Alaska Denali Expedition 12 Days

Highlights

• Denali National Park wildlife buses to Toklat River and Eielsen Visitor Center (2 days)
• Maclaren Lodge/Wilderness Glacier camp
• Boat and canoe trips Maclaren River
• Hikes in Denali NP, Wrangell/St. Elias NP and Valdez
• Pre-departure meeting to welcome and provide you with a good understanding of the trip ahead

Itinerary

Day 1 – ANCHORAGE

Arrive for Group Meeting and Dinner. Welcome to the largest city of Alaska, most often thought of as the state’s capital. Although Mt. Denali is only visible 20% of the year, there’s a chance you could even catch a glimpse. Anchorage is Alaska’s most populated area, yet it’s shared with the likes of bears, moose, and wolves. After your flight into this urban wilderness, make your way to our accommodations for the 6 pm pre-departure meeting followed by a group meal. Take this evening to get to know your fellow travelers and guides. (H)

Day 2-4 – DENALI NATIONAL PARK

In the morning we head off to the amazing Denali National Park. Whether it’s flora or fauna you came to see, this is the place to fulfill your hopes of seeing large and small wild animals living as they have for ages. We set up our campsite and the following two days you will have the opportunity to take a bus ride through the national park along its only road and hopefully spot bears, moose, caribou, or wolves. For those of you who are looking for a heart-pounding and more strenuous adventure, you’ll have the opportunity for trailblazing throughout the park’s 6 million acres. No trip would be complete without adding the optional activity of flying over Denali National Park and around Mt. Denali (20,320 ft/6194 m.) In the evenings we will sit around the campfire, listening to the sounds of the night and telling our adventures of the day. (C)

Included Activities: 2-Day National Park Entrance and Shuttle Bus services, Hiking in Denali National Park (short, long, off the beaten track, that’s on you to decide!)
Optional Activities: Flights over Mt. Denali $350 pp 1.5 hours.

Day 5-6 – MACLAREN RIVER LODGE

From Denali, we drive the lightly traveled Denali Highway. First opened in 1957, this dirt road was the first to access Denali National Park (then known as Mt. McKinley National Park.) Located in the Maclaren river valley, you traverse through high alpine country on the state’s second-highest highway pass. Here lies the Maclaren River Lodge run by Alan and Susie, who are fantastic hosts that will take us on a boat ride up to “The Glacier Camp.” Now we’re out in the wilderness on our own, no mobile phone reception and no roads. Here we’ll stay overnight exploring and camping out in the wilderness. The next day we’ll take a casual canoe trip back down the river for our next night at this beautifully situated lodge. (C) -one night bushcamp

Included Activities: Boat Ride up to Glacier Camp, guided overnight stay at Glacier Camp, and a canoe trip on Maclaren River
Optional Activity: Hiking

Day 7-9 – WRANGELL/ST ELIAS NP

Here we’ll Visit the largest national park in the United States and camp at the “End-of-the-road” campground. Literally, at the end of the McCarthy Road, these 60 miles of gravel road were built along the old Copper River and Northwestern railways. Most remnants left of this once-thriving area were a part of the copper mines, but most people forget this was where the last great gold rush happened in Alaska. There are many optional activities like hiking, ice climbing, glacier walks, guided mine tours, rafting, and scenic flights around 16,000-foot peaks, 25-mile long glaciers, and massive icefalls. So, days 16 and 17 are left for you to decide what to do: Take the optional historical tour and get carried away by the gold rush, hike on your own in the beautiful surroundings or try some crazy outdoor stuff like ice climbing, guided glacier hikes, or whitewater rafting. (Bushcamp)

Included Activity: Hiking, Scenic Drive
Optional Activities: Ice Climbing $145 pp (full day), Root Glacier Hike $90-$120 pp half/full-day, Kennecott History Tour $30 pp, Rafting $325 pp, Flightseeing $175pp 50 mins.

Day 10-11 – VALDEZ

Valdez is the terminus of the 800-mile trans-Alaskan pipeline that begins at Prudhoe Bay, Valdez is an important gateway to the interior of Alaska. Valdez was brought to the forefront of national media in March 1989. The Exxon Valdez ran aground causing an 11-million gallon oil spill. For many years, flora and fauna were devastated by this environmental catastrophe. Thankfully, order has been restored and the Chugach Mountains set a gorgeous backdrop to this quaint little town. The next day is focused on optional activities. Highly recommended is the Columbia Glacier Sea Kayaking for its beautiful scenery, mammoth icebergs and the possibility of spotting all kinds of wildlife. One of the days we will venture out and see if we can find some bears, eagles or sea lions feeding on salmon. Valdez is well known for bears to come to the local salmon fish hatchery and the surrounding creeks. (C)

Included Activities: Hiking and Scenic Drive
Optional Activities: Glacier/Iceberg Sea Kayaking $260pp, Glacier Wildlife Cruises $135pp, Bike Rental, Fishing (depending on season)

Day 12 – ANCHORAGE

Unfortunately we have to turn our back on you and leave you to your own devices. But not before we crossed Thompson Pass with stunning views on Worthington Glacier. Our lunch stop will be at Matanuska Glacier before returning to Anchorage in the late afternoon.