wmrn43a

This is our first and only trip to AK. We are open to any suggestions.
Two of us in our early 60's.

Day 1 - Arrive Juneau, AK (overnight in area any suggestions for lodging & eating ?)
Day 2 – North Star Trekking (helicopter & and glacier climb) Duration: Approximately 5 1/4 hours (overnight Juneau)
Day 3 – Tracy Arm Tour (overnight Juneau)
Day 4 - Harv & Marv (whale watching, morning) (Fly to Gustavus and overnight at lodge) (flight recommendations)
Day 5 – Glacier Bay Cruise (over night at lodge)
Day 6 - (Fly to Anchorage from Gustavus (recommendations for flight travel) & overnight in Anchorage – Marriott using points) Rent vehicle Van or SUV (local Hertz we use points)
Day 7 – Begin drive on Richardson Hwy to Healy (overnight about ½ way (recommendations for lodging, sight seeing, eating)?
Day 8 – Cont. drive Richardson Hwy arrive in Healy (Overnights Aspen Haus Cabins & visit Denali 8, 9, 10) Denali Shuttle to Eielson & hike, wildlife
Day 11 – Drive to Talkeetna Talkeetna Air Flight with Glacier Landing Sch. Early as possible in case of weather(over night) Day 11/12 “Talkeetna Air” with glacier landing (if unable to take flight on day 11.
Day 12 - Return to Anchorage (Over night-Marriott)
Day 13– Drive to Steward (overnight The Paddle Inn other lodging recommendations ?)
Day 14 - Take Kenai Fjords Tour (overnight The Paddle Inn)
Day 15 – Drive to Homer (overnight lodging recommendations, eating ?)
Day 16 – Emerald Air Service – Bear watching (overnight in Homer area)
Day 17 – Extra day for bear watching if needed due to weather or drive back to Anchorage (overnight-Marriott)
Day 18 – Fly home from Anchorage.

china_cat

we're just back from Alaska. In Homer I highly recommend the Beach House B&B. we had a great view, and very comfortable room. there were several good restaurants there, but my favorite by a large margin was Cafe Cups. We also had pretty good pizza at Fat Olives, and thought the view and food was good at Captain Patties on the Spit.

richbutnot

The portion of your trip starting in Anchorage is a lot like the one we just got back from, in reverse order. Check out my trip report.

Two of you shouldn't need a Van or SUV. They are almost twice the cost of a car.

Check out Alaska Saltwater for the Kenai Fjords tour. Cost a little more but much fewer people on board.

Every one of your "drive" days will be a full day, including stops at overlooks and detours to scenic areas. We saw Eagles and/or Moose at all the following places between Soldotna and Homer: Crooked Creek State Recreation Site, Clam Gulch State Recreation Area, Deep Creek State Recreation Area and Anchor River State Recreation Area.

It's also good to have these "drive" days after excursion days. We were pretty tired after our boat ride to Kenai Fjords, bus trip through Denali and especially the Bear Watching trip.

BudgetQueen

You are missing the best area of the Richarson, Glennallen/Valdez. Your current plan with no time for anything but a "drive" is really not the highlight in my opinion. You are missing out on a LOT of significant touring opportunities. It is hardly worth it, in my opinion.

Are you planning on going into Denali repeatively?? There is an excellent buy 2 get 3 deal.

Your Juneau itineray is excellent.

Are you with a group of more than two people?? Otherwise, you certainly do not need the vehicle rental you are considering, which also is going to eat up a lot of gas.

I see too much time in Denali and Talkeetna that would be better used elsewhere, as you are way short on your Richardson section in my opinion. You may want to think this over again.
You have plenty of time, before you lock into any reservations.

BudgetQueen

Also, with all that time in Denali Park, I would do Wonder Lake rather than Eielson, again, figure out what you are going to occupy all that time with. You can also fly McKinley out of Denali Park, and would therefore free up your time in Talkeetna, that would be better used elsewhere. 2 nights in Talkeetna is a LOT of time.