The Alaskan Experience

Upon arrival in Anchorage, you'll check into your hotel and meet your guide for a trip orientation. You’ll receive an overview of the adventure ahead and learn about optional excursions such as whale watching, glacier landings, and sea kayaking. Feel free to ask your guide for more information on these activities. Overnight: Coast Inn at Lake Hood, 2 nights

Meals:  Nil

Start your day with a visit to the Alaska Native Heritage Center, where you'll gain insight into the rich cultures of Alaska's Indigenous peoples. Explore traditional art, storytelling, and exhibits showcasing daily life. This visit offers a wonderful introduction to the diverse heritage of the state. Overnight: Coast Inn at Lake Hood Rabbit Lake Hike: 8.7 mi/14 km, 4-5 hrs, +/-450m Mount Baldy Loop: 2.9 mi/4.6 km, 2-3 hrs, +/-350m

Meals:  B,L

Sit back and enjoy the spectacular landscape roll by as we head northbound until we reach our first scheduled stop in the town of Talkeetna. The small frontier town, with a population of roughly 400 people, is the lanch point for many Mount Denali expeditions. Magnificent views of Mt. Denali provide a glimpse of what can be experienced on one of the available glacier flights (optional and not included). You’ll have time to browse local shops and grab some local Alaskan fare such as reindeer sausage or locally made ice cream. After Talkeetna, we continue north until we reach Denali National Park where we‘ll make a short stop before heading to dinner and checking into our hotel. Overnight: Totem Inn Denali, 3 nights Drive time: ~250 mi/400 km, or 4.5 hrs

Meals:  B,L

Without a doubt, today will be a highlight on anyone's Alaskan adventure as we take a wildlife tour through Denali National Park. A shuttle will take you deep into the park’s dramatic landscapes, where you might spot grizzly bears, moose, caribou, and wolves. Mount McKinley, also known as Denali, is the tallest peak in North America, towering at 20,310 feet (6,190 meters) it sets a stunning backdrop for our day. For those interested in whitewater rafting can do so for an additional cost on the Nenana River at 6:30 pm. Keep in mind it's bright here until almost 11pm or 12 am in the summer so darkness will not be factor. Overnight: Totem Inn Denali

Meals:  B,L

Today is yours to explore Denali National Park at your leisure. You can hike independently or opt for additional activities like rafting, helicopter tours, or ATV rides (not included in cost). Your guide can assist with arrangements. Overnight: Totem Inn Denali

Meals:  B,L

After breakfast we head southbound towards more scenic and historic highlights. The first scheduled stop will be in the dog-mushing town, and almost Alaska's state capital, Willow. The town hosts several sled dog races each year, including the Iditarod, an endurance race of over 1100 miles from Anchorage to Nome. We‘ll visit an active dog kennel to experience a presentation about the state sport and take a guided ride with a genuine dog team and experienced dog musher. In the afternoon we‘ll continue to the Mat-Su Valley. Once completely glaciated, the area encompasses thousands of rivers, lakes, and streams and is home to a great variety of wildlife and only about 30,000 people. Overnight: Best Western Lake Lucille Inn, 2 nights Drive time: ~200 mi/320 km, or 3.5 hrs

Meals:  B,L

In the morning we’ll depart east on the Glenn Highway, a WWII era road, cut through a rugged mountain backdrop with the hope of seeing a moose crossing. We travel uphill on a stunning drive from the mouth of the Matanuska River to its source, the Matanuska Glacier. When we arrive, we‘ll check in and gear up for an unforgettable hiking experience on Alaska’s and America’s largest roadside glacier. After everyone is back on thawed ground we‘ll make a picnic lunch in the area overlooking the glacier. Before heading back towards civilization, we stop at Hatcher Pass in the Talkeena Mountains. The historic Independence Mine on top of the pass is a great place to get a sense of what life must have been like back then. Overnight: Best Western Lake Lucille Inn Drive time: ~130 mi/210 km, or 3 hrs

Meals:  B,L

In the morning we’ll continue our journey to the adorable coastal town of Seward. The views of the snowcapped Chugach and Kenai Mountains, that seemingly rise directly from the sea, are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the highlights of the day. Our first scheduled stop will be at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. The property, which has the likeness to a really big farm, offers some big photo potential. Grizzlies, Black bears, Wood Bison, and Musk Oxen are just a few animals we will here. After lunch, we'll travel on a small dirt road out to the community of Lowell Point where spawning salmon, bald eagles, majestic rainforest groves and spectacular glacier views are amongst our experiences on a short hike down to Tosina Beach. Overnight: Breeze Inn - Seward, 2 nights Drive time: ~170 mi/270 km, or 3.5 hrs

Meals:  B,L

Today is a free day for optional activities. Experience Seward's downtown with its museums, shopping opportunities and great restaurants. One of the most popular and exciting things to do is taking a boat trip into Kenai Fjord National Park (optional). This is Alaska‘s premier marine life viewing location, where humpback whales, sea otters, sea lions, seals, orcas and 100‘s of seabird species come to feed and breed each summer. Additionally, the trip gets up close and personal with one of two tidewater glaciers in Aailak Bay before returning to Seward in the afternoon. If human powered transportation is preferred, you can rent sea kayaks in town or your guide can organize a professionally guided kayak trip for any skill level to various places in Resurrection Bay and the surrounding area. At Bear Glacier, for instance, you can kayak among icebergs and at the face of the largest glacier in the national park arriving and departing either by helicopter or jet boat. The options for today are endless! Overnight: Breeze Inn - Seward

Meals:  B,L

Today we say goodbye to Seward as our journey continues to Homer. Stopping along the way, we take in the stunning scenery the Alaskan coast has to offer. Once in Homer, we'll explore the town and its surroundings on foot, enjoying optional hikes and the local town charm. Overnight: Land's End Resort - Homer, 2 nights Drive time: ~170 mi/270 km, or 3.5 hrs

Meals:  B,L

Time to lace up the hooking boots today! We start our day with a water taxi or to Kachemak Bay State Park, a remote and undeveloped peninsula only accessible via boat or float plane. The day is spent hiking up Grace Ridge where the trail winds through old-growth spruce forests climbing up through quiet meadows and grasslands and up above the tree line affording us magnificent views of Kachemak Bay and the surrounding area. After the hike, spend the rest of the day enjoying Homer at your own pace. Have a drink at the famous Salty Dog Saloon in Homer Harbor, take a scroll along the beach in the late evening sun, or head into town to see what Homer nightlife has to offer. Overnight: Land's End Resort - Homer Grace Ridge Trail: 6-9 mi/9.5-14.5 km, 6-8 hrs, +/-1000 m

Meals:  B,L

In the morning, we begin our return journey to Anchorage via the Seward Highway. We will stop in Girdwood on the way, a former Gold Rush town turned ski resort. Take a tram to the top of Mt. Alyeska where we enjoy lunch with sweeping views of the Chugach Mountains and Turnagain Arm. We'll continue on to Anchorage for one final night in town. Overnight: Coast Inn at Lake Hood Drive time: ~220 mi/365 km, or 4.5 hrs

Meals:  B,L

Your adventure concludes with a transfer to the airport or to a connecting program.

Meals:  B