Kenai Fjords & Denali Adventure

The Alaska of your dreams comes to life today! You’ll drive about two hours south to the town of Seward – the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park. Here, you’ll board a boat for a six-hour narrated cruise of the glacial waters of Resurrection Bay, the Gulf of Alaska and Aialik Bay. Keep your eyes peeled for puffins, whales, sea lions, harbor seals, eagles and the epic crashing of glacial calving as you sail along the wonders of Kenai Fjords National Park.Cruise:6 hours

A full day of exploring the land side of Kenai Fjords National Park is on tap today. Enjoy a moderate hike of the Exit Glacier Overlook Trail for stunning views of Exit Glacier and the valley it has ever so slowly carved. Or, if you’re up for a challenge, opt to hike the Harding Icefield Trail; where you’ll start at the valley floor and gain more than 3,000 feet in elevation as you hike among alders, cottonwood trees and picture-perfect meadows on your way to behold the park’s icy crown – the Harding Icefield. The trip may be challenging, but the views will be the thing leaving you breathless!Hiking:Up to 8 miles (13 kilometers)

Today chill meets thrill as you spend a full day exploring the turquoise waters of Kenai River Canyon via raft. Expert guides navigate and handle the rowing for you, allowing you to relax and watch the wilderness unfold before you. Your trip begins with a scenic float, where you’ll search for wildlife like moose, eagles and salmon. Then, as the terrain shifts, you’ll get your blood pumping in Class II+ mild rapids, ending in the calm, cool waters of a glacier-carved lake. You’ll stop midway on your rafting excursion to enjoy a picnic lunch at the water's edge.Rafting:5-6 hours

After a full three days of exploration around Kenai Fjords, we continue our adventure north stopping along the way for a hike to explore Eklutna Lake. After lunch in downtown Palmer, we’ll continue on to Talkeetna for a relaxing evening and dinner on your own.Hiking:2 - 3 miles (3.2 - 4.8 kilometers)

Your morning, your choice! Lace up your hiking shoes for a walk around Talkeetna Lake, an easy 4-mile trail full of wildlife, songbirds and blooming wildflowers. Or, if you’re up for an adventure, you can choose a flightseeing trip of Denali for an additional cost. Board a 10-passenger plane and get a bird’s-eye view of the Alaska Range, including the south, east, and west faces of Denali and its sister peaks, Mt. Hunter and Mt. Foraker. You’ll spend an hour and fifteen minutes in the air, taking in the iconic features of the landscape like horizon-spanning glaciers, stunning icefalls, and soaring peaks. Touch down on a glacier and spend a half hour walking around and beholding the epic scale and jaw-dropping beauty of this untouched wilderness. Fly back with memories that will last a lifetime. In the afternoon, you’ll make your way north to Denali State Park for kayaking at Byers Lake. End your day at your new basecamp, just minutes from the expansive Denali National Park.Hiking:Up to 4 miles (6.5 kilometers)Kayaking:Up to 2 hours

Fuel your day with a hearty breakfast before embarking on a backcountry adventure into Denali National Park. This full-day adventure (5-6 hours) spans 40+ miles of rugged territory as you keep your eyes peeled for Denali’s Big 5 – bears, moose, caribou, Dall sheep, and wolves. You’ll make frequent stops along the way to take in the stunning scenery and snap photos of wildlife. Enjoy lunch during the day’s exploration before returning to the hotel to enjoy an evening on your own.

The longest established trail in Denali National Park, Triple Lakes Trail is surprisingly secluded, offering you a true backcountry hike feel just minutes away from civilization. Today, you’ll hike the well-maintained trails (9 miles one way or 6 miles out and back), exploring the beauty of the forests and searching for wildlife like industrious beavers and stoic moose. This evening, look back on your Alaskan adventure with old and newfound friends at a lovely local restaurant.Hiking:Up to 9 miles (14.5 kilometers)

On our way back to Anchorage we will stop off for one more hike together at Denali State Park. As we make our way up above the trees we will be treated to views of the surrounding wilderness and potentially one last glimpse of Denali. Afterwards we will enjoy lunch before driving back to Anchorage for fond farewells. We hope the memories and friendships made on your Alaskan adventure last a lifetime!Hiking:3 miles (5 kilometers)