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north america: alaska

Alaska Grand Journeys 9 or 11 Day

These exciting overland adventures combine two of Alaska's most popular destinations, the Kenai Peninsula and Denali National Park. There are two different versions of this journey varying by length. The trip is designed to complement any coastal cruise experience or to make the most of 9 or 11 days away from home. Journey from the snow-capped peaks and emerald waters of the Kenai Peninsula to the glacier-clad Alaska Range and its sweeping upland tundra valleys. Venture into the wilderness by raft, explore the trails and shores used by gold seekers and trophy hunters, hike up to see views of North America's highest peak, Denali, and ride the Alaska Railroad through scenic road-less valleys.

Day 1 - Anchorage to Kenai Fjords

Meet your trip leader and fellow travelers at 6:30am in the hotel lobby (meeting location confirmed with reservation). Enjoy a scenic drive south along Turnagain Arm and through the Chugach National Forest to Seward, a picturesque seacoast town situated at the head of Resurrection Bay. Embark on a marine wildlife and glacier cruise bound for Kenai Fjords National Park, home to an array of glaciers and marine wildlife such as whales, Steller sea lions, sea otters, puffins and more! Enjoy lunch in front of a tidewater glacier before arriving at your exclusive lodge destination: Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge.

Nestled in a protected tidal lagoon area, the Glacier Lodge offers miles of pristine beachfront for combing and views of the stunning Pederson Glacier. This afternoon, meet your guides for a tour of the lodge and property and settle into your private cabin. Enjoy dinner and evening presentations.

Accommodations: Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 2-3 - Kenai Fjords National Park

Enjoy two full days of exploration at the lodge and choose from an array of activities to match your interest and energy level. Guided options include interpretive nature walks, sea kayaking amid glacial ice, canoeing in the lagoon and coastal explorations. Or relax at the lodge by the wood stove, peruse the natural history library or take a leisurely stroll along the beachfront.

Accommodations: Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 - Kenai Fjords National Park & Seward

This morning allows for another opportunity to kayak, canoe or beachcomb for a half-day before boarding the lodge boat for the return wildlife cruise to Seward. Enjoy a fine dinner with your group and spend the evening relaxing at our Kenai Riverside Lodge in Cooper Landing. After dinner, enjoy the wood-fired sauna or relax on the riverside deck.

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

Day 5 - Raft in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge

Gear up for a scenic raft trip 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 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.

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

Day 6 - Kenai Wildlife Refuge Exploration

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 splendid views of the lake and surrounding wilderness. Or explore the lakeshore by boat, stopping for scenic views 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 a fireside natural history presentation by one of the lodge's guides.

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

Day 7 - Talkeetna & Mt. McKinley

Cross the lake in the morning, and say farewell to the Kenai Backcountry Lodge. Begin the journey north through the scenic Chugach State Park to Talkeetna, gateway to the Alaska Range. Once in Talkeetna, you'll have the freedom to choose from several activities, including a guest favorite - flightseeing. Take to the skies on an add-on optional 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. Tonight, you have the flexibility to dine with the other members of your group or enjoy a great meal on your own.

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

Day 8 - Denali Wildlife Safari

After breakfast, continue venturing north to Denali National Park, stopping for lunch at the park entrance. After lunch, board the Kantishna Roadhouse private bus and embark on a 5- to 6-hour wildlife drive through Denali National Park. Watch for caribou, moose, Dall sheep, grizzly bears, resident and migratory birds, and Denali itself, weather permitting. Upon arrival at the Kantishna Roadhouse, have dinner and settle into your cabin accommodations.

Accommodations: Kantishna Roadhouse
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 9-10 - Denali National Park, Kantishna Exploration

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 demonstrations, and mountain biking. Optional add-on flightseeing tours may be offered during your stay at the lodge. This activity is weather and space-dependent and does not require advance reservations.

Accommodations: Kantishna Roadhouse
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 11 - Denali Wildlife Drive & Alaska Railroad to Anchorage

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

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast

Alternative Itinerary: In addition to the 11-day itinerary listed above, there is a shorter 9-day option. Call AdventureSmith for more details.

9-Day Grand Journey
Day 1 – Cooper Landing and raft the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge
Day 2 – Explore the wilderness of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge
Day 3 – Marine wildlife and glacier cruise in Kenai Fjords National Park
Day 4 – Explore the Kenai Fjords National Park
Day 5 – Enjoy morning activity and cruise to Seward
Day 6 – Journey through the scenic Chugach State Park to Talkeetna
Day 7 - Wildlife drive through Denali National Park
Day 8 - Full day of exploration in Denali National Park
Day 9 – Denali Wildlife Drive / Alaska Railroad to Anchorage

Extend Your Trip: Call AdventureSmith Explorations about the possibilities of combining an 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, private coach transfers to Talkeetna and Denali and Alaska Railroad return from Denali 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. The remote wilderness lodges in Denali National park will only allow guests to bring 1 piece of luggage per person. Additionally, guest are allowed 1 small backpack, which they may take with them on the bus journey into the park. Each additional piece of luggage will incur a cost of $50.

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. Triple/quadruple occupancy subject to availability; inquire for discounts.

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

Arrival & Departure: The Alaska Grand Journeys begins and ends in Anchorage, Alaska. Meet your guide at 6:30am on day 1 at the hotel indicated on the itinerary. The trip ends when your Alaska Railroad train arrives at the Anchorage station on Day 9 or 11 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 or 11, we suggest you book a flight that departs after 11:30 p.m., in case of possible transportation delays.

Payment & Cancellation: A deposit of $1400 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: Alaska Grand Journeys 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.

Weather Delay Policy: On rare occasions, rough weather forces us to cancel boat transportation to the Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge. In the remote chance that the boat captains determine that safe and comfortable boat travel to the lodge is not possible, guests will have the option to select one of the following actions: 1) Reschedule your travel dates for the same amount of nights at another time during the season. 2) Refund the stay, or prorate the unused portion of the trip, and make alternative hotel arrangements. 4) If space is available, be transported to another lodge for full-service accommodations, activities, and meals, with a $150 per person, per night refund for this lodge substitution. Please note this option is based on availability.

For additional information and reservations, please contact us:

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