Now it was time to explore more of the land of the midnight sun—this time with the seamless planning, tours, and accommodations provided by Alaska Tour & Travel. Their expertise made every connection effortless and every transition smooth.
Our route would wind from Anchorage to Denali, continue to Talkeetna, and finish at the waters of Seward. It was a week built around movement—trains, rafts, jeeps, buses, boats, and planes—a true Alaskan experience. While this leg of the adventure was more travel‑focused, you know we were birding every chance we got.
Anchorage & Birding Friends
Our trip officially began in Anchorage, where we were picked up at our hotel by Nick Rotheman and Bill Phelan, birding friends from the Nome trip. Nick, an Anchorage local, guided us to our first stop: Lake Hood, the largest and busiest seaplane base in the world. There, we enjoyed close looks at Barrow’s Goldeneye, Canvasback, and Redheads, part of an impressive eight‑duck lineup.
A couple of stops later, we found ourselves at Westchester Lagoon, watching nesting Tundra Swans, Short-billed Gulls, and Red‑necked Grebes. Other highlights included Surf and White‑winged Scoters and the beautiful Black‑billed Magpie. By the end of our five hours together, we had tallied 26 species—a perfect warm‑up for the week ahead.
Denali National Park
Our first major adventure was aboard the Wilderness Express, a domed rail car offering sweeping views during the seven‑plus‑hour ride from Anchorage to Denali. We settled in for three nights at the Denali Bluffs Hotel, just a mile north of the park entrance.
Not long after dropping our bags, we headed out for an evening rafting float on the Nenana River. The two‑hour ride carried us through stretches of whitewater and delivered spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and wildlife.
Early the next morning, we took the shuttle to Denali National Park for a 2.5-hour guided nature hike. Highlights during the walk included Canada Jay, Boreal Chickadee, Varied Thrush, and a Three-toed Woodpecker (only observed by Mike). After the walk, we continued to Horseshoe Lake and added Violet-green Swallows to the list.
Denali Tundra Wilderness Tour
The highlight of the day was the five‑hour Denali Tundra Wilderness Tour. These buses are permitted deeper into the park, giving us access to sweeping landscapes and unforgettable wildlife. We were treated to sightings of Moose, Grizzly Bear, Caribou, and Dall Sheep. The bus drivers used a clever system of hand signals to alert one another to wildlife ahead, creating a sense of anticipation with every turn in the road.
Birding was just as rewarding—we recorded 12 species, with three soaring Golden Eagles stealing the show.
Denali Jeep Excursion
For our final day in the park, we joined a five‑hour jeep tour along the historic Denali Highway. Our eight‑jeep caravan was equipped with CB radios, making it easy to stay connected with the guides and with each other as we traveled. Despite the intermittent rain, we made several stops to take in sweeping views of the classic Denali scenery. And of course, we added a new bird to our growing Alaska list: a Wilson’s Warbler.
Later that evening, while scrolling through our photos, we discovered a surprise: our guide had snapped a selfie on our camera, bundled in rain gear with that unmistakable “Denali Excursions” patch. It instantly became one of our favorite souvenirs from the trip. We highly recommend this tour.
Talkeetna: Scenic Flight Over the Alaska Range
After a 4.5‑hour train ride from Denali to Talkeetna, we checked in for our evening adventure: the Denali Experience Scenic Flight at 6:30 PM. As we waited on the tarmac, we watched other groups board their ten‑seater planes—until our pilot pointed to a smaller aircraft and said, “This one’s yours.” Suddenly, the flight felt even more exciting.
Once airborne, the pilot explained that he’d need to pump up the wheels and pump down the skis once we crossed into the higher elevations. Watching him work the manual controls while navigating the mountains added a whole new layer of appreciation for Alaska’s bush pilots. The views were nothing short of spectacular—glaciers, jagged peaks, deep valleys, and endless snowfields.
After the flight, we walked to the Denali Brewpub for local craft beer and a great meal—a perfect way to unwind after an evening in the air.
We stayed at the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, with big‑window views and that classic lodge feel. Make sure to wake up early for a view of Denali and to explore some of the 5.8 miles of on‑property trails. Some of our best birds here were Swainson’s Thrush, Varied Thrush, and Wilson’s Warbler.
Seward: Resurrection Bay
We took the Northwestern Fjord Cruise and had several other birdwatchers on board. We quickly came across a playful family of Sea Otters. Next was a pod of hunting orca killer whales, along with both Steller sea lions and Harbor Seals. We observed 17 bird species with five life birds.
- Horned Puffin
- Parakeet Auklet
- Kittlitz’s Murrelet
- Ancient Murrelet
- Red-faced Cormorant
Of course, we also wanted to experience the dramatic glaciers and towering cliffs of the Chiswell Islands. Thousands of nesting seabirds covered the surrounding rock faces, filling the air with sound and motion. The deep blue of the fjord against the bright white ice was unforgettable—a color palette only Alaska can pull off.
Seward, known as the “Mural Capital of Alaska,” features over 30 vibrant public artworks and some of the freshest seafood in the world, with local highlights ranging from fresh oysters to tanner crab.
A Week of Movement, Mountains, and Birds
This trip was less about checking boxes and more about soaking in the wildness of Alaska—its scale, its silence, its birds that thrive in extremes. Alaska has a way of expanding your sense of scale—and your sense of wonder—and this journey reminded us just how wild and generous this landscape can be.
Anchorage to Seward Birds: 73
Anchorage to Seward Life Birds: 5
Total Alaska Birds: 136
Total Alaska Life Birds: 21
📊 Explore the Full Checklist:
Want to see every bird we spotted from Anchorage to Seward?
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Next Up: Cruising to Costa Maya and Belize
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