Ride stunning Thompson Pass, explore Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, and be in awe at the scenery on the Denali Highway. This tour is during the peak fall color season in Alaska, and features the Northern Lights at night!
Highlights for this motorcycle tour
- Wrangell- St. Elias National Park
- McCarthy
- Valdez
- Denali Highway
- Thompson Pass
- Matanuska Glacier
- Mt McKinley
Northern Lights Adventure Tour Itinerary
Saturday, August 28th:
Arrival Day
Please fly in by mid-afternoon on this day (or before) to be ready for the tour. Alaska Rider Tours available for airport pick-up. Alaska Rider Tours treats guests to a premier Welcome Dinner. Accommodations tonight are included in the package.
Sunday, August 29th:
Anchorage to Matanuska Glacier Area - 160 miles (40 miles dirt)
Join up with the group at MotoQuest Tours Adventure HQ and saddle up and head out to the Old Glenn highway, play around at Hatcher's Pass area, and explore the Matanuska Glacier before settling in for the night.
Monday, August 30th:
Matanuska Glacier area to McCarthy - 195 miles (60 miles dirt)
The roads are paved except for the last 60 miles of the road from Chitina to McCarthy. Ride into the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is the largest National Park in the United States, and boasts 9 of the 16 tallest peaks in North America!! At night, search the sky, as we have the possibility to view the Aurora Borealis here, and throughout the week! Stay in McCarthy.
**Entering McCarthy** There is no public access by road into McCarthy! Regular vehicle traffic cannot cross the Kennicott River, and go into the town center. There are roads on the other side, and only motorcycles can cross the pedestrian bridge, freely, to access the road to McCarthy and the Kennicott Mine!
Tuesday, August 31st:
McCarthy to Copper Center - 116 miles (60 miles dirt)
Spend the day exploring the abandoned Kennecott mines near McCarthy! You can read about Lee Klancher's experience in McCarthy and the Kennecott mines in his article for the fall 2006 issue of Motorcycle Escape magazine. Stay the night in Copper Center.
Wedensday, September 1st:
Free Day in Copper Center
There are so many things to see in this area! Some riders may want to go down to Valdez and ride the epic Keystone Canyon and Thompson Pass. Others may want to go explore the northern Nebesna Road entrance to the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. There's no end to the amazing scenery and great riding.
Stay in Copper Center.
Thursday, September 2nd:
Copper Center to Gracious House - 164 miles (50 miles dirt)
Ride North to Paxson to enter the Denali Highway. The Denali Highway is paved for the first 20 miles and then the gravel/dirt begins. Here you will be inspired by the remoteness of Alaska and fascinated by the people who live here. There are lots of great 2-track mining roads here to explore, as well. Great klr roads with stream crossings, mud and lots of rocks. We stay at the welcoming Gracious House Lodge.
Friday, September 3rd:
Gracious House to Trapper Creek - 170 miles (up to 40 miles dirt)
We will finish the rest of the Denali Highway and join the Parks Highway. Riders can stop off at Denali National Park, and maybe get a glimpse of Mt McKinley. We will spend the night in the Trapper Creek area. Barbeque this night provided by MotoQuest Tours.
Saturday, September 4th:
Trapper Creek to Anchorage – 125 miles (up to 60 miles dirt)
Our proximity to Anchorage allows us plenty of time to enjoy the many side roads in the area, more “on the pegs riding”.
In Anchorage you're sure to enjoy the farewell party at our shop this evening. A catered dinner and hotel room within walking distance are also included for the night.
Back to TopInformation
SmugMug Gallery
*Warning:*
This is not a normal motorcycle ride. This is an adventure. This ride is not for wimps. This tour requires elements of endurance and stamina. Riders must be able to ride in adverse weather conditions and adverse road conditions. These roads are some of the roughest and most remote in the world. Riders must be physically fit, mentally strong, and able to cope with adversity. The accommodations on this trip range from luxurious to disapointing. Be ready for a true adventure!
To Book this Tour:
To secure a spot for our Northern Lights Tour please register and pay $1,000 deposit.
Travel:
Arrive and depart from Anchorage International Airport (ANC)
For any other travel options, please contact us at: 1-800-756-1990 for advice.
You may also reach our travel agent Sally at: Sally@alaskatravelsource.com, or(907) 562- 2213
Just tell her you are part of a MotoQuest Tour!
Optional Kitty:
$300 Non-Drinker
$500 Drinkers
Riders will be asked to put money into a kitty before and during the tour, to be used by the group as a whole for gas and other group-oriented activites not indicated as included in the tour package such as lunches, dinners, park entry fees, toll road fees, tips, water stops, etc. Guides and other staff also contribute to this kitty. This kitty account will be administered by the lead guide. During the tour, should the kitty "run dry" there will be another kitty collection. If there is a surplus in the kitty at the end of the tour, the kitty will be redestributed back to the tour participants. You may pay the kitty by Visa, Mastercard, Cash or Personal Check. The lead guide will collect this prior to your tour start date. We have found this system to facilitate group riding during our tours.
Reading:
Lonely Planet Alaska
Money:
US Dollar
Please note that meals and fuel are not included in the tour price. We recommend that you budget about $100.00 per day for food and fuel (this is just an estimate of expenses and is not including adult beverages.) Many places in Alaska accept Visa and MasterCard but it would be wise to have some cash on hand in case there are problems at remote lodges.
Arrival Day:
Send us your travel information so we know when and where to meet you. Please be prepared to show your current motorcycle drivers license.
Gear:
Bring riding gear that is warm and waterproof (a riding suit with pads is best). We recommend Scorpion XDR Commander riding gear. Also bring: Stout water-proof boots, rain gear, a warm hat, rain-proof gloves (2 pair), hiking shoes, bug spray, lots of underwear, fleece layers, full-faced helmet, swim suit (if there are hot springs), and a good camera are the things you need on the trail.
Back to TopThe fall colors were amazing with two nights under the Northern Lights! The dirt highways were challenging and memorable. I especially enjoyed the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. What a ride!
William Fergans, USA”
Answer: Yes, we do, but this is an off-road tour, with many miles being on two track jeep trails. Therefore, the rider must be very comfortable with the weight and size of the bike. And, they must substantial off-road experience.