Alaska 9-Day Grand Journey

Arrival: Plan to arrive in Alaska at least the day before your trip begins and plan to overnight in Anchorage. On the first day of your trip, your Trip Leader will meet you at 7:00 a.m. in the hotel lobby (meeting location confirmed at time of reservation).

Day 1 & 2: It's an early morning to get a jump on an exciting kick-off day. Meet your Trip Leader and fellow travelers at 7:00 a.m. in the hotel lobby. Enjoy a scenic drive south along Turnagain Arm and through the Chugach National Forest to the seacoast town of Seward. Explore a coastline rich in wildlife and scenic beauty on a small ship tour of Kenai Fjords National Park. Visit a tidewater glacier and searching for marine wildlife such as sea otters, puffins (and many other bird species), harbor seals, Steller sea lions, and whales. Late afternoon we will be dropped off at our own private Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge. This afternoon, meet your guides for a tour of the lodge and property and then settle into your private cabin. Enjoy dinner and evening presentations. Nestled on the edge of a protected tidal lagoon, the Glacier Lodge offers miles of pristine beachfront for combing and views of the stunning Pederson Glacier. Choose from a wide array of activites to suit your energy level and interests. Guided activities include hiking, sea kayaking, and small boat and motorized skiff explorations. Or, relax at the lodge and peruse our natural history library. Overnight at Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge. (B,L,D)

Day 3: Enjoy breakfast in the main lodge, then a return glacier cruise to Seward. Travel a short distance via road to our launch site on the Kenai River for a scenic full-day raft exploration into the heart of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Along the way, watch for moose, bald eagles and other bird species. The Kenai River is also 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. Arrive at Kenai Backcountry Lodge in the late afternoon and settle into your accommodations. (B,L,D)

Day 4: 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 great views of the lake and surrounding wilderness. Or explore the lake by boat, stopping for scenic views, wildlife sightings, 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 fireside natural history presentation by one of the lodge's guides. Overnight at Kenai Backcountry Lodge. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Cross the lake in the morning and bid farewell to Kenai Backcountry Lodge. Begin the journey north through the scenic Chugach State Park to Talkeetna, gateway to the Alaska Range. Once in Talkeetna, choose from several activities, including a guest favorite - an optional flightseeing tour of Mt. McKinley (Denali) and its adjacent glacial canyons - or wander through "downtown" Talkeetna and learn about mountaineering and local history. 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. (B,L,D)

Day 6: After breakfast, continue traveling north to Denali National Park and stop for lunch at the Denali Park entrance. After lunch, embark on a five to six hour Denali wildlife drive through the park. Watch for caribou, moose, Dall sheep, grizzly bears, resident & migratory birds, and weather permitting, the tallest peak in North America, Denali. Upon arrival at Kantishna Roadhouse, have dinner and settle into your cozy cabin accommodations deep within Denali National Park. (B,L,D)

Day 7 & 8: Enjoy two full days of exploration and hiking in the Kantishna region of Denali National Park. The activities available at the Kantishna Roadhouse include guided hiking, natural history programs, gold panning, dog sled demonstration, and mountain biking. Optional add-on flightseeing tours may be offered during your stay at the lodge. Overnight at Kantishna Roadhouse. (B,L,D)

Day 9: Following an early breakfast, embark on a return Denali scenic drive and watch for wildlife while heading to the park entrance. Bid farewell to your Trip Leader and board the first class GoldStar rail cars of the Alaska Railroad for your comfortable return journey to Anchorage, arriving approximately at 8:30 p.m. Lunch, dinner and transfers not included. Meals are available for purchase on the train. (B)

Departure: Arrive at the Anchorage train depot by approximately 8:30 p.m. on the last day of your journey. We recommend you spend this night in Anchorage. See the "Alaska Travel Information" section of your Trip Planning Booklet for recommended lodging. If you choose to fly home this night, we suggest you book a flight that departs after 11:30 p.m., in case of possible transportation delays.

Note: We do not expect any major changes from this schedule. However, in the spirit of adventure, we allow our itinerary to remain flexible so that we may take advantage of spontaneous events.

Trip Price: Prices are in U.S. dollars, per person, double occupancy, plus tax. For triple and quad, deduct $100. For solo, add 25% to cost of double. Ask about choices for upgrading to a Log Cabin while at Kenai Backcountry Lodge, space available. Trip price includes pick-up and return transportation to Anchorage, best of gear and equipment, meals as noted above in detailed itinerary, lodging, and full guide services during your entire stay. Trip price does not include Borough tax, flightseeing, beer, wine, or liquor, or gratuities to staff.

Dates		Price
May 31 to Jun 08 Jun 14 to Jun 22 Jun 28 to Jul 06 Jul 12 to Jul 20 Jul 26 to Aug 03 Aug 09 to Aug 17 Aug 23 to Aug 31		$4,895