22-day itinerary suggestions

Question

Hi everyone,

I had posted 2 months ago on this forum and had got some suggestions. Based on suggestions and some reading, I have come with the following itinerary which I wanted to get some opinion on.

Bit of travel background- family of 5 with 3 kids (9,6,3). We are used to traveling extensively up to 3 weeks at a time. Can handle 12-15 hour days during trips. Hikes up to 5 miles moderate intensity. Previously done Yellowstone, Washington state, Hawaii, Grand Canyon etc. Interested in outdoors, national parks, scenic drives and wildlife. Not interested in fishing, swimming (ok if needed). Flexible budget as I understand the magnitude of this trip. Will have a car.

Travel dates June 3rd week to First week of July.

Day 1 - ANC and bus to Seward, Exit glacier

Day 2 - Seward Kenai Fjord northwestern Fjord tour + Train trip back to ANC

Day 3 - Whittier - 26 glacier cruise

Day 4- Talkeetna Denali flight seeing followed by Denali

Day 5 - Denali

Day 6 - Denali Tundra wilderness bus tour

Day 7 - Fairbanks Summer solstice

Day 8 - Fairbanks Arctic circle tour

Day 9 - Fairbanks Chena hot springs

Day 10 - Mccarthy Wrangell St. Elias - Root glacier hike (not everyone in the group) or Kennicott mine tour

Day 11 - Mccarthy Wrangell St. Elias

Day 12- Valdez

Day 13- Ferry to Whittier then drive to Homer

Day 14 - Homer Soldotna

Day 15 - Glacier helicopter dogsled tour+Matanushka Glacier hike

Day 16 - Fly to Utqiagvik

Day 17 - Utqiagvik

Day 18 - Gridwood Portage

Day 19 - Katmai

Day 20- Katmai

Day 21- Katmai

Day 22- ANC

Specific questions:

1) For Mccarthy, debating between shuttle vs. flight options. Will there be options to park car for two days somewhere in Chitina or Glennallen?

2) Is it ok to take rental car on Valdez-Whittier shuttle?

3) Any experience with Summer Solstice Festival in Fairbanks?

4) Any places to add more or remove time on this schedule? Any places to skip or add on this itinerary?

Thanks,

Brad

Answer

Brad, your 22-day Alaska itinerary is very ambitious and covers a tremendous amount of ground. For a family with kids aged 3, 6, and 9, you’ve planned some long travel days, but your experience with extensive trips makes this feasible. Below are detailed suggestions and answers to your specific questions, plus considerations for optimizing your trip.

1) Mccarthy – Shuttle vs. Flight and Parking:

Shuttle from Chitina to McCarthy is the standard way for most visitors. Some shuttle services will allow you to park your car in Chitina or Glennallen for a few days, but availability and security vary. It's safest to confirm with the specific shuttle company before booking. A flight option from Anchorage or nearby airstrips can save travel time, but is considerably more expensive and may be subject to weather delays. Shuttle is more predictable.
Parking your rental car for multiple days in Glennallen or Chitina is possible, but make sure it’s an approved lot—avoid leaving it along the highway or unattended private areas.

2) Rental Car on Valdez-Whittier Ferry/Shuttle:

Most shuttle services (like the Alaska Marine Highway ferry from Valdez to Whittier) do not allow you to take your personal rental car aboard. Vehicles need to be pre-approved and you may need to drop your rental off and pick up another car at your destination. Check with your rental company—some have provisions for one-way rentals, but others may charge significant fees.
Alternative: Drive the Richardson Highway (Valdez to Glennallen) and continue to Whittier, or arrange a local shuttle while leaving your car in secure long-term parking.

3) Summer Solstice Festival in Fairbanks:

The Summer Solstice Festival in Fairbanks is a family-friendly event celebrating the midnight sun. It typically includes live music, local food, and outdoor activities. For families with young kids, it’s a great way to experience local culture. It can be crowded, so plan to arrive early and pick a central location for easier access with children.

4) Itinerary Adjustments / Suggestions:

Days 12–15 (Valdez, Homer, Glacier helicopter): These are long travel days; consider condensing or prioritizing one glacier activity to avoid exhaustion, especially for the youngest child. The helicopter dog sled tour is amazing but requires some physical capacity and attention span from children.
Utqiagvik (Barrow) 16–17: This is extremely remote and expensive. With three young kids, consider whether the flight logistics and limited activities are worth it. You could replace this with more time in Denali or Wrangell-St. Elias for additional wildlife or scenic hikes.
Katmai (19–21): Excellent wildlife viewing (bears), but check if all kids can handle early morning excursions and boat flights. Younger kids may get tired quickly, so plan for downtime.
Optional additions:
- Kenai Peninsula side trip for wildlife boat tours, sea otters, or puffins if not already included in Seward/Whittier.
- Additional Denali short hikes (Easy trails like Horseshoe Lake or Savage River Loop) for kids to stretch legs without long treks.
Optional removals or time reallocation:
- Consider skipping Utqiagvik if budget or travel stress is a concern, reallocating those days to Denali or Wrangell-St. Elias.
- Possibly consolidate some Fairbanks activities (e.g., Arctic Circle tour vs. Summer Solstice Festival) to avoid overly packed days.

Other tips:

Keep early start times and flexible evening downtime—kids can get tired with long travel days.
Always have snacks, water, and layered clothing for sudden weather changes in Alaska.
Book flights, shuttles, and accommodations well in advance, especially for remote areas like Katmai, McCarthy, and Utqiagvik.
Check park schedules for ranger talks, wildlife viewing, or kid-friendly short walks to balance the longer sightseeing days.

Overall, your itinerary is packed but feasible with careful attention to younger children’s energy levels and travel logistics. Prioritizing key experiences and possibly skipping extremely remote locations like Utqiagvik can make the trip more enjoyable for the entire family.

22-day itinerary suggestions

More Anchorage Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions