Two worlds in one week: this itinerary pairs the rugged, big-sky drama of Alaska with India’s layered history and living culture. You’ll walk on ancient ice, spot moose and eagles, and then pivot to Mughal mausoleums, spice-laden markets, and a fast train to the Taj Mahal.

Alaska’s story is written in glaciers and fault lines; Anchorage is your jumping-off point for fjords, alpine valleys, and Chugach peaks. Delhi, by contrast, is a palimpsest—cities built atop cities—where empires from the Sultanate to the British Raj left teeming bazaars, leafy gardens, and exquisite stonework.

Practical notes: pack layers and waterproofs for Alaska (weather swings are real), and modest attire for Delhi’s temples and mosques. India requires an e-visa for many nationalities; the Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays. In both destinations, book marquee experiences in advance, carry a backup payment method, and bring your appetite.

Anchorage

Anchorage sits between Cook Inlet and the Chugach Mountains, a city where bald eagles perch on streetlamps and glaciers are day-trip close. It’s your launchpad for wildlife encounters, blue-ice hikes, and scenic flights that land right on the ice.

• Why go: Easy access to Portage and Matanuska glaciers, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, and the Anchorage Coastal Trail.
• Don’t miss: Wild salmon and halibut dinners; long summer light or crisp winter vistas; local scoops at Wild Scoops; the Anchorage Museum’s art and science exhibits.
• Coffee & food: Snow City Cafe for hearty breakfasts; Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop for cardamom buns; 49th State Brewing Co. for pizzas and rooftop views; Simon & Seafort’s for sunset seafood.

Stay: Browse a range of downtown hotels and cabins on Hotels.com (Anchorage) or homestyle stays via VRBO (Anchorage). Downtown keeps you walkable to restaurants and the Coastal Trail; midtown offers value with quick highway access for tours.

Getting there: Fly into ANC. Compare fares and routes on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. From the U.S. West Coast it’s ~3–5 hours nonstop; from the Midwest/East, 6–9 hours with one stop. A rental car is ideal for self-guided exploring.

Day 1: Arrive in Anchorage and breathe in the big sky

Afternoon: Land in Anchorage and check in. Shake off the flight with a stroll on the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail from Elderberry Park—watch for belugas in late summer and snow-dusted peaks year-round.

Evening: Dinner at 49th State Brewing Co. (Alaskan king crab dip, wood-fired pies, and a rooftop when weather allows). Nightcap at Williwaw Social or a scoop at Wild Scoops (try the spruce tip or Sitka sea salt caramel).

Day 2: Wilderness, wildlife, and glacier day from Anchorage (full-day tour)

Spend the day chasing ice and animals on this highly rated experience—often including a Portage Glacier cruise (May–Sept) and time at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. Typical duration 7–9 hours; hotel pickup commonly available. Expect flexible routing to maximize wildlife sightings.

Wilderness, Wildlife, Glacier Experience from Anchorage

Fuel up early at Snow City Cafe (Kodiak benedict is a local favorite). After the tour, celebrate with cedar plank salmon at Glacier Brewhouse or oysters at Simon & Seafort’s. Budget about $170–250 per person; cruise add-ons vary by season.

Day 3: Helicopter onto a glacier + Anchorage culture and tastes

Morning: Take an unforgettable flightseeing trip that lands right on the Knik Glacier. You’ll lift off from Alaska Glacier Lodge (Palmer; ~60–75 minutes’ drive) and step onto blue ice for photos. Weather-dependent; allow 3–4 hours door-to-door.

Alaska Helicopter Tour with Glacier Landing - 60 mins - ANCHORAGE AREA

Afternoon: Back in town, visit the Anchorage Museum—Indigenous art, Arctic science, and smart temporary exhibitions. Coffee at SteamDot or Black Cup, then browse local makers at Anchorage Market (summer weekends) or hit REI for any last-minute gear.

Evening: Dinner at Orso (gnocchi with king crab, halibut done right) or crowd-pleasing Humpy’s for halibut tacos and live music. If you prefer a ground-based full-day, consider this guided glacier trek instead (often 8–10 hours, ~$230–350):

Matanuska Glacier Hike Day Tour

New Delhi

Delhi is where empires layered their visions—Qutub Minar’s victory tower, Humayun’s Tomb’s garden geometry, and the Raj’s grand avenues. Old Delhi hums with call to prayer, temple bells, and the sizzle of street-side tawas.

• Why go: World-class monuments, kaleidoscopic bazaars, standout dining from chaat stalls to modern Indian tasting menus.
• Don’t miss: Chandni Chowk’s spice lanes, a calm interlude in Lodhi Gardens, and an evening drive past India Gate and the Presidential Palace.
• Food to chase: Karim’s mutton qorma, Natraj’s dahi bhalla, Paranthe Wali Gali’s stuffed flatbreads, filter coffee and dosas at Saravana Bhavan.

Stay: Choose based on vibe—

• The Leela Palace New Delhi for resort-like luxury in Diplomatic Enclave.
• The Imperial, New Delhi for colonial-era glamour near Connaught Place.
• Bloomrooms @ New Delhi Railway Station for bright, budget-friendly convenience.
• ITC Maurya, a Luxury Collection Hotel for its famed North-West Frontier cuisine at Bukhara.

Also browse broad options on Hotels.com (New Delhi) or apartment-style stays via VRBO (New Delhi).

Getting there from Anchorage: Plan a morning departure on Day 4 via Seattle, Chicago, or Vancouver. Total travel time is typically 19–26 hours with 1–2 stops; roundtrip fares often range $700–1,300 when booked 4–8 weeks out. Compare and ticket on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. In Delhi, use app cabs or hotel cars for reliability; the Metro Airport Express is fast for central stops.

Day 4: Fly Anchorage to New Delhi

Morning: Depart ANC after breakfast at Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop (grab a portable ham-and-gruyère croissant). Check your layover lounge access and download offline maps for Delhi.

Afternoon: In transit. Stretch on longer legs, hydrate, and set your watch to India Standard Time (UTC+5:30). If you have a Seattle layover, tangy poke or Beecher’s mac at the airport makes a solid refuel.

Evening: Overnight in the air. If arriving late-night in Delhi, arrange a prepaid hotel transfer for ease.

Day 5: Old Delhi spice and story

Morning: Arrive and check in. Ease into India with South Indian comfort at Saravana Bhavan (ghee roast dosa, filter coffee) or a flat white at Blue Tokai Roastery.

Afternoon: Head to Old Delhi: climb Jama Masjid’s minaret for a cinematic skyline, then dive into Chandni Chowk. Sample Natraj Dahi Bhalla’s tangy yogurt chaat; try parathas stuffed with paneer or aloo at Paranthe Wali Gali; peek into Khari Baoli, Asia’s largest spice market, for saffron and garam masala.

Evening: Dinner at Karim’s (since 1913; order mutton qorma and sheermal) or the refined frontier fare at Bukhara in ITC Maurya (dal bukhara is the icon). Early night—tomorrow is the Taj.

Day 6: Taj Mahal day trip by superfast train (full-day tour)

Catch the morning Gatimaan Express (approx. 1h40) to Agra and return the same evening, with guided visits to the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. Many departures include transfers and lunch; note the Taj is closed on Fridays—swap days if needed. Typical all-in costs (tour + tickets) range $80–150 per person depending on inclusions.

Taj Mahal Day Tour from Delhi by Superfast Train - TOP RATED TOUR

Prefer DIY? Book train seats on Trip.com trains (1h40 each way; ~$10–20). If you decide to overnight in Agra for sunrise views, consider The Oberoi Amarvilas, Courtyard by Marriott Agra, or Hotel Taj Resorts.

Day 7: New Delhi monuments, gardens, and goodbye

Morning: Start at Humayun’s Tomb, the Taj’s architectural forebear with Persianate charbagh symmetry. Continue to Lodhi Gardens for 15th-century tombs amid banyans and joggers, then coffee at Perch Wine & Coffee Bar (cold brew and flaky croissants).

Afternoon: Explore Qutub Minar complex—soaring sandstone tower, delicate arabesques, and the iron pillar’s metallurgical marvel. Lunch at Gulati (butter chicken, roomali roti) or Indian Accent for inventive takes (if reservable at lunch).

Evening: Last-minute shopping at Khan Market (linen, books, artisanal foods) or Dilli Haat (handicrafts from across India). Early dinner at Pandara Road’s north Indian eateries, then depart for the airport for your afternoon/early evening flight.

Practical tips

• Seasonality: Portage Glacier cruises typically run May–Sept; winter swaps include snow scenes and more time with wildlife centers and viewpoints. Helicopter landings are weather-permitting year-round.
• What to wear: Alaska—base layers, waterproof shell, grippy footwear for glacier ice. Delhi—light, breathable fabrics; cover shoulders/knees for religious sites; carry a scarf.
• Health & safety: Drink bottled/filtered water in India; carry cash for small vendors (UPI/card widely accepted in cities). In Alaska, keep a safe distance from wildlife and follow guide instructions on the ice.
• Connectivity: eSIMs work well in both; download offline maps. Tipping 10–15% in Anchorage is standard; in India, modest tips (5–10%) for sit-down restaurants and guides are appreciated.

Optional add-ons (time-permitting at the start or end): If you have an extra Alaska day, consider the full-day ground trek mentioned above to immerse in crevasse country at Matanuska.

With blue ice underfoot and white marble at sunrise, this journey stitches together two unforgettable geographies. You’ll come home with glacier wind in your lungs, masala on your palate, and a reel of stories that feel larger than a single week.