Day 1 Anchorage | Arrival
Upon arrival in Anchorage please make your way to your hotel The rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy the sights of this vibrant and unique city on the edge of Alaskan wilderness. Between parks, trails and unique settings, there are plenty of opportunities for exploring if you choose.
Day 2 Prince William Sound 26 Glacier Cruise | Coach | Alaska Railroad
Depart Anchorage by coach for an adventure into the exciting world of Alaska’s glaciers. The 26 Glacier Cruise travels over 140 miles into Prince William Sound. Watch for playful sea otters, harbour seals, kittiwakes, bears, whales or mountain goats. Get face to face with these towering masses of ice, so close you can “hear” the glaciers move and gaze at their brilliant blue hues. On the 26 Glacier Cruise, you’ll see several types of glaciers, including Alpine (hanging), Piedmont and Tidewater. Glacier calvings (when broken pieces of ice fall into the water and become icebergs) are normally seen on each cruise. Back in Whittier, board Alaska Railroad’s Glacier Discovery train for the final leg of the tour to Anchorage. (Lunch is included onboard)
Day 3 Anchorage to Stillpoint Lodge | Private Charter Floatplane Flight
This morning meet your driver for a private transfer to Lake Hood Floatplane Base. Board your charter flight for the scenic flight over the Kenai Peninsula to the coastal waters of Kachemak Bay. Your pilot will pull alongside the Stillpoint Lodge dock where you will be met by the lodge host. Experience diverse adventures at the lodge: embark on guided hikes, navigate the waters through sea kayaking and paddleboarding, observe nature with bird and whale-watching, or explore tide-pools. For a serene retreat, indulge in massage therapies and rejuvenate with yoga sessions
Day 4 - 5 Stillpoint Lodge | Choose 1 of the following excursions
Option 1. Flyout via Floatplane or Wheeled Plane: Bear Viewing
Depart on a one-hour scenic flight across scenic Cook Inlet to the Alaska Peninsula and the largest brown bear population in the world. Land in a remote mountain lake or river in Lake Clark National Park or Katmai National Park depending on the time of summer, locations vary according to the bears’ food sources, and they follow the salmon as the fish make their way from the ocean upriver to spawn.
Option 2. Saltwater Fishing: Halibut or Salmon
Step aboard right at our dock for a full day of fishing in style with our professional and personable crew. The combination of halibut and salmon fishing is the perfect way to enjoy two types of fishing experiences in one day. Spend half a day fishing for halibut then the other half targeting a variety of salmon species. Anglers may also catch rockfish, pacific cod, and lingcod depending on the location.
Option 3. Boat, Hike and Kayak: Glacier Lake Kayaking
Embark on a unique Alaskan adventure: boat to a trailhead, then hike 3 miles to where our kayaks are stored on Grewingk Glacier Lake. From there you’ll take a guided Alaskan kayak tour toward the crystal blue ice and have the adventure of a lifetime. Paddle amidst icebergs and shorebirds as you approach the face of this ancient glacier. The valley is full of wildlife including moose, black bear, mountain goats and a wide variety of birds.
Option 4. Boat and Bike: E-Biking Adventure
Journey by boat 35-minutes with the E-bikes onboard through a scenic ocean passage full of wildlife, mystic islands, intriguing rock outcroppings, and majestic mountains. Then disembark for a guided, 10-mile electric-assisted bike ride along a remote coastal road that leads to the charming village of Seldovia.
Option 5. Boat and Hike: Grewingk Glacier Lake
Embark on a memorable journey via kayak or water taxi to a secluded trailhead. Guided through a mile of scenic terrain, reach a stunning iceberg-laden lake. Marvel at the majestic Grewingk Glacier backdrop, while immersing in the valley’s breathtaking beauty, meandering rivers, and towering mountains. (3-5 hours | Trail Rating: Easy-Moderate)
Option 6. Boat Cruise: Wildlife Photo-Safari
Kachemak Bay, boasting the National Estuarine Research Reserve, teems with vibrant biological life, spurred by unique water currents that circulate nutrients and marine life year-round. This richness sustains predators, including sea mammals, within the bay. Hosting numerous threatened and endangered species, the bay witnesses the graceful presence of orca, minke, and humpback whales. Around Halibut Cove, myriad aquatic beings often surface, delighting visitors with unexpected greetings.
Option 7. Alaska Culture Experience: Homer or Seldovia
Discover the heart of Alaska in Homer or Seldovia, two pivotal maritime communities offering an authentic look into the daily lives of Alaskans. Delve deep into the rich culture and witness firsthand the mechanisms of these essential coastal towns. Embrace the allure of Alaska, as its breathtaking landscapes and magnificent wildlife promise an unforgettable journey.
Back at the lodge you’ll enjoy recounting the day’s adventure during daily cocktail hour, over your gourmet dinner or later in front of the fire.
Day 7 Talkeetna to Denali National Park Entrance | Alaska Railroad
Early this morning transfer to the train station to take the Denali Star, the Alaska Railroad’s flagship train, in the Goldstar Dome Railcar with service to Denali National Park. Watch for views of Denali and keep an eye out for wildlife. Arrive mid-afternoon; the rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy an optional activity. (Breakfast & lunch is included onboard the train today)
Day 8 Denali | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 4 Excursions
Option 1. Denali Highway Jeep Excursion | Self-Drive Guided 4x4 Excursion
Ranked #2 in Drives of a Lifetime by National Geographic Traveler magazine, experience the natural wonders of Alaska’s Denali Highway — this time by Jeep! This 4-hour guided excursion travels along a 135 mi (217 km) gravel road & takes you off the beaten path in a 4 x 4 to enjoy scenic views of Denali, the Alaska Range, glaciers and wildlife.
Option 2. Tundra Wilderness Tour | Coach Tour
This half day tour offers incredible scenery, a narrated history of the park road and opportunities to view the park’s wildlife inhabitants. Picturesque highlights include the craggy cliffside of Cathedral Mountain, wildlife rich Sable Pass and braided wash of the East Fork River in Denali National Park.
Option 3. Upgrade Option: Denali Summit Flightseeing | Small Aircraft
Get a closer look at Alaska’s majestic Denali from the comfortable window seat of a small aircraft. Slip on your provided headset to hear commentary from your guide as you fly over the snow-covered peaks, jagged ridgelines, and glacier carved valleys of Denali National Park, and get within half a mile of the mountain peak.
Option 4. Upgrade Option: Denali Glacier Landing | Helicopter
Be immersed in the vastness of the Denali National Preserve. On your way to the massive Yanert Glacier, your pilot will serve as your guide through this unique glacially-carved environment. Soar over the rolling tundra, keeping an eye out for local residents – caribou, moose, bear, and Dall sheep. Snow capped peaks and glaciers abound on this journey before you set down on a river of ice.
Day 9 Denali National Park Entrance to Fairbanks | Alaska Railroad
This morning is at leisure to enjoy optional activities such as: whitewater rafting down the Nenana River, helicopter flightseeing over the park, landing on a glacier or hiking. By early afternoon, board Alaska Railroad’s Denali Star Train in the Goldstar Railcar to Fairbanks. Enjoy the late afternoon scenery as you travel north to Fairbanks where your incredible Alaskan adventure ends. (Dinner is included on board the train today)