How to Spend 5, 7, or 10 Days in Alaska: ULTIMATE Itinerary

Looking for the perfect itinerary for Alaska to make the most of your trip? You’re in the right place! With so much to see and do across this enormous state, planning your time here can feel tricky. After spending two months exploring Alaska ourselves, we’ve crafted this ultimate 5, 7, or 10-day Alaska trip itinerary. Keep reading for 3 unique itineraries, useful Alaska travel-planning tips, and more!

ℹ️ About This Alaska Itinerary Guide

We’ve designed this guide to offer 3 unique Alaska itineraries based on how much time you have to explore Alaska—whether it’s 5, 7, or 10 days. Each itinerary is designed to help you make the most of your trip by highlighting different must-see spots and activities that fit each timeframe. If you already know how many days you have, you can jump down to the section you’re interested in.

• 5-Day Alaska Itinerary: Kenai Peninsula Road Trip + 1 National Park
• 7-Day Alaska Itinerary: Railroad Adventure + 2 National Parks
• 10-Day Alaska Itinerary: Ultimate Alaska Trip + 3 National Parks

5 Day Alaska Itinerary

This 5-day road trip itinerary focuses on the stunning Kenai Peninsula, one of the state’s most popular and accessible regions. We did this Alaska road trip in our van and loved how much “bang for your buck” you get here. The entire peninsula offers the perfect blend of coastal beauty, jaw-dropping hiking opportunities, and charming small towns.

How to Spend 5 Days in Alaska

Day 1: Arrive in Anchorage, pick up rental vehicle, drive to Homer
Day 2: Explore Homer Spit, water taxi to Kachemak Bay State Park
Day 3: Drive to Seward, Kenai Fjords National Park boat tour
Day 4: Hike the Harding Icefield Trail, dinner at Miller’s Landing
Day 5: Scenic drive to Whittier, fly out from Anchorage in the evening

Days 1-2: Homer & Kachemak Bay State Park

After landing in Anchorage, pick up your rental and head south toward Homer. The 4.5 to 5-hour drive is one of the most scenic in Alaska, with mountains, rivers, and forests along the way. If your flight arrives early enough, take your time stopping every few hours to stretch your legs and enjoy the views.

Once you arrive in Homer, spend your evening relaxing by the waterfront, setting up your tent if you’re camping in Homer, or settling into your hotel.

On Day 2, catch one of the first water taxis to Kachemak Bay State Park, keeping your eyes peeled for sea otters floating in the bay. Once there, set out on the moderate Grewingk Glacier hike, which rewards you with alpine scenery, a fun hand-tram, and glacier lake views. We decided to camp overnight at the lake, but it’s also a doable day trip. Read more about all the ways to get to this lake and back in this article. Catch a return water taxi back to the Homer Spit in the afternoon.

Spend the rest of the day exploring the shops, art galleries, and yummy restaurants on the Homer Spit! You’ll be maximizing the midnight sun during the Alaska summers as you explore Homer in the afternoon.

Days 3-4: Seward & Kenai Fjords National Park

Day 3 takes you along the breathtaking Seward Highway to Seward and Kenai Fjords National Park. Once there, a Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise is a must-do. Seeing glaciers calve into the sea and spotting whales, puffins, and sea lions up close is truly unforgettable. If you’re going to invest in an Alaskan day cruise, make it this one!

On Day 4, tackle the rewarding Harding Icefield Trail early to enjoy panoramic views of Icefields and fjords. It’s a challenging hike, but the views make it worth it. I may be biased, but this trail is my (Jen’s) favorite hike of all time, so I definitely think it’s worthwhile if you’re physically able. If you prefer an easier hike, the 1-hour Exit Glacier Overlook Trail is a great alternative. Afterward, treat yourself to dinner at Miller’s Landing, a popular spot by the water that serves some of the freshest seafood in Seward.

Day 5: Whittier & Back to Anchorage

Finally, on Day 5, take the scenic drive to Whittier, passing through the longest highway tunnel in North America! Taking in the gorgeous views of Prince William Sound from Whittier is a perfect way to wind down before heading back to Anchorage (about 1.5 hours) to return your vehicle and catch your evening flight back home!

5-Day Alaska Itinerary Map

This map includes all the places mentioned in this 5-day Alaska Itinerary. We’ve also included driving directions to each location, including the return trip, throughout the entire Kenai Peninsula.

7 Day Alaska Itinerary

This 7-day itinerary is perfect for travelers who want to experience Alaska’s stunning landscapes without renting a car. The Alaska Railroad makes exploring some of Alaska’s top destinations not only effortless, but equally as scenic as if you were driving. This itinerary also packs in two of the state’s best national parks—Denali and Kenai Fjords!

How to Spend 7 Days in Alaska

Day 1: Arrive in Anchorage, take the Alaska Railroad to Seward
Day 2: Kenai Fjords National Park boat tour
Day 3: Railroad back to Anchorage, grab a meal at Moose’s Tooth
Day 4: Railroad to Denali National Park, Book Discovery Hike
Day 5: Savage River Hiking Area, Denali Sled Dogs
Day 6: Denali Discovery Hike and Denali Bus Tour
Day 7: Railroad back to Anchorage, fly out

Days 1-3: Seward & Kenai Fjords National Park

After arriving in Anchorage, hop on the Alaska Railroad to Seward. The 4.5-hour train ride itself is known for being absolutely gorgeous, winding along turquoise waters, alpine views, and towering mountains. Once in Seward, you’ll be right at the doorstep of Kenai Fjords National Park, making it easy to embark on a boat tour the next day!

Day 2 is dedicated to the infamous Kenai Fjords boat tour. Seeing glaciers calve into the ocean and spotting whales, puffins, and sea lions up close was one of our favorite experiences in all of Alaska. This tour is also one of the only ways to actually see a good portion of this remote coastal park, as the only area reachable by car is Exit Glacier.

If you have extra time in the afternoon, consider tackling one of the hikes in Exit Glacier. To get to the Exit Glacier part of Kenai Fjords National Park without a car, consider taking one of the shuttle services that run from Seward to Exit Glacier:

• Adventure 60 North is open year round and provides daily, round-trip service between Seward and Exit Glacier.
• Exit Glacier Shuttle is open from late May through Labor Day and provides daily, round-trip service between Seward and Exit Glacier.
• City of Seward Shuttle Service is open from mid-May through mid-September and provides regular transportation around Seward, stopping at specific locations.
• Taxi Services, including PJ’s Taxi, Red Taxi, and Resurrection Taxi, all offer customizable trips around the Seward Area, including to Exit Glacier.

It’s important to plan your return trip with a shuttle or taxi service ahead of your trip to Exit Glacier, as there is zero cell service at Exit Glacier.

On Day 3, take the railroad back to Anchorage. When you arrive, we highly recommend grabbing a meal at Moose’s Tooth Pub & Pizzeria, a local favorite known for its creative pizzas! If you have some extra time in the afternoon, feel free to explore Anchorage a bit before your train ride on Day 4. There are museums like the Alaska Native Heritage Center you can visit, or scenic waterfront trails like the Tony Knowles Coastal Path to stroll along.

Days 4-7: Denali National Park

Day 4 and we’re back on the Alaska Railroad to Denali National Park. This train ride, yet again, offers spectacular views of rugged wilderness and wildlife as you travel north. Once in Denali National Park, we highly recommend going to the Visitors Center and signing up for a Denali Discovery Hike in two days’ time, as they book up fast. If you arrive on a Friday, this would be for Sunday.

At some point today, we also recommend you visit Denali’s sled dog kennels to meet the dogs! Park rangers hold free sled dog demos at 10 AM, 2 PM, and 4 PM daily, and there is a complimentary Sled Dog Tour shuttle from the Visitor Center.

Day 5 and we’re hopping right onto the buses to explore more of the park! We recommend you take the free Savage River shuttles to the end of Denali Park Road (Savage River area). Here, you can hike one of the park’s most popular trails—the Savage River Loop Trail or the Savage Alpine Trail. If you have energy or extra time, we highly recommend the gorgeous Horseshoe Lake Trail! For a full list of the best hikes in Denali National Park, check out this post.

On Day 6, it’s time for your Denali Discovery Hike, which hopefully you were able to successfully book upon arriving in Denali. Here, you’ll learn about the park’s ecology, wildlife, and geology while trekking through stunning backcountry terrain. It’s a fantastic way to deepen your connection with this wilderness that, at least for us, can be a bit intimidating to explore on your own.

If you were not able to score a Ranger-led Discovery Hike or want to continue exploring farther into Denali National Park, we recommend taking the paid Denali Bus Tour, taking visitors to mile 43. Visitors can hop on and off the bus tour anywhere between mile 15 and 43 by just flagging down a bus. Most visitors take it all the way to mile 43, where they get off and explore the river valley, which is really beautiful.

Finally, on Day 7, it’s time to board the Alaska Railroad back to Anchorage before catching your flight back home. If you have a sweet tooth, stop by Wild Scoops in Anchorage to celebrate with some ice cream! Make sure to ask for the “Baked Alaska” topping, a fluffy meringue that is torched, giving you a mix of cold ice cream and hot meringue.

7-Day Alaska Itinerary Map

This map includes all the places mentioned in this 7-day Alaska Itinerary. There are no driving directions, unlike the other maps, as this itinerary requires no driving! You’ll be taking the Alaska Railroad for each leg of the journey.

10 Day Alaska Itinerary

This epic 10-day Alaska itinerary is designed to have you visit three of the most iconic national parks in the state! Using Anchorage as a home base, we’ll be traveling to Denali, Katmai, and Wrangell-St. Elias. Let’s get into it!

How to Spend 10 Days in Alaska

Day 1: Arrive in Anchorage and Drive to Denali
Day 2: Free Denali Bus Tour, Explore the Savage River area
Day 3: Denali Discovery Hike, Drive back to Anchorage
Day 4: Fly to Katmai National Park, watch bears at Brooks Falls
Day 5: Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, afternoon at Brooks Falls & Lodge
Day 6: Fly back to Anchorage, Dinner at Moose’s Tooth
Day 7: Drive to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
Day 8: Hike Root Glacier and take a Flightseeing Tour
Day 9: Kennecott Mines Tour
Day 10: Drive back to Anchorage, Fly out

Days 1-3: Denali National Park

After landing in Anchorage, pick up your rental vehicle and drive north to Denali National Park. Upon arriving, check out the Visitors Center, reserving a Denali Discovery Hike while you’re there. The hikes have to be reserved two full days in advance, and in our opinion, give you a truly authentic and unique experience hiking in Denali National Park. If you have any extra time in the day, explore the trails around the Visitor Center and get settled into your lodging.

On Day 2, we recommend you take the free Savage River shuttles to the end of Park Road (Savage River area). Here you can hike the Savage River Loop Trail or the Savage Alpine Trail, which are located at the end of the free bus route at mile 15. If you have energy or extra time, we highly recommend the gorgeous Horseshoe Lake Trail located near the front entrance part of the park! For a full list of the best hikes in Denali National Park, check out this post.

At some point today, we also recommend you visit Denali’s sled dog kennels to learn about the famous sled dogs. These are working sled dogs, so learning about their importance in the park is really interesting. The kennels hold free demos at 10 AM, 2 PM, and 4 PM daily, and there is a complimentary Sled Dog Tour shuttle from the Visitor Center.

On Day 3, it’s time for your Denali Discovery Hike, which you hopefully booked on the first day. This full-day experience allows you to explore (with a park ranger) the gorgeous backcountry of Denali, an area that can be a bit intimidating to hike on your own. If you don’t score a ranger-led Discovery Hike, visitors are allowed to explore the backcountry on their own. We recommend speaking with a park ranger ahead of time to learn their tips and tricks. In the afternoon or evening, make the drive back to Anchorage to gear up for your flight to Katmai tomorrow!

Days 4-6: Katmai National Park

On Day 4, leave (or return) your rental car in Anchorage and fly to Katmai National Park, specifically Brooks Camp. This area is the most visited area in the park, famous for its incredible brown bear viewing in the summer months. If you’re visiting at the right time of year, spend the afternoon you arrive watching bears fish for salmon at Brooks Falls, reachable via the Brooks Falls Trail.

The large majority of Day 5 is going to be spent on a Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes Tour, which you’ll need to have booked in advance. This almost full day tour will take you to the Valley of 10,000 Smokes, an otherworldly volcanic landscape of steaming ash flows and rugged terrain. In the afternoon, return to Brooks Falls for more bear watching and relax at the lodge, grabbing dinner if you’d like to treat yourself!

Fly back to Anchorage on Day 6 and rest before gearing up to hit the third national park of your trip—Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. If you’re up to going out for dinner, we highly recommend dinner at Moose’s Tooth, a creative pizza joint that actually ranks as the #1 restaurant on TripAdvisor in all of Anchorage!

If you’re unable to book camping or lodging at Brooks Camp in Katmai (it requires booking up to 18 months in advance), we recommend visiting just as a day trip. You can then swap days 5 and 6 with two days at Kenai Fjords National Park. Also, if the price tag of getting to Katmai is too steep for your budget (it starts at $850 per person just for the transportation to and from the park), feel free to travel to Kenai Fjords National Park instead and skip Katmai!

Days 7-10: Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

Kick off Day 7 by driving to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, the largest national park in the United States! This is going to be a full-day drive taking between 7 and 8 hours, so set out early and take breaks every few hours to stretch your legs. We recommend you read our guide to driving the 60-mile McCarthy Road before setting out to make sure you’re prepared, as this bumpy dirt road leads you to the town of McCarthy, where most of the popular things to do in Wrangell-St. Elias is located.

Day 8 is dedicated to exploring this remote Alaskan park by land and air. Start by hiking the Root Glacier Trail, the most popular hike in the entire park. This trail explores the glacier, so we recommend bringing microspikes or renting them with St. Elias Alpine Guides. In the afternoon, we recommend taking a flightseeing tour to experience the vastness of this park from the sky. We specifically took the 3-Hour Bagley Icefield Tour with Wrangell Mountain Air, which departs from downtown McCarthy, and it was incredible! If there’s a tour to splurge on in Alaska, a flightseeing tour is it!

Day 9 offers a chance to explore the historic Kennecott Mines, a fascinating glimpse into Alaska’s mining past set against stunning mountain scenery. You can freely explore much of the Kennecott townsite on your own, but you can’t access the 14-story mill building. This is only allowed on guided tours, so we joined the 2-hour Kennecott Mine Tour and were so glad we did! We thoroughly enjoyed the tour and learned about the area’s mining and how the town became a ghost town within 24 hours of the mine’s closing. It was fascinating!

Finally, on Day 10, drive back to Anchorage and treat yourself to a scoop (or two!) at Wild Scoops ice cream—a sweet way to celebrate your incredible 10-day journey through Alaska.

10-Day Alaska Itinerary Map

In this map, we’ve included a bunch of the places mentioned in this 10-Day Alaska Itinerary. We also mapped out the driving directions to Denali Park from Anchorage as well as to Wrangell-St. Elias Park from Anchorage. When driving to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, we were only able to include driving directions up until the beginning of McCarthy Road, but you’ll need to continue down it to reach the city of McCarthy, which gives you access to the park.

💚 More Places to Visit in Alaska

If you’re interested in spending even more time in Alaska, there are tons more places to explore. We focused on the southern half of Alaska, as that’s where we travelled ourselves, but there are tons more small towns, cities, and even four more US National Parks!

• Glacier Bay National Park
• Gates of the Arctic National Park
• Kobuk Valley National Park
• Lake Clark National Park

For more Alaska trip-planning info, hop over to our related article, 5 Tips For Planning Your Trip to Alaska (& Must-See Spots)!

☀️ The Best Time of Year to Visit Alaska

From June through August, you’ll find mild temperatures, accessible trails, and heightened wildlife activity in Alaska. This is when we were traveling through Alaska, and what we recommend for the average visitor, especially if you’re interested in activities like camping or hiking.

That said, some activities have narrower timeframes. For example, bear viewing tours at Katmai National Park are best during the last few weeks of July and the beginning of August when the salmon arrive, or in early September to see them all fattened up. Keep this in mind when looking at travel dates!

✈️ How to Get to Alaska

For the majority of you, we recommend flying into Anchorage and renting a car or campervan from there to complete these itineraries (sans the 7-day one). If you’re interested in driving your own vehicle up to Alaska, you have a few highway options through Canada as well as a ferry from Washington state. Refer to our related post for more info, The 3 Routes for Driving to Alaska in Your Car.

Love finding cheap flights? 

Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) is one of our favorite tools for discovering insane airfare deals.

We’ve been members since 2015 and it has saved us thousands! The membership practically pays for itself if you use it once a year.

🚐 How to Rent a Vehicle in Anchorage, Alaska

If you plan on staying in hotels or going tent-camping, you can rent a car from a plethora of companies in Anchorage, Alaska. If you’re interested in travelling by campervan like us, there are lots of rental options right from Anchorage as well. Here are a few highly rated campervan rental options we found in Anchorage:

• Escape Campervans
• Indie Campers
• River Wild Campervans
• Great Alaskan Holidays

🎒 Alaska Packing Guide

What you pack for Alaska really depends on your plans. Are you going hiking? Planning on camping in a tent? Want to travel in your van? Beyond the specialized gear needed for hiking, camping, or van life, there are a few essentials everyone should bring to Alaska.

• Your best photography gear to capture Alaska’s stunning landscapes and wildlife. We use the Canon R5.
• Binoculars for spotting distant animals and enjoying panoramic views. Here’s an affordable pair we recommend.
• Layers of clothing to be ready for warm days and sudden temperature drops. We suggest a warm base layer (women’s | men’s), a mid-layer (women’s | men’s), and a jacket or coat (women’s | men’s), depending on the month you visit.
• Rain gear to stay dry during Alaska’s frequent showers. We use this women’s rain jacket and this men’s rain jacket. A rain backpack cover is also handy if you plan on backpacking.
• Bear spray if you plan to hike or spend time in bear country. You can buy bear spray if you plan on driving in (not allowed on planes) or rent some in Anchorage at somewhere like Alaska Bear Spray Rental.
• Sun protection, including sunscreen and hats, to guard against strong UV rays.
• Eye mask for better sleep during long summer daylight hours.

💭 Final Thoughts

We hope one of these itineraries speaks to you! If you want to read more about a specific place mentioned in an itinerary, check out our related articles below for in-depth articles about all the towns and national parks mentioned here. And if you’d like to see a different type of Alaskan itinerary, let us know in the comments!

Read Next:

21 Best Things to Do in Seward, Alaska

📰 Related Articles

• 9 Best Things to Do in Kenai Fjords National Park
• How to Choose the Best Kenai Fjords Boat Tour
• 15 Things to Do in Wrangell-St. Elias: The Largest US National Park
• How to Drive McCarthy Road to Wrangell-St. Elias: Step-by-Step
• Anchorage to Denali National Park: The Perfect Alaskan Road Trip
• 11 Best Things to Do in Denali National Park (Free & Paid)
• The 9 Best Things to Do in Katmai National Park (Free & Paid)
• How to Get to Katmai National Park: Step-by-Step
• 15 Best Things to Do in Homer, Alaska (Free & Paid)
• 21 Best Things to Do in Seward, Alaska

📺 Watch on YouTube

🔍 Ready to Visit Alaska?

Pin this Alaska Itinerary Guide to make your upcoming adventure a breeze to plan!