Welcome to Anchorage and the start of your incredible Kenai Fjords National Park adventure! Meet your guide at Inlet Tower Hotel & Suites in Anchorage at 10 am. From there, embark on the stunning drive to your first hike at Portage Pass. This out-and-back hike boasts one heck of a scenic-packed punch, with views of Prince William Sound, snow-capped mountains, and alpine lakes. Get up close and personal with a glacier atop the iceberg-dotted Portage Lake. After your hike, sit back, relax and enjoy the beautiful drive as your local leader takes the wheel to reach Kenai Fjord, National Park. In the evening, explore the fishing town of Seward on your own.

Today’s hike is 4.2 miles (6.8 km) roundtrip with a total of 1433 ft (437 m) in elevation gain.

Included Activities:

• Portage Pass hike

Eat a hearty breakfast this morning for a full-day hike along with one of Alaska’s most iconic and heart-pumping trails. Meet your guide at your hotel for the short drive to the trailhead. The hike begins with a mellow warm-up as you walk along the valley, then quickly gains elevation – the reward is worth every step. As you make your way through the forest, catch peeks of the valleys until they emerge above the tree line for spectacular panoramic views. Witness the breathtaking sight of Exit Glacier and the Harding Icefield – the perfect all-Alaskan scene. After the hike, head back to Seward, where you can relax for the evening and review your epic photos from the day.

The out-and-back hike is 8.2 miles (13.2 km) roundtrip, with a total of 3812 ft (1162 m) in elevation gain.

Included Activities:

• Harding Icefield full day guided hike

Start your day with a half-day beach hike along a coastal trail that weaves through the mossy forests before breaking out onto the beaches of Kenai Fjords National Park. There are excellent beachcombing opportunities and even spot both land and marine wildlife. In the afternoon, join a variety of optional activities. Explore the fascinating Alaska Sealife Center, take a helicopter to a glacier for a dog sledding tour, or hop on board a scenic cruise through the waters along the Kenai Peninsula on your own.

The coastal out-and-back hike is 4.1 miles (6.6 km) roundtrip and gains 770 ft (235 m) in elevation.

Included Activities:

• Caines Head and Tonsina Point coastal hikes

Enjoy a scenic drive to the town of Homer, famed for being the halibut capital of the world and nicknamed “the end of the road” because it marks the very end of the US highway system, where land meets the sea. While Homer is surrounded by ocean and wilderness, it’s also an artsy town home to several museums, art galleries, and fine dining options. There will be stops along the drive to stretch your legs and take in the sights.

Today you have the full, free day to enjoy beautiful Homer. Explore the beach of the famous Homer Spit that juts out into Kachemak Bay, a unique geographical feature shaped by tidal swells, glaciers, and earthquakes. Visit local shops, explore the harbor, enjoy the local and traditional cuisines such as reindeer, caribou, king crab, and halibut. 

Enjoy other excursions on your own such as a bear viewing flight that includes a scenic flight, a professional bear guide, and digital photos. Or fishing for some of that delicious Homer halibut, a half-day fishing charter that includes all gear and gets to keep whatever you catch. The bear viewing flight is 5-7 hours’ total trip time, including approximately 3 hours with the bears and 1.5 to 3 hours of scenic flight time. Trip time and time with bears is dependent on weather. Half-day fishing charters depart at either 7 am or 12 pm.

Journey back to Anchorage, making many scenic stops along the beautiful Turnagain Arm, one of the most stunning drives in the USA. Take on Anchorage's most famous day hike and explore Flattop Mountain in Chugach State Park. Flattop is well-known for its distinguished shape, well-maintained trails, and sweeping mountain and city views. From one direction, take a lookout over the city of Anchorage and take in distant views of the Tordrillo, Talkeetna, Kenai, and Alaska mountain ranges. Catch the dramatic mountain views, snow-capped peaks, and deep mountain valleys from the other directions. After the hike, overnight in Anchorage for a group dinner.

Today’s round-trip hike is 3.3 miles (5.3 km) with a 1430 ft (436 m) elevation gain – perfect for a half-day final adventure.

Included Activities:

• Chugach State Flattop Mountain hike

After breakfast, a welcome meeting will take place at the hotel for any new travelers joining on the next leg of the adventure before embarking on a scenic drive along the Glenn Highway towards the town of Palmer. This trip is packed, with gorgeous mountain vistas and plenty of time for photo ops. Eventually, reach the famed Matanuska Glacier, the largest road-access glacier in Alaska – the jaw-dropping 27 miles long and 4 miles wide and has some of the most accessible walking areas of any glacier in the state. Don your ice cleats and helmet (included) and begin exploring the glacier on foot with the help of an Alaskan guide and glacier expert. 

Marvel at the ice that forms, thousands of years ago, high in the Chugach Mountains, walk for about 2 hours, covering 3 miles. Amazingly, every day is unique at Matanuska due to the dynamic nature of the glacier. Afterward, enjoy lunch at a local eatery with stunning views of the glacier and surrounding scenery before heading to Palmer for the night.

Included Activities:

• Matanuska - Glacier guided walking tour

After your breakfast, explore the wild beauty of Hatcher Pass for a hike among the alpine tundra of the Talkeetna Mountains. While Hatcher Pass used to be one of Alaska’s best-kept secrets, it’s become popular in recent years. Luckily, your expert leader will guide you on which trails to take to avoid the crowds. After your hike, sit back, relax and take in the scenery outside your window as you drive onwards to Denali National Park. Enjoy sweeping landscape views of mountains, rivers, and forests and spot some Alaskan wildlife.

Today’s hike is approximately 5 miles (8 km), with moderate elevation gain.

Included Activities:

• Talkeetna Mountains guided hike

It’s another scenic day in the Great Land, with a moderate-level hike and stunning views through the front country of Denali National Park. Curry Ridge is a 6.5-mile out-and-back scenic hike into the rolling tundra of the Alaskan wilderness. On a clear day, you can expect spectacular views of the surrounding mountain range and the towering Denali Mountain (formerly known as Mt McKinley), the highest peak in North America.

Today’s out-and-back hike is 6.5 miles (10.5 km), gaining 2417 ft (737 m) in elevation.

Included Activities:

• Curry Ridge out-and-back scenic hike

After breakfast, embark on the Eielson transit bus to reach the Eielson Visitor Center. The ride is approximately 4 hours with plenty of stops and opportunities to stretch your legs and explore along the way. There are many hiking opportunities available from the visitor center and, free to head off on your unguided adventure taking the trail of your choice. Ask your guide for recommendations or get inspiration from one of the rangers. After your hike, catch the bus back to your accommodation and keep your eyes peeled for wildlife along the way.

Today, hike without a guide with all necessary information is available from the Eielson Visitor Center. The hiking trails that will be chosen are constantly monitored by park rangers. Roundtrip to Eielson Visitor Center takes about 8 hours.

Included Activities:

• Eielson Bus ticket & Visitor Center
• Self-guided walk out of Eielson Visitor Center

Head back to Anchorage with a stop at the iconic Denali Viewpoint (depending on conditions) for one last look at the highest point in North America. Stop for a walk into the Alaskan woods to take in the picturesque Thunderbird Falls at the end of the trail. Load back into the tour van and make your final stretch to Anchorage. Your leader will drop you off at your hotel for your last night and gather the group for a goodbye dinner. 

For good food and great views, 49th State Brewing Co. is an excellent option, or you could go for pizza at Alaska’s most famous restaurant, the chilled-out Moose’s Tooth Pub, and Pizzeria. If you’d like to get in more walking time, the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail is a perfect sunset activity and is easily accessible from downtown.

Included Activities:

• Thunderbird Falls visit

The tour ends after breakfast and you’re free to depart at your leisure or stay and explore more of Anchorage on your own.