Welcome to the final episode of Aura of Alaska! This marks the conclusion of Chapter 1 of my incredible journey through Alaska. In this episode, I take you along as I fly back to San Antonio, Texas, with... stopovers in Seattle and Salt Lake City—a long journey spanning 11 hours with Delta Airlines.
As we soar through the skies, I’ll be sharing breathtaking aerial views of Alaska’s vast snow-covered landscapes, rugged mountains, and icy rivers—one last glimpse of the Last Frontier before heading home.
During this travel, I’ll also be wrapping up my Alaska adventure by sharing a complete travel plan, including:
✔️ Key places to visit in Alaska – Must-see attractions and experiences.
✔️ Best time to visit – When to plan your trip for the best experience.
✔️ Budget breakdown – Costs for flights, rentals, accommodations, and activities.
✔️ Travel tips – Essential things to know before visiting Alaska.
This trip has been an unforgettable adventure, from chasing the Aurora Borealis to exploring the Arctic Circle, glaciers, and hot springs. Thank you for joining me on this journey—I hope this series has inspired you to explore the wonders of Alaska!
Alaska 7-Day Travel Plan
📍 Day 1: Arrival in Anchorage & Matanuska Glacier Tour
✔️ Arrive at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport
✔️ Pick up a rental car for the road trip
✔️ Hotel Check In
✔️ Drive to Matanuska Glacier (~2-hour drive, 100 miles from Anchorage)
✔️ Take a guided glacier hike to experience Alaska’s largest road-accessible glacier
✔️ Return to Anchorage in the evening
✔️ Walk along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail for scenic views
✔️ Overnight stay in Anchorage
📍 Day 2: Anchorage to Talkeetna (~2-hour drive, 113 miles)
✔️ Depart early and drive along the scenic George Parks Highway
✔️ Stop at Eklutna Lake or Hatcher Pass for breathtaking views
✔️ Arrive in Talkeetna, a charming small town with great views of Denali
✔️ Explore Talkeetna Riverfront Park and local art galleries
✔️ Optional: Take a flightseeing tour of Denali (highly recommended!)
✔️ Try a famous Sourdough Pancake at Talkeetna Roadhouse
✔️ Overnight stay in Talkeetna
📍 Day 3: Talkeetna to Denali National Park (~2.5-hour drive, 153 miles)
✔️ Drive to Denali National Park, one of the most beautiful parks in the U.S.
✔️ Stop at Denali Viewpoints along the way for stunning mountain scenery
✔️ Visit the Denali Visitor Center to learn about the park
✔️ Take a wildlife bus tour or drive the Denali Park Road (private vehicles allowed only up to Mile 15)
✔️ Hike trails like Horseshoe Lake Trail or Savage River Loop
✔️ Dinner and overnight stay near Denali National Park
📍 Day 4: Denali to Fairbanks (~2-hour drive, 125 miles)
✔️ Depart Denali and head towards Fairbanks
✔️ Stop at Nenana River Overlook for beautiful views
✔️ Arrive in Fairbanks
✔️ Take a relaxing dip at Chena Hot Springs in the evening
✔️ Overnight stay in Fairbanks
📍 Day 5: Arctic Circle Adventure (Dalton Highway Drive - Full Day Trip)
✔️ Early morning start for the Arctic Circle Tour via Dalton Highway
✔️ Visit the Trans-Alaska Pipeline for a closer look
✔️ Lunch stop at Yukon River Camp
✔️ Reach the Arctic Circle Sign – Take photos & learn about this unique region
✔️ Drive back towards Fairbanks with Aurora chasing
✔️ Overnight stay in Fairbanks
📍 Day 6: Aurora Chasing in Fairbanks
✔️ Sleep in after the long Arctic Circle trip
✔️ Explore Fairbanks during the day – Check out University of Alaska Museum of the North
✔️ Take a short nature walk in Creamer’s Field
✔️ Prepare for aurora chasing at night
✔️ Best aurora viewing spots:
🔹 Murphy Dome – High elevation, low light pollution
🔹 Chena Hot Springs – Enjoy the lights while soaking in warm water
🔹 Cleary Summit – One of the best-known aurora spots
🔹 Chena Lake – Beautiful reflection views on clear nights
✔️ Overnight stay in Fairbanks
📍 Day 7: Flight Back from Fairbanks
✔️ Return rental car at Fairbanks International Airport
✔️ Flyback from Fairbanks
✔️ Enjoy stunning aerial views of Alaska’s snowy mountains & landscapes one last time
🔹 Key Activities & Experiences
🏔️ Scenic drives & mountain views – Denali, Talkeetna, Anchorage Coastal Trail
🦌 Wildlife spotting – Moose, bears, caribou, bald eagles
🛩️ Flightseeing over Denali – A must-do for stunning aerial views
🌌 Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) viewing – Best in Fairbanks (Sept-April)
🔥 Relaxing at Chena Hot Springs
❄️ Arctic Circle Adventure – Drive the iconic Dalton Highway
🛳️ Glacier tour at Matanuska – Hike across a stunning blue glacier
💰 Budget Estimate (Per Person)
✔️ Flights: $300 - $800 (round trip, varies by location)
✔️ Rental Car: $80 - $150 per day
✔️ Hotels/Lodging: $100 - $250 per night
✔️ Food & Dining: $40 - $80 per day
✔️ Tours & Activities: $100 - $500 (depends on what you choose) view more