Kenai & Denali Alaska Journey Southbound

Arrival: Plan to arrive in Alaska at least the day before your trip begins and plan to overnight in Fairbanks. A recommended hotel is Pike's Waterfront Lodge located at 1850 Hoselton Rd. near downtown Fairbanks (phone 877.774.2400 or 907.479.6500).

Day 1: Welcome to the land of the midnight sun! Meet your Trip Leader and fellow travelers at 7:15 a.m. in the lobby of Pike's Waterfront Lodge in Fairbanks. Board the historic Alaska Railroad for a ride to Denali National Park. Enjoy a Denali Wildlife Drive through the park. Watch for caribou, moose, Dall sheep, grizzly bears, resident & migratory birds, and weather permitting, the tallest peak in North America, Denali (Mt. McKinley). Upon arrival at Kantishna Roadhouse, have dinner and settle into your cozy cabin accommodations deep within Denali National Park. (L,D)

Day 2: Enjoy a full day of exploration and hiking in the Kantishna region of Denali National Park. The activities available at the Kantishna Roadhouse include guided hiking, natural history programs, gold panning, dog sled demonstration, and mountain biking. Optional add-on flightseeing tours may be offered during your stay at the lodge (weather and space-dependent). Overnight at Kantishna Roadhouse. (B,L,D)

Day 3: Following an early breakfast, embark on another Denali Wildlife drive and watch for wildlife while heading for the entrance of the park. Transfer to an Alaska Wildland Adventures' mini coach for travel to Anchorage, approximately 250 miles south of the park entrance. Enjoy dinner and settle in to your downtown Anchorage hotel. You may choose to turn in early or to stroll downtown Anchorage in the midnight sun. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Enjoy a scenic drive south along Turnagain Arm and through the Chugach National Forest to the quaint community of Cooper Landing. Gear up and raft into the heart of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Along the way, watch for moose, bald eagles and other bird species, and salmon. The Kenai River is famous for its salmon, and depending on the time of your visit, you may witness their incredible spawning runs. A delicious picnic lunch will be served along the river or on the shore of Skilak Lake. Arrive at Kenai Backcountry Lodge in the late afternoon and settle into your accommodations. Overnight at Kenai Backcountry Lodge. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Spend a full day exploring the remote wilderness of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Hike a secluded trail and travel through several fascinating ecological communities. At the top of the trail, explore the tundra and enjoy great views of the lake and surrounding wilderness. Or explore the lake by boat, stopping for scenic views and short walks. 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 exploration of the lake by sturdy touring kayak or fireside natural history presentation by one of the lodge's guides. Overnight at Kenai Backcountry Lodge. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Bid a fond farewell to Kenai Backcountry Lodge after breakfast and travel to Anchorage. Your Trip Leader will drop you off at either the Anchorage Airport or your airport-area hotel starting at 12:30 pm. (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.

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 $75. Solo, add 25% to cost of double. Ask about choices for upgrading to a Log Cabin while at Kenai Backcountry Lodge, space available. Trip price includes pick-up from Fairbanks 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, flightseeing, beer, wine, or liquor, or gratuities to staff.

Dates		Price
* Jun 08 to Jun 13 * Jun 22 to Jun 27 * Jul 06 to Jul 11 * Jul 20 to Jul 25 * Aug 03 to Aug 08 * Aug 17 to Aug 22		$3,195
Check back in August for 2009 Alaska Wildland Adventures' updates!
* Dates in red are sold out at this time. Please call us to learn about comparable trips, custom options, or to be placed on wait list.