watch for mountain goats and marmots along the way, and savor the feeling of standing above an ancient, ever-moving river of ice.

Day 10 - Wildlife Cruise & Glacier Kayaking Combo Tour

Start the day with an unforgettable Kenai Fjords wildlife cruise & glacier kayaking combo tour. Paddle among floating ice, get up close to calving glaciers, and watch for orcas, humpback whales, puffins, and sea lions. After a full day on the water, return to Seward for a final Alaskan feast, reminiscing about the incredible sights of the past ten days.

Day 11 - Departure from ANC

Drive 2.5 hours back to Anchorage, return your rental car and board your flight home, carrying memories of towering peaks, icy blue glaciers, and the raw, untamed beauty of America's last frontier. Don't forget to share your photos and experiences with us to be featured on Voyagers' social media. We'd love to hear your stories!

This Trip Is Best For

Alaska first-timers: "I want to experience the full spectrum of Alaskan summer activities."

Glacier enthusiasts: "I'm fascinated by the raw power and beauty of glaciers wherever I travel."

Experienced hikers: "I'm in good shape and enjoy challenging hikes and packed schedules."

Travel photographers: "I love capturing beautiful landscapes and taking stylish travel photos."

Independent explorers: "I enjoy a mix of guided tours and self-guided trips in a small group."

How To Autopilot

1. Pay a deposit to receive the full itinerary and secure your spot if you'd like to join a group.

2. Answer a few questions from us to be matched with compatible group members. 

3. Pay the balance to meet your group and get ready for your self-guided adventure together.

• Once you've met your group, no refunds will be issued for cancellations.
  
• Each additional participant you bring gets 10% off the balance for everyone in the same party, until your party size reaches the max group size of the trip.

For just $22 or less, you'll be ready to go with an actionable itinerary AND travel buddies you'll get along with.

That's like HOURS ⏰ of trip planning and HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS 💰 on travel agency SAVED ✅

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