Alaska Grand Adventure

After a hearty breakfast, head to the Seward boat harbor to board your comfortable boat bound for Kenai Fjords National Park—home to an array of glaciers and marine wildlife including whales, Steller sea lions, sea otters, puffins and more! A half-day marine wildlife cruise will allow you to explore the rugged coastline. 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 stunning views of Pedersen Glacier and miles of pristine beachfront for exploring. This afternoon, meet your guides for a lodge orientation and settle into your private cabins. Enjoy dinner and evening presentations. Overnight at Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge.

For the next 2 days, explore the wild delights of Kenai Fjords National Park. After breakfast in the main lodge, choose from a wide array of activities those that are best suited to your energy level and interest. Guided options include naturalist walks, sea kayaking, group canoe paddles and more.

In the spirit of adventure and to take advantage of tidal and weather patterns, guides will discuss specific nature outings and options with your group on the first morning. All activities are suitable for beginners and require no previous experience.

For those seeking a more relaxed approach, the main lodge offers ideal comfort with direct views of nature. Curious sea otters and seals frequent the lagoon, just steps from the main lodge deck. In a nearby meadow, you can sometimes glimpse bears and other wildlife from a safe distance. The lodge’s natural history library offers amazing resources and interesting reads—cozy up with a good book and let your worries drift out with the tide!

Upon return to the main lodge, share stories from your day’s adventure with other guests and join an evening natural history presentation, given by local expert guides or guest speakers. Overnight at Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge.

Savor another morning in the wilds of Kenai Fjords National Park. A morning outing allows for another opportunity to kayak, canoe, hike or beach comb for a half-day before boarding your boat for the return wildlife cruise to Seward. Once in Seward, travel a short distance by road to your next destination, Cooper Landing.

Upon arrival in Cooper Landing, settle in for a delicious family-style meal at Kenai Riverside Lodge, located on the banks of the famed Kenai River. After dinner, relax on the large riverside deck, take a hot sauna or stroll the self-guided nature path before retiring to your private cabin. Overnight at Kenai Riverside Lodge.

After a hearty breakfast in the lodge, your guides will outfit you in river gear and you’ll take to the turquoise waters of the Kenai River. On this class II, casual stretch of river, you’ll be able to access stunning backcountry sights and protected wilderness areas.

Along the river during your raft trip, scan 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. A delicious picnic lunch will be served along the river or on the shore of Skilak Lake.

Late afternoon, arrive at the boat-in only Kenai Backcountry Lodge, a unique, historic in holding. The lodge utilizes a simple but effective hydroelectric power system to provide water and electricity, reducing the need for fossil fueled power.

Appetizers and dinner welcome you in the main lodge, followed by evening activities. Relax in the outdoor gazebo or enjoy a casual stroll along an established nature path. Overnight at Kenai Backcountry Lodge.

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, including riparian and hemlock forests.

Return to the lodge in the afternoon and simply relax at the lodge or take a hot sauna. For those brave souls, take a dip into the glacier-fed waters of Skilak Lake. Depending on the weather, options for the evening may include an exploration of the lake by sturdy touring kayak, or fireside natural history presentation by one of the lodge’s guides. Overnight at Kenai Backcountry Lodge.

Cross the lake in the morning and say farewell to the Kenai Backcountry Lodge. By way of custom mini coach, begin the journey north through the scenic Chugach State Park to the mountain town of Talkeetna, gateway to the Alaska Range.

Once in Talkeetna, you’ll have the freedom to choose from several activities, including a guest favorite—flightseeing. Take to the skies on an optional flightseeing tour of Denali and its adjacent glacial canyons. Experienced pilots will share stories of how the last ice age has shaped the land. Moments later, enter a world of rugged high mountain peaks and wide glacier-filled valleys (as this is a weather dependent activity, you will also have options to flightsee during your time in Denali, with Denali Air or other local operators).

Another casual activity to enjoy this afternoon is wandering through “downtown” Talkeetna. Tour the small-town museum, where artifacts and exhibits highlight native peoples, mountain climbers, aviators, gold seekers and trappers from Talkeetna’s past and present. Tonight, you have the flexibility to dine with the other members of your group or enjoy a great meal on your own. Overnight in Talkeetna (property to be confirmed in your final documents).

Note: For the remainder of this crafted journey, the following day-by-day itinerary sequence may be adjusted slightly for your trip to take advantage of best-available hiking trails and Denali bus tour options. Your itinerary will allow for flexibility so that you may take advantage of unique opportunities…plus a few special surprises along the way!

Though the activity sequencing may look slightly different than the below outline, your trip will include a day hike to explore the ecosystem of Denali, a sightseeing and wildlife viewing bus tour, time to enjoy the Park Visitor Center and exhibits, as well as optional activities at Tonglen Lake Lodge, such as art walks and evening bonfires.

After a hearty breakfast, lace up your most comfortable trekking shoes to prepare for an immersive nature hike as you make your way farther north, en route to your charming and small-scale Denali accommodations.

Aboard a custom mini coach, travel in comfort from Talkeetna north to the eastern border of Denali National Park, where you’ll meet local naturalists for a special presentation on Denali’s history, ecology and geology. Directly afterward, put your newfound knowledge to use during an interactive guided hike, as you explore Denali’s beautiful front country sights and sounds.

After your day of exploring Denali by foot, be welcomed to your northern home away from home at Tonglen Lake Lodge. This secluded 5-acre piece of paradise boasts incredible mountain views, lakeside solitude and authentically Alaskan crafted “hideaway” style guest cabins. In addition to rustically elegant and private guest accommodations, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a rotation of optional activities, which may include local nature walks, yoga, evening art and music events, Native Alaskan cultural presentations and more. Appetizers followed by a savory dinner in the main lodge await you this evening.

Following dinner, enjoy some free time to settle in and relax. Tonglen Lake Lodge routinely offers evening bonfires and yard games as a fun option for guests. Overnight at Tonglen Lake Lodge.

Today, enjoy a peaceful morning and breakfast at Tonglen Lake Lodge, followed by a new perspective of Denali—by bus. A favorite way to explore Denali and increase the odds of seeing Alaska’s charismatic wildlife is by way of an interpretative bus tour. Your bus trip will start at the Denali Visitors Center and will include awe-inspiring sights along the way. Make sure to have your camera and binoculars at the ready; there’s always the possibility to spot a majestic eagle overhead or a lumbering grizzly foraging along the road’s edge. After your drive tour adventure, return to Tonglen Lake Lodge for dinner and unwinding. Overnight at Tonglen Lake Lodge.

On the last day of this active adventure, enjoy a more relaxed morning at Tonglen Lake before embarking on your voyage south to Anchorage.

After breakfast this morning, make your way to visit Alaska’s 4-legged “celebrities”—Alaskan sled dogs! You’ll be able to learn more about how sled dogs serve an important role throughout rural and remote Alaskan communities.

Next, board the historic Alaska Railroad’s first-class GoldStar cars for comfortable sightseeing en route back to Anchorage. This deluxe train trip features confirmed seating in the upper-level dome cars for enhanced wilderness and wildlife viewing as well as a private outdoor viewing deck; lunch and dinner are included with your GoldStar service, and the onboard service staff will assist you with your dining options.

You’ll arrive at the Anchorage Rail Depot at approximately 8:30pm. Taxis are located directly outside the rail terminal and are easy to access. Although transfers to the airport or local hotels are not included, some hotels include courtesy shuttle service from the rail depot to their property.