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north america: alaska

Alaska Explorer Safari

Explore Alaska with us by foot, raft, and small ship as your learn about the wilderness that most visitors never experience, while giving your family the perfect balance of adventure and comfort. The Alaska Explorer Safari allows for unique lodge stays tempered with a bit of deluxe camping. Visit the recently renovated Kenai Riverside Lodge, the wilderness of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, and an in-depth adventure in Denali National Park. Enjoy deluxe camping for two nights in side Denali National Park - with a hot shower never too far away! Experience gourmet meals prepared by our staff with our unique "chuck wagon." Roughing it for our style of camping is well worth it, and our guides, of course, do all the chores! Join other families with teens and older kids and make new family friends while taking advantage of special rates for 7-18 year olds. This limited edition family trip offers unique features that would be difficult to arrange on your own. We have the entire journey prepared for you and your family, down to the last detail! We are one among few companies permitted to camp within Denali National Park and are excited to share this rare opportunity with our guests - truly an experience that can't be duplicated in a lodge.

Day 1 - Arrive Anchorage

Meet your guides and fellow travelers at 1:00 p.m. in the hotel lobby (meeting location confirmed at time of reservation). Enjoy a scenic drive along Turnagain Arm and through the Chugach National Forest to the quaint community of Cooper Landing, home to our Kenai Riverside Lodge. Arrive at the lodge in time for family dinner and trip orientation.

Accommodations: Kenai Riverside Lodge
Included Meals: none

Day 2 – Kenai Fjords National Park

Take a scenic drive to the seacoast town of Seward and embark on a full day small ship exploration of Kenai Fjords National Park. Explore a coast rich in wildlife and scenic beauty as you search for whales, Dall's porpoise, sea lions, otters, puffins, and more. Photograph twilight-blue glaciers as they creak and crash toward the sea. Overnight at Kenai Riverside Lodge.

Accommodations: Kenai Riverside Lodge
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3 – Kenai River Rafting and Exploration

Raft down the scenic Kenai River into the heart of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Along the way, watch 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 the incredible spawning runs. A gourmet picnic lunch will be served along the river or on the shore of Skilak Lake. Motor across turquoise Skilak Lake for a late afternoon arrival to your home for the next two nights the remote Kenai Backcountry Lodge. This evening settle into your private accommodations, and enjoy the rustically elegant setting in the wilderness.

Accommodations: Kenai Backcountry Lodge
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 – Kenai Backcountry

A full day to enjoy this remote setting. 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 and short walks.

Accommodations: Kenai Backcountry Lodge
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 – Denali Wildlife Safari and Kantishna

Depart Kenai Backcountry Lodge after breakfast and journey north through the scenic Chugach National Forest and Chugach State Park to Talkeetna, gateway to the Alaska Range. Take an optional add-on flight seeing tour of Mt. McKinley (Denali) and its adjacent glacial canyons, or wander through "downtown" Talkeetna and learn about mountaineering and Talkeetna's history.

Accommodations: Talkeetna
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 – Denali Guided Camping

Continue the journey north and arrive at Denali National Park. When we reach the park entrance area, enjoy a casual hike on nearby trails on your own. In the late afternoon, the guides will pick you up and take you to the group campsite for dinner. Overnight at Savage River Campground.

Accommodations: Savage River Campground
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 – Denali Exploration

Catch the shuttle bus for a scenic drive and wildlife search through the park. Watch for caribou, moose, Dall sheep, grizzly bears, resident & migratory birds, and weather permitting, Denali itself. If you would like to hike, pick out an area to explore and ride the bus a shorter distance on this day. The guides will suggest hiking options appropriate for your energy level. Overnight at Savage River Campground. (B,L,D) On Days 7 and 8, while Park regulations limit our guides from leading hikes inside the Park, your guides will facilitate self-guided hiking parties to match your level of adventure.

Accommodations: Savage River Campground
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8 – Denali Exploration

Enjoy another full day of exploration and hiking within the park. Return to the park entrance, where your guides will take you to your accommodations for the night. Overnight at comfortable cabin accommodations with linens and hot showers.

Accommodations: TBA
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 9 – Depart, Begin Trip or Cruise

After breakfast, bid farewell to your guides and board the Alaska Railroad bound for Anchorage, arriving approximately at 8:30 p.m.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast

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.

Land Cost Includes: Airport arrival transfer via courtesy shuttle, accommodations in a mix of hotels, rustic lodges, and campgrounds, entrance fees, leadership, crew, local guides, rafting, kayaking, hiking activities, private coach transfers to Talketna and Denali and Alaska Railroad return from Denali to Anchorage.

Not Included: Airfare to Alaska, airport taxes, excess baggage charges; any additional hotel nights in Anchorage; most meals, items of a personal nature such as alcoholic beverages, and insurance of any kind.

Arrival/Departure: The Alaska Family Safari begins and ends in Anchorage, Alaska. Meet your guide at 8:00am on day 1 at the hotel indicated on the itinerary. We highly suggest travelers arrive one day early. This trip ends upon arrival at the Alaska Railroad Depot in Anchorage at approximately 8:30pm. Unless you plan to depart on an overnight flight, a post trip hotel may be required. Our Alaska experts can assist with additional hotels.

Payment and Cancellation Policy: A minimum of $100 per person will be charged for any cancellations or change in reservation.

Payment schedule is as follows:
At the time of booking a $500 deposit per person is due
At 120 days prior = 50% of total is due
60 days prior = Final Payment is due

The cancellation policy is as follows:
More than 120 days - lose $200 or 10% of the total
91-120 days - Lose $400 or 20% of the total
90-36 days - lose 50% of the total
0-35 days - 100% of total payment

Travel Insurance: Travel Insurance with emergency medical evacuation coverage is required for this trip. Consider Travelex Select or Max policies to ensure the best level of coverage. 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: These trips will be enjoyed by anyone with a love for nature and the outdoors. Kayaking, rafting and hiking activities will satisfy novice and experienced paddlers alike.

Extending Your Trip: Call AdventureSmith Explorations about the possibilities of combining an Adventure Cruise.

General Information: 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.

For additional information and reservations, please contact us:

800-728-2875 | 530-583-1775 | fax 530-583-1711 | travel@AdventureSmithExplorations.com