Best of Kachemak Bay: Alaskan Style Basecamp
Camping Hiking Tours
5 Days, 4 Nights 25+MI / 40KM
Trip Highlights
At the southwestern tip of the Kenai Peninsula lies one of Alaska’s most stunning and accessible wilderness areas—Kachemak Bay. Just a short boat ride from the town of Homer, this region offers a backcountry paradise where dramatic coastlines, towering peaks, and rich biodiversity converge. This basecamp-style adventure is designed to immerse you in Alaska’s wild heart while keeping things comfortable and low-impact.
With cozy cabins and beach camping as your home base, you’ll enjoy the freedom of day hikes and kayaking excursions—without the burden of heavy packs. You’ll have countless opportunities to spot marine wildlife such as sea otters, orcas, sea lions, and seabirds from water taxis and kayaks. On land, keep an eye out for moose, mountain goats, black bears, spawning salmon, and soaring eagles. We’ll be hiking through ancient spruce forests, paddling to a glacier, and exploring remote beaches and alpine ridges. With a diverse mix of terrain and activities, this itinerary offers one of the most well-rounded and enriching ways to experience the magic of coastal Alaska.
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Glaciers & Mountain Views
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Abundant Wildlife
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Scenic Coastal Boat Rides
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Backcountry Day Hikes
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Mountain Solitude
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Lake Kayaking to Glacier
Book This Trip
View Dates
Trip Details
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Trip Type
Camping Hiking Tours -
Trip Length
5 Days, 4 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
Up to 8 miles -
Group Size
2-6 Guests
- day by day itinerary
- logistical and travel information
- gear and clothing lists and more
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Is This Trip Right For me?
This basecamp style trip allows for hiking with a day pack weighing 10-15 pounds. The trails are very rugged in places, with rocky, muddy, overgrown and possibly snow-covered sections. Expect hiking distances up to 8 miles and elevation gain/loss up to 3,145 feet in a day.
Difficulty Level
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Solitude Level
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Trip Itinerary
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
Day 1
- Shuttle: 4.5 hours
- Hiking Distance: 2 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 393 ft.
Our adventure begins with a scenic drive south from Anchorage, winding through the awe-inspiring landscapes of the Kenai Peninsula—fondly known by locals as “Alaskans’ Playground.” As we travel, you’ll be treated to sweeping views of rugged mountain ranges, glacier-carved valleys, and rivers shimmering in shades of turquoise. About an hour into the journey, we’ll pause for our first hike: a picturesque trail leading to Byron Glacier. This gentle walk offers a close-up look at the glacier, framed by dramatic peaks in every direction.
After stretching our legs, we’ll continue on to the charming Homer Harbor, where we’ll load our gear onto a water taxi for a scenic 20-minute ride across the stunning Kachemak Bay. Upon landing on a remote shoreline, a short, peaceful walk brings us to our off-the-grid cabins in Halibut Cove—our cozy home for the next couple of nights. As you settle in, your guide will prepare a hearty dinner. Whether you choose to relax and soak in the tranquility or explore the surrounding wilderness, the evening is yours to enjoy.
Day 2
- Kayak Duration: 3 – 3.5 hours
- Hiking Distance: 8.5 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 777 feet
From our cabins, we’ll lace up our boots and set off on a scenic 2-mile hike along the Saddle Trail. This path winds through lush coastal forest, offering glimpses of towering peaks. As the trail opens up, we’ll arrive at the breathtaking shores of Grewingk Lake, where our professional kayak guides will be waiting to welcome us.
After a brief orientation and getting geared up, we’ll launch onto the glacier-fed waters for an unforgettable paddling experience. Gliding across the lake, we’ll be surrounded by panoramic views of the majestic Grewingk Glacier and the untouched Alaskan wilderness. We’ll pause for a peaceful lakeside lunch, soaking in the serenity and keeping an eye out for wildlife. Afterward, we’ll continue our journey on foot, exploring more of this remote and pristine landscape. By day’s end, we’ll return to camp ready to relax and refuel with a delicious dinner prepared by your guide.
Day 3
- Water Taxi: 1 hour
- Hiking Distance: 9 miles
- Elevation Loss: 3,145 feet
This morning, we’ll pack up and board our second water taxi for a one-hour ride across Kachemak Bay. Our destination: Kayak Beach, a secluded gem tucked along the southwest side of Tutka Point. Upon arrival, we’ll drop our gear at our beach campground before setting off on one of the most spectacular hikes in the area: Grace Ridge.
The trail begins in a lush forest of spruce and alder, gradually ascending into an old-growth Sitka spruce grove. As we climb higher, we’ll pause at an alpine knob to soak in sweeping views of Eldred Passage, the volcanic peaks of the Cook Inlet, and the rugged silhouette of Sadie Peak.
Along the way, we’ll keep an eye out for bald and golden eagles soaring overhead, black bears foraging, and mountain goats navigating the cliffs. The sounds of cascading waterfalls and babbling creeks will accompany us throughout the journey. After enjoying another delicious trail lunch prepared by your guide, we’ll make our way back down to Kayak Beach and return to our tents for a well-earned evening of rest and relaxation.
Day 4
- Water Taxi: 25 minutes
- Kayak Duration: 6 hours
After a nourishing breakfast, we’ll hop aboard a water taxi for a quick and scenic 25-minute ride to Yukon Island—our launch point for today’s kayaking adventure. Once we arrive, our guides will get us outfitted with gear and provide a brief orientation before we slip into the water. Over the next four hours, we’ll paddle through a maze of craggy rock arches and sea stacks, keeping our eyes peeled for playful sea otters, curious seals, and bald eagles soaring overhead.
Located within the U.S. Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, this area is a haven for marine mammals and seabirds, offering a rich and protected ecosystem to explore. The calm waters and dramatic coastal scenery make this one of the most memorable paddling experiences of the trip. After our time on the water, we’ll return to shore with hearts and cameras full—ready to relax and reflect on another incredible day in Alaska.
Day 5
- Hiking Distance: 5.5 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,922 feet
- Shuttle: 4.5 hours
We’ll begin our final day with a one-hour water taxi ride back to Homer, soaking in the last views of Kachemak Bay’s rugged coastline. From there, we’ll journey to the Alyeska Ski Resort for one last adventure: a rainforest hike to Winner Creek Gorge and its cascading waterfalls.
This well-maintained trail winds through lush, moss-draped forest and offers moderate terrain, making it a refreshing and rewarding walk. After stretching our legs and enjoying the peaceful beauty of the gorge, we’ll hit the road for the 4-hour drive back to Anchorage, reflecting on the unforgettable experiences and wild beauty of Alaska that we’ve shared over the past few days.
Trip Dates
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What's Included
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2 nights of unique Alaskan lodging in ocean front cabins + 2 nights of beach camping
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All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
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Top-of-the-line tent, sleeping pad, and day pack
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High quality, synthetic sleeping bag (professionally laundered after every use)
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Guided, fully outfitted kayaking tours with a third-party provider (kayak guide gratuity included)
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Bear canisters for food storage
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Use of trekking poles
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Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
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Comprehensive, roundtrip transportation from your hotel in Anchorage and back
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All entrance fees, permits and passes
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Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device
What's Not Included
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Clothes, raingear, and footwear -
Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
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Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
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Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Accommodations
3 Moose Cabins
2 NIGHTS
At these remote cabins, that we catch a water taxi to access, you can step off your front covered porch into 70 miles of hiking trails through iconic Alaskan wilderness. On the shores of Halibut Cove, this is a warm, cozy eco-lodge co-existing in harmony with nature. From your cabin, watch for sea otters, eagles, and even bears and whales. All rooms have private bathrooms with flushing toilets, sinks, and hot showers.
Beach Camping
2 NIGHTS
Enjoy 2 nights in the backcountry in the comfort of your own tent. This remote beach is only accessible by water taxi, so enjoy solitude and relaxation after amazing days of hiking and kayaking. Enjoy time before and after dinner watching for animals or catching up on a favorite book. As we are further into the backcountry on this second half of the trip, take note that there are no showers or Wi-Fi, and outhouses are within 100 ft. of camp.
Fantastic meals
Basecamp trips include meals for the duration of the tours beginning with breakfast the first day through lunch the final day. Meals are prepared by your guide(s) using fresh ingredients, exclusive Wildland recipes, and we adhere to all department of health outdoor cooking codes. Your guide will prepare all meals with a variety of hot and cold meals that are appropriate for the day’s activities.
We regularly accommodate vegan, vegetarian, kosher and non-gluten diets and will make adjustments for food allergies. These and other special dietary requests may require an additional fee
Trip Logistics & FAQs
Where Do We Meet?
Your guide will conduct an orientation meeting at 6:00 PM the evening before your trip begins to review the packing list, communicate the first day’s logistics and answer any last minute questions you have. This will take place at the Courtyard by Marriott Anchorage Airport.
Early on the morning of Day 1 your guide will pick you up from your accommodations in Anchorage.
How do I get to Anchorage?
Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and its connecting flights from many major US cities make Anchorage very accessible. The major airlines that fly to Anchorage are Delta, United, American, Alaska Airlines and Sun Country. Direct flights are often available from Portland, Seattle, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Minneapolis, Chicago and Las Vegas.
What are the Start/End Times?
Your guide will inform you of the first day’s pick-up time during the pre-trip communication. Generally, you can expect it to be around 6 am, although the exact time will depend on several factors such as planned activities, current weather and road conditions. On the final day of the trip, you can expect a return to Anchorage around 6 pm, and your guide will drop you off at your hotel or the airport. Note: A variety of circumstances can influence our timeline on the final day of a trip, therefore Wildland Trekking does not guarantee return times.
Are there any Safety Precautions?
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval and specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis
What's the weather like?
This trip covers a dramatic diversity of terrain from coastal areas to mountains and tundra to glaciers. The weather will be largely dependent on which ecosystem you’re at the moment hiking in, so it’s best to be prepared for a range of temperatures and conditions. Read below for average high and low temperatures in different parts of Alaska:
| Average Temperatures (Fahrenheit) | ||||||||
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Month
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Denali
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Kenai
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hi
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low
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Precip
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hi
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low
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Precip
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June
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53°
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41°
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2.42 in
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58°
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46°
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5.2 in
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July
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56°
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45°
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3.12 in
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61°
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50°
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7.1 in
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August
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51°
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41°
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3.01 in
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61°
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55°
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8.8 in
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September
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41°
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31°
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1.74 in
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55°
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49°
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13.3 in
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Reviews
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Brenna Triest
1 year agoAlaska Adventures
Our alaska hike was amazing beginning to end with our excellent guide Jessie. Our trip began on the Homer spit waiting for our water taxi and onto the beach to Basecamp for 5 days. Wild Alaska through us for several weather and climate type loops, which Jessie navigated with ease. The Grewingk Glacier kayak was the most surreal part of the trip. The Grace Ridge hike was the most challenging part of the trip. Our water taxis showed us another side of Alaska that we didn't expect. This was my 3rd trip with Wildland Trekking. I've met some life long hiking buddies through their service.
Susanna W
1 year agoWild and Amazing
The Alaska coast truly is wild and amazing. It was rainy for a few days of our trip and our guide Jessie adapted the trip perfectly so that the weather didn’t ruin our plans. My favorite part of the trip was kayaking in the glacier lake where we saw icebergs floating. It was one of those moments that I just couldn’t believe was real life.
Sarah E
1 year agoThis trip was really great!
This trip was a great challenge. The hikes were just tough enough and the rewards were fantastic views. I could have stayed by the glacier lake all summer, so beautiful. Kayaking was relaxing and fun. Our guide made the best food, you wouldn't think you could eat that well while camping in the wilderness. Thank you Wildland Trekking - I'll be back.
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