Outdoor Alaska: Self-Launched Version
13 days · Alaska, USA
Explore! charges £3,950
No-markup version: ~£1,675 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A DIY version of Explore!'s 13-day 'Outdoor Alaska' loop from Anchorage — Valdez, McCarthy/Kennicott, Gakona, Denali, Talkeetna and Seward — done independently using Alaska's public and shared transport (Alaska Railroad, Park Connection Motorcoach, Backcountry Safari shuttle van), hostel/historic-lodge stays, and self-bookable glacier kayaking, mill tours and fjord cruises. Same big scenery, without the group markup. Note: transport in Alaska is the single biggest practical hurdle — some legs (Anchorage–Valdez, McCarthy–Gakona) need advance booking on small independent shuttles or involve a flight; costs below assume shared van/coach services and a car-share or rental-split for the McCarthy and Copper River legs. All figures are rough estimates for one person travelling in a pair.
Day-by-day
Arrive Anchorage — gateway to Alaska
Anchorage
Land at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and take the People Mover bus route 7 (about 30 mins, $2) or a shared ride into downtown. Check into a downtown hostel or budget hotel near 4th/5th Avenue. Spend the evening walking the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail (free, moose and beluga-spotting potential) and eat at an inexpensive diner. Do your grocery shop now — a cooler bag and packed food will save you a fortune on the road.
🚌People Mover bus route 7 from airport (~$2)
🛏Downtown Anchorage hostel or budget motel dorm/private room
- →Walk the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail
- →Alaska Native Heritage Center (optional, ~$25 entry)
- →Local microbrewery visit (optional)
Anchorage to Valdez via Matanuska Glacier
Valdez
The classic route: drive or take a shared van east along the Glenn Highway to Glennallen, detouring to the Matanuska Glacier viewpoint (self-guided walk to the overlook is free; guided ice walks cost ~$60 if you want on-glacier). Continue on the Richardson Highway over Thompson Pass and through Keystone Canyon into Valdez. If you have no car, the practical options are a Backcountry Safari / shared shuttle van booking (~$120-150pp) or renting a car and splitting between two travellers. Settle into a cheap Valdez guesthouse or the town campground/hostel.
🚌Shared van/shuttle or shared rental car (~190 miles, ~4.5hrs)
🛏Valdez guesthouse or budget lodge
- →Matanuska Glacier viewpoint
- →Thompson Pass and Keystone Canyon photo stops
- →Richardson Highway scenic drive
Shoup Glacier sea kayaking, Prince William Sound
Valdez
Book the water taxi + guided sea kayak trip to Shoup Bay independently with a Valdez operator (e.g. Pangaea Adventures or Anadyr Adventures) — the water taxi to the Shoup Bay spit, a paddle toward the glacier face and a rocky beach walk are all included in a day tour (roughly $250-290pp). Pack your own lunch with a glacier view. Back in town, wander the harbour and check out the Valdez museum or the old town site if you have energy.
🚌Water taxi + walking
🛏Valdez guesthouse or budget lodge
- →Water taxi to Shoup Bay
- →Guided sea kayak to Shoup Glacier
- →Beach walk on the moraine
Valdez to McCarthy via Worthington Glacier
McCarthy/Kennicott
Long but spectacular day: north on the Richardson Highway with a stop at Worthington Glacier (short paved walk to the viewpoint, free), then the Edgerton Highway to Chitina and the gravel McCarthy Road (~60 miles, slow going). Independent travellers usually book a van service (e.g. McCarthy-Kennicott shuttle operators, ~$80-120pp) or split a rental car. Cross the footbridge into McCarthy and check into the historic Hotel Ma Johnson or a nearby guesthouse/cabin at McCarthy.
🚌Shuttle van or shared rental on McCarthy Road (~250 miles)
🛏Historic McCarthy lodge or cabin
- →Worthington Glacier viewpoint walk
- →Copper River and Kuskulana River stops
- →McCarthy ghost-town wander
Kennicott mill tour and Root Glacier
Kennicott
Take the shuttle bus or walk the 5-mile road from McCarthy to Kennicott (shuttle ~$10 return). Join the ranger-led or concession-run Kennicott mill tour (about $30, bookable locally) and explore the 14-storey red mill and mining town. In the afternoon, hike the Root Glacier trail yourself (free, ~4 miles return to the glacier toe) or, if you want crampons and a guide, book a half-day glacier hike with St Elias Alpine Guides (~$130).
🚌Kennicott shuttle bus or on foot
🛏Historic McCarthy lodge or cabin
- →Kennicott mill tour
- →Explore Kennicott mining town
- →Root Glacier trail hike (self-guided or guided glacier walk)
McCarthy to Gakona via the Copper River
Gakona
Retrace the McCarthy Road and head north on the Richardson Highway toward Gakona. Stop at the Copper River fish wheels (free roadside viewpoint near Chitina/Klutina) and at the Wrangell-St Elias National Park visitor centre in Copper Center (free, excellent exhibits and ranger advice). Overnight at the rustic Gakona Lodge or a roadside cabin. Without a car this leg is best done as a pre-booked van transfer — plan it in advance as services are limited.
🚌Shuttle van or shared rental (~180 miles)
🛏Gakona Lodge or roadside cabin
- →Copper River fish wheel viewing
- →Wrangell-St Elias National Park visitor centre
- →Roadside wildlife spotting
Gakona to Denali National Park
Denali
Long transfer day north on the Parks Highway via Fairbanks or the Denali Highway route, arriving at the Denali park entrance. Pick up your park maps and trail briefing at the visitor centre, and if timing works, catch a sled dog demonstration at the park kennels (free). Stay in a hostel or budget cabin near the entrance — the Grizzly Bear Resort area has cheaper options a short shuttle ride from the park.
🚌Shared van/coach or rental car (~300 miles)
🛏Denali park entrance hostel or budget cabin
- →Denali National Park visitor centre and trail briefing
- →Sled dog demonstration (free, seasonal)
- →Evening wildlife watching
Denali shuttle bus and hiking
Denali National Park
Book a Denali transit shuttle independently through ReserveDenali (the park's official booking site) — the East Fork or Toklat shuttle costs about $30-45 and gives you the same wildlife viewing (moose, caribou, grizzlies, Dall sheep) and photography stops as the tour version. Hop off at a stop and hike a marked trail, then flag a later shuttle back. Alternatively hike the free trails near the entrance (Mountain Vista, Horseshoe Lake).
🚌Park transit shuttle bus
🛏Denali park entrance hostel or budget cabin
- →Denali transit shuttle bus (ReserveDenali, ~$35)
- →Wildlife observation and photography
- →Marked trail hiking from a shuttle stop
Denali to Talkeetna
Talkeetna
Head south on the Parks Highway to the quirky railroad town of Talkeetna (the Alaska Railroad Denali Star is a gorgeous option, ~$90, or a Park Connection coach). Optional splurges here: a Mahay's river rafting trip (~$110) or a scenic flight around Denali (~$350+ — only if it's clear; most operators offer free rebooking if the mountain is clouded in). Cheap riverside camping and hostels are plentiful.
🚌Alaska Railroad Denali Star or Park Connection coach (~150 miles)
🛏Talkeetna hostel or riverside campground/cabin
- →Talkeetna riverside town wander
- →Optional river rafting
- →Optional scenic Denali flightseeing
Talkeetna to Seward via Independence Mine
Seward
South on the Glenn Highway with a detour up Hatcher Pass to Independence Mine State Historical Park (free to walk the old gold-mine buildings; day-use parking fee small). Continue via Wasilla and the Seward Highway along Turnagain Arm — watch for beluga whales and Dall sheep on the cliffs. Overnight in Seward near Resurrection Bay at a hostel or budget inn (Breeze Inn area has affordable rooms).
🚌Shared rental car or Park Connection coach + local transfer (~250 miles)
🛏Seward hostel or budget inn
- →Independence Mine State Historical Park
- →Hatcher Pass viewpoints
- →Turnagain Arm scenic drive
Kenai Fjords cruise and Seward
Seward
Book the Kenai Fjords National Park cruise directly with a Seward operator (Kenai Fjords Tours or Major Marine, ~$180-210 for a 6-hour tour) — expect glaciers calving, humpbacks, orcas, sea otters and puffins. Cheaper alternative: the 4-hour Resurrection Bay cruise (~$110). Afternoon options: hike the free Exit Glacier trail in Kenai Fjords, or sea kayak Resurrection Bay (~$120). Evening at the Seward Brewing Company.
🚌Walking / local shuttle
🛏Seward hostel or budget inn
- →Kenai Fjords National Park cruise
- →Exit Glacier trail hike
- →Optional sea kayaking
Seward to Anchorage — farewell dinner
Anchorage
Take the scenic Alaska Railroad Coastal Classic back to Anchorage (~$95, book early — it sells out and is one of the best rail journeys in the US) or the cheaper Park Connection coach (~$65) via Moose Pass and the Chugach Mountains. In the afternoon, visit the Anchorage Museum (~$20) or the Alaska Public Lands Information Center (free). Celebrate with a final dinner at a mid-range Anchorage restaurant.
🚌Alaska Railroad Coastal Classic (~$95)
🛏Downtown Anchorage hostel or budget motel
- →Alaska Railroad Coastal Classic
- →Anchorage Museum
- →Farewell dinner downtown
Depart Anchorage
Anchorage
Morning at leisure — last-minute souvenir shopping or a coffee on 4th Avenue — then take the People Mover bus back to the airport for your flight home.
🚌People Mover bus route 7 (~$2)
🛏None (departure day)
- →Downtown Anchorage shopping
- →Airport transfer
Self-launched vs. Explore!
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Explore! | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,675 | £3,950 |
| Duration | 13 days | 13 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £2,275 per person (58%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Explore!-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,675
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Outdoor Alaska: Self-Launched Version cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,675 per person for 13 days in Alaska, USA. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Explore!?+
Yes — Explore! charges around £3,950 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,675 — a saving of roughly £2,275 (58%) per person.
How long is the Alaska, USA trip?+
This itinerary runs 13 days, covering 13 day-by-day stops through Alaska, USA.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, hiking, wildlife trip through Alaska, USA, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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