Making a return to our all-inclusive guided adventures line-up for 2025, the Alaska 9-Day Grand Adventure is the perfect way to experience the very best of Alaska in just over a week, leaving time to explore more of the state if you wish. This journey takes you to the clear turquoise waters of the Kenai River, a sweet eco-lodge nestled in Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, and our remote Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge situated within the rugged Kenai Fjords National Park – a stunning seacoast environment teeming with marine wildlife.
This trip starts with a beautiful drive down Turnagain Arm to Cooper Landing, where we’ll raft to the heart of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge to our cozy Kenai Backcountry Lodge. On this raft trip, we’ll have time to search for moose, bears, bald eagles and salmon; enjoy spirited class II+ rapids, and break for a delicious river-side picnic lunch before arriving at the Backcountry Lodge and settling in for the night. The next day, we’ll hike a secluded trail to the tundra and enjoy amazing views of Skilak Lake and the surrounding mountain terrain.
On day 3, we’ll travel to the picturesque seacoast town of Seward and embark on a marine wildlife and glacier cruise out to Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge. Along the way, we’ll stop to view the glaciers and marine wildlife that call Kenai Fjords National Park home. Spend the next day kayaking, canoeing and exploring Kenai Fjords National Park.
Day 5 will bring you back to Seward, with a lovely dinner and relaxing evening with your fellow travelers, then on day 6, we’ll journey north to Talkeetna, a quaint mountain town that serves as basecamp for those summiting North America’s highest peak, Denali. Flightseeing will be an option this day, as well as exploring the fun town and delicious food options in Talkeetna.
Spend days 7-8 exploring the six million acres of Denali National Park – we’ll meet with Denali locals to discuss the park’s rich geography, ecology and history; explore the park on a guided hike; and search for wildlife including caribou, moose, eagles, and grizzlies on a bus tour. On the last day, we’ll enjoy a relaxed morning before visiting with Alaskan sled dogs before returning back to Anchorage aboard the Alaska Railroad in their first-class Goldstar cars.
The Alaska 9-Day Grand Adventure gives you a chance to experience the remote and unique landscapes in Alaska that most visitors never get to see. Our trips are intentionally small-scale, ensuring a light footprint on the areas we visit and plenty of time to explore.
Alaska’s national parks are a special part of the Alaska 9-Day Grand Adventure. Read more about Denali National Park on our website here and on alaska.org’s website. More information about Kenai Fjords National Park can be found on our website here and also on alaska.org.