Overview
Experience the raw beauty of the final frontier. Students will learn about Alaska natives, meet Iditarod sled dogs, and travel via railroad, where they’ll view breathtaking sites on their way to Wasilla. They’ll cruise through Prince William Sound and visit Potter Marsh, a wildlife refuge. Walking the 1,500-foot boardwalk, they’ll spot nesting eagles and Canadian Geese. Learn how waterfowl signal danger with quacks and honks, and how eagles build their 1,000-pound nests.
Itinerary
Day 1
Travel to Anchorage, AK
Lunch
Orientation Tour of Anchorage
Weather and time permitting.
Dinner
Day 2
Breakfast
Anchorage Rail Depot train ride
Prepare yourself for the cinematic display of Alaska's extreme and beautiful nature as you board a train for a trip north to Wasilla. Observe the native flora and fauna as you ride through the birch and spruce forests of the Chugach mountain range.
Happy Trails Kennel visit
Enter the world of friendly, furry, and fierce athletes and discover what it takes for these elite Alaskan Husky sled dogs to compete in the famed 1,000-mile long Iditarod. Learn what it takes to be a dog musher and how the athletes prepare for race day, while getting to know these famed pups.
Lunch
Travel to Denali National Park
Stop along the route to enjoy picturesque landscapes and incredible opportunities for wildlife viewing.
Dinner
Day 3
Breakfast
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
Denali Mountain
You’ll stop to see Denali Mountain (weather permitting), the tallest peak in North America. Towering at 20,310 feet, Denali is always majestic, daunting, and unforgettable.
Travel from Denali to Anchorage
Dinner
Day 4
Breakfast
Alaska Native Heritage Center visit
Travel to Whittier, AK
Prince William Sound Glacier Cruise
Dinner
Day 5
Breakfast
Potter Marsh visit
Walk along and observe the variety of captivating, native birds, like the Canadian geese, northern pintails, and Arctic terns, at play and foraging for food from this spectacular boardwalk that extends into the marsh. You may even catch salmon spawning or moose quenching their thirst.
Lunch and Downtown Anchorage
Time permitting.
Depart Anchorage
Dinner
Already Included
Transportation to and 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 Alaska
Health & Safety
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.