ALASKA 2027
BENCO Electric Cooperative is excited to offer cooperative members the opportunity to experience the beauty of Alaska on a 12-day adventure to the "Land of the Midnight Sun" again in 2027!
Scheduled for July 13–24, 2027, this unforgettable journey features stops in Fairbanks, Denali National Park, Talkeetna, Whittier, Hubbard Glacier, Glacier Bay, Icy Strait Point, Juneau, Ketchikan, the Inside Passage and Vancouver.
From breathtaking glaciers and majestic mountains to abundant wildlife and charming coastal communities, this trip offers the best of Alaska in one incredible experience.
PROPOSED ITINERARY*
Day 1 - Depart for Alaska: Motorcoach from BENCO to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Our direct Delta Airlines flight from the Twin Cities is bound for Fairbanks. Check in to your hotel and get ready for the beginning of your adventure.
Day 2 - Fairbanks: This morning, experience the charm of Alaska with an unforgettable cruise down the Chena River aboard an authentic Sternwheeler Riverboat. Enjoy a hearty miner’s lunch before taking a Gold Dredge 8 Tour with the chance to pan for your own gold. Later, head for Denali National Park via a scenic motorcoach trip to the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge.
Day 3 - Denali: Start your morning exploring Denali National Park on a natural history tour, watching for glimpses of North America’s tallest peak as well as Denali’s “Big Five” (moose, caribou, bears, wolves and Dall sheep). In the afternoon, visit Guest Services to plan your own Denali adventure. Or, enjoy the spectacular main lodge, river view deck, and Princess Village. Be sure to check out Fannie Q’s Saloon, named after a famed local homesteader.
Day 4 - Denali / McKinley: Enjoy lunch on the train as we depart from Denali Lodge via train to the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge. Sit and gaze at “The Great One” from the lodge’s treehouse, hear stories about climbing the mountain in the Hudson Theater or roast marshmallows at the fireside patio.
Day 5 - McKinley / Anchorage / Whittier: Board the motorcoach as we head to Anchorage for lunch. Then, we’ll continue to motorcoach to Whittier. Once in Whittier, board the Discovery Princess ship and begin your 7-day cruise. The Discovery Princess is scheduled to set sail at 8:30 pm.
Day 6 - Cruising Hubbard Glacier: You’ll see the legendary “blue ice” and may experience the thunderous roar of an iceberg “calving” as you stand in awe before majestic mountains and fjords created by these massive rivers of ice. An unforgettable sight, sound and feeling!
Day 7 - Cruising Glacier Bay: Massive glaciers stretch from the ice-draped St. Elias and Fairweather Mountain ranges to sit at the end of majestic fjords. The Muir, John Hopkins and Margerie Glaciers are the most active. A Glacier Bay Ranger Naturalist will be on board to make your experience complete.
Day 8 - Icy Strait Point: Surrounded by unspoiled Alaska wilderness, Icy Strait Point offers 20 different shore excursions, restaurants, walking trails, a museum and a beach for your enjoyment.
Day 9 - Juneau: Visit Alaska’s capital while sightseeing or shopping in town. Or, choose from a wide array of optional shore activities.
Day 10 - Ketchikan: Southeast Alaska’s “First City”, Ketchikan is as picturesque as they come. The town is built on piles over the water and clings to the slopes of Deer Mountain. Native culture abounds at Saxman Village and Totem Bright State Park.
Day 11 - Inside Passage Cruising: When you rise this morning, check your copy of the ship’s newsletter for a full list of activities that are offered. We’ll spend the day cruising the Inside Passage.
Day 12 - Vancouver, Canada: We’ll arrive in Canada’s main west coast seaport in the morning. After clearing customs, we’ll check-in for our flight home to Minneapolis-St. Paul and motorcoach to Mankato.
*Trip itinerary subject to change.