Multi-destination itineraries are some of EXP’s best, especially when they take place in one of the world’s most untamed and pristine landscapes awaiting exploration. Exploration is exactly what two couples looking for a shared adventure requested: something equally as immersive and exhilarating as it was connected to nature. Alaska was the answer.
Landing at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, the two couples were welcomed by EXP Guides to their first stop of the 10-night journey: Anchorage and Alaska’s quiet and rugged charm.Their first night was spent at a private retreat, The Villa at Bootleggers Landing, an ideal luxury spot with sea views for a night’s rest and chef-prepared dinner before the real introduction into the wild lands began.
Rail to the Wilderness
After breakfast, the first morning brought one of Alaska’s most iconic experiences: the Denali Star Train. Aboard the gold standard and beneath a glass-domed ceiling, panoramic landscapes unfolded as the couples traveled from Anchorage to Denali. Towering peaks, mirrored lakes, and dense forests drifted past the carriages while the full-service dining car offered up a leisurely lunch.
Riding the iconic train to Denali
By the time the train pulled into Denali, North America’s tallest mountain was in their sights, a taste of what was to come. For the next four nights, the couples settled into the intimate wilderness retreat of Tonglen Lake Lodge.
South of Denali National Park, this spot was a spacious, two-story guesthouse with a lakefront porch, panoramic decks, and fireside gathering spaces, the perfect setting for them to enjoy Alaska’s natural wonders together.
Soaring above the majestic Alaska Range
Above Peaks and Into the Trails
The first day began above the clouds, where they experienced a morning at altitude. The couples took a private scenic flight over Denali to gaze down on the six million acres of wilderness. There is truly no better way to grasp the sheer scale and beauty of the region. The jagged peaks of the Alaska Range stretched beneath them, glaciers glistened, and they spotted the Toklat River winding through the mountains.
Within half a mile of Denali’s peak, they were treated to a breathtaking perspective and were completely humbled by the Alaskan landscape in front of them.
Taking in the views from above
Back on solid ground, and after lunch at the Lodge, the couples swapped out awe for adrenaline as they took off on an UTV adventure through Denali’s backcountry. They navigated glacier moraines, tree-rutted paths, and boggy tundra with the guides, while also hearing stories about the wild landscapes, from historic archaeological sites to sightings of local wildlife.
After an exhilarating day, the Lodge provided a welcome retreat to relax and enjoy dinner before scrolling through endless and epic photos of the day’s activities.
Tracking the Wild
This day was devoted entirely to the beauty of Denali National Park, so they could truly appreciate Alaska’s soul. With expert guides, the couples searched for Alaska’s famed “Big Five”: bears, moose, caribou, Dall sheep, and wolves. Picnic lunch in the tundra was savored, surrounded by valleys and distant peaks.
Spotting Denali's famous Big Five wildlife
The afternoon then called for more exploring and views of the park. Endless wilderness, rolling rivers, and the shadow of the imposing Denali were their setting for the day in nature’s unspoiled setting.
Back at the Lodge, they enjoyed another locally sourced multi-course dinner, and this time sat outside on the balcony, where they could remain immersed in the incredible scenery long after sunset.
Whitewater and Stillness
After cups of freshly ground Alaskan coffee and breakfast, the couples were then ready for a high-energy morning. The activity schedule took them to the glacial rivers for some whitewater rafting. Downstream thrills and an exhilarating few hours were had before returning to the Lodge.
Drifting down scenic rivers
EXP intentionally juxtaposed the adrenaline-filled morning with a tranquil afternoon that allowed the couples to fully unwind in nature with lakeside walks and quiet reflection before regrouping for another delicious dinner.
Endless Juneau Perspectives
The time had come to depart Denali and head to their next location for the next set of Alaskan adventures. The next morning kicked off with an adventure: a glacier heli-SUP tour on the Knik Glacier. The helicopter hovered above icefields, sparking a sense of awe in the couples as their eyes attempted to comprehend the scale of the frozen landscape beneath them. Once they stepped off the helicopter, they transferred to the stand-up paddleboards and glided atop the glacial waters, offering another unique perspective of Alaska.
The vast Knik Glacier
Come evening, they then boarded a flight to Juneau, the Alaskan capital, reachable only by air or sea. Arriving in downtown Juneau, they settled into their base, the quiet and historic boutique Jorgenson House, for the remainder of the trip to explore the city and surrounding activities.
Dramatic Cliffs, Drifting Ice, and Historic Lights
The day began with a spectacular seaplane flight from Juneau, soaring above glacier-fed fjords, forested islands, and rugged mountain peaks before landing in the remote Williams Cove.
Exploring remote fjords aboard a private yacht
Here, a private yacht awaited to cruise the serene Tracy Arm Fjord, where towering granite cliffs rose from the waters, waterfalls cascaded down rock faces, and blue icebergs drifted towards the South Sawyer Glacier. As the glacier creaked in the distance, the couples even embraced the adventure with an invigorating polar plunge into the icy Alaskan waters.
That afternoon, the yacht continued north through Stephens Passage, where they passed the lighthouse at the Five Finger Islands. This historic landmark, perched dramatically on narrow rock pillars, was the state’s first lighthouse and is still in operation today. Up close, the couples witnessed the lighthouse’s character and the seabirds circling above, and they were also lucky enough to spot humpback whales as they passed by the channel — an extraordinary ending to another incredible day.
Bear Encounters In Wilderness
Another day and another scenic seaplane journey took them to the secluded Waterfall Cove, where their private yacht awaited. Cruising through pristine wilderness, they reached Hidden Falls Hatchery, where brown bears gathered along the streams in search of salmon. They watched the bears fish in the stream, explore the wilderness, and interact with their surroundings in ways that few see firsthand.
Catching brown bears hanging out streamside
After lunch on board, they cruised towards Pavlof Harbor, passing dramatic island landscapes alive with marine wildlife. Their adventure continued by kayak to Waterfall Creek, where they enjoyed another remarkable bear-viewing experience from the water, creating exceptional wildlife photography opportunities in one of Alaska’s most remote settings.
Returning to Juneau that evening, they explored the town’s charming waterfront before settling into one of its renowned seafood restaurants, sampling fresh local catch overlooking the bustling harbor.
A UNESCO Wilderness of Ice and Ocean
Their final full day took them further north and west of Juneau, to Glacier Bay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site — another Alaskan location where they were presented with immense scale, natural beauty, and abundant wildlife.
Cruising alongside playful puffins and orcas
They kayaked through pristine waters and watched glacier ice calving into the sea. The atmosphere here was again vast and quiet, giving the couples another humbling sense of the scale of the surrounding wild expanse.
Paddling along expansive glaciers
The final night featured dinner out in Juneau and a stop at a locally founded brewpub to celebrate the trip of a lifetime.
Reflecting on the Last Frontier
Over a final breakfast together, the couples reflected once again on this unforgettable adventure, from floatplanes, trains, and helicopters, to river and backcountry exploration, glacial waters and witnessing abundant wildlife at every turn. As they prepared to leave America’s largest state behind, they carried with them memories and connections they made to this last frontier, along with the collective experiences they had enjoyed, making it a vacation that would stay with them forever.
