Alaska Hiking Adventure

After a hearty breakfast, gear up to explore an Alaskan high-country trail on the Kenai Peninsula. Take a short drive to the trailhead for today’s invigorating hike, which follows a series of switchbacks through lush, vegetated forest and up into the alpine tundra of the high country. After a final climb, your trail rises above the tree line, rewarding you with panoramic vistas. Keep an eye out for mountain goats and eagles, which can sometimes be spotted in this mountainous area. Enjoy a picnic lunch in this picturesque setting surrounded by millions of acres of wilderness. Distance: ~7 miles. Elevation gain/loss: +2,200/-2,200 feet.

Afterward, head back down the trail to return to your welcoming lodge. Overnight at Kenai Riverside Lodge.

With miles of rugged coastline containing massive tidewater glaciers, snow-capped mountains and an abundance of marine wildlife, Kenai Fjords National Park is one of Alaska’s crown jewels. You’re lucky enough to explore it today by small touring vessel (~6-8 hours). After breakfast, set course for the awe-inspiring coastlines of this protected wilderness, keeping on the lookout for breaching humpback whales, orcas, sea lions, sea otters and some of the 20 species of seabirds that summer in this area. Further into the park, maneuver close to a beautiful tidewater glacier, marveling at its blue-tinged surfaces and listening to the cracking and groaning of the glacial ice. Weather permitting, enjoy a short wilderness beach hike before cruising back to Seward, your home for the next 2 nights. Overnight at Seward Windsong Lodge.

Spanning more than 700 square miles, the Harding Icefield and its outflowing glaciers comprise the largest icefield located entirely within the United States. Today, set out on one of the Kenai Peninsula’s most spectacular day hikes on a trail that climbs alongside Exit Glacier and ultimately leads to the icefield itself.

After winding through forests of cottonwood and alder, rise above tree line for views which just get better and better. As you skirt Exit Glacier, your guides explain the geological forces that shaped this remarkable landscape over the millennia. Conditions permitting, continue your climb to a breathtaking viewpoint overlooking the impressive Harding Icefield. Distance: Up to 8 miles. Elevation gain/loss: +3,500/-3,500 feet.

A delicious dinner in Seward is your reward after an active day in nature. Overnight at Seward Windsong Lodge.

Bidding farewell to the Kenai Peninsula, set out from Seward and begin the drive north towards the Alaska Range and magnificent Denali National Park. Stop along the way to enjoy the changing landscape and stretch your legs during a short hike and outdoor lunch, before arriving in the small historic town of Talkeetna this afternoon. Distance: ~2-4 miles. Elevation gain/loss: +<1,000/-<1,000 feet.

Because of its proximity to Denali (formerly known as Mount McKinley), Talkeetna acts as a base for many climbers attempting to summit the enormous mountain, and it’s an ideal place to arrange an optional flightseeing tour to get an aerial view of the Alaska Range. (If you are interested in adding a flightseeing tour, then your team will point you in the right direction of trusted flight operators. As this is a weather-dependent activity, you do not need to pre-arrange flights. You will also have options for flightseeing during your time in Denali, with Denali Air or other local operators).

This evening, enjoy homey lodging in an authentically Alaskan inn, and on clear evenings, marvel at the spectacular sights of the Alaska Range from the inn’s beautiful yard. Overnight at Denali Overlook Inn.

Today, explore Denali State Park. Switchbacking up through forests of birch and spruce, past glacial lakes and wildflower meadows, you leave the forest behind and enter the tundra, stretching like a spongy carpet for miles in all directions. Although the ascent is steep at times, your payoff comes when you reach Kesugi Ridge where, on a clear day, you have unobstructed views of 20,320-foot-high Denali. Distance: ~6 miles. Elevation gain/loss: +2,000/-2,000 feet.

After refueling with a “backcountry gourmet” lunch and returning to the trailhead, you’ll make your way farther north to Denali National Park. Your base for the next three nights is the charming McKinley Creekside Cabins, nestled alongside Carlo Creek and featuring a delightful onsite cafe and bakery. Overnight at McKinley Creekside Cabins.

Today’s journey deep into Denali National Park is accomplished aboard an interpretive bus tour (5-6 hours) into the park’s backcountry. With an experienced driver with expert knowledge of the area, you can relish the wilderness panoramas. Keep your eyes peeled for some of Denali’s iconic wildlife like moose, Dall sheep, caribou and, of course, grizzlies. This day also offers another opportunity to see Denali itself; if the weather is clear, the mountain will be visible from various points along the park road. Overnight at McKinley Creekside Cabins.

Your final day in the magical Denali wilderness leads you up a trail that is a favorite among Alaska locals. As you hike along the ridge, your views may include the vast snow-capped Alaska Range—if the weather is clear. Even if the mountain is shy and shrouded with a bit of cloud coverage, in the open landscape you may still spot wildlife from a safe distance. Distance: ~7-9 miles. Elevation gain/loss: +1,000-2,700/-1,000-2,700 feet.

Although your time in this 4.7-million-acre park and preserve is drawing to an end, you’ll spend time sharing top highlights at your farewell dinner this evening. Overnight at McKinley Creekside Cabins.

On the last day of this active adventure, enjoy a more relaxed morning before boarding 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.