Overview
Immerse your students in the heart of Alaskan wilderness on this adventure from Fairbanks to Anchorage, including guided sightseeing in Denali National Park and a glacier cruise through Prince William Sound. Your group will also discover Alaska’s frontier past as you practice panning for gold, explore the impressive collection of the Anchorage Museum, and learn about indigenous culture from local Athabascan guides at the living history Chena Village.
Itinerary
Day 1
Travel to Fairbanks, AK
Lunch
Orientation Tour of Fairbanks
Weather and time permitting.
Dinner
Day 2
Breakfast
Fairbanks city walk
Discover why this gateway to the Arctic, shaped by the 1902 gold rush, is known as "The Golden Heart City." Step back in time to the pioneer days and explore the historic log cabins, learn about the Alaskan Native art, and take in the beauty of the Chena River.
Lunch
Riverboat Discovery cruise
Cruise along the Chena and Tanana rivers on this paddle boat tour through Alaskan wilderness. Experience the untouched beauty of this frontier setting as an Alaskan Native guide teaches you about the Athabascan Native culture. Have an opportunity to explore a Chena Indian village.
Dinner
Day 3
Breakfast and hotel check-out
Travel to Denali National Park
Stop along the route to enjoy picturesque landscapes and incredible opportunities for wildlife viewing.
Denali National Park guided sightseeing tour
Listen to expert naturalists as they share their deep knowledge of this diverse and scenic park, home to The Big Five: bears, moose, caribou, wolves, and Dall sheep. Learn about its tundra ecosystems and permafrost, and the Athabascan people, as you take in this park's centerpiece, Denali.
Lunch
Dinner
Day 4
Breakfast and hotel check-out
Travel to Talkeetna, AK
Talkeetna city walk
Stroll through this charming hamlet, a National Historic Site and once a early 20th century pioneer town for mining, and discover idyllic small-town Alaska. Visit cozy coffee shops and unique artisan booths.
Lunch
Board a train to Anchorage, AK
Enjoy a scenic train ride through the Alaskan frontier.
Dinner
Day 5
Breakfast
Glacier cruise
Experience the powerful forces of nature as you cruise along the Prince William Sound, where the densest concentration of tidewater glaciers in the world exist. Get up-close views of these crystalline mountains, learn about ice worm and keep an eye out for seals, otters, whales, and puffins.
Lunch
Downtown Anchorage
Stroll through the largest city in Alaska and munch on local treats such as Alaskan ice cream and fried bread. Grab a souvenir from one of the many Alaskan-themed gift shops, visit an art gallery, and take in the views of Cook Inlet.
Dinner
Day 6
Breakfast and hotel check-out
Anchorage Museum visit
Understand the richness of Alaska through the art and artifacts of the Alaskan Aleut, Eskimo and pioneer peoples, as well as its geology, ecosystems, biodiversity, and the regional impacts of climate change at this engaging museum.
Lunch
Depart for home
Dinner
Already Included
Transportation to & from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Meals (unless otherwise noted on your itinerary)
WorldStrides Course Leader - a dynamic destination expert who brings learning to life by leading your group's activities and discussions
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Free high school credit for students who choose to complete WorldStrides free online coursework post-program
Professional development credits (CEUs) for educators
Field Research Guide (Discovery Journal)
Scenes from Fairbanks, Talkeetna, and Anchorage
Health & Safety
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
WorldStrides provides over $2.5 million in financial assistance each year to thousands of families. Families with annual adjusted gross incomes of less than $85,000 may qualify. One simple call to Customer Service and you’ll know how much may be available for your trip even before signing up. Please note: financial assistance is given on a first-come, first-served basis.
Payment Plans
Advantage Payment Plan
At program sign-up you can opt to pay in full, or break up the cost of your trip with the Advantage Payment Plan. This plan allows you to pay a small initial deposit, then have your remaining payments spread out into affordable monthly amounts.
EZPay
We offer an EZPay option, which is a simple way to pay for your WorldStrides program by scheduling hassle-free, automatic drafts from your checking account. With EZPay, you'll never be late or miss an installment.
Fundraising Tools
Our easy-to-use tools put students in the driver's seat of their own fundraising efforts. Students can send e-cards, share links on social media, and even send out printed letters through WorldStrides' Gift of Education program. In one click friends and family members can make a direct donation to the trip - with 100% of the money raised going to offset their trip price. Thousands of students pay for their entire trip each year through the Gift of Education.
Also, WorldStrides makes program-specific scholarships available as well as other scholarship resources. Ask your Account Manager for more information about scholarships and fundraising tools.