Alaska Ultimate Adventure - Lodge Based

Our trip begins this morning in Anchorage, Alaska. After introductions and a trip orientation we're off on our first adventure to the Matanuska Glacier. The 27-mile-long by 4-mile-wide behemoth offers an impressive introduction to just one of Alaska's over 100,000 glaciers. We'll strap on our helmets and crampons and then we're off on an up close and personal exploration of the glacier's ancient caves and crevasses. Later this afternoon we transfer to our remote home-away-from-home. Set amongst the stunning Talkeetna and Chugach Mountain Ranges, our views from the lodge are spectacular and the delicious meals and cold beverages are to die for. Lunch and dinner included.

Glacier Hiking: 2-4 miles (3 hours) on slippery icy uneven terrain, elevation gain: varies. Daily transfers: 2 hours.

Today's journey takes us to Valdez, the gateway of stunning Prince William Sound. Along our route we'll stop at the Wrangell - St. Elias Visitor Center. While we won't be making the rugged hours-long drive into the park itself, the center offers a great place to stretch our legs, take in spectacular panoramas of the range and learn more about America's Largest National Park. Back on the historic Richardson Highway we'll enjoy non-stop views of the Chugach Mountains as we travel over Thompson Pass, the snowiest location in Alaska. Just before reaching Valdez, we'll stop for a kayak excursion in the cool waters of Valdez Glacier Lake. Formed by the massive runoff of the 20-mile Valdez Glacier, the lake sits at its terminus, where we'll kayak through a variety of icebergs, bergy bits, growlers, and ice caves. This evening we’ll enjoy a casual dinner in the heart of Valdez. You will then have the opportunity to explore the town on your own or independently hike one of Valdez’s great local trails. All meals included.

*Please note that depending on ice levels on Valdez Glacier Lake, early season departures may kayak an alternate route through the tidal flats of a wildlife estuary.

Kayaking: Variable mileage (2-3 hours). Daily transfers: 3.25 hours.

Early this morning we set out on a boat tour of one of the most biodiverse regions in the state of Alaska. At over 10,000 square miles the Prince William Sound is a treasure trove of fjords, islands, glaciers, and abundant wildlife. We'll explore the heart of this remarkable area. Seals, otters, whales, porpoise, puffins, and an assortment of land mammals call this area home. We'll have our cameras out and ready to capture each moment. After disembarking in Whittier, we'll take time to explore the Prince William Sound Museum, which adds fascinating context to our visit. We'll then set off on a three-hour road trip, to the southern tip of the Kenai Peninsula, and our home-away-from-home in Homer, Alaska. All meals included.

Glacier & Wildlife Cruise: 7-8 hours. Daily transfers: 3.5 hours.

Sitting at the outlet of Kachemak Bay, Ni'qa (Yukon Island) was a critical access point for indigenous communities in the region. The island is made up of numerous archeological sites, which extend back to approximately 2500 BC. Access to the waters surrounding the island is limited and we're fortunate enough to be one of the few who can explore along the shoreline. As we circumnavigate the island it's easy to see how this approximately one-mile-wide by one-mile-long island played such a pivotal role to the pre-historic Athabascan, Yupik, and Aleut people. The island itself is heavily wooded, providing protected habitat for a number of marine and mammal species. In addition, its proximity at the mouth of Kachemak Bay provided a way to control access to the considerable resources found beyond the entry of the bay. After an amazing day on the water, we have the night free to explore Homer on our own. Breakfast and lunch included. Dinner not included.

Kayaking: 4 hours + 2 hours of prep and boat transfer to and from island.

We depart this morning in preparation for the second leg of our journey into Alaska’s spectacular and rugged interior. Along the way we’ll detour to one of the most impressive trails in the Chugach Mountains: Crow Pass. Following a short section of the famed 1,150-mile Iditarod Trail, the Crow Pass trail passes through a picturesque valley of flowers, waterfalls, outstanding views, and the remnants of Alaska’s gold rush past. After stretching our legs on Crow Pass trail we’ll spend time at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, which has served as a critical sanctuary and educational complex for over 30 years. We spend this evening in Anchorage, where we rest up for tomorrow’s journey to Talkeetna.

Hiking: 3-5 miles; elevation gain/loss: up to +/- 2,000’

A journey to the 49th state wouldn't be complete without a voyage on the Alaska Railroad. We'll depart this morning on the Wilderness Express, a private glass-domed rail car, which offers premier service in route to Talkeetna. Our three-hour ride is the perfect introduction to the beauty and diversity of interior Alaska. As we travel up the Knik Arm and away from the tidal waters of Alaska's glorious coast, we enter the enchanting and rugged terrain of the state's most famous mountain range. Along the way our on-board guide will provide informative details on the natural and human history of the region. With our arrival in Talkeetna, we'll have a chance to explore the charming and iconic mountain town before stretching our legs on a hike around scenic Talkeetna lakes. We wrap up our day with dinner and beer tasting at one of the region's most beloved breweries. Breakfast and dinner included. Lunch not included.

Hiking: 5 miles with very minimal elevation gain & loss. Daily transfers: 3-hour train ride.

Today we hike south of Denali National Park, in a region considered the most ideal spot to view the Alaska range. Curry Ridge, located within Denali State Park, showcases the diverse beauty of the area along with providing jaw-dropping panoramas. The trail climbs gradually through a dense forest of fern, Bunchberry dogwood, and deciduous trees. As we break out of the trees and onto the ridge spectacular 360° views of the Alaska and Talkeetna ranges await us. We'll enjoy a picnic lunch amidst the alpine tundra and take our time to soak in our beautiful surroundings. Later this afternoon we transfer an hour and a half to our accommodations close to the National Park. We'll enjoy dinner together and our guide will go over final recommendations for the next day, which is spent independently. All meals included.

Hiking: 6.5 miles; elevation gain/loss: 1,023'. Daily transfers: 2.5 hours.

Due to commercial restrictions within Denali National Park, we'll spend the day independently exploring the park on a self-guided tour. In the days prior to your arrival in the park, your guide will talk through the variety of options you'll be able to choose from and provide you some details on how to book your adventure. Whether you choose to ride a park bus to a trailhead and spend the day hiking; take a helicopter tour; visit the National Park Service's sled dog kennel; ride a zipline; raft down the Nenana River Gorge, or hang out at the park's visitor center, a day exploring Denali National Park is a day you won't forget. No meals included.

We'll spend our final day hiking just outside Denali National Park. Our naturalist guide will provide rich context to our visit, rounding out our amazing Ultimate Alaska Adventure. As we make our way from the boreal forests of the lower elevations to the wide-open views of the sub-alpine tundra, we'll learn about the fascinating adaptations plants and animals have made to survive this, oftentimes-unforgiving wilderness. Our hike culminates with a well-earned lunch at a local brewing company. Our celebratory lunch leaves us time to reflect on our adventure together and to share our high and low moments from our journey. At the end of the day we arrive in Fairbanks, where we bid farewell to our new friends and the awe-inspiring state of Alaska. Breakfast and lunch included.

Hiking: 4-5 miles depending on conditions and group makeup; elevation gain/loss: 1,700'-2,000' depending on conditions and group makeup. Daily transfers: 2 hours.