Common Questions

General

What is included if I travel with Alaska Wildland Adventures?

When you travel with us, all activities are included as outlined in your trip-specific itinerary, including all meals and snacks, accommodations, pre-trip planning materials, first-class equipment and guide support. All you’ll need to bring is personal gear and clothing (outlined in our Packing List) and high spirits, and we’ll take care of the rest!

What is the difference between an all-inclusive Alaska Adventure, partially guided Lodge-to-Lodge Package, or independent Lodge stay?

Each Alaska Adventure trip is a small group experience led by a naturalist Trip Leader. Your Trip Leader takes care of all of the traveling details and enhances your experience with their knowledge, allowing you to focus on and learn about the beauty of the land around you. It is a seamless experience because your Trip Leader is with you from beginning to end and many guests continue their friendship with fellow travelers after the trip ends.

Our partially guided Lodge Packages are sometimes shorter than our Alaska Adventures and offer flexibility because they can begin any day of the summer. Several activities are guided and you are responsible for following the itinerary we have arranged for you. This means you will need to be responsible for noting activity and check-in times, such as at the train station, etc. If you have questions about which trip meets your needs and desired experience, please give us a call and we can discuss our various trips.

Will I have access to Wi-Fi during my trip?

Wi-Fi and cell phone reception is generally available at our Kenai Riverside Lodge in Cooper Landing, our Kenai Backcountry Lodge on Skilak Lake and in select areas in larger towns and cities like Anchorage, Seward and Talkeetna.

During travel to remote areas such as Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge inside Kenai Fjords National Park and in certain areas in and around Denali National Park, Wi-Fi and cell service is not accessible. At these remote locations, there are satellite phones for emergencies. A complete list of emergency phone numbers for each lodge included in your personalized vacation will be provided in your confirmation documents.

What kind of food do you serve?

Meals are a highlight of every trip. Our highly skilled and imaginative cooks emphasize freshness and flavor. From delicious Alaskan seafood with fresh garden salad, to homemade breads and rolls, to decadent desserts, you will be amazed at how well you can eat in the wilderness. We’re able to accommodate a variety of dietary requirements with advance notice, and there will be opportunities to let us know about those during the booking process.

What are the best trips to bring children on?

Kenai Riverside Lodge is ideal for parents and grandparents traveling with children 7-11. For well-traveled children and youth, ages 12-18, we recommend the more active Alaska Wildland Collection, although any itinerary is suitable for older teens.

In addition to the scheduled activities, will I have free time with my traveling companions?

Yes, each trip has a balance of organized activities and free time. If you would like to go over the itinerary for a specific trip, please give us a call at 800.334.8730.

Do you offer any discounts?

We offer a triple and quadruple occupancy discount on all of our trips. Please ask us about the rate for each trip. We feature youth pricing on the Alaska Wildland Collection and all of our Lodge Packages. We also offer a 10% past participant discount and a variety of special offers on certain trips. Please call 800.334.8730 for details.

Are there any physical requirements I should be aware of?

Most trips are for folks in average physical condition. Participants should be comfortable trail walking three to four hours with short breaks. Some trips offer non-exertive options while others include more strenuous hiking. Ask our reservations staff about the right trip for you.

Special Note about the Ultimate Alaska Adventure: Due to the unique activities on this trip – some of which require travel by helicopter and glacier trekking – safety protocols and seat rating limits require guests of the Ultimate Alaska Adventure to weigh no more than 290 lbs. As a condition of enrolling in this adventure, guests will be asked to provide weight information at the time of booking.

When is the best time to visit Alaska?

Summer in Alaska begins in June and lasts through early September. Travel during these months is usually very comfortable. Each month has its features: June’s daylight, July’s flowers, August’s berries, September’s fall colors and northern lights… so there’s always a “best time!”

Will I have opportunities to see wildlife on my trip?

We intentionally plan our itineraries to travel to remote areas including visits to various national parks, state parks and wildlife preserves in the state. Kenai Fjords National Park – which is featured in many of our trips – is home to whales, sea lions, seals, sea otters, porpoises, bald eagles, Dall sheep, puffins, murres and more aquatic wildlife. Interior regions such as Talkeetna and Denali are home to moose, caribou, Dall sheep, grizzly bears, porcupines, foxes, wolves, golden eagles, ptarmigan and other land creatures – though these creatures can be spotted in many areas of the Kenai Peninsula, as well. The longer you stay in wild places, the more opportunities you’ll have to view wildlife.

What about bears and mosquitoes?

We often see both on our trips. Preparation and attitude is everything when encountering either species. Our guides are knowledgeable about bears and will give each group a thorough safety discussion. Carrying bug repellent and wearing tightly woven, light colored clothing helps us coexist with the bugs we may encounter.

What will the weather be like?

The most reliable advice is to be prepared for any type of weather. We find that when our gear and spirits are well-suited, the weather is always perfect. Often, we have temperatures between the 40s and 60s in the summer, but it could be warmer or cooler (especially in early June and September). It rains in every month of the summer. If you’re here for a week, you should plan for at least one day of rain. We liken the Alaskan summer to spring or fall in other parts of the country.

Which airport should I fly into?

Travelers will want to fly in to the Ted Stevens International Airport in Anchorage, Alaska (airport identifier: ANC). For the majority of Alaska Wildland Adventures trips and Lodge programs, one of our drivers will meet you in Anchorage at a time specified for you upon confirmation of your reservation. Several major airlines service the Anchorage International Airport, including our favorite, Alaska Airlines.

What do I need to do when I’m ready to book?

Give us a call at 800.334.8730 to check availability on the trips you are interested in. We’ll be happy to answer your questions and go over your itinerary with you. When we’re taking your reservation, we’ll ask for some contact information, go over our payment and cancellation policies and process your deposit made by MasterCard, Visa, Discover or personal check. When we have received your deposit, we’ll send you your packet of trip planning materials. Feel free to contact us at any point along the way while you’re planning your trip. We’re here to answer your questions.

Fishing

Do I need a fishing license?

Anyone over the age of 16 is required by law to purchase a State of Alaska fishing license. Anyone fishing for king salmon will also need to purchase a king stamp. Fishing licenses are not included in our package pricing and are the responsibility of our guests to arrange in advance. For more information or to purchase your license, visit the State of Alaska online. The State of Alaska no longer sells hard copy licenses at gas stations and convenience shops, and we recommend you plan in advance to purchase your license online.

For fishing trips where fish species have an annual or seasonal limit, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) requires a free Sport Fishing Harvest Record Card for Alaska residents under the age of 18, non-residents under the age of 16, anglers with the ADF&G Senior License (PID), and anglers with the ADF&G Disabled Veteran’s License (DAV). If your fishing trip with us requires this card, we will provide a free version upon arrival or at the time of departure of your fishing trip.

What equipment is provided?

We provide all tackle, top-notch fishing gear, rain jackets, rain pants, Simms chest waders and U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices. If you prefer, you are also welcome to bring along your own favorite fishing tackle, waterproof rain gear and waders. Please contact us for tackle and gear recommendations.

What can I fish for?

We will do our best to provide the most exciting fishing available on any given day. In June and July, we’ll fish for king salmon where regulations allow on the lower Kenai River. July through September, we’ll fish for silver salmon on the lower Kenai River. The upper Kenai River offers excellent fishing for sockeye salmon in June and July as well as rainbow trout and Dolly Varden from June through September.

Can I keep what I catch?

You can keep salmon within the Alaska Department of Fish and Game regulations. The bag limits set forth by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game are subject to change at any time to protect the viability of each species. We’ll clean, cut, bag, and vacuum seal any kept fish for our multi-day package guests. The current limits are as follows:

  • King Salmon: Catch and release only for Kenai kings
  • Sockeye Salmon: 3 per day
  • Silver Salmon: 2 per day in August, 3 per day in September (Kenai River)
  • Rainbow Trout: Catch and release, no retention
  • Dolly Varden: Catch and release, no retention
Will I see wildlife?

The Kenai River Valley is home to moose, eagles, bears, beavers, otters, and numerous fish and waterfowl. Wildlife sightings vary on each trip. Your guide will share with you ways to search for wildlife and recognize wildlife signs.

Can I bring my camera and binoculars on the boat?

Definitely! You will want to take many pictures of your fish, magnificent scenery and wildlife along the river. Your gear will remain relatively dry in the boat storage spaces, and we provide waterproof bags for protection from the occasional splash.

What if I’ve never fished before?

No previous knowledge of fishing is necessary. You need only be in average physical condition and have a hearty appetite for adventure. Fishing in Alaska is fun regardless of your experience level and our guides will teach you their successful techniques.

Can my family fish with me?

We often guide groups or families with various ages and fishing abilities. Children over the age of 12 are able to handle the Alaska fishing challenges and frequently catch the largest fish in the group! There’s usually enough fishing adventure and wildlife sightings to keep the entire family entertained.

Are there bathroom facilities along the river?

On the upper Kenai, we’ll be fishing through some undeveloped wilderness areas with enough trees for everyone. On the lower Kenai, restroom facilities are always available within a short boat ride.

How many people are in each fishing boat?

Our boats comfortably fit up to four anglers. However, if you prefer a more intimate fishing experience, we are happy to accommodate a private boat, based on availability and at an additional cost.

What’s the weather going to be like?

Alaskan weather is unpredictable and can change hourly. Even on the sunniest days of summer, the temperature on the river can feel cool. Your guides will offer advice on how to layer your clothing to maximize comfort. For advance suggestions, please refer to our recommended Packing List.

What should I bring?

Bring along plenty of warm clothes! The best way to dress for a fishing trip in Alaska is in layers. Polypro, capilene or wool all keep you warm even when wet and are excellent first and second layers. We suggest bringing a hat, gloves, a warm jacket, long underwear and an extra pair of socks. Always have rain gear with you even if it’s clear and sunny in the morning. Some other helpful items to bring along are insect repellent and polarized sunglasses, as both can be handy on the river. Please refer to our Packing List for our recommendations on what to bring.

Rafting

What equipment is provided?

We provide US Coast Guard-approved personal flotation devices and rain jackets, rain pants and knee-high rubber boots for each trip participant. You are welcome to bring your own waterproof rain gear if you prefer.

Will I see wildlife?

The Kenai River Valley is home to moose, eagles, bears, beavers, otters, multiple fish species and a myriad of waterfowl. Wildlife sightings vary on each trip. Your guide will share with you ways to search for wildlife and recognize wildlife signs.

Can I bring my camera and binoculars on the boat?

Definitely! You will want to take many pictures of the magnificent scenery and wildlife along the river. Your gear will remain relatively dry in the boat, and we provide waterproof bags for protection from the occasional splash.

What if I’ve never rafted before?

No previous knowledge of rafting is necessary. You only need to be in average physical condition and have a hearty appetite for adventure. Rafts are operated by experienced and licensed guides who are comfortable with people of all ages and abilities.

Can my children raft with me?

Because of the adventurous nature of our Kenai River trips, we do limit the ages of participating children. Children five and over can join the Kenai River Scenic Floats; children seven and older may join the Kenai Canyon Raft Trips. In addition to meeting the minimum age requirements, children must weigh at least 35 pounds in order for the personal flotation devices to protect them.

Are there bathroom facilities along the river?

There are restrooms available at the start and end of each trip. We’ll be rafting through some undeveloped wilderness areas with enough trees for everyone. On the full-day Kenai Canyon Raft Trip there are opportunities to stop along the way so the group can step out of the rafts, stretch their legs, etc. We carry toilet paper on each raft and our guides are prepared to pull over for emergencies.

How many people are in each raft?

There are up to 12 people per raft on the Kenai River Scenic Floats and up to nine people per raft on the Kenai Canyon Raft Trips.

What’s the weather going to be like?

Alaskan weather is unpredictable and can change hourly. Even on the sunniest days of summer, the temperature on the river may feel cool. Check out our Packing List, and your guides will offer advice on how to layer your clothing to maximize comfort. Don’t let a little rain stop you from rafting – wildlife sightings are often better on cloudy or rainy days!

Do I need to arrive early to check in?

Yes. We ask that you check in with our Cooper Landing office 30 minutes prior to your trip departure. We begin each trip by distributing rain gear and rubber boots and your guide will explain the safety aspects of rafting on the Kenai. Please have your camera and extra clothes with you when you arrive for check in.

How will I get back to my car after the raft trip?

We provide a return shuttle to our Cooper Landing launch site via van or bus.

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