Best of the Kenai Peninsula Adventure
Anchorage, AK
Trip Highlights
- Beach Camping
- Backcountry Yurt/Cabin
- Glacier Views
- Alaskan Wildlife
- Kayaking & Rafting
- Mountain Summit
- Wood-fired Sauna
- Amazing History
Description
This unique Alaskan adventure combines the features of a backpacking trip with the benefits of a basecamp-style or hut-to-hut trek. We hike very little with full, multi-day backpacks (only about 6 miles total), yet spend two glorious nights backcountry camping on the shores of Resurrection Bay. The other two nights of this trip are in a backcountry cabin and yurts, where we soak up the magic of the Alaskan wilderness while reveling in cozy comforts like wood-burning stoves and a wood-fired sauna. This trip’s unforgettable hikes feature glacier views, World War II era historical sites, shorelines, wildlife, mountain summits, mountain lakes and more. We also spend time kayaking to a glacier and raft on a glacial-fed river.
Join us for a unique, grand Alaska adventure you’ll never forget! Call us at 800-715-HIKE (4453) to learn more or book your spot today.
$2625 Per Person
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 3
Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult
This trip requires minimal hiking with a multi-day backpack (25-35 pounds) on mostly flat terrain. The rest of the hiking is with a day pack weighing 10-15 pounds. The terrain is variable, with rocky, muddy and possibly snow-covered sections. The hiking distances (up to 7.5 miles) and elevation gain/loss (up to 2,500 feet in a day) are moderately strenuous, but with only light day packs.
Hiking Distances:
Up to 7.5 miles
Backpack Weight:
15-35 pounds
Terrain:
Moderately Rugged
Max Daily Elev. ↑↓:
Up to 2500 feet
Heights Exposure:
Light
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS TRIP
- Hiking on mostly level terrain with a 25-35 lb backpack for 3-5 hours
- Hiking uphill, then downhill with a 10-15 lb backpack for 5-7 hours
- Maintaining balance and footing on moderately rugged terrain
SOLITUDE LEVEL 4
1 least solitude, 5 most solitude
We rate this Alaska backpacking adventure a solitude 4. You can expect to see a couple other groups of hikers per day.
If a trip does not reach the minimum number of guests, you may choose to transfer to another trip date or another trip, be refunded your payments in full, or you may have the choice to pay a supplemental fee to run the trip with fewer guests. We make the final determination for these trips 4-6 weeks before the departure date, and notify guests of changes and options immediately.
PRIVATE TRIPS
Travel in perfect company by booking a private trip exclusively for your group!
Our sliding scale for private trips is based on the final number of guests in your group. Rates are per person and do not include sales tax, national park fees or guide gratuity. The final rate is based on the actual number of guests on the trip and may adjust based on cancellations or additions.
Please Note: you can also enjoy a private trip at our normal scheduled rates by filling any empty tour to capacity. However, if group members drop from the tour those spots will automatically become available on our website for instant booking. By purchasing a private trip at the rates listed below, your trip will remain exclusive to your group regardless of cancellations.
PRIVATE RATES FOR THIS TRIP
- 2 People: Rate x 2.5
- 3 People: Rate x 1.75
- 4 People: Rate x 1.25
- 5+ People: Rate x 1.15
*all rates are per person
Learn About Our Private Trips
View Private TripsITINERARY
Day 1
- Shuttle: 3 hours
- Hiking Distance: 5 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 2000 feet
After picking you up at your hotel, and fueling up with a quick breakfast, we’ll depart Anchorage and head south along the Turnagain Arm of Cook Inlet to the amazing Kenai Peninsula. Nicknamed “Alaskans’ Playground” for a reason, this dramatic landscape of coastlines, ridges, peaks, lakes, rivers, glaciers and wildlife is our home for the next 5 days. Our first hike only requires day packs as we trek up into a series of alpine meadows for views of Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park. After our hike we’ll enjoy a short drive through the charming town of Seward to board a water taxi to our backcountry beach camp for the next two nights. We’ll set up camp and enjoy our first delicious, backcountry dinner prepared by your guide while we watch for sea lions, sea otters, bald eagles, whales and other marine wildlife.
Day 2
- Hiking Distance: 5-7.5 miles
- 1000-2000 feet
After a tasty breakfast on the shores of Resurrection Bay we’ll explore the wonderful trails in the area. On the national register of historic places, Fort McGilvray is a short hike from the beach and will take us back in time to Alaska’s beginnings as a strategic location in World War II. If the skies are clear, and the group is up for it, we will continue hiking up to a number of alpine trails with views down onto the surrounding Kenai Mountains. We’ll relax for a second evening on the beach listening and looking out for humpback whales, sea lions and sea otters over a delicious dinner prepared by your guide.
Day 3
- Shuttle: 1.5 hours
- Hiking Distance: 5.5 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 1000 feet
Our departure from the beach camp will be with loaded backpacks and timed according to the tides. The first two miles must be hiked at low tide, and the following 3 miles are along forest trails. This afternoon we leave the Seward area and drive to the heart of the Kenai Mountains. After hiking less than a mile from the trailhead with loaded packs we’ll arrive at our backcountry yurts and cabin that will be our home for the next two nights. We’ll get moved into the cozy yurts and convene for a hearty dinner and, conditions permitting, a welcome campfire.
Day 4
- Shuttle: 1 hour
- Hiking Distance: 1 mile
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 100 feet
This morning will be an early start to make a quick hike out and short drive to the train station in nearby Girdwood. The Alaska Railroad will take us to Spencer Glacier Lake, a spectacular backcountry destination accessible only by train. At Spencer Glacier we’ll join up with the expert guides from Chugach Adventures, and kayak across the lake to get up close and personal with the wonders of ancient, glacial ice. After a picnic lunch by the face of the glacier, we’ll kayak back and prepare for a second journey on the water. Next we raft from Spencer Glacier Lake to the Placer River to meet with the train that will return us to Girdwood. Tonight we return to our yurts and enjoy a final dinner in the Alaska backcountry.
Day 5
- Shuttle: 2 hours
- Hiking Distance: 3 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 2500 feet
After sitting down for a hot breakfast, packing up our things and hiking out from the yurts, we’ll enjoy a short drive to one last hike before our return to Anchorage. It’s a steep climb up to incredible views from Mount Alyeska. Don’t forget your phone/camera today, as you’ll want photos of this amazing spot! We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch from the summit, and then trade the steep descent by foot for an exciting (and welcome) five minute gondola ride back to our starting point. A peaceful drive back to Anchorage wraps up our amazing week in Alaska.
TRIP DATES & BOOKING
AVAILABLE TO BOOK
This trip is available and bookable online! Click on the date to register now or contact us online to book through our award-winning customer service team!
GOING FAST
This trip has 1 or 2 spots remaining and is bookable online! Click on the date to book now or contact us online to book through customer service.
REQUEST A RESERVATION
This trip is exclusively booked through customer service due to logistics with lodging, permits, staffing, availability, or something else. Please contact us online or call us at 800-715-HIKE (4453) to request a reservation.
Don't see your dates? Call us! We may be able to add new trip dates.
800-715-HIKE (4453)Trip Details
What's Included
- Top-of-the-line tent, backcountry sleeping pad and multi-day backpack
- High quality, synthetic sleeping bag (professionally laundered after every use) – or bring your own.
- Bear canisters for food storage
- Use of trekking poles
- All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
- 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.
- Comprehensive, roundtrip transportation from your hotel in Anchorage and back
- All entrance fees, permits and passes
- Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device (InReach Explorer or satellite phone)
What's Not Included
- Clothes, raingear, and footwear (see recommendations)
- Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
- Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
- Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about what to pack.
Meals: What to Expect
All of our hiking and backpacking tours include a diversity of tasty meals packed full of critical carbohydrates, proteins and fats. We carry foods that travel well in the backcountry – rice, pastas, lentils, beans, couscous, packaged meats, nuts, breads, oatmeal, granola, and more.
For optimal taste and energy, we supplement all our meals with spices, herbs, oils, cheeses, butter, sugar, and fruits and vegetables (fresh and dried). In addition, we provide you with with an assortment of trail mix, snacks, and dried fruits to eat at your own discretion.
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.
Gear We Provide
We provide all group gear which includes the following:
- Deuter or Osprey backpacks
- Sierra Designs, Kelty or Big Agnes tents
- Sierra Designs, Kelty, Big Agnes and Mountain Hardware synthetic-fill sleeping bags (or bring your own)
- Thermarest or Big Agnes sleeping pads
- Leki trekking poles
- Cooking stoves and cookware
- Company-issued first-aid kit
- Emergency communication device(s)
Guest Packing List
When you register for this tour you’ll receive access to a printable, downloadable trip information packet with a detailed packing list specific to this trip (click here to see it now.) All trips require a sturdy pair of hiking shoes or hiking boots, rain gear, a recommended clothing system, a headlamp or flashlight, a hydration system (water bottles and/or bladder) and other items specific to each trip.
Additionally, some guests choose to bring their own sleeping bag. We supply high quality, synthetic fill bags that are professionally laundered after every trip. Synthetic fill is non-allergenic, insulates when damp and stands up well to repeated washings, but is heavier and bulkier than down. If you’re able to bring your own down sleeping bag, there are multiple benefits. If not, we’ve got you covered!
Trip Logistics
How Do I Register?
Reserve your spot today! In the Trip Dates & Booking section of this page, the green and red dates are bookable online by simply clicking on the date, and blue dates must be booked through our customer service team for a variety of possible reasons. To email our customer service team, you can click here to get the ball rolling. Our adventure consultants will confirm availability, and if you’re ready to register we’ll email you a link to a registration profile. You’ll have 72 hours to complete your profile (and that of any dependents) and pay the deposit.
Feel free to call us for more info – we’re here 7 days a week!
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.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Travel 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.
Start/End Times
Your guide will inform you of the first day’s pick-up time. Generally, you can expect it to be around 5:30 am, although the exact time will depend on current weather and road conditions. We will drop you off at your hotel on the final day normally before 5 PM (this time is not guaranteed, as a variety of circumstances can influence our exact return time).
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.
Essential Eligibility Criteria
Essential Eligibility Criteria (“EEC”) have been specifically identified to help you understand the skills and abilities necessary to participate on each Wildland trip, and they apply uniformly to all potential trip participants, irrespective of the presence or absence of any disability.
Once you identify a trip in which you may be interested, please carefully review the EEC and itinerary details. If after reviewing the EEC that apply to your desired trip, you determine you need an accommodation in order to meet the EEC, please contact us prior to registering to discuss your requested accommodation.
The EEC exist for your own safety and the safety and enjoyment of all participants. If you are unable to meet the EEC for the trip, with or without an accommodation, you are not eligible for that trip. If you register and arrive for a trip for which you do not meet the EEC, you will be disqualified from participation on the trip and will be dismissed or evacuated from the trip without a refund.
Guide Working Parameters
Guides are required to take 8 hours off each 24-hour period to sleep, recuperate, take personal/down time…etc. In addition, as part of the 8 hours off they must sleep/rest or be in their tents/rooms uninterrupted for a minimum of 5 hours each night. We ask guests to respect these requirements and to not interrupt guides’ off time and sleep time unless there is a true emergency.
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
Weather in Alaska
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) | ||||||||
|
Month
|
Denali
|
Kenai
|
||||||
|
hi
|
low
|
Precip
|
hi
|
low
|
Precip
|
|||
|
June
|
53°
|
41°
|
2.42 in
|
58°
|
46°
|
5.2 in
|
||
|
July
|
56°
|
45°
|
3.12 in
|
61°
|
50°
|
7.1 in
|
||
|
August
|
51°
|
41°
|
3.01 in
|
61°
|
55°
|
8.8 in
|
||
|
September
|
41°
|
31°
|
1.74 in
|
55°
|
49°
|
13.3 in
|
||
Accommodations
Backcountry Tent Camping
2 Nights
Sleeping on backpacking trips is in premier 1-person, 2-person or 4-person backcountry tents. Solo travelers, and anyone else who requests it, are issued single tents. Top-of-the-line self-inflating sleeping pads and synthetic-fill sleeping bags (professionally laundered after every trip) are also provided.
Backcountry Yurts
2 Nights
We utilize backcountry yurts for two nights of this trip that offer a cozy, backcountry experience in a pristine setting. The yurts feature a wood burning stove, communal sleeping (4 people each) on bunk beds, a wood-fired sauna, pit toilets and a large campfire ring.
Backcountry Cuisine
Fresh & Delicious
Meals from breakfast Day 1 through lunch the last day are fully included and prepared by your guide. We never use dehydrated backpacking meals, instead serving freshly prepared, delicious backcountry cuisine made with a variety of common and specialty ingredients that travel well in the wilderness.
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