Day 1: Arrive Anchorage, Alaska/Kenai Peninsula
Arrive in Anchorage and transfer to Girdwood to begin your adventure. Look forward to a glacier landing and wildlife encounters in an unspoiled wilderness. Gather for a welcome reception and dinner this evening.
Hotel Alyeska | Meals: D
Day 2: Kenai Peninsula | Wildlife Refuge Float Trip
Visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center en route to the Kenai River. This nonprofit organization rehabilitates injured or orphaned animals and returns them to the wild. During your visit, keep your camera and binoculars at the ready as you may sight bears, moose, bison, elk and a variety of birds. This afternoon, take a float trip through Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, where bears and moose are commonly spied on shore. Tonight, savor a barbecue dinner, followed by a campfire and s’mores roast.
Hotel Alyeska | Meals: B L D
Day 3: Kenai Peninsula | Fjord Cruise and Train Ride
Cruise the Kenai Fjords National Park, and witness the crash of calving glaciers. You may see humpback whales, orcas, puffins and sea lions at close range, and glimpse bald eagles overhead. Ride the Alaska Railroad GoldStar Dome train, which features an open-air platform and a glass-covered observation deck for sensational views of the countryside.
Hotel Alyeska | Meals: B L D
Day 4: Redoubt Bay/Talkeetna | Bear Watching
Fly by float plane over Cook Inlet to Redoubt Bay Bear Sanctuary, where many bears prowl the river in search of a meal. Watch safely from your pontoon boat as bears snatch salmon from the water — sometimes in mid-leap. Later, explore the quaint downtown of Talkeetna and continue to your lodge.
Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge | Meals: B L D
Day 5: Talkeetna | Fishing Fun
This morning, visit Kahiltna Birch Works to see how birch sap comes out of trees and then enjoy a tasting of birch candy, ice cream and mustard. Back at your lodge, go on a geocaching adventure, a high-tech treasure hunt using handheld GPS devices, and then enjoy lunch. Later, fish the Susitna River, its waters teeming with salmon and trout, amid the beautiful surrounding landscapes. Cap your day with a Scenic Sundowner as you take in views of the Alaska Range from the relaxing deck of your lodge.
Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge | Meals: B L
Day 6: Talkeetna | Kayaking, Hiking and Glacier Walk
Continue to explore the Denali area with a kayak trip on the placid waters of Byers Lake. Hike on a well-maintained forest trail as your guide introduces Alaska’s plant and animal life along the way. Next, climb aboard a nimble aircraft for a thrilling flight over the peaks and glaciers of Denali National Park, as your pilot, via two-way headset, explains the highlights you see. Land on a glacier’s surface, and disembark to experience snow-veiled peaks stretching in every direction.
Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge | Meals: B L
Day 7: Talkeetna/Anchorage | Champion Husky Team
Depart for Anchorage, stopping en route to meet with four-time Iditarod champion Martin Buser and his Alaskan husky team. Later, tour Anchorage, and meet the chef who prepares your farewell dinner.
Hotel Captain Cook | Meals: B L D
Day 8: Depart Anchorage
After breakfast, board your homebound flight.
Meals: B
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