Ultimate Alaska Adventure

Gear up for a scenic raft trip into the heart of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. 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.

A fishing excursion on the Upper Kenai River may be substituted for today’s rafting trip for an additional charge. If interested in fishing, please contact an Adventure Specialist.

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 Kenai Backcountry Lodge.

This morning, after a hearty breakfast, cross Skilak Lake on a custom boat and take a short van ride to a local trailhead, for a scenic foray near the Kenai watershed that offers gorgeous vistas. Lunch always tastes better in the backcountry, and you’ll enjoy lunch during a break from a trail hike. Return to Kenai Riverside Lodge this afternoon for relaxing, and don’t forget to check out the riverside deck and bonfire pit–perfect for post-dinner s’mores! Overnight Kenai Riverside Lodge.

After a hearty breakfast, travel to Exit Glacier just outside of Seward–the only portion of the Harding Ice Field accessible by road. You won’t just be able to see the glacier; you and the other intrepid travelers in your group will be able to experience the glacier firsthand on today’s ice hiking adventure! Today’s adventure is excellent for travelers who don’t shy away from vigorous exercise while on vacation.

To start the hike, you’ll gain almost 1400 feet of elevation while covering 1.6 miles of gorgeous terrain. The payoff for this challenging hour-and-a-half-long hike is the ability to spend up to two hours on the glacial ice, encountering otherworldly geological features, waterfalls and even wildlife! Once you reach the ice, trained guides will assist you with crampons, harnesses and helmets, so you can safely navigate the icy surface of the glacier. You won’t want to forget your camera for this incredible day trip!

After a full day in the field, return to your comfortable accommodations in Seward this evening and savor a well-earned dinner at Resurrection Roadhouse. Overnight Seward Windsong Lodge

Following breakfast, travel through the Chugach National Forest to board a small boat bound for Kenai Fjords National Park, home to an array of glaciers and marine wildlife such as whales, Stellar sea lions, sea otters, puffins and more! A half-day cruise allows time to explore the dramatic 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 views of the stunning Pedersen Glacier and miles of pristine beachfront for combing. This afternoon, meet your lodge guides for a tour of the lodge and property and settle into your private cabin. Enjoy dinner and evening presentations. Overnight Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge.

Today, 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 the group this 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, one can sometimes glimpse bears and other wildlife from a safe distance. The 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 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 a boat for the return wildlife cruise to Seward. Along the way, photograph the sheer cliff walls teeming with birds, plants and other vegetation and scan for more marine wildlife. Upon arrival in Seward, take the provided short transfer to the rail depot, where you’ll 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 dome cars for enhanced wilderness and wildlife viewing; dinner and a few special goodies are included with your GoldStar service, and the onboard service staff will assist you with your dining options. You’ll arrive at the downtown Anchorage depot by 10:15 p.m. 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.