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It’s hard to describe the unique natural world of Alaska in words. The Within the Wild luxury lodge adventure is designed to bring travelers into intimate contact with Alaska’s backcountry. Enjoy spectacular flight seeing from Anchorage to Redoubt Bay and the Alaska Range, home to North America’s tallest peak, Mt McKinley. Your wilderness home is the Winterlake Lodge, owned and operated by hosts Carl and Kirsten Dixon.

Nestled in the Alaska Range along Alaska’s historic Iditarod Trail, Winterlake Lodge offers remarkable helicopter-assisted adventures, hiking, sportfishing, nesting swans and loons, and a wellness program that includes massage and yoga. Redoubt Bay Lodge, on the west side of Cook Inlet, is home all summer to a resident grizzly bear population and the lodge serves as a gateway to Lake Clark National Park adventures.

Expert naturalist guides and expedition leaders accompany travelers on daily excursions from the lodge. Experience award winning cuisine, enjoy daily wine and cheese tastings, and participate in culinary sessions. As part of a commitment to a healthful and restorative lifestyle complimentary wellness programs including massage and yoga are available. Within the Wild luxury lodge adventures are perfect for Alaska travelers seeking an upscale and intimate experience surrounded by nature and wildlife. Custom trips are available. Please call our Alaska travel experts.

Day 1 – Anchorage to Winterlake Lodge

You will be met at your hotel for complimentary transfer service to our air carrier at Lake Hood. Depart Anchorage at 8:00 a.m. (Departure time is flexible) for a scenic float-plane flight to Winterlake Lodge. Depart from Lake Hood, the world’s largest floatplane lake and land on Finger Lake, the location of an Iditarod checkpoint. Winterlake Lodge is situated approximately one hour by air northwest of Anchorage.

Catch a glimpse of Mt McKinley enroute to the lodge. McKinley is the highest peak in North America. Check in to your cabin and join your hosts Kirsten and Carl Dixon at the main Lodge for a brief orientation to the activities and facilities at the lodge, then plan your days with your guides. Options include: Hike the Iditarod Trail, Canoe or kayak around Winterlake, Extended hike to Red Lake, Schedule your massage, Take a hot tub, Join in the stretch and yoga classes, Cooking class in the kitchen.

Luncheon is served at 1:00 p.m. in the main room. After lunch, join us for a stretch class, dog-lot tour, garden tour, or leisurely walk along the Iditarod Trail. In the late afternoon, we offer a cooking class in the kitchen with Kirsten, wine tasting in the main lodge bar area, and dinner at 7:00 p.m. After dinner, there is an evening education program on Alaska in the wellness room or fly-casting lessons on the lake.

Accommodations: Winterlake Lodge
Included Meals: lunch and dinner

Day 2 – Helicopter Wilderness Exploration

Early morning gentle yoga class at 6:30 a.m. (optional of course). Breakfast is served at 8:00 a.m. After breakfast, meet your helicopter pilot and guide for a day-long adventure outing via our Robinson R-44 helicopter. In the afternoon, you may enjoy lunch on the river or back at the lodge – your choice. Activity options include: Glacier trekking or ice climbing, White-water rafting on the Happy River, Sport fish for Alaska salmon and/or trout in season, Hike the ridge for spectacular view of Mount McKinley, Fly the Iditarod Trail by helicopter to the next checkpoint, End your day of adventure with a nice soak in the hot tub and a dip in the lake!

Accommodations: Winterlake Lodge
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3 – Winterlake Lodge Hike and Kayak

If you are an earlier riser you can take advantage of the early morning serenity by observing our resident Swans and Loons on Winterlake by kayak. Breakfast is served at 8am. At 9am, join your guide for a hike to the ridge behind the lodge for a spectacular view of Mt. McKinley. In the afternoon, kayak or canoe around the lake.

Accommodations: Winterlake Lodge
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 – Redoubt Bay, Return to Anchorage

After breakfast, board a floatplane to travel to Redoubt Bay Lodge. It’s a scenic 50-minute flight through glaciers and views of Lake Clark National Park. Take a tour of our lake to photograph and view bears in their natural habitat. Spend as long or as little as you like watching Redoubt Bay resident bears from the comfort of your covered pontoon boat. At 6:00 p.m. board another floatplane for a flight up the coast to Anchorage.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast and lunch

Within the Wild Lodges: The Winterlake Lodge is part of a series of three lodges includeing Redoubt Bay Lodge and Tutka Bay Lodge. Redoubt Bay Lodge, located at the entrance to Lake Clark Pass, is a small, rustic lodge that sits on a small hill. It overlooks Big River Lakes, a chain of lakes that teems with fish, bears and other wildlife, and whose waters lead to the Big River and on to Cook Inlet. Tutka Bay Lodge sits at the head of a splendidly rugged seven-mile fjord at the southern end of Kachemak Bay. The Tutka Bay area offers rugged coastlines, deep fjords, dramatic mountains, quiet beaches, old growth Sitka spruce forests, and amazing tidal fluctuations. Our Alaska travel experts are happy to help you craft a custom vacation to one or all of the Within the Wild lodges.

Notes on Itinerary: We may occasionally alter itineraries slightly for safety, or to take advantage of weather, wildlife, and unplanned discoveries. Our ability to be spontaneous makes our style of travel unique.

Children: Children 12 years old and under are 2/3 the adult rate.

Land Cost Includes: Prices include air transportation to and from Within the Wild destinations, lodging, meals, individual guide service, and use of lodge equipment.

Not Included: Airfare to and from Alaska, fishing license (available for purchase at the lodge), taxes, some alcoholic beverages, or gratuities.

Arrival/Departure: Typical lodge departure times are 8:00 a.m. or 5:00 p.m., but alternate departure times can be arranged. This trip may require additional overnights in Anchorage. Our experts can assist with any additional hotels or transfers.

Payment and Cancellation Policy: We require a 50% deposit to confirm your reservation. Balance is due 90 days prior to your arrival at the lodge. A full refund is available prior to 90 days arrival less a $100.00 administrative fee. Cancellations after 90 days are non-refundable regardless of the reason. Published rates represent a 3% discount for payment by cash, check or money order.

Please see AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions.

Travel Insurance: We highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with Travel Insurance. Please note that you must purchase your Travel Insurance policy within 14 days of booking your trip for it to cover pre-existing medical conditions.


Qualifications: This trip is available to any traveler with a love of nature and sense of adventure.

Accommodations: Situated near the western edge of the Alaska Range, Winterlake Lodge offers seclusion and spectacular scenery. Views of the Trimble Glacier and the beginnings of the Rainy Pass are visible from the lake. Winterlake Lodge offers five guest cabins, nestled along a mile-long lake that is home to nesting loons and swans. A main lodge sits near the middle of the property. Kayaks and boats are available to explore the lake.

Qualifications: This Alaska small ship cruise will be enjoyed by anyone seeking to explore Alaska in style.

Extending Your Trip: Extended day (An example of an extended day is from after breakfast to p.m. departure, usually about an 8-hour extension to a package). $675.00 per person. Children 12 years old and under are 2/3 the adult rate. Or Call AdventureSmith Explorations about the possibilities of combining trips to Denali National Park and more.

General Information: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations 'Terms & Conditions'. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list, extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation. We strongly recommend the purchase of Trip Insurance through AdventureSmith Explorations. If purchased within 14 days of sign-up, the pre-existing condition exclusion is waived.

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Call today.

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