Itinerary

Day 1 Anchorage: Arrive at any time.
Please keep in mind, a lot of what there is to see and do in Alaska is weather-dependent. We give our CEOs the opportunity to adjust the schedule as needed based on weather.

Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting
The adventure begins tonight. Feel free to explore before your welcome meeting, but make sure you’re back in time to meet the group. Check for the meeting time on the welcome note at the hotel. After introductions, your CEO will review the details of your tour. Please note that normal check-in times apply at our start hotels, but you can usually store your luggage for the day if you arrive early.


Day 2 Anchorage/Homer
Travel along the stunning coast of the Kenai Peninsula, where glaciers tumble down from mountains towards the ocean. As we drive along the Turnagain Arm, keep an eye out for beluga whales playing out at sea, or catch a glimpse of volcanoes across the Cook Inlet. Upon arrival in Homer, opt to stretch your legs on a short hike outside of town.

Meals included: Breakfast
Transport: Private Vehicle
Anchorage – Homer, 4h-5h
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.


Optional Activities
Hiking
Homer
Enjoy a short hike outside Homer to get a little closer to the majestic landscape.

Day 3 Homer
Enjoy a free day in Homer. Stroll the quaint streets and check out the restaurants and art galleries along the Homer Spit, a 4.5-mile-long finger of land protruding into Kachemak Bay. Discover stories of life on the bay at the natural history museum or satisfy your adventurous side exploring Kachemak Bay by water taxi, kayak, or on a self-guided hike. Other optional activities include catching a floatplane for remote grizzly bear viewing or trying your hand at the local sport of halibut fishing.

Meals included: Breakfast

Free time
Full Day
Enjoy a full day to explore the great outdoors.

Optional Activities
Kachemak Bay Exploration
Kachemak Bay
Hop on a water taxi and head to Kackhemak Bay. Spend some time hiking the trails, exploring the cove or trying to spot some of the animals that stop to visit the bay like sea otters and seals. With so many different trails to choose from there's a little something for everyone. Many climb up over steep, rugged terrain and offer amazing views at the end, while others wind through deep coastal forests and meadows allowing you to really experience the vast wild landscapes of Alaska.
Halibut Fishing
Kachemak Bay
Head out with the locals to see if you can haul in some halibut, Homer has some of the best fishing in all of North America and is known as the 'The Halibut Fishing Capital of the World.'
Hiking
Homer
Enjoy a short hike outside Homer to get a little closer to the majestic landscape.

Day 4 Homer/Seward
Leave Homer and arrive at the tip of the Kenai Peninsula, where the Ice Age still lingers. Visit the world-renowned Alaska SeaLife Center, an aquarium that collaborates with National Geographic on wildlife initiatives. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore the coastal town of Seward or set out on an optional hike through the Alaska backcountry to Exit Glacier and the Harding Icefield.

Meals included: Breakfast

Alaska SeaLife Center
Seward
On the shores of the scenic town of Seward sits the renowned Alaska SeaLife Center, Alaska’s premier public aquarium. This esteemed marine science facility offers a combined focus on research, wildlife rehabilitation, and educating the public. Enjoy a visit to the centre, which frequently collaborates with the National Geographic Society on various wildlife initiatives such as critter cams, expeditions, and the important Photo Ark project, which aims to create portraits of the world’s species before they disappear to extinction.

Transport: Private Vehicle
Homer – Seward, 3h-4h
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.


Optional Activities
Hike to Exit Glacier and Harding Icefield
Exit Glacier – Seward
Head out on an amazing hike to the Exit Glacier and Harding Icefield. The 11.9km (7.4 mi) round trip of the Harding Icefield Trail is a spectacular day hike through the Alaska backcountry. Starting on the valley floor, the trail winds through cottonwood and alder forests, passes though heather-filled meadows and ultimately climbs well above tree line to a breathtaking view of the icefield. The top of the trail is a window to past ice ages – a horizon of ice and snow that stretches as far as the eye can see, broken only by an occasional nunatak or lonely peak. There are various lookout points along the trail that serve as good turnaround points. Portions of the upper trail are covered by ice and snow part of the year. Easier, shorter hikes to the base of the glacier are also options that also afford beautiful views for those not looking for a strenuous hike.
Black bears are spotted frequently from the Harding Icefield Trail.
Kayaking
Resurrection Bay
Get out on the water and paddle through the waves by kayak while learning about the history of the area. Out along the coast, watch for curious animals that might peek their heads out to see who’s passing by. The area is renowned for a variety of wildlife including sea otters, eagles, birds, and whales it’s likely you’ll spot at least a feather or the tip of tail.

Day 5 Seward
Set out by catamaran to cruise the glacial waters of Kenai Fjords National Park. Enjoy narration by a knowledgeable park ranger while scanning the sea for puffins, sea lions, colonies of seabirds, and whales (including, if we’re lucky, orcas). See three types of glaciers and watch and listen for ice calving off the tidewater glacier. Spend the evening at your leisure; opt to go hiking or explore the town.

Meals included: Breakfast

Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise activity
Kenai Fjords National Park, 6h
Cruise through the glacial waters of Kenai Fjords National Park on a large catamaran hosted and narrated by a National Park Ranger. See three different kinds of glaciers, including a piedmont glacier, several cirque glaciers and an active calving tidewater glacier. Take time to look for wildlife in the sky and surrounding waters as you learn about the region. Keep an eye out for Humpback Whales, Orcas, Dall’s Porpoise, Harbor Seals, puffins, sea otters, sea lions, and more.
Free time
Enjoy some time to explore this coastal town, go hiking or kayaking.

Optional Activities
Coastal Trail Hike
Seward
Enjoy an easier hike along the scenic Coastal Trail for about 2-3 hrs.
This 4.5 mile coastal trail in the Caines Head Recreation Area can be reached by boat for foot from Seward and offers up sweeping views of rolling alpine meadows and the North Pacific Ocean. Wander through ancient rainforest hanging with moss and then on to beach trails (some of which can only be accessed during low tide). From glaciers to bald eagles and vertical cliffs to WWII history this trail will certainly get you out into the wilds of beautiful Alaska.

Day 6 Seward/Denali National Park and Preserve
Keep your camera close during a scenic drive to Denali National Park, named for the highest mountain in North America—formerly known as Mount McKinley, at a dizzying 20,310 feet high. Settle into our rustic lodgings in the Denali wilderness and meet an instructor from the Denali Education Center, who will share the riveting history of mountaineering here.

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Please remember that due to the remoteness of the Denali area, the accommodation is simple, but allows you access to one of the most stunning wildlife areas in Alaska.
Transport: Private Vehicle
Seward – Denali National Park and Preserve, 7h-8h
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Denali Immersion: Mountaineering History of Denali activity
Denali
Climbing the highest mountain in North America requires intense planning and preparation, and even then it's no easy feat. Learn the who, what, whys, and hows in another interactive presentation by the Denali Education Center. Listen to the mystifying stories of the people who have attempted to climb third most isolated mountain in the world with a peak of 20,310 feet.
Beginning in the early 20th century, National Geographic has funded several exploratory expeditions and research initiatives in Denali National Park, from early aerial photographs and mapping expeditions, to research pertaining to the volcanic craters here and the behaviour of wolf packs. Head out on a naturalist guided hike to take in the awe-inspiring beauty of the Denali wilderness.

Day 7 Denali National Park and Preserve
Learn about the extreme conditions that shape life in Denali and its subarctic ecosystem, hearing stories of the resilient First Nations people who have survived here for generations. Head out on a guided hike with a naturalist and take in the rugged beauty of the Denali wilderness. Enjoy a free afternoon to relax and explore on your own. Opt to observe a dog-sledding talk and demonstration, or get a bird’s-eye view on an optional flightseeing excursion.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Free time
Full Day
Spend the day exploring Denali NP – with so much to see and do, your options are endless!
Scenic Shuttle to Eielson Visitor Center activity
Denali National Park and Preserve
Depart early to explore Denali National Park. Take the shuttle bus to the Eielson Visitor Center and back, getting deep into the heart of the park. The journey takes approximately 8 hours and shows off the stunning wilderness of Denali.
Denali Immersion: Welcome to the Subarctic activity
Denali
Rejoin the Denali Education Center for an interactive introduction to the park and its subarctic ecosystem. Learn about National Geographic’s legacy with American national parks, as well as other projects National Geographic has supported in Denali NP and across Alaska. Listen to stories about the park’s history and culture, as well as characteristics of its subarctic ecosystem. Learn about the complex geology here and how First Nations people have survived for generations in one of the most formidable climates on the planet. Then head out on a hike with a naturalist guide to take in the awe-inspiring beauty of the Denali wilderness.

Optional Activities
Denali Scenic Flight
Denali National Park and Preserve
Take to the skies for a bird's eye view of the spectacular grandeur. Get a better view of the mountains, glaciers, and wilderness from a few thousand feet up.
Denali Visitor Center & Dog Sled Demonstration
Denali National Park and Preserve – Denali
Learn about the flora and fauna throughout Denali NP at the visitor centre before a dog sledding talk and demonstration by the park rangers.
Denali Hiking
Denali National Park and Preserve
Use any of the hiking trails around the park to enjoy the rugged beauty of Denali National Park. If the weather is clear, look up to see Denali (formerly named Mt McKinley) towering overhead. Some of the most popular trails are the Mount Healy overlook trail and Horseshoe Lake trail.
The Mount Healy trail allows hikers to travel part of the way up Mount Healy which overlooks the entrance area to the park. Even though it is one of the steepest trails in Denali the effort is well worth it. You will walk steadily through spruce forest before encountering the switchbacks that will have you above the tree-line in no time. The official trail ends at the overlook with great views to the south where you can choose to continue to the true peak of Mount Healy or you can turn back. Please note that this trail is not a loop.
The Horseshoe Lake trail is a rather popular loop hike that attracts quite a few people, so you certainly won’t be the only one out there. As you follow this well developed trail down to the lake you will pass the overlook which gives you a gorgeous panoramic view of the Nenana river often referred to as “Glitter Gulch” right outside the park. You will also be able to see the surrounding mountains towering in the distance. Once you arrive at the lake stay on the lookout for full-racked bull moose as this can be a popular spot for them to cool off during the summer months. This hike is truly a great starter trail in the area that will get you a bit more acquainted with the beauty of Denali National Park.

Day 8 Denali National Park and Preserve
Depart early and catch the shuttle into the heart of Denali National Park. As you make your way to the remote Eielson Visitor Center, hop on and off the bus as you please. Take in breathtaking views of the Alaska Range and snap pictures of wildlife such as caribou, grizzly bears, Dall sheep, moose, and wolves in their natural habitat.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Private vehicles cannot drive into the National park. The excursion today is a guided tour operated by the park and other travellers may also be on the excursion.

Denali National Park Visit activity
Denali National Park and Preserve – Denali
Spend the day exploring Denali National Park. The area is well-known for its diversity of wildlife and Denali, the highest peak in North America, formerly called Mt McKinley. There are 39 species of mammals, 167 species of birds, 10 species of fish, and one species of amphibian known in Denali. Summer is a time for raising the young and preparing for migration, hibernation, or survival during the winter and, with a little luck, we witness it all. Discover the dynamic glaciated landscape providing large rivers, countless lakes and ponds, and unique landforms which form the foundation of the ecosystems that thrive in Denali.
Shuttle transport
Denali National Park and Preserve, 8h-9h
Hop on a national park transit bus to travel into the heart of Denali National Park. Make multiple stops en route to watch wildlife in its natural habitat.

Day 9 Denali National Park and Preserve/Anchorage
Enjoy the scenic drive back to Anchorage, following the Alaska Range southward along the picturesque Susitna River. Opt for a final dinner with your fellow travelers this evening, and reflect on your epic journey into the wild.
Meals included: Breakfast
Transport: Private Vehicle
Denali National Park and Preserve – Anchorage, 4h-5h
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Day 10 Anchorage
Depart at any time.
Meals included: Breakfast

© GAD

© GAD

© GAD