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north america: alaska

Alaska Explorer Safari

Explore Alaska family style 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 and fun overnights at the Denali Education Center. Visit the recently renovated Kenai Riverside Lodge, the wilderness of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, and take an in-depth adventure in Denali National Park that includes a stopping by Jeff King's Husky Homestead to learn about dog-sledding. Join other families with teens and older kids and make new family friends while taking advantage of special rates for 7- to 18-year-olds. This Alaska 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!

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 the Kenai Riverside Lodge. Arrive at the lodge in time for dinner and trip orientation.

Accommodations: Kenai Riverside Lodge
Included Meals: dinner

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 and puffins. Photograph twilight-blue glaciers as they creak and crash toward the sea.

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

You have 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 - Chugach National Forest & Talkeetna

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 flightseeing tour of Mt. McKinley (Denali) and its adjacent glacial canyons, or wander through "downtown" Talkeetna and learn about mountaineering and the town's history.

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

Day 6 - Denali National Park & Husky Homestead

Continue the journey north and arrive at Denali National Park midday. Make a special visit to the renowned Husky Homestead, home to sled-dog teams raised and raced by Jeff King, recognized as the "Winningest Musher in the World." Get the chance to learn more about the local sport of dogsledding while meeting new pups that will become future sledding stars. In the late afternoon, check in to your "home away from home" for the next three nights - Denali Education Center, located just outside Denali's park entrance area. Enjoy an orientation of the property with a special "Welcome to the Subarctic" presentation, which will help guide the way for your explorations in Denali during the next few days. Enjoy a tasty dinner and relaxing this evening.

Accommodations: Denali Education Center
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 - Denali Exploration

Today, hike Denali's front-country areas with local expert guides to learn more about the area's unique flora, fauna, ecosystems and geology. Along the way, scan for wildlife such as moose, ptarmigan, playful ground squirrels and marmots. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the field. This evening, recap the day's adventure during dinner. Optional evening flightseeing tours of Denali National Park and the Alaska Range are available (weather-dependent, at extra cost).

Accommodations: Denali Education Center
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8 - Denali Exploration

Get ready to travel deep inside Denali National Park today on board a Park Service bus bound for Mile 66's Eielson Visitor Center. Along the way, gain breathtaking views of the Alaska Range and its many peaks, and - weather permitting - glance at majestic Mount McKinley. Make sure to have your cameras ready to take pictures of ample wildlife, which may include caribou, grizzlies and black bears, Dall sheep, moose and wolves. Return to Denali Education Center for your final overnight.

Accommodations: Denali Education Center
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 9 - Alaska Railroad to Anchorage

After breakfast, you'll have some free time to relax this morning near the park entrance area. Bid farewell to your guide and board the Alaska Railroad bound for Anchorage for passage on a memorable 365-mile route of scenic, unspoiled backcountry. Along the way, traverse stunning river gorges via single-span bridges, make old-fashioned whistle stops and arrive in Anchorage at approximately 8:30 p.m. Lunch, dinner and transfers to hotel or airport are not included, but meals are available for purchase on the train.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast



Extend Your Trip: Call AdventureSmith Explorations about the possibilities of combining a small ship adventure cruise

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

Included: Meals as indicated on itinerary, accommodations in a mix of hotels and rustic lodges, entrance fees, leadership, crew, local guides, kayaking, hiking activities, Alaska Railroad return to Anchorage.

Exclusions: Airfare to and from Alaska, airport taxes, excess baggage charges; return transfer from railroad to airport or hotel; any additional hotel nights in Anchorage; some meals; items of a personal nature such as alcoholic beverages; and insurance of any kind.

Room Configurations: Single rooms are available for a 25% supplement. If you are traveling alone and wish to share accommodations, we will charge the 25% single supplement, then refund this amount once a share is found. If a share is not found the 25% single supplement will apply.

Families & Children: Minimum age is 7 years old. Triple/quadruple occupancy subject to availability; inquire for discounts.

Arrival & Departure: Alaska Explorer Safari begins and ends in Anchorage, Alaska. Meet your expedition leader at 1:00pm on Day 1 at the designated hotel lobby. The trip ends when your Alaska Railroad train arrives at the Anchorage station on Day 9 at about 8:30pm. Most travelers plan to arrive at the Anchorage airport (ANC) one day before and depart one day after the trip. If you choose to fly home on the night of Day 9, we suggest you book a flight that departs after 11:30pm, in case of possible transportation delays.

Payment & Cancellation: A deposit of $1000 per traveler is due at the time of booking. A second deposit of 50% of the trip total, less the original deposit, is due 120 days prior to departure. Final payment is due 60 days prior to departure. If cancellation or change occurs, the cancellation fee is as follows for days prior to trip departure date:
$300 or 10% of total - 121 days
$600 or 20% of total - 91-120 days
50% of total - 36-90 days prior
100% of total per person cost - 0-35 days

Terms & Conditions: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation.

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. Click the link below for a selection of policies from our partners at Travelex.



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.

For additional information and reservations, please contact us:

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