Signature: Alaska's Fairbanks, Denali & the Kenai Peninsula

Welcome to the vast beauty of the north. Your expedition begins in Fairbanks, where the subarctic light stretches long across the horizon and the air carries the particular stillness of the interior. You are met and transferred to your hotel and after settling in, the afternoon brings an immediate introduction to one of Alaska's most celebrated traditions — dog sledding. Learn about the huskies and meet a veteran musher. This evening, join your National Geographic Expedition Leader, National Geographic Expedition Expert and fellow travellers for a welcome cocktail and dinner as the golden light fades over the boreal forest.

Board the Gold Star dome car for a scenic rail journey toward the shadows of the Alaska Range — one of the most cinematic train rides in North America. Settle into your seat or step into the open-air sky dome to feel the crisp mountain air as the landscape shifts from boreal forest to open tundra, the peaks growing larger with every mile. Upon arrival in Denali, stretch your legs on the McKinley Station trail, a winding path through fragrant spruce with views that hint at the wilderness to come. The evening is spent at your lodge, sharing a group dinner as the last light fades over the rugged peaks of the range.

Rise early to venture deep into Denali National Park, one of the most pristine wilderness areas on earth. Travel the park road as the tundra opens up, stopping to scan the vast valleys for grizzly bears, moose, and caribou that move freely across the landscape. After lunch at the visitor centre, choose your pace: join your Expedition Leader for an included hike along the turquoise waters of Horseshoe Lake, or take part in a ranger-led program exploring the park's extraordinary biodiversity. The evening gathers the group back together for a communal dinner, and reflection on the day's activities.

Leave the high peaks behind and head south, keeping a watchful eye on the horizon for Mount McKinley's massive snow-covered summit — which reveals itself only on the clearest of days. Arrive in the characterful town of Talkeetna for an afternoon on the water, floating the Talkeetna River as your guide traces the flora and fauna thriving along its banks. Before dinner, a local mountaineer shares stunning photography and firsthand accounts of the challenges and triumphs of climbing North America's highest peak — stories that reframe the summit you've been watching all day.

Travel toward the Kenai Peninsula to the Alaska Native Heritage Center, a living gateway to the Indigenous heart of the Great Land. Step into the rhythm of the North during a cultural dance performance, where the beat of the drum and traditional movements tell stories passed down through generations. Join a Culture Bearer (a person who practices, preserves, and teaches their community's traditional arts, beliefs, and culture to future generations) for a private tour of the centre and learn about Alaska’s diverse Indigenous groups. After lunch, sit down with an Elder for a conversation about the enduring spirit of village life. Watch a demonstration of Akutaq, a traditional delicacy, served with a contemporary flair, before continuing to Girdwood for a free evening.

The scale of Alaska's glacial landscape announces itself at the Exit Glacier Nature Centre, where an informative presentation precedes a walk along the Glacier View loop — the retreating ice a stark, visceral reminder of the forces reshaping this wilderness. Free time for lunch follows in the seafaring town of Seward, before a private tour of the Alaska SeaLife Centre. Meet a member of the research team to gain insight into the protection of the marine ecosystem and the extraordinary lives of the animals that navigate these cold, remote waters.

Today belongs entirely to Prince William Sound. A private, naturalist-led charter navigates hidden coves and remote beaches inaccessible to the crowds. Observe the unique wildlife of the region, view sea lion colonies and step ashore on isolated islands to explore the intertidal zone up close. Towering glaciers frame the horizon as the emerald water carries you deeper into the sound — a day of pure, unhurried discovery that feels as far from the ordinary world as it's possible to get. Gather tonight for a farewell dinner, celebrating the memories made across the Alaskan wilderness.

Enjoy a final morning at leisure, perhaps taking a deep breath of the mountain air or a final stroll through the forest. Your expedition to the Last Frontier concludes as you depart for Anchorage for your travels home.