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Alaska

Amazing Alaska: The Last Frontier, From Mountains to the Sea

Program No. 24425RJ

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Journey from the highest mountain range in North America in Interior Alaska to the dramatic glaciated temperate rain forests of the Southeast Alaska coast on a learning adventure from Fairbanks to Seward. Learn about Native Athabascan culture, meet research scientists, take a field trip to see muskoxen, caribou and raft along the border of Denali National Park. Spend three nights at the entrance of Denali National Park, then take the Alaska Railroad through breathtaking scenery to Seward, nestled in beautiful Resurrection Bay. Visit the Alaska SeaLife Center, where researchers share their work rehabilitating the ecosystem after the Exxon Valdez oil spill, and observe marine mammals in Kenai Fjords National Park as you voyage past majestic glaciers.

Best of all, you'll...

With accommodations at the entrance of Denali National Park, enjoy opportunities to hike, learn of the park’s rich history and search for wildlife along the way.
Cruise past tidewater glaciers and watch for whales, otters, sea lions and puffins from a catamaran in Kenai Fjords National Park.
Get up close and personal with world-class sled dogs as you learn what it takes for them to race nearly 1,000 miles through the Alaskan wilderness.

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Featured Expert

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Yvonne Christner

Yvonne Christner has lived on Baranof Island for 25 years and loves the natural beauty of Southeast Alaska. She left her native state of New Mexico to attend the University of Idaho. After graduation, she kept moving north. She put her communications degree to work, teaching at the University of Alaska Southeast, and working in an extension office of the Alaska State Legislature. She enjoys living the subsistence lifestyle harvesting Alaska’s bounty. She loves adventuring outdoors, exploring Alaska with her husband and four daughters.

Please Note:

This expert may not be available for every date of the program

Please Note:

These experts may not be available for every date of the program

Yvonne Christner

Cheryl Sennett

Cheryl Sennett has been leading groups since 2007. She has a bachelor's degree in public administration from St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas and a certification from the International Guide Academy in Colorado. When she can stay in one place long enough, she enjoys volunteering with animals. Her favorite experiences have been with the Iditarod Sled Dog Race in Alaska and a wildlife rehabilitation hospital in Florida. Cheryl has lived all over the U.S., including Alaska and Hawaii, and currently lives in Florida.

Nancy Field

Nancy Field is a Road Scholar group leader who works in Alaska, Florida, New England, and America's national parks. Her passion for travel was sparked by childhood travels to Florida in the winter and spending time with her grandparents in the north in the summer. After graduating nursing school, she relocated to Massachusetts, where she married and had three children. During her off time, she enjoys visiting family in Utah, reading, and enjoying the outdoors.

Timothy Rawson

Tim Rawson came to Alaska in the 1980s to climb big mountains, and made Alaska his home. He earned a master's degree in northern studies from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and a doctorate in American history from the University of Oregon. He remains on the faculty at Alaska Pacific University in Anchorage. When he's not teaching or studying, you can find Tim out on the hills, mountains, or streams. He has years of experience leading groups and lecturing.

David Scheel

David Scheel, Ph.D., is a marine biologist and behavioral ecologist who has studied octopuses, seabirds, killer whales, and African lions. David worked in Yellowstone and Serengeti National Parks, and underwater studying octopuses in Alaska and across the Pacific. David was a scientific advisor for award-winning documentaries on octopuses (BBC/PBS 'Nature') and lions. His work has been featured in numerous books, magazines, and research articles. He is the author of the book, 'Many Things Under A Rock: The Mysteries Of Octopuses.'

Andrew Keller

Andrew Keller earned an associate degree in geography, a bachelor’s in biology, and a master’s in Arctic environmental policy and natural resource management. He is a birder and naturalist who has worked in conservation areas including the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and Pribilof Islands, and he spent 10 years in Denali National Park working as a ranger/naturalist. He has been a Road Scholar local expert for the winter program in Fairbanks, Alaska and led day trips to the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve in Haines, Alaska.

Activity Level

Keep the Pace

This is an on-the-go program with a few days of early start times, long drives, and getting on/off a motorcoach. Walking on uneven terrain. Standing for an hour at a time. Several opportunities for hiking, with some options over uneven dirt surfaces, steps, and moderate elevation gain and length. Please refer to daily activity notes.

Small Group (13 to 24)

Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

Suggested Books and Resources

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You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.

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Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?

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Call 800-454-5768

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Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

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Assurance Plan

Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.

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Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

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Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.

An illustration of a hand holding a globe with a small bird flying around it

Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.
Assurance Plan

Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.
Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.
Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.