Day 1: Anchorage

Welcome to Anchorage! Start off your vacation flying into stunning scenery overlooking the Chugach, Alaskan, Kenai, and Talkeetna mountain ranges. Although Mt. McKinley is only visible 20% of the year, there's a chance you could even catch a glimpse. Anchorage is Alaska's most populated yet it's shared with the likes of bears, moose, and wolves. After your flight into this urban wilderness, get the shuttle to the hotel for our 6 pm pre-departure meeting followed by a group meal. Take this evening to get to know your fellow travelers and guides.

Day 2-4: Denali National Park

The amazing Denali National Park. Whether it's flora or fauna you came to see, this is the place to fulfill your hopes of seeing large and small wild animals living as they have for ages. The opportunity to take a bus ride through the national park along its only road will afford you these sights. For those of you who are looking for a heart pounding and more strenuous adventure have the opportunity for trailblazing throughout the parks 6 million acres. No trip would be complete without adding the optional activity of flying over Denali National Park and around Mt. McKinley (20,320 ft/6194 m.)

Day 5-6: Maclaren River Lodge

From Denali, we drive the lightly traveled Denali Highway. First opened in 1957, this dirt road was the first to access Denali National Park (then known as Mt. McKinley National Park.) Located in the Maclaren river valley, you traverse through high alpine country on the states second highest highway pass. Here lies the Maclaren River Lodge run by Alan and Susie, who are fantastic hosts that will take us on a jet boat ride up to "The Glacier Camp." Here we'll stay overnight exploring and camping out underneath the stars. The next morning we'll take a casual canoe trip back down the river for our next night at this beautifully situated lodge.

Day 7-8: Wrangell/St. Elias National Park

Visiting the largest national park in the United States and camping at the "End-of-the- road campground." Literally at the end of the McCarthy Road, this 60 miles of gravel road was built along the old Copper River and Northwestern railway. Most remnants left of this once thriving area were a part of the copper mines, but most people forget this was where the last great gold rush happened in Alaska. There's hiking, ice climbing, glacier walks, guided tours, rafting, and flight viewing the 16,000-foot peaks, 25-mile long glaciers and massive icefalls.

Day 9-10: Valdez

The terminus of the 800 miles trans-Alaska pipeline that begins at Prudhoe Bay, Valdez is an extremely important gateway to the interior of Alaska. Valdez was brought to the forefront of the national media March 1989. The Exxon Valdez ran aground on Bligh Reef causing an 11-million gallon oil spill. For many years, the flora and fauna were devastated by this environmental catastrophe. Thankfully, order has been restored and Chugach mountains set a gorgeous backdrop to this quaint little town. Fantastic hiking opportunities just short walk from town.

Day 11-12: Seward

Located on the east side of the Kenai Peninsula and Resurrection Bay, Seward is known as the "Gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park." We will experience the national park by boat, cruising among the glaciers and wildlife stopping along the way on island for Alaskan salmon and prime rib buffet. The next day will consist of hiking alongside the picturesque Exit Glacier with a high probability seeing a few of the local black bear feeding on some berries.

Day 13: Homer

Located on the other side of the Kenai Peninsula and Kachemak Bay, Homer is the launching point for our two-night Adventure Camp. But, don't overlook this artist inspired town with its many galleries along the spit. Also, the Salty Dawg Saloon's lighthouse is a great place to sit belly-up to the bar along with posting your dollar bill on the ceiling or wall so that your friend, who will be by later, will have a drink on you.

Day 14-15: Adventure Camp

Take a boat ride from Homer to Seldovia landing on this lovely and relatively untouched island. Camping is done in canvas tents with beds and all the amenities you'll need. There is a beautiful main house where meals, comfortable chairs, coffee and tea are always on tap. From there venture out into the pristine wilderness and explore the many coves and trails. The next day you'll have a full day of sea kayaking around Seldovia Bay, frequently visited by sea otters and harbor seals and watched overhead by bald and golden eagles.

Day 16: Hope

The adventure is coming to a close but first lets have a final meal together overlooking the Cook Inlet/Turnagain Arm and sharing our campsite with the local brown bears. A quaint little town situated a short drive from Anchorage yet, there is still plenty to do here from gold mining, hiking, salmon fishing, and bird watching.

Day 17: Anchorage

Unfortunately we have to turn our back on you and leave you to your own devices. For most people, the next few days are disorienting because they have to make decisions for themselves! What time do they get up? What is the weather going to be like? Well, if you are truly perplexed, shoot me an email and I'll continue to tell you what to do.

Included in Tour (USD $1500) and Kitty Price (USD $1100)

• Accommodations outlined for nights in Hotel/Campsites
• All meals cook off the truck 
• Denali National Park shuttle buses to Toklat River and Eielsen Visitor Center (2 days)
• Maclaren Lodge/Glacier boat and canoe trips 
• Hikes in Wrangell/St. Elias NP and Valdez
• Kenai Fjords National Park boat cruise - Resurrection Bay Tour
• Two-night stay at Adventure Camp - lodging, meals, bikes, and sea kayaking
• Admission to national parks and monuments

What is Provided for you?

• Pre-departure meeting to welcome and provide you with a good understanding of the trip ahead
• Services of two trained/commercially certified leaders/drivers
• Fully equipped Overland vehicle
• High quality two person tents and cooking equipment
• Information regarding places to be visited, history, flora and fauna

What is the Kitty?

The kitty is a local payment in USD to your leader on the first day of your tour. The list below list gives you a clearer understanding of what the kitty cost covers:
1. Accommodation (Hotels & camping throughout trip)
2. Included Activities (for Alaska e.g. Adventure Camp, bus tour in Denali, Glacier camp, Wildlife and Glacier cruise, etc...)
3. Food (each passenger plus crew contributes $10 per day (excluding days food is supplied with activities) for meals)
4. Bulk (each passenger contributes $2 per day towards bulk supplies of condiments, aluminum foil, cling rap, etc...)
5. Group meals (usually we will organize group meals throughout the trip out on the town)
6. Emergencies (just a little extra cash in case prices change for any of the above)

***Throughout the trip, your tour leader will keep track of all expenditures regarding our kitty. We believe in transparency and at any time you can ask to see the receipts and transaction logs. If, at the end of the trip, there are funds remaining, we will split the amount remaining between the group for a refund.***