Aboard the historic Alaska Railroad, we’ll pass through the lush boreal forest and tundra of Interior Alaska, rocketing toward Denali National Park. Denali is the highest mountain in North America; its snow-capped peak looms some 18,000 feet over the base below. As we approach the park, keep an eye out for moose, bald eagles, Dall sheep, and the famed Alaskan grizzlies, which can weigh up to 600 pounds. Upon arrival, we’ll take a short walk close to the park’s entrance, then head to our cozy lodge overlooking a secluded lake. Enjoy a free evening on your own to unwind or relax by the water.

After breakfast, we’ll shuttle deep into the heart of the park, scouring the stunning tundra landscape for wildlife as we go. Once we arrive, we’ll be looking for the “Big Five”—grizzly bears, caribou, moose, wolves, and Dall sheep. If we’re lucky, we might also spot golden eagles, elegant birds of prey with a wingspan stretching over seven feet. Denali also happens to be home to the lynx, so keep an eye out for the tawny, long-haired cat slinking through the shrubs. After a full day of rubbing figurative elbows and wings with central Alaska’s most magnetic wildlife, head back to the lodge for a free evening to yourself.

Beginning in the southern part of the park, we’ll spend this morning hiking through the boreal forest, the largest forest ecosystem on the planet. We’ll learn about the local flora and fauna that surround us, including the many plant species that have long been harvested and used medicinally by people in this region. In the shadow of Mount Denali, we’ll be able to scope out the icy, jagged peaks of the Alaska Range looming above. Our hike will take us into Talkeetna, where we’ll stop by a local microbrewery for some craft beer and conversations with locals. Head to your cabin for an early night, or opt to take a scenic flight over Denali at an additional cost.

Start the morning with a drive along Seward Highway, taking in the stunning alpine landscape as it rushes by. Though our final destination today will be Kenai Fjords National Park—home to icy water, jagged cliffs, and tidewater glaciers—we’ll stop first at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, a sanctuary that cares for orphaned and injured animals from muskox to wolves. Our next stop will be Seward, the charming port town considered to be the gateway to Kenai Fjords. Here, we’ll tour the world-famous Alaska Sea Life Center and browse a variety of interactive exhibits showcasing the region’s rich marine life. Dinner tonight will be at a cozy seafood restaurant where we can chow down while gazing out at the marina, keeping our eyes peeled for playful sea otters back-paddling out beyond the boats.

Enjoy a full day of exploration in Kenai Fjords National Park. We’ll set out by boat into the icy, glacier-studded water, searching for orcas, humpback whales, sea lions, harbor seals, puffins, and more. In this remote park, we’ll get to experience the extraordinary allure of local wildlife—as well as some actively calving glaciers—up close. We’ll return to Seward tonight to recount some of our most memorable encounters over dinner, then head back to the hotel for some sleep.

To kick off our second day in Kenai Fjords, we’ll journey out along the Harding Icefield Trail to Exit Glacier—an incredibly scenic and moderately strenuous hike. Exit Glacier is one of the few large glaciers that you can access via a hiking trail, and this offers the rare opportunity to see it up close. For those who’d prefer not to make the trek, there will be an option to take a ranger-led tour of the glacier and its surrounding sites. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife—black bear sightings are common here, especially along the Harding Icefield Trail. Spend the rest of the day relaxing, or venture out onto the water for a deep sea fishing excursion at an additional cost.

We’ll hit the road early today, heading toward Homer. Keep your eyes peeled for bears fishing in Russian River, as well as moose lumbering by and bald eagles soaring above us. After making a short stop at the edge of tumbling Russian River Falls, we’ll arrive and check in to our rustic resort. Take the rest of the afternoon to recuperate before our big bear viewing tomorrow, or if you’d like, enjoy a scenic float or fishing trip along the Kenai River.

Head into Lake Clark National Park, flanked by your guide and rangers, in search of bears. A remote park that’s only accessible by plane, Lake Clark is renowned for being one of the best sites to view and photograph groups of grizzlies. We’ll likely find them feeding in salmon streams and along the shoreline, elegantly catching their midday meals like pros. After a full day of bearing witness to all that makes the Ursus arctos horribilis so magnificent, head back to the resort for our final dinner together.

After a quick breakfast, we’ll drive back to Anchorage where we’ll say our goodbyes—give some bear hugs if we feel so inclined—and head home. Until the next adventure!