|
Alaska - the Kenai Peninsula
At 200 miles long and 100 miles wide, the Kenai Peninsula has a slice of nearly every aspect of Alaska save for the tundra of the Far North: active volcanoes, calving glaciers in Kenai Fjords National Park, a plethora of bear and moose, seemingly unlimited halibut and schools of migrating salmon in the rushing rivers, puffins and terns, and a multitude of other bird life in Kachemak Bay and in the vast Kenai wetland! We explore the Kenai with a great series of walks and activities, including a 6-hour cruise on Resurrection Bay!
Alaska - Denali Delights
This part of the Adventure starts in Anchorage with opportunities for two walks — one a nature walk and the other featuring highlights of Alaska's largest city. The centerpiece of the trip is Denali National Park, with a nature walk in the park and a top-rated wilderness experience in search of wildlife (yes, grizzlies!). We’re also hoping for views of that massive, yet elusive massif — Mt. McKinley, tallest peak in North America! A magical dome car train ride takes us into Fairbanks where we spend two nights and take in worthwhile attractions of the area, like the Alaska Pipeline and the Riverboat Discovery cruise.
COMBO PACKAGE
The program is offered in two parts—Kenai Peninsula and Denali Delights. To maximize your time and airfare, and see even more of our largest state, join us for both parts and receive a savings of $645! Single travelers receive an additional savings of $170 off the single supplement.
How to Register
To save yourself a spot on this Adventure, contact us to register with a $500 payment as soon as possible! Reservations will be accepted on a first-come-first-serve basis! Click here for more registration details.
A Note on the Walks
Walks are rated on a scale of 1-5. A walk rated 1 is fairly level and easy and a walk rated 5 is hilly and considered a challenging hike - see below for more details. (1 kilometer = .62 miles)
Alaska - Kenai Peninsula
Day 1-Jul 12: Arrive in Anchorage
Travelers arrive in Anchorage today from the “lower 48.” Because travelers are arriving throughout the day, no group activities are planned.
Day 2-Jul 13: Anchorage – Homer (B)
Byron Glacier Walk - 3 km, rated 2
Russian Falls Walk - 7 km, rated 2+
Our first full day on the Kenai Peninsula will take us by coach to the active fishing village of Homer on Kachemak Bay, a 30-mile arm of the lower Cook Inlet. The scenic route offers chances to spot all kinds of wildlife, including beluga whales, eagles, mountain goats, elk, and more. On our way to Homer, we will stop for two scenic walks – the Byron Glacier Walk takes us to the toe of the glacier, and the Russian River Walk, where it’s sometimes possible to spy on black bears fishing for salmon as they jump the falls.
Day 3-Jul 14: Activities in Homer (BD)
Beluga Slough Trail Walk - 3 km, rated 2+
Homer Spit Walk - 7 km, rated 1
We have the entire day to enjoy this bustling community, known for its excellent halibut and salmon fishing. The first walk of the day begins from our hotel and takes us along Beluga Slough, which connects Beluga Lake to Cook Inlet. The walk ends at the Island & Ocean Visitor Center. Our second walk is a panorama-packed geographic tightrope along what is known as Homer Spit, a long narrow bar jutting out into Kachemak Bay. Here we witness the success of the day’s catch as boats come back to the dock.
Day 4-Jul 15: Homer – Seward (B)
Ninilchik Village Walk - 5 km, rated 2+
Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Walk - 5 km, rated 2+
En route to Seward, today’s first walk explores the former Russian village of Ninilchik with the distinctive domes of its Russian Orthodox Church. Further up the peninsula, we stop again to experience the animal life of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Our hotel for the night is located in Seward, an ice-free port on Resurrection Bay in a setting of great beauty, surrounded by lush mountains and stark ice fields.
Day 5-Jul 16: Activities in Seward (BL)
Exit Glacier Walk - 4 km, rated 2+/3+
Seward City Walk - 6 km, rated 1
Our day begins with a lovely nature walk to the edge of Exit Glacier. The middle part of the day is devoted to a relaxing lunch cruise on Resurrection Bay offering sightings of sea birds, puffins, dolphins, whales, seals, and several glaciers. Back on shore, we continue our landlubber ways with a second stroll through the lively town of Seward. The trail takes us along Seward’s boat docks, by the shore of Resurrection Bay, through older, historic parts of town, finishing in a fun area of shops and restaurants.
Day 6-Jul 17: Seward – Girdwood (B)
Winner Creek Walk - 10 km, rated 2+
We head to Girdwood today, stopping along the way at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center tosee rescued buffalo, moose, musk ox, caribou, eagle, and bear. After lunch, we arrivein Girdwood for a nature trail along Winner Creek. The more adventurous are invited to attempt a stream-crossing on a hand-drawn tram, pulling themselves across the chasm and backon a cable.
Day 7-Jul 18: Girdwood – Anchorage (BD)
Anchorage Coastal Trail Walk – 10 km, rated 1
After breakfast we depart for the Alaska Native Heritage Center to experience First Nations culture first-hand through storytelling, Native song and dance, artist demonstrations, and Native game demonstrations. Leaving the Center, we continue through lush Alaskan countryside to Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city. Upon arrival in Anchorage, we take in the sights during our walk, with free time afterward to explore this bustling frontier city on your own!
Day 8-Jul 19: Depart for home – OR – continue to Denali (B)
Travelers participating in Walking Alaska – the Kenai Peninsula return home today. Those with late departures are welcome to join us for this morning’s walk at Kincaid Park (see Day 3 of the Denali Delights program below). You return home with a greater appreciation of the marvelous Alaskan diversity that is the Kenai Peninsula!
Parts 1 and 2 of Walking Alaska overlap in Anchorage. If you’re joining us for the Denali Delights portion of the trip, your adventure continues on Day 3 below. Savings are available for travelers joining us for both parts of Walking Alaska!
Top
Alaska - Denali Delights
Day 1-Jul 17: Arrive in Anchorage
Denali Delights travelers arrive in Anchorage today from the “lower 48.” Because travelers are arriving throughout the day, no group activities are planned.
Day 2-Jul 18: Activities from Anchorage (BD)
Anchorage Coastal Trail Walk – 10 km, rated 1
Our first activity today is a rendezvous with Kenai Peninsula travelers (Part 1) at the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Visitors to the Center experience Alaska Native culture first-hand through engaging storytelling, authentic Native song and dance, artist demonstrations, and Native game demonstrations. Leaving the Center, we take in the lush Alaskan countryside on our drive back to Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city. After our arrival in Anchorage, we’ll take in the sights during our walk, with free time available afterward for you to explore this bustling city on your own!
Day 3-Jul 19: Anchorage – Denali National Park (B)
Kincaid Park Wilderness Walk - 10 km, rated 2
Not far from Anchorage, the Kincaid Park trail offers the opportunity to explore an excellent cross-country ski route through white birch and spruce boreal forests, with occasional views of Cook Inlet in the distance. Wildlife is often sighted on this walk as well! From Kincaid Park, we continue through grand Alaska landscapes to Denali National Park, where we spend the next two nights.
Day 4-Jul 20: Activities in Denali National Park (BLD)
Today's main event is an early-morning Tundra Wilderness Tour through Denali. Though wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, past WAI groups have spotted numerous animals and enjoyed surprisingly frequent views of remarkable Mt. McKinley (only seen by 20% of visitors). Later this evening, we regroup at the Alaska Cabin Nite Dinner Theater, a memorable and zany look at the history of Denali, presented with an all-you-can-eat, family-style meal.
Day 5-Jul 21: Denali – Fairbanks (B)
Denali National Park Walk - 10 km, rated 3+
Today's full slate of activities begins with a walk in Denali National Park. Nature trails in the environs of the park visitor center provide a wonderful hike through stands of birch and fir with a low groundcover of colorful wild blueberry bushes. After our walk, we board the train for a nostalgic four-hour journey aboard the Alaska Railroad through the Alaska Bush to Fairbanks.
Day 6-Jul 22: Activities from Fairbanks (B)
We start the day with a stop at the iconic Alaska Pipeline to learn its secrets for carrying oil across miles of frozen tundra. The El Dorado Gold Mine is our next exposure to Alaskan heritage, complete with a chance to try your hand at panning for gold! Following lunch, a fun, educational, and relaxing sternwheeler cruise takes us down the Chena and Tanana Rivers aboard the Riverboat Discovery. The ship's crew enlists the help of a colorful group of locals to teach us about bush pilots, dogsled racing, and the native peoples of Alaska.
Day 7-Jul 23: Depart for home (B)
Our Adventure "Way up North" ends in Fairbanks, just 125 miles from the Arctic Circle. We’ll return home with fond memories of our 49th state – its fabulous scenery, the fascinating story of its settlement, and the irresistible pull to return and explore more of “The Great Land.”
Top
What's Included
Walking Alaska – the Kenai Peninsula 2012
July 12-19, 2012 l 8 Days l $3200
Including:
- Airport to hotel group transfers on first and last day*
- All land travel as outlined
- Superior tourist-class (3 star) or better hotel accommodations
- Porterage of luggage
- 10 meals: 7 breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 2 dinners as denoted (BLD)
- 6 AVA-sanctioned walks as listed
- Fees for walking credit
- Culture, nature, & history interpretation by our local guide throughout
- WAI guide service throughout
- All tipping for local guides and coach drivers
- A limited amount of single rooms are available for a supplement of $725
- Visits to (including any admission fees):
- Byron Glacier
- Islands and Oceans Center
- Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center and Trails
- Exit Glacier
- Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise with lunch
- Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
- Alaska Native Heritage Center
- More fun and interesting stops than we can list!
Walking Alaska - Denali Delights 2012
July 17-23, 2012 l 7 Days l $2950
Including:
- Airport to hotel group transfers on first and last day*
- All land travel as outlined
- Train transport from Fairbanks to Denali National Park (Alaska Railroad)
- Superior tourist-class (3 star) or better hotel accommodations
- Porterage of luggage
- 9 meals: 6 breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 2 dinners as denoted (BLD)
- 3 AVA-sanctioned walks as listed
- Fees for walking credit
- Culture, nature, & history interpretation by our local guide throughout
- WAI guide service throughout
- All tipping for local guides and coach drivers
- A limited amount of single rooms are available for a supplement of $620
- Visits to (including any admission fees):
- Alaska Native Heritage Center
- Kincaid Park
- Denali National Park
- Denali Park Tundra Wilderness Tour
- Alaska Cabin Nite Dinner Theatre
- Alaska Pipeline
- El Dorado Gold Mine
- Riverboat Discovery River Cruise
- More fun and interesting stops than we can list!
*Details of transfers provided are listed in Adventure Advice memo sent upon receipt of tour registration.
Top
Registration Details
To reserve your spot on this adventure, please mail the Registration Form along with a $500 per person deposit, or call in with your credit card. Make checks payable to Walking Adventures International. VISA, MasterCard, and Discover also accepted.
The General Tour Conditions contain important information you should read before you register.
Mail payments to:
Walking Adventures International
PO Box 871000
Vancouver WA 98687-1000
USA
Travel Insurance
Walking Adventures has negotiated with an insurance carrier to provide travel insurance in the form of a Preferred Benefits™ policy. We are pleased to make this package available and believe that it will provide travelers with an important element of security at a reasonable price.
Why We Walk
Why We Walk
Walking and travel are a natural combination! For over 20 years, our Walking Adventures International team has been offering walking programs around the world, and we’ve found that walking and motorcoach travel is the best way to tour. Our coach takes you efficiently from point to point with little wasted time, but walking lets you get off the bus, stretch your legs, and explore the "must see" highlights and off-the-beaten-track wonders. For more on Why We Walk, click here.
Walk Rating System
1. An easy walk on pavement or well-maintained trail with no significant hills.
2. A moderately easy walk, may be on pavement or on trails. No significant difficulty with hills.
3. A moderate walk in any setting with some difficult terrain, one or two substantial hills and/or steps.
4. A more difficult walk. Most likely in a natural setting with poorly maintained paths and steeper or hilly inclines.
5. A very difficult walk. All in rough fields or woods. Many steep hills or high altitude trails, or very rough uneven terrain, steep or unstable inclines.
Volkssport
Some travelers like to keep track of their walks with a system known as volkssport. Click here if you’d like to know more about volkssport.
General Questions
And follow this link for more details on topics like: WAI’s approach to airfare, the number of people accepted on a tour, and finding a roommate!
Top
|
)
Email us at