Itinerary
- Day 1
Anchorage to Denali
You'll start in Anchorage and drive north into the Interior, stopping in Chugach State Park for breakfast and a walk around the lake. As you continue driving, the landscape shifts noticeably as the Alaska Range comes into view with Denali dominating the horizon. In the afternoon, you'll spend time hiking through Denali State Park to get your legs warmed up before arriving at your lodge on the Nenana River near Denali National Park for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walk along a lake in Chugach State Park
- Hike through Denali State Park (8.5 miles, 2000 feet elevation gain)
Landmarks/POIs Chugach State Park Denali State Park Denali Alaska Range Nenana River - Day 2
Denali National Park
After sleeping in past sunrise, you'll head into Denali National Park for a tundra hike. If the weather cooperates and Denali's visible, the route is planned for the best views of the mountain. If clouds cover the peak, you'll explore creeks and tundra trails looking for moose, caribou, Dall Sheep, and grizzlies instead. By evening you're back at the lodge for a hearty meal after spending the day in one of America's largest national parks.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike on tundra in Denali National Park with wildlife viewing opportunities (6 miles, 1600 feet elevation gain)
Landmarks/POIs Denali National Park - Day 3
Denali to Kenai Peninsula
You'll leave the lodge and head back toward the coast, stopping for another hike in the Alaska Range where you might catch views of Denali if conditions are right (though the mountain only shows itself about one day in ten throughout the year, appearing more frequently in summer). Your lodge sits in a massive glacial river valley that drains into the Cook Inlet estuary near Anchorage.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike in the Alaska Range (6.5 miles, 1000 feet elevation gain)
Landmarks/POIs Alaska Range Cook Inlet - Day 4
Kenai Peninsula
Continuing south toward the coast, you'll hike through the Chugach Range and notice how the forest changes as you go. The trees fed by salmon are noticeably different from the interior forests, and they get taller as you approach the Kenai Peninsula, known locally as Alaska's Playground. Your lodge for the night sits in a glacially carved valley with mountains that feel much closer than before, giving you a sense of how glacial fjords actually form.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike in the Chugach Range (6.5 miles, 800 feet elevation gain)
Landmarks/POIs Chugach Range Kenai Peninsula - Day 5
Kenai Fjords National Park
This day brings your closest look at a glacier yet. As you approach Seward, you'll head back into the mountains to reach Kenai Fjords National Park. You'll hike along the lateral moraine of Exit Glacier, the only glacier in the park you can reach on foot. Your final lodge sits in the hills above Resurrection Bay, and dinner features fresh halibut, salmon, and crab for anyone craving seafood.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Fresh halibut, salmon and crab available)
Included Activities
- Hike along the lateral moraine of Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park (5 miles, 2000 feet elevation gain)
Landmarks/POIs Kenai Fjords National Park Exit Glacier Resurrection Bay - Day 6
Seward Coastal Hike
You'll get an early start to time the tides right for a coastal hike on Seward's south side. The hike takes you to Fort McGilvray, a historic site that tells the story of Alaska's role as a strategic military location for the United States. Later you'll have lunch right on the beach with chances to spot Humpback Whales, sea otters, and bald eagles. A water taxi from Miller's Landing brings you back to the trailhead, and you'll spend your last evening celebrating the end of your trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch on the beach), Dinner
Included Activities
- Coastal hike to Fort McGilvray with historic site exploration (9 miles, 600 feet elevation gain)
- Beach lunch with wildlife viewing (Humpback Whales, sea otters, bald eagles)
- Water taxi return via Miller's Landing
Landmarks/POIs Fort McGilvray Miller's Landing - Day 7
Seward to Anchorage
You'll leave Seward and Resurrection Bay, driving back through the valleys and canyons of the Kenai Mountains toward the Cook Inlet. One final hike takes you toward views of glaciers that feed into this massive estuary. From there, you'll drive the scenic Turnagain Arm, watching for Beluga Whales and Dall Sheep on the cliffs. Hotel drop-off in Anchorage marks the end of your week in Alaska.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Final hike in Kenai Mountains toward glacial views (4 miles, 1400 feet elevation gain)
- Scenic drive along Turnagain Arm with wildlife viewing (Beluga Whales, Dall Sheep)
Landmarks/POIs Kenai Mountains Cook Inlet Turnagain Arm
