Alaska is one of the most beautiful places in the US and is on many bucket lists. But planning a trip so far north can seem overwhelming. Thankfully, EF Go Ahead Tours makes taking a trip to Alaska easy.
They offer two group tours if you want to travel to Alaska, both of which are pretty different. The Alaska trips with EF Go Ahead Tours are:
In this guide, I will compare the two trips and give you a breakdown of the itineraries and what’s included in each trip to help you decide which one you want to take!
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Looking for other trips with Go Ahead Tours? Here are some of their popular and unique destinations:
Or check out their entire lineup of tours!
Originally published: November 15, 2023
EF Go Ahead Tours Alaska Comparison
EF Go Ahead offers two tours to Alaska. One focuses on the National Parks, and the other takes you on an Alaskan Cruise.
Below is an overall comparison of the tours. You can click on the tour titles or scroll down to see the details of each tour.
| Tour Name | Number of Days | Group size | Physical Activity Level | Transportation on Tour | Extension available? | Price Range | Time of Year | Book Now |
| Alaska’s National Parks: Denali & the Kenai Fjords | 10 days | 12-22 people | Low | Motorcoach, train | No | $5,000+ | May to September | Available Tour Dates |
| Denali National Park & Wild Alaska Cruise | 12 days | 15-35 people | Low | Motor coach, train, cruise ship | Yes – Vancouver | $5,000+ | Motorcoach, train, cruise ship | Available Tour Dates |
Alaska’s National Parks: Denali & the Kenai Fjords
Alaska’s National Parks: Denali & the Kenai Fjords takes you to experience Alaska’s stunning nature. You will visit two National Parks and learn about Alaskan traditions. This tour will help you enjoy all that Alaska’s wilderness offers.
Itinerary
Below is the general itinerary you will follow on this tour. It could vary slightly depending on weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
Fairbanks, Alaska (2 nights)
- Day 1: Arrival in Fairbanks. Check-in at your hotel.
- Day 2: Sightseeing tour of Fairbanks, including visits to the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center, Gold Daughters, and Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge. Traditional Alaskan salmon bake welcome dinner in the evening.
Denali, Alaska (2 nights)
- Day 3: Travel to Denali via Nenana village.
Optional: Denali Wilderness Walking Tour available.
- Day 4: Explore Denali National Park with a focus on wildlife and natural beauty.
Anchorage, Alaska (2 nights)
- Day 5: Travel to Anchorage via Talkeetna and Palmer.
- Day 6: Guided sightseeing tour of Anchorage, visiting Earthquake Park, Lake Hood Seaplane Base, and downtown Anchorage.
Optional: Alaska Native Heritage Center & Dinner
Seward, Alaska (2 nights)
- Day 7: Take the Coastal Classic Train to Seward.
Optional: Kenai Fjords National Park: Exit Glacier Hike.
- Day 8: Cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park.
Overnight Flight (1 night)
- Day 9: Return to Anchorage via Portage. Visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and Portage Lake for scenic views. Transfer to the airport for your overnight flight.
Arrive Home
- Day 10: Arrive home, with arrival times varying depending on your location.
Hotels
Here are some examples of the hotels you might stay in on the Denali & the Kenai Fjords tour.
- SpringHill Suites by Marriott Fairbanks
- Denali Park Village Resort
- Clarion Suites Downtown
- Seward Gateway Hotel
They may not be the exact hotels you will stay in, but they are typical for the trip.
What’s Included?
On this tour, you will have a good mix of included activities and meals, in addition to free time and meals on your own. Here is what you can expect to get with the price of the tour:
- Eight nights in handpicked hotels
- Eight breakfasts
- Two lunches
- Two dinners with beer or wine
- Seven sightseeing tours
- Tour Director & local guides
- Private deluxe motor coach
- One train ride
Note: Flights are not included, but you can add on an airfare package, and you’ll get a round-trip flight, airport transfers once you arrive, and more.
Denali National Park & Wild Alaska Cruise
The Denali National Park and Wild Alaska Cruise tour takes you through Alaska, starting with Denali’s towering beauty. Explore Denali National Park, meet wildlife at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, and marvel at the Hubbard Glacier. Enjoy a scenic ride on the Wilderness Express Rail and cruise the Inside Passage, discovering gold rush towns. Wrap up your adventure in Vancouver, blending nature and culture for an unforgettable experience.
Itinerary
Below is the general itinerary you will follow on this tour.
Anchorage, Alaska (1 night)
- Day 1: Arrival in Anchorage. Check in to your hotel.
Denali, Alaska (1 night)
- Day 2: Transfer to Talkeetna and train ride to Denali. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner with your fellow travelers.
Wasilla, Alaska (1 night)
- Day 3: Sightseeing Tour of Denali National Park. In the afternoon, you’ll head to Wasilla.
Overnight Cruise (7 nights)
- Day 4: Travel to Seward via Kenai Peninsula. Afterward, you’ll board your cruise ship.
Note: The Begich Boggs Visitor Center is closed from Labor Day through Memorial Day due to weather conditions.
- Day at Sea: Enjoy a relaxing day at sea as you cruise around the Hubbard Glacier, North America’s largest tidewater glacier.
- Day 6: Free Day in Juneau. Your ship docks in Alaska’s capital city.
- Day 7: Free Day in Skagway. Your ship docks in Skagway, a historic town known for its association with the Klondike Gold Rush.
- Day 8: Free Day in Icy Strait Point. You’ll have a free day to explore as you cruise to Icy Strait Point.
- Day 9: Free Day in Ketchikan. Your ship docks in Ketchikan, known for its stunning scenery and wildlife.
- Day 10: Cruising the Inside Passage. Today, your cruise takes you through the southern section of Alaska’s Inside Passage, a breathtaking collection of waterways, inlets, fjords, and bays.
Vancouver, British Columbia (1 night)
- Day 11: Disembark your ship in Vancouver, British Columbia, and take a guided tour of this multicultural and cosmopolitan city.
Flight Home
- Day 12: Today, you’ll transfer to the airport for your flight home or choose to extend your adventure in Vancouver.
Extension to Vancouver (2 nights)
- Vancouver (Day 12): Free Day in Vancouver.
Optional: Victoria Sightseeing
- Victoria Sightseeing (Day 13): Enjoy a free day in Vancouver.
Optional: Vancouver: Whistler & Shannon Falls
- Flight Home (Day 14): Departure – Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Hotels
Here are some examples of the hotels you might stay in on the Denali National Park & Wild Alaska Cruise tour.
- SpringHill Suites by Marriott Anchorage University Lake
- Denali Grizzly Bear Resort
- Grand View Inn & Suites
- Holiday Inn Vancouver Centre
- Celebrity Millennium (cruise ship)
They may not be the exact hotels you will stay in, but they are typical for the trip.
What’s Included?
On this tour, you will have a good mix of included activities and meals, in addition to free time and meals on your own. Here is what you can expect to get with the price of the tour:
- Four nights in handpicked hotels
- Seven nights aboard Celebrity Cruises
- 11 breakfasts
- Six lunches
- Ten dinners, some with beer or wine
- Three sightseeing tours
- Expert Tour Director & local guides
- Private deluxe motor coach
- One train ride
Note: Flights are not included, but you can add on an airfare package, and you’ll get a round-trip flight, airport transfers once you arrive, and more.
Ready to go to Alaska?
It’s a tough decision between the Alaska trips, but you’ll have a fantastic time no matter which trip you choose!
Check dates and prices for any of the EF Go Ahead Alaska Tours:
Booking a trip to Alaska soon? Here are some of the resources I use every time I travel:
- Top travel credit cards
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- Daily Drop for daily travel tips and tricks in one fun, short newsletter
- Booking.com for a huge variety of hotels, vacation rentals, flights, and more
- HostelWorld for the best hostels around the world
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- FareDrop and Going for cheap flight alerts
- Skyscanner for the cheapest flights
- Amazon for travel and packing must-haves
- Priority Pass for airport lounge access
- TripAdvisor for the top hotels around the world
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