Summary

Trip Length
14 days / 13 nights

Price
from USD$ 1,844
Details >

Outline
Arrive Anchorage
2 nights Kenai Ntnl Wildlife Refuge
1 night Seward
Kenai Fjords Ntnl Park
3 nights Denali National Park
1 night Anchorage
1 night Matanuska River Valley
2 nights Wrangell St Elias National Park
2 nights Valdez
1 night Prince William Sound
Hope to Anchorage
Depart from Anchorage

Starts
Anchorage, Alaska

2008 Dates
June - August

Accommodation Luxury Camping Hotels

Options & Upgrades
Additional activities, nights, tours

ITINERARY

Days 1 and 2 - Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and Chugach National Forest
Meet your group this morning and travel south on the scenic Seward Highway (a USDA National Scenic Byway, Alaska Scenic Byway, and All American Road) along the Turnagain Arm to the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on the Kenai Peninsula. Look up and see the mountains of the Chugach Range and the Kenai Mountains towering above you as you marvel at the scenery and keep an eye out for wildlife. Tonight you camp near the water’s edge at one of Alaska’s gorgeous lakes. You will have a full day here to participate in a variety of recreational activities. We recommend taking advantage of the great hiking in the area and encourage you to use the canoes to explore the local lakes.

Day 3 - Seward
Today you arrive at Seward and Kenai Fjords National Park, home of the 300 square mile Harding Ice Field and abundant marine wildlife. Spend the day here and participate in a variety of recreational activities. Tonight you’ll stay at a Seward hotel. Take advantage of the outstanding hiking here if you haven’t had enough in the past few days. Hikers can choose between the Harding Ice field trail at Exit Glacier or Caines Head trail on Resurrection Bay. Alternately, the glacier/wildlife cruise is one of our favorites.

Day 4 - Denali National Park
Travel north to Denali National Park. Denali Mt. (Mt. McKinley) (20,320 ft.), Mt Foraker (17,400 ft.), and Mt. Hunter (14,573 ft.) are all visible from several vistas along the way. Continue north taking you over Broad Pass and for your first taste of the treeless north. On the north side of Alaska Range we’ll meet up with the Nenana River which will lead the group to Denali National Park. Explore the park entrance this evening - be sure to visit the newly constructed Denali National Park Visitor Center and/or go on a short hike.

Days 5 and 6 - Denali National Park
You have two full days to explore the diverse Denali region! One day is set aside for a wildlife bus tour into the heart of Denali National Park (included in tour cost). Keep your camera on hand as you watch for grizzly bears, black bears, moose, wolves, caribou, Dall sheep, and arctic fox. Tremendous views of North America's largest mountain Mt. McKinley (Denali) are a treat if the weather is just right. Get off the bus for a hike in a wild and remote wilderness. The other day is reserved for recreational activities based near the park entrance. There are multiple hiking options within Denali National Park near the park entrance. Another popular activity is the dog sled kennel tour offered free by the National Park Service.

Day 7 - Anchorage
Your Alaska tour continues with a casual drive to Anchorage with time for sightseeing and day hikes. Arrive in Anchorage by 5:00-5:30 pm where you are dropped off at your Anchorage accommodation by your Alaska adventure travel guide.

Day 8 - Matanuska River Valley
Meet with your group this morning and drive to the Matanuska Glacier, the largest accessible glacier in Alaska. This afternoon, take a walk onto the ice and moraine to explore a variety of unique glacial features with your travel guide.

Days 9 and 10 - Wrangell St. Elias National Park
Spend two days at Wrangell St. Elias National Park, the largest national park in the U.S. which contains some of North America's highest peaks. Explore the old copper mining towns of McCarthy and Kennicott within the park. Located nearby are the massive Kennicott and Root Glaciers, which are overshadowed by the 5000 foot Stairway Icefall. These wonders are not accessible by most tours but you really do get off the beaten path and spend the whole day in this area. Spend the next 2 nights at either a historic hotel or in a cabin.

Days11 and 12 - Valdez and Prince William Sound
Your Alaska tour continues with a scenic drive to Valdez. From here you can view the Alaska Pipeline and stop at the road-accessible Worthington Glacier for a short hike. Later, cross scenic Thompson Pass and arrive in Valdez to explore the harbour. Often referred to as the 'Little Switzerland' of Alaska, Valdez is beautifully situated at the base of the towering Chugach Mountains. The lush landscape, high concentration of glaciers and great outdoor recreation make Valdez a popular destination. We recommend taking advantage of the great hiking or consider another favourite activity.

Day 13 - Prince William Sound
Your Alaska tour includes a ride across Prince William Sound on the Alaska State Ferry. Relax and enjoy the scenery from the deck as you look for bears, humpback and killer whales, Dahl’s porpoises, sea lions, harbour seals, and mountain goats. You will pass the Columbia Glacier, one of the largest and most magnificent tidewater glaciers in the state. This afternoon's destination is the small town of Hope and where you will camp near the shore of Turnagain Arm.

Day 14 - Hope to Anchorage
On the final day of your tour, explore the fascinating gold rush town of Hope and go on a short hike. For a more exciting adventure, take an optional whitewater rafting adventure on Sixmile Creek or Granite Creek. Return to Anchorage in the evening to be dropped off at the Anchorage airport or a hotel.

Please Note: This itinerary is a sample only. Itineraries may change without notice.

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2008 Departure Dates
Tour departs from Anchorage, Alaska on the following dates:

June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
July 6, 13, 20, 27
August 3, 10, 17, 24

Options & Upgrades
Sleeping Bag & Pad Rentals - $25US each

You might want to try one or two extra activities on your Alaska vacation so to give you an idea for budgeting, here are some samples (in US$):
• Days 1 and 2: Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and Chugach National Forest
- Fishing on the Kenai River for salmon, Dolly Varden, and trout. $125-$225
- River Rafting - Two hour or full day on the Kenai River. $50-$125
- Horseback Riding - $50
- Mountain Bike Rentals - $35

• Day 3: Seward
- Glacier and Wildlife Cruise - By far the most popular activity. Look for the abundant wildlife including whales, sea otters, endangered Stellar sea lions, Dall porpoises, and colonies of nesting sea birds. This is one of Alaska’s premier wildlife and glacier viewing trips and we highly recommended it. $140
- Fishing - Go out on a charter to fish for salmon and halibut. $190
- Flight Seeing - Check out the Harding ice field from the air. From $270
- Sea kayaking on Resurrection Bay. $60-$125
- Dog Sledding - Fly out to a glacier for a ride with a team of sled dogs. - $415
- Alaska Sea Life Center - Visit a world class marine research facility exhibits. $15

• Days 5 and 6: Denali National Park
- River Rafting - Mild and wild rides are offered on the Class II-IV Nenana River. $70-$99
- Flight Seeing - This is the best way to experience the immensity of Mt McKinley up close. $240
- Horseback Riding - $60-$99
- Mountain Biking - Rent a mountain bike for a ride into Denali National Park. - $25-$40
- River Kayaking - Ride an inflatable kayak on the Nenana River. - $85

• Days 9 and 10: Wrangell St. Elias National Park
- Glacier Hiking with Crampons - From $55
- Ice Climbing - Expert guides will show you “the ropes” of glacier climbing. From $100
- Flight Seeing - View the immense ice fields from the air on an Alaska tour. From $90
- Historic Mine Tours - guided tour of Kennicott & learn about the fascinating human history. $25

• Days 11 and 12: Valdez and Prince William Sound
- Sea kayaking on Shoup Glacier to view wildlife and glacial ice. $145
- River Rafting - Splash through the waves of the nearby Lowe River. From $50
- Glacier and Wildlife Cruise - enjoy the outstanding glacial scenery. $90-$130
- Ocean Fishing - Fish for Halibut and Salmon. $185-$200

• Day 14: Hope to Anchorage
- Six Mile Creek Whitewater Rafting - Class V Three-Canyon Run or Class IV Two-Canyon Run. $145 or $95 (respectively)
Two Hour Scenic Float Trip on Granite Creek - Class II. $75

Price Notes
• Prices are per person
• Double means two people sharing a tent

Includes
• 9 nights deluxe camping
• 4 nights accommodation at a hotel or cabin
• Entrance to Nine National Parks and protected areas
• Wildlife bus tour in Denali National Park
• Walk on the Matanuska Glacier
• Scenic ferry across Prince William Sound
• Canoeing in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge
• Hiking opportunities throughout
• All meals but five (eaten at restaurants along the route) are included in the tour price
• An experienced Alaska adventure travel guide
• A specially equipped passenger van
• All of the specialized camping equipment needed

Not Included
• Transportation to Anchorage
• Sleeping bag and pad
• Personal items
• Meals and accommodation while staying in Anchorage (except one night hotel accommodation in Anchorage on Day 7 is included)
• Five meals at restaurants along the trip
• Optional activities
• Gratuities
• Hospital, medical insurance, trip cancellation insurance

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