Compare Alaska Wildland Collection by Explore Tours vs Jewels of Alaska, Classic Group, 2023 Classic Group by Insight Vacations
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0 | Poor
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 7 days | 7 days |
| Price From | $ 3,795 | $ 3,530 |
| Price Per Day | $ 542 | $ 504 |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Premium |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
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| Meals Included |
6 Breakfasts, 5 Dinners and 6 Lunches |
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| Description |
This seamless, all inclusive 7-day adventure promises an in-depth exploration of the magical Kenai Peninsula. Includes stays at three wilderness lodges, each complete with rustic elegance and charming Alaskan ambiance. Along the way, enjoy an array of guided activities to suit your interest and energy level as you explore the Last Frontier. And, in the evening, soak up our hospitality: what would you expect after paddling or hiking in the Alaska wilderness? We suggest grilled salmon served with a nice chardonnay, comfortably appointed accommodations and authentic Alaskan hospitality ~ the perfect blend of wild Alaska. |
Explore the wild and wonderful Alaskan wilderness during this 1-week guided tour. Begin your adventure in Anchorage with a sweet treat: Taste agutak — Inuit Ice Cream — after an exclusive demonstration by Alaska's Indigenous people at the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Board a jet boat for a tour along the Chulitna River to a trapper’s cabin, where you will learn about the lifestyle of hunting and trapping in the state. Ride along the world-famous, glass-domed Alaskan Railroad toward Denali National Park, where the country’s tallest peak, Mount McKinley, will greet you. Meet the champion dog team of a four-time Iditarod winner and allow him to regale you with tales of the 1,049-mile dogsled race over lunch at his home. From Whittier, take a 100-mile boat tour of Prince William Sound and the see the glaciers of College Fjord. |
Day 1: Anchorage Arrival to Kenai Riverside Lodge
Meals: Dinner
Meet your Alaska Wildland Adventures representative at a downtown Anchorage hotel at 2:30 p.m. (Hotel to be announced at time of booking). Enjoy a scenic drive south along Turnagain Arm and through the Chugach National Forest to the quaint community of Cooper Landing, home to Kenai Riverside Lodge. Arrive at the lodge in time for dinner and trip orientation. Overnight at Kenai Riverside Lodge.
*We encourage guests to arrive in Alaska at least the day before your trip begins and overnight in Anchorage. Your Explore Tours Alaska Expert can assist you in making these arrangements.
Day 2: Kenai Backcountry Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
From our launch site on the Kenai River, gear up for a scenic raft trip into the heart of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. On this class II, casual stretch of river, we'll be able to access stunning backcountry sights and protected wilderness areas. Along the river during our raft trip, scan for moose, bald eagles and other bird species, and salmon. A delicious picnic lunch will be served along the river or on the shore of Skilak Lake. Late afternoon, arrive at our boat-in only Kenai Backcountry Lodge, a unique, historic in holding. Appetizers and dinner welcome us in the main lodge, followed by evening activities. Relax in the outdoor gazebo or in the wood-fired sauna. For those brave souls,
Day 3: Kenai Backcountry Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Spend a full day exploring the remote wilderness of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Hike the Cottonwood Creek Trail and travel through several fascinating ecological communities. At the top of the trail, explore the alpine tundra and enjoy splendid views of Skilak Lake and the surrounding wilderness. Or explore the lake and shoreline by boat; stop along the way for short walks and to marvel at the explosion of wildflowers. 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 evening sunset kayak under the Midnight Sun or a fireside natural history presentation by one of the lodge's guides.
Day 4: Kenai Backcountry Lodge to Kenai Riverside Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Cross the lake in the morning, and say farewell to Kenai Backcountry Lodge as you return to Kenai Riverside Lodge. Enjoy a casual afternoon hike on a trail in the Chugach National Forest or Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Ask your guide about hiking to the Russian River Falls to view salmon as they swim upstream, trying to leap over the falls to return to their spawning waters or venture along the Hideout Overlook Trail for views of open alpine meadows, a perfect opportunity to view wildlife and, in late summer, great berry picking! Relax in the evening on the riverside deck or enjoy a nice wood-fired sauna. Dinner and overnight at Kenai Riverside Lodge.
Day 5: Kenai Riverside Lodge to Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Following breakfast, bid farewell to Cooper Landing and Kenai Riverside Lodge, as we travel through the Chugach National Forest to the picturesque seacoast town of Seward, situated at the head of Resurrection Bay. Board a custom catamaran 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! A four-hour cruise allows time to explore the dramatic coastlines. Enjoy lunch in front of a tidewater glacier before arriving at our exclusive lodge destination: Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge.
Nestled on the shore of a protected tidal lagoon, the Glacier Lodge offers miles of pristine beachfront for combing and views of the stunning Pedersen Glacier. This afternoon, meet your lodge guides for a tour of the lodge and property and settle into your private cabins. Enjoy dinner and evening presentations. Overnight at Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge.
Day 6: Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast in the main lodge, choose from an array of activities to match your interest and energy level. Guided options include interpretive nature walks, canoeing, sea kayaking and coastal explorations; or, relax at the lodge and peruse our natural history library, or take a leisurely stroll along the beachfront. Overnight at Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge.
Day 7: Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge to Anchorage
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
This morning allows another opportunity to canoe, kayak, or explore the area in the morning before bidding farewell to Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge. Midday, we'll embark on a return coastal wildlife cruise back to Seward and from there, board the historic Alaska Railroad for a scenic backcountry rail tour back to Anchorage. Dinner is available for purchase on the train. You will arrive at the Anchorage train station by 10:30 p.m. on the last day of your journey. Dinner, hotel and/or airport transfers not included.
Day 1: Anchorage, the City of Lights and Flowers
Welcome to Alaska, an adventurous land of wildlife, mountains, national parks and glaciers. Upon arrival at Anchorage International Airport, you'll be transferred to your hotel.Join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Dinner.
Day 2: Anchorage Sightseeing and the Matanuska Valley
Get acquainted with Anchorage with on an immersive city tour. During a visit to the renowned Alaska Native Heritage Center, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you enjoy an exclusive presentation on Agutak (Eskimo ice cream) while learning how it's made by Alaska's first people. Learn how this culinary treat establishes a link to the past, inspires a sense of pride and spurs a dialogue on a culture's remarkable ability to survive. This afternoon, travel through the fertile Matanuska Valley and stop at a local farm to see how the long summer days and glacial silt create the perfect environment for growing vegetables and flowers. Depart Anchorage for the quaint community of Talkeetna, nestled at the base of Mount Denali, North America's tallest peak. The evening is yours at leisure, feel free to ask your Travel Director for suggestions on the best spots to grab a bite.
Day 3: Talkeetna Sightseeing
This morning, enjoy an immersive jet boat tour up the Chulitna River and make a visit to a trapper's cabin. Learn about the fascinating lifestyle of hunting and trapping in Interior Alaska.The rest of the day is yours to explore, perhaps discovering more of Talkeetna or joining an optional experience such as a flightseeing tour of the Alaska Range, or a dryland dog sledding ride.
Day 4: Journey Along the Alaskan Railroad Relaxed Start
Board the world-famous Alaska Railroad train after a morning at leisure and embark on a spectacular journey over swift-rushing streams, toward Denali National Park and Preserve.Later, meet a local climber who will share stories about what it's like to brave a climb up the tallest land-based mountain in the world.For tonight's dinner with wine, the choice is yours between a charming local brewery or your lodge's rustic restaurant during your Dine-Around evening.
Day 5: Denali National Park, the Crown Jewel of the Alaskan Wilderness Relaxed Start
With the Denali National Park and Preserve just a short drive away from your hotel, you'll find a number of ways to enjoy the Alaskan wilderness on your own, or spend the day partaking in one of our optional experiences. From an exciting rafting trip down the Nenana River(waiver required) to a helicopter flightseeing tour or a Denali Wilderness walking tour, the choice is yours – just don't forget your camera! End the day back at your lodge where you'll enjoy panoramic views of your surroundings at night.
Day 6: Girdwood and Mount Alyeska
Depart Denali and enjoy a scenic journey on the George Parks Highway.Stop in Big Lake and meet four-time Iditarod winner, Martin Buser and learn about the challenges of competing in the 1,049-mile (1,688 kilometre) dogsled race while enjoying lunch at his home.Journey on the Seward Highway along Turnagain Arm with its dramatic views, before arriving in the town of Girdwood, home of the Alyeska Resort.In the evening, join your Travel Director for a wonderful Celebration Dinner, complete with wine and good cheer.
Day 7: Prince William Sound Cruise and depart Anchorage Relaxed Start
Take this morning to enjoy the surroundings and amenities at the beautiful Alyeska resort. Travel to Whittier to board the 26 Glacier Cruise for a 100-mile (160-kilometre) boat tour of Prince William Sound and into the College Fjord with the chance to see the glaciers up close. Visit with the Captain in the wheelhouse to learn how he expertly navigates the icy waterways and sit down to a sumptuous lunch against an incredible backdrop.For those saying farewell today, travel back to Anchorage where you will arrive at the Anchorage Airport at approximately 20:00.
