Wonders of Alaska

Wonders of Alaska Itinerary:

• Day 1

  Your trip begins today in Anchorage, Alaska. Arrive into Anchorage anytime and transfer to our downtown hotel. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to explore this modern city (pop. 277,000) surrounded by six mountain ranges and millions of acres of unspoiled wilderness. Learn about Alaska’s early inhabitants at the Anchorage Museum of History and Art, have a bear encounter at the Alaska Zoo, or just take a stroll along the coastal trail, part of Anchorage’s 120-mile-long paved trail network. Meals on your own today.

• Day 2

  After our orientation at the hotel we head south, driving along picturesque Turnagain Arm and enjoying views of Cook Inlet and the Kenai Peninsula. We’ll pay a visit to the charming town of Girdwood, surrounded by Mt. Alyeska and the mighty glaciers of the Chugach Mountains before continuing on to the Crow Pass trailhead, the destination of today’s late morning hike. Formerly part of the historic Iditarod Trail, the Crow Pass hike is a great introduction to the Alaskan bush and leads us through some of the area’s most scenic backcountry. After our hike, we’ll continue south towards Prince William Sound and the small town of Seward, our home for the next two nights. Hiking distance: 4-5 miles. Breakfast and lunch included.

• Day 3

  Often described as one of the best dayhikes in South-central Alaska, we’ll set out early for the Exit Glacier/Harding Icefield trail, a short van ride from our inn. The trail begins with a gradual climb through cottonwood and alder forests and eventually rises above treeline for unforgettable views of the massive 700-mile-square Harding Icefield and peaks of the Kenai Mountains.  The hike will be our first chance to experience, in a very up-close and personal way, Alaska’s mighty rivers of ice and also provides a good opportunity for wildlife viewing. Should the weather turn inclement today, an alternate hike/activity will be substituted. We return to Seward this evening for dinner and overnight. Hiking distance: 8 miles, 3,000’ elevation gain.  All meals included.

• Day 4

  Today we’ll make the 3½-hour drive to Hatchers Pass, an alpine paradise nestled in the rugged Talkeetna Mountains. Our ride from Seward will take us back along Turnagain Arm and into the fertile Matanuska-Susitna Valley – often called the breadbasket of Alaska. We’ll then follow the Little Susitna River as we climb towards the pass. After checking into rustic Hatchers Pass Lodge at midday, we’ll take an afternoon walk at Independence Mine State Historical Park, located in a valley between sweeping tundra ridges and sharp granite peaks. The history of this early 20th-century gold mine is fascinating, and the setting is breathtaking. Hiking distance: 4 miles. All meals included.

• Day 5

  After breakfast, we’ll begin our journey to Denali. We’ll make our way down the historic gravel road to Willow, Alaska where we’ll merge with the Parks Highway. Along the way, we’ll stop for a hike in the Talkeetna Mountains.  This region is known for its dramatic granite pinnacles, verdant tundra valleys, tumbling glacial creeks and clear alpine lakes. After an alpine picnic lunch, we’ll continue our drive to Denali National Park. When we arrive at Denali, we’ll check into our comfortable cabins near the park entrance where we’ll spend the next three nights. Hiking distance: 4-6 miles. All meals included.

• Day 6

  Denali National Park is a certain highlight of everyone's visit to Alaska. More than 650 species of flowering plants poke out from the thin layer of topsoil above the permafrost, and 39 species of mammals survive the long, cold winters. We take a shuttle bus (tickets provided) on a “North American safari” into the heart of this incredible park with the hopes of encountering some of its unique flora & fauna. The park road we travel down is closed to regular vehicle traffic after the initial 15 miles, so our shuttle provides the only way to visit the park’s amazing interior. Depending on how far into the park you decide to ride, there are opportunities to get off the bus throughout the day to take short hikes or just linger and absorb the magnificent scenery. All meals included.
  
  Denali National Park—Over six million acres in size, Denali provides our best opportunity to view Alaska wildlife such as moose, caribou, romping grizzly bear, Dall sheep and wolves. We’ll also see many species of plants, flowers and shrubs that blanket the tundra, and perhaps even catch a glimpse of massive Mount McKinley, the tallest peak in North America (20,320’).

• Day 7

  We have the morning at leisure to take a ranger-led hike, visit a sled dog demonstration or perhaps spend some time in the park’s informative visitor’s center.  After lunch, we’ll put on dry-suits and life jackets and prepare for our river rafting adventure down the Nenana River.  Trip members can opt for the Canyon Run, which has a series of Class III-IV rapids, or the Scenic Run, which is a more moderate Class II-III.  The Nenana is an exciting whitewater river and our expert guides will take us through canyons and rapids as we enjoy marvelous views of the peaks of the Alaska Range.  This evening, we’ll gather for a final celebration dinner and tally our wildlife-spotting totals for the week.  Rafting: 11 miles.  All meals included.

• Day 8

  We leave Denali this morning and head south, passing through the Matanuska Valley on our way back to Anchorage. The scenic Parks Highway provides passage through a wonderful mixed spruce woodland forest and snapshots of the “real” Alaska. Arriving at the Anchorage airport late this afternoon, we have an opportunity to say goodbye to our newfound friends before departing for home. Please do not schedule a flight out of Anchorage until after 8 p.m. this evening. Driving: 240 miles/5 hours. Breakfast and lunch included. 

Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control including weather, road and trail conditions.

If you are traveling alone and specifically request single accommodations, you will be asked to pay the full single supplement noted above. If you wish to share accommodations, we will assign you a roommate if one is available. If a roommate cannot be found, you will be asked to pay a reduced single fee, which is half of the full single supplement. Please be advised that there are a limited number of single rooms available on most departures.

All accommodations (based on double occupancy); guide leadership; van transportation; meals as noted in the daily itinerary; park entrance fees; Denali National Park shuttle bus ticket; Nenana river rafting excursion.

Airfare to Anchorage; 3 dinners; (budget approximately $75); insurance; alcoholic beverages; gratuities and items of a personal nature.

This trip is rated Moderate [3]. Participants must be in good physical condition and enjoy hiking. Most hikes will vary in length from 4-8 miles over varying terrain including trail-less tundra and occasionally involve substantial elevation gains. No prior rafting experience is required for the whitewater trip on the Nenana River. A regular exercise regimen consisting of hiking as well as additional cardiovascular activity (stair-climbing, cycling, running, etc.) is highly recommended beginning at least 2-3 months prior to departure. During our hikes, trip members need only carry a daypack (typically weighing 10-15 pounds) that contains snacks, raingear, water bottles and camera equipment.

Temperatures during the summer months in Alaska are generally pleasant during the day (60s-80s), but cooler at night (50s). August departures may encounter nighttime temperatures in the low 40s. Although sunshine may be abundant, some rainfall is a strong possibility during any month, and you must be prepared for weather extremes that vary greatly from day to night, and from region to region, as you travel through the state.

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and pre-departure information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased within 21 days of your initial trip deposit, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

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