Alaska Life List Adventure with Alaska Wildland Adventures

Arrival: Plan to arrive in Alaska in time to begin your trip at 3:00 p.m. this afternoon.

Day 1: Your Trip Leader will meet you at 3:00 p.m. in front of the Alaska Airlines Baggage Claim at the Ted Stevens International Airport in Anchorage. Travel to the locally-owned Hotel Captain Cook in downtown Anchorage for a little relaxation time before dinner. Tonight, get acquainted with other adventuresome group members as your guide walks you through the day-by-day details of the journey ahead, and enjoy a taste of authentic Alaskan cuisine during dinner. Overnight in Anchorage. (D)

Day 2: Meet your Trip Leader and fellow travelers at 7:00 a.m. in the lobby of the Captain Cook. Enjoy a scenic drive south along Turnagain Arm and through the Chugach National Forest to Seward, a picturesque seacoast town situated at the head of Resurrection Bay. Board a custom catamaran bound for Kenai Fjords National Park, home to an array of glaciers and marine wildlife such as whales, Stellar sea lions, sea otters, puffins and more! A four-hour cruise allows time to explore the dramatic coastlines. Enjoy lunch in front of a tidewater glacier before arriving at our exclusive lodge destination: Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge. Nestled in a protected tidal lagoon area, the Glacier Lodge offers miles of pristine beachfront for combing and views of the stunning Pederson Glacier. This afternoon, meet your guides for a tour of the lodge and property and settle into your private cabins. Enjoy dinner and evening presentations. Overnight at Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge. (B, L, D)

Day 3: After breakfast in the main lodge, choose from an array of activities to match your interest and energy level. Guided options include hiking, sea kayaking, and coastline explorations by motorized skiff; or, relax at the Lodge and peruse our natural history library, or take a leisurely stroll along the beachfront. Overnight at Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge. (B, L, D)

Day 4: Enjoy a return glacier cruise to Seward, where we'll begin our next "Life List" adventure--dog mushing on local snow-pack! Board a helicopter to fly high into the mountains, landing near a glacier. Meet authentic sleddogs and drive (or ride) in a dogsled. After this unique Alaskan experience, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and spend the evening on the waterfront. Overnight Seward Saltwater Safari Lodge. (B, L, D)

Day 5: Our next destination is the quaint seacoast village of Homer. Along the way, hear stories of cultural highlights in the area inspired from Russian Orthodox history. Once in Homer, board a truly Alaskan mode of transport-water taxi-and boat across glacially-fed Kachemak Bay to the artist community of Halibut Cove. Arrive to the newly crafted, Alaskan-styled Ridgewood Wilderness Lodge, and enjoy an evening of warm home cooked meals and frontier hospitality. Learn about our hosts' unique Alaska experiences, including their talents as some of the best oyster farmers in the state! (B, L, D)

Day 6: Today, enjoy a full day of bear viewing inside Katmai National Park on a custom voyage by float plane. Take to the skies over the Land of 10,000 Smokes where, weather permitting, fantastic views of volcanoes lie below. Land in the heart of prime bear territory, near a river running with native salmon. Suit up with hip boots for a short half-mile hike to the bear viewing habitat, and then sit back and enjoy amazing views of wild Alaskan bears. Return to Ridgewood Wilderness Lodge tonight for a cozy meal and great conversation, recounting the day's adventures. (B, L, D)

Day 7: Today, venture well off the beaten path and travel to our nation's largest National Park, Wrangell-St. Elias. After a short flight from Homer to Anchorage, travel by van through scenic wilderness, and then board small planes from the tiny town of Chitina to access the even smaller town of McCarthy. Our extended plane ride will include dramatic flightseeing of stunning glacial canyons in the Wrangell-St. Elias Mountains. At our ultimate destination, McCarthy, land on a gravel strip in view of a colossal glacier. Until recently, McCarthy was only accessible by hand-tram across a raging river. The community is flanked by two different mountain ranges, and in direct view of two cascading glaciers separated by a 6700-foot granite peak. This evening, settle into comfortable accommodations at the renowned Kennicott Glacier Lodge, perched high above the icy blue Root Glacier. Each guest room has spectacular views of the surrounding glaciers and peaks. Dinner and overnight at Kennicott Glacier Lodge. (B, L, D)

Day 8: Spend a full day in the McCarthy-Kennicott area taking in the sights and activities. The towns are nostalgic, and make it easy to imagine what life was like in a small bush community at the turn of the century. Late morning, strap on crampons and take an easy walk over the blue ice of the Root Glacier. Our guides explain glacial natural history as you explore unusual formations of ice and snow, and safely gaze down crevasses flowing with deep blue streams and pools of water. This afternoon, enjoy a visit of Alaska's largest ghost town on a private tour of a 14 story copper mine built in 1900. Dinner and overnight at the Kennicott Glacier Lodge. (B, L, D)

Day 9: After a hearty breakfast, wave goodbye to Kennicott. After a picnic lunch, board a small bush plane and return to Chitna, where our motorcoach transportation awaits. From Chitina, take a drive over scenic Thompson Pass, where we can stop and stretch our legs at the famous Worthington Glacier. Continuing in the spirit of wilderness travel, journey to the coastal town of Valdez via the beautiful Lowe River. Class III rapids serve as our path through dramatic Keystone Canyon, world renowned for its ice-climbing waterfalls in the wintertime. This evening, relax and unwind at your waterfront hotel; enjoy a farewell dinner at a local sea-faring restaurant. (B, L, D)

Day 10: On the final day of the Alaska Life List Adventure, join your Trip Leader at a local bakery for an Alaskan breakfast. Take a walk around the Valdez harbor and shops before heading out for one last close up experience with a river of ice; today's journey takes you to the Valdez glacier. A short hike leads to a lake where ice caves and other spectacular features give you one more chance at those rare Alaskan photographs of towering blue ice sculptures. Your guides will pack in inflatable kayaks, allowing you to explore the glacier by paddling across turquoise waters for a closer investigation of its secret nooks and crannies. At the end of the day a scenic flight with views of the sprawling Chugach Range will take you back to Anchorage. Once in Anchorage, continue exploring Alaska on your own or connect with flights home. (B)

Departure: Arrive at the Anchorage International Airport late afternoon. If you are flying home this day, we suggest that you book your flights after 7:00 p.m. in case of possible travel delays.

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 solo occupancy, add 50% to cost of double. Trip price includes pick-up and return transportation to Anchorage, best of gear and equipment, activities as noted in the detailed itinerary, meals as noted above in detailed itinerary, lodging, and in state flights as noted, full guide services during your entire stay. Trip price does not include Borough tax, beer, wine, or liquor, or gratuities to staff.

There is a maximum of only 8 guests on this special departure; this trip is for folks in average physical condition. Participants should be comfortable traveling in small aircraft, trail hiking 3 - 4 hours steady with short breaks, and rafting class III rapids.

Dates		Price
Jul 26 to Aug 04 Aug 09 to Aug 18		adult $6,995