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Ultimate Alaska Adventure is an action-packed 8 days that pairs backcountry adventure and wild Alaska in comfort and style. You'll be greeted by authentic lodging and fantastic hospitality, and exhilarated by outdoor adventure.

Sea kayak in Kenai Fjords National Park, fly in a helicopter for a landing on glacial snowpack, take an Alaskan dogsled ride, saddle up and explore the Chugach National Forest on horseback, raft the turquoise class II+ waters of the Kenai River, take a truly Alaskan mode of transportation - a floatplane - to a remote mountain lake for a wilderness hike and more! With only 8 total guests on this adventure, you experience authentic, wild Alaska with a small footprint and personalized attention.

Day 1 - Anchorage / Glacier Helicopter Excursion

Meet your trip leader and fellow travelers at 8:00 a.m. in the hotel lobby (hotel to be determined at time of reservation). Travel from Anchorage along the scenic Turnagain Arm to the small mountain community of Girdwood. Today's adventure is a helicopter excursion to one of the surrounding glaciers to try your hand at the famous Alaskan sport of dog mushing. High on the snow-pack, drive the sled yourself or, if you prefer, ride in the sled as you enjoy the dramatic scenery. Afterward, bundle yourself up in actual Iditarod racing gear - including an original bib-number - for a once in a lifetime photo opportunity. Late afternoon, continue south to Kenai Riverside Lodge, located along the banks of the Kenai River. Settle into your cabin, and enjoy appetizers and dinner in the main lodge.

Accommodations: Kenai Riverside Lodge

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 2 - Chugach National Forest on Horseback

After breakfast, saddle up and hit the trail for a day of horseback riding. Today's adventure takes you into the backcountry of Chugach National Forest, home to moose, Dall sheep and eagles. The terrain allows an easygoing, scenic horseback ride perfect for the novice to experienced rider.

Enjoy a picnic lunch and some time to explore nature before meandering back down the trail. After dinner relax in the wood-fired sauna, on the riverside deck or in the main lodge.

Accommodations: Kenai Riverside Lodge
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3 - Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Rafting

Gear up for a scenic raft trip into the heart of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Along the way, watch for moose, bald eagles and other bird species and salmon. The Kenai River is famous for its salmon, and depending on the time of your visit, you may witness their incredible spawning runs. Enjoy a delicious picnic lunch along the river or on the shore of Skilak Lake. Arrive at Kenai Backcountry Lodge in the late afternoon and settle into your accommodations.

You can opt instead for a day of fishing on the Upper Kenai River for an additional charge - available for all departures but May 28, 2013 (fishing season not open yet).

Accommodations: Kenai Backcountry Lodge
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 - Kenai National Wildlife Exploration

Spend a full day exploring the remote wilderness of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Hike a secluded trail and travel through several fascinating ecological communities. At the top of the trail, explore the tundra and enjoy splendid views of the lake and surrounding wilderness. Or explore the lakeshore by boat, stopping for scenic views and short walks. Return to the lodge in the afternoon and enjoy the wood-fired sauna or simply relax at the lodge. Depending on the weather, options for the evening may include an exploration of the lake by sturdy touring kayak or a fireside natural history presentation by one of the lodge's guides.

Accommodations: Kenai Backcountry Lodge
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - Float Plane Adventure

Today's agenda features a truly Alaskan mode of transportation - float plane! Float planes await you along the beach at Kenai Backcountry Lodge for a marvelous flight to a nearby lake. From here, a casual hike leads back to civilization. The flight provides views of stunning mountain scenery and a distant glacier. Your afternoon hike is a gentle forest trail that winds along a lake and stream through a mixed temperate rainforest. Enjoy a picnic lunch en route, and return to the Kenai Riverside Lodge for dinner.

Accommodations: Kenai Riverside Lodge
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 - Seward / Kenai Fjords National Park

Following breakfast, bid farewell to Cooper Landing and the Kenai Riverside Lodge, as you travel through the Chugach National Forest to the picturesque seacoast town of Seward, situated at the head of Resurrection Bay. Board a custom catamaran bound for Kenai Fjords National Park, home to an array of glaciers and marine wildlife such as whales, Stellar sea lions, sea otters and puffins. A four-hour cruise allows time to explore the dramatic coastlines. Enjoy lunch in front of a tidewater glacier before arriving at your exclusive lodge destination, Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge.

Nestled in a protected tidal lagoon area, the Glacier Lodge offers miles of pristine beachfront for combing and views of the stunning Pedersen Glacier. This afternoon, meet your lodge guides for a tour of the lodge and property and settle into your private cabins. Enjoy dinner and evening presentations.

Accommodations: Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 - Kenai Fjords National Park

After breakfast in the main lodge, experience a day-long paddle (weather permitting) to the outer bay and wander your kayak along the stunning coastline, keeping an eye out for seals and otters. This is also an excellent opportunity for bird watching; each year, more than 50,000 seabirds flock to the Kenai Fjords, including horned and tufted puffins, common murres and black-legged kittiwakes. Midday, land on a pebbled beach in full view of Aialik Glacier - the perfect venue to enjoy a picnic lunch and watch for dramatic glacial calving.

Accommodations: Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8 - Seward, Alaska Railroad to Anchorage

This morning allows another opportunity to canoe, kayak or explore the area in the morning before bidding farewell to Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge. Midday, embark on a return coastal wildlife cruise back to Seward. From there, board the historic Alaska Railroad for a scenic backcountry rail tour back to Anchorage. Dinner and hotel/airport transfers are not included, but meals are available for purchase on the train. Arrive at the Anchorage train station by 10:15pm and transfer to your hotel or the airport.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast and lunch



Extend Your Trip: Call AdventureSmith Explorations about the possibilities of combining a small ship Adventure Cruise.

Itinerary Notes: We may occasionally alter itineraries slightly for safety, or to take advantage of weather, wildlife and unplanned discoveries. Our ability to be spontaneous makes this style of adventure travel unique.

Included: Meals as indicated on itinerary, accommodations in a mix of hotels and rustic lodges, entrance fees, leadership, crew, local guides, kayaking, hiking activities, Alaska Railroad return to Anchorage.

Exclusions: Airfare to and from Alaska, airport taxes, excess baggage charges; return transfer from railroad to airport or hotel; any additional hotel nights in Anchorage; some meals; items of a personal nature such as alcoholic beverages; and insurance of any kind.

Room Configurations: Single rooms are available for a 25% supplement. If you are traveling alone and wish to share accommodations, we will charge the 25% single supplement, then refund this amount once a share is found. If a share is not found the 25% single supplement will apply. Upgrades available at Kenai Backcountry Lodge: $50 log cabin, $100 private bath.

Families & Children: Minimum age is 7 years old. Triple/quadruple occupancy subject to availability; inquire for discounts.

Arrival & Departure: The Ultimate Alaska Adventure begins and ends in Anchorage, Alaska. Meet your expedition leader at 8:00am on Day 1 at the designated Anchorage hotel. The trip ends when your Alaska Railroad train arrives at the Anchorage station on Day 8 at about 10:15pm. Most travelers plan to arrive at the Anchorage airport (ANC) one day before and depart one day after the trip. If you choose to fly home on the night of Day 8, we suggest you book a flight that departs after 12:00am midnight, in case of possible transportation delays.

Payment & Cancellation: A deposit of $1400 per traveler is due at the time of booking. A second deposit of 50% of the trip total, less the original deposit, is due 120 days prior to departure. Final payment is due 60 days prior to departure. If cancellation or change occurs, the cancellation fee is as follows for days prior to trip departure date:
$300 or 10% of total - 121 days
$600 or 20% of total - 91-120 days
50% of total - 36-90 days prior
100% of total per person cost - 0-35 days

Terms & Conditions: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation.

Travel Insurance: We highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with travel insurance. Please note that you must purchase your travel insurance policy within 14 days of booking your trip for it to cover pre-existing medical conditions. Click the link below for a selection of policies from our partners at Travelex.



Qualifications: Ultimate Alaska Adventure will be enjoyed by anyone with a love for nature and the outdoors and a sense of adventure.

Weather Delay Policy: On rare occasions, rough weather forces us to cancel boat transportation to the Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge. In the remote chance that the boat captains determine that safe and comfortable boat travel to the lodge is not possible, guests will have the option to select one of the following actions: 1) Reschedule your travel dates for the same amount of nights at another time during the season. 2) Refund the stay, or prorate the unused portion of the trip, and make alternative hotel arrangements. 4) If space is available, be transported to another lodge for full-service accommodations, activities, and meals, with a $150 per person, per night refund for this lodge substitution. Please note this option is based on availability.


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