Alaska Family Safari

Arrival: Plan to arrive in Alaska at least the day of or the day before your safari begins and plan to overnight in Anchorage. Day 1 is an unguided positioning night. Your Trip Leader will meet you at 9 a.m. at the Aspen Hotel the morning of Day 2 of your safari. Please see our Answers for Parents page for answers to most of your family travel related questions.

Day 1: This day is unguided. Arrive into Anchorage. From the airport, call the Aspen Hotel Anchorage for a complimentary shuttle. The hotel is located at 108 East 8th Avenue in downtown Anchorage, about a 15 minute ride from the airport. Settle into your hotel room then stroll the downtown in the midnight sun or enjoy dinner at one of the many restaurants within walking distance of the hotel. Meals on Day 1 are on your own.

Day 2: Breakfast on your own, then with your luggage ready to go, meet your Trip Leader and fellow travelers at 9:00 a.m. in the lobby of the Aspen Hotel Anchorage. Enjoy a visit to the Alaska Native Heritage Center where we will learn about the Native cultures of Alaska and interact with the artisans at work. Scenic drive south along Turnagain Arm and through the Chugach National Forest. In the quaint community of Cooper Landing, we will make our home for the next three nights at our Kenai Riverside Lodge. Upon arrival to the Lodge, we will settle in and begin with an activity to introduce the area. The Kenai Riverside Lodge provides an excellent setting for your family adventure. The beautiful riverside deck, our riverside program lodge, the cozy log cabin village, and proximity to great hiking and other activities make it a great base location (and no time consuming packing and unpacking!). (L,D)

Day 3: Spend the day exploring the area surrounding the Kenai Riverside Lodge, by both raft and foot. After breakfast, we will gear up for a fun float trip on the scenic Kenai River, looking for eagles and salmon along our watery path. This afternoon finds us exploring the trails of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge or the Chugach National Forest. Overnight at Kenai Riverside Lodge. End the day with an activity in a historic log cabin. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Today will feature an adventurous exploration of a wilderness lakeshore by foot and by boat. We will visit a fascinating glacier-carved lake and learn about the history of the Alaskans who fished and hunted in the area hundreds of years ago. This evening, bundle up for an evening campfire complete with storytelling and special treats! (B,L,D)

Day 5: Bid farewell to Kenai Riverside Lodge after breakfast and enjoy a scenic drive south to the seacoast town of Seward. Today is the day to view marine wildlife and glaciers! We will embark on an afternoon small ship tour of Kenai Fjords National Park. Our Trip Leader and the naturalist captain will teach us how to look for whales, sea otters, puffins, and seals as we motor past the spectacular and rugged snow-capped mountains. After we return from our journey at sea, we will enjoy a hearty dinner then overnight at the Seward Windsong Lodge. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Full day of exploration in the Seward area. This morning, we visit the Alaska SeaLife Center which serves as a rehabilitation facility for ocean-going wildlife. The touch tanks and underwater viewing tanks are a highlight! To make this visit extra special, the children will participate in a SeaLife Center Educational Program. Later this afternoon, there will be time to walk around the town and hike to the face of a land-locked glacier. Overnight at the Seward Windsong Lodge. (B,L,D)

Day 7: After breakfast, we journey north to the mountain community of Girdwood. This afternoon, we will visit an old gold-mine where we will learn about the mining history of the area and how to pan for gold. A pleasant hike on a local trail through the northern most rainforest in North America leads us right to the Alyeska Prince Hotel, our accommodations for the night. We will settle into our rooms and explore the hotel or the surrounding area, then enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,L,D)

Last Day: Enjoy a leisurely breakfast, then we will ride the tram up to the very top of Mt. Alyeska for a farewell group photo. Late morning, we make the short return drive to Anchorage. Starting at 12:30 p.m., you will be dropped off at an Anchorage airport-area hotel or the Anchorage Airport for departures to home cities or your next Alaskan adventure! (B)

Departure: Transportation to Anchorage International Airport or airport-area hotels starting at 12:30 p.m. on the last day of the trip will be provided. From there, you may choose to continue your travels in Alaska or return home. Ask about adding the Denali Kantishna Explorer to your Alaska Family Safari!

Note: We do not expect any major changes from this schedule. However, in the spirit of adventure, we allow our itinerary to remain flexible so that we may take advantage of spontaneous events.

Trip Price: Prices are in U.S. dollars, per person, double occupancy, plus tax. For triple and quad, deduct $100. For single, add 50% to cost of double. Trip price includes pick-up and return transportation to Anchorage, best of gear and equipment, meals as noted above in detailed itinerary, lodging, and full guide services during your entire stay. Trip price does not include Borough tax, beer, wine, or liquor, or gratuities to staff.