Alaska Kenai Adventure 9 Days

Highlights

• Hiking Exit Glacier in Seward
• Kenai Fjords National Park wildlife cruise and calving glacier – Resurrection Bay Tour
• Two-night stay at Adventure Luxury Camp – lodging, all meals including salmon dinner
• Half-Day Kayaking Seldovia Bay at Adventure Camp
• 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. Start off your vacation flying into stunning scenery overlooking the Chugach, Alaskan, Kenai, and Talkeetna mountain ranges. 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: SEWARD

Located on the east side of the Kenai Peninsula and Resurrection Bay, Seward is known as the “Gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park.” Seward is about a half-day drive from Anchorage. In the afternoon you will have some free time to explore the scenic waterfront of Seward. The following morning we will experience the national park by boat, cruising among the glaciers and wildlife. After hopefully spotting as much wildlife as possible we will be seeing a calving glacier! A visit to Seward would not be complete without hiking alongside the picturesque Exit Glacier with a probability seeing a few of the local black bear feeding on some berries. The 8.2-mile round trip up to the Harding Icefield is a spectacular day hike. Starting on the valley floor, the trail winds through cottonwood and alder forests passes though heather filled meadows and ultimately climbs well above the tree line to a breath-taking view of the Harding Icefield. The top of the trail is a window to past ice ages – a horizon of ice and snow that stretches as far as the eye can see! If you don’t feel prepared to do the full 8.2-mile round trip, there are shorter options with equally breathtaking views available. (C)

Included Activities: Kenai National Park Entrance, Kenai Fjords National Park Wildlife cruise and Calving Glaciers, Hiking Exit Glacier
Optional Activity: Karaoke $ free (well maybe a few drinks first!), Kayaking $139-$399 pp half/full day, Fishing $180 pp.

Day 5: HOMER

Located on the western side of the Kenai Peninsula and Kachemak Bay, Homer is the launching point for our two-night. Adventure Camp. But, don’t overlook this artist inspired town with its many galleries along the spit. You will have some time to explore the picturesque town and its fishermen culture. For example, the Salty Dawg Saloon’s lighthouse is a great place to sit belly-up to the bar along with posting your dollar bill on the ceiling or wall so that your friend, who will be by later, will have a drink on you. On the way to Homer there will be enough time for some scenic photo stops and short walks. Depending on the time of the year we might stop to watch the Salmon Running up Russian River or visit one of the orthodox churches overlooking the volcanoes on the other side of the bay. (C)

Included Activities: Exploring the picturesque town of Homer and its fishermen culture
Optional Activities: “Halibut Fishing Capital of the World”, Bear Viewing Lake Clark/Katmai (5 hours) $650pp.

Day 6-7: ADVENTURE CAMP

Take a boat ride from Homer to Seldovia, landing on this lovely and relatively untouched beach of the peninsula. Camping is done in canvas tents with beds and all the amenities you’ll need. There is a beautiful main house where meals, comfortable chairs, coffee and tea are always on tap. From there venture out and comb the beaches for eagles and other aquatic wildlife or walk to find some hidden coves and viewpoints. The next day you’ll have a half day of sea kayaking around Jacklof Bay, frequently visited by sea otters and harbor seals and watched overhead by bald and golden eagles. One of the evenings the owner Tony will be serving their famous salmon dinner for us! (LC)

Included Activities: Water Taxi from and to Homer (1/2 Hour ride), 2-night stay at the Adventure Camp, canvas tents with beds, a luxurious main house, half-day sea kayaking Seldovia Bay, all meals cooked and served by Adventure Camp

Day 8: HOPE

In the morning we will take the water taxi back to Homer to make our way along the coastline to Hope. Hope is a quaint little town overlooking Cook Inlet/Turnagain Arm and is just a short drive from Anchorage. In the summer during weekends there might be some life concerts going on in the local fishermen bar. (C, Bushcamp)

Optional Activity: Gold Panning $50pp

Day 9: ANCHORAGE

Today it’s only a short drive around the Turnagain Arm back to Anchorage. We will stop at the famous Beluga Point. Potentially you can see Beluga Whales or Dall Sheep. The afternoon you will have time to explore Anchorage downtown. Anchorage is a lively city that houses almost 50% of the state’s 730,000 people. (Commonly it is mistaken for the capital of Alaska, but that would be Juneau.) Throughout the summer there are multiple festivals and plenty of nightly live music. Keep in mind that this city is situated right in the heart of the wilderness, where over 1,000 moose, 250 black bears, and 100 grizzly bears also call it home. The trip ends today in the afternoon.

Included Activities: Visit Beluga Point at Turnagain Arm
Optional Activity: Anchorage Museum, Heritage Center, Bike Coastal Trail $125pp 2 hours