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
Stroll through Fairbanks and experience the unique mix of fine arts, botanical gardens, and rich history that make Alaska’s “Golden Heart” city a treasure. Known for its Gold Rush past, Fairbanks offers many historic attractions where you can try your hand at gold panning and maybe even find a golden souvenir.
Lunch
Riverboat Discovery Cruise
Paddle up the river to the heart of the Alaskan wilderness. On this three-and-a-half-hour cruise, take in the pristine beauty of the frontier and visit a Chena Indian village with Alaskan Native guides to learn about ancient and modern Athabascan culture.
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
Carved by Ice Age glaciers, the beautiful Denali National Park now contains abundant crystalline freshwater lakes and ponds that refresh a bounty of natural wildlife. From the iconic grizzly bear to the caribou, wolves, sheep and moose that call this National Park home, your guided park tour will allow you to take in impressive sights in this immersive learning experience.
Lunch
Dinner
Day 4
Breakfast and hotel check-out
Travel to Talkeetna, AK
Talkeetna city walk
Keep your camera ready for sweeping views of the Alaska Range. Downtown Talkeetna, a National Historic Site at the base of Denali, offers adventure, scenery, and a rich mix of cultures. Its international visitors have shaped the town’s legends, lore, and history.
Lunch
Board a train to Anchorage, AK
Enjoy a scenic train ride through the Alaskan frontier.
Dinner
Day 5
Breakfast
Glacier cruise
Feel the wind in your hair as you cruise through Prince William Sound, surrounded by towering ice, migrating whales, and the lush green beauty of Alaska’s wilderness.
Lunch
Free time to explore Downtown Anchorage
Dinner
Day 6
Breakfast and hotel check-out
Anchorage Museum
Visit the newly renovated museum to explore Alaska’s rich history and diverse cultures. Exhibits include life-size dioramas of 1920s homes and workplaces, traditional Aleut and Eskimo dwellings, early Russian and Gold Rush-era homes, and even a piece of the Alaska Pipeline.
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.