Hiking the Great Land of Alaska - 8 Days

Welcome to Alaska! Located in south-central Alaska on the shores of Cook Inlet lies Anchorage – a unique urban environment in the heart of the wilderness. Your adventure begins here with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, maybe head to the Anchorage Museum or check out the sights and try spotting a moose wandering the streets of town (yes, really). This evening, maybe celebrate the beginning of a new adventure with an optional group dinner.

Depart Anchorage this morning, and then do a short ascent of The Butte (as the locals call it) for some incredible views over the mountain-fringed Matanuska Valley. Enjoy the gorgeous scenery along the way of local farms and the Knik River below as you walk among pine trees surrounded by snow-capped mountain peaks and birdlife. Then hit the road for the gorgeous Denali National Park – a park and preserve with six million acres of Alaskan wilderness featuring North America’s tallest peak. Arrive at the park, set up camp, take in the scenery and enjoy a night off!

Today you’ll embark on one of the many iconic hikes that Denali has to offer. Your leader will choose the exact trail based on the group's preferences, as well as the location of your campsite. No matter which you choose, you’ll pass through gorgeous scenery, looking out for the abundant local wildlife – you might be lucky enough to see moose, caribou, Alaska brown and black bears, Dall sheep and wolves (among a long list of other wildlife) on your trek.

Embrace an early start to the day as you enjoy a long but scenic drive back through Anchorage and down the Parks Highway to Seward – one of Alaska's oldest and most picturesque towns. Along the way, you’ll stop at Turnagain Arm. A waterway into the northwestern part of the Gulf of Alaska, this area was named for British explorer James Cook, who was forced to ‘turn again’ when the waterway didn’t hold the fabled Northwest Passage on his 1778 voyage. Explore this scenic area, then continue to Seward. This vibrant town is the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park and has galleries, boutique shops and a bustling harbour.

Strap on your boots for what will be a challenging – but incredibly rewarding – hike along the Harding Icefield Trail. Starting from the Exit Glacier area, you’ll ascend from the valley floor through forests of alder and cottonwood trees. Black bears are a common sight along the trail, so be sure to keep an eye out! Once you climb above the tree line, get set for an unforgettable view of icefield, stretching toward the horizon and broken only by the occasional mountain peak. Follow the trail back down to the valley, then return to your campsite for a well-deserved rest.

Bid farewell to Seward and head out on a road trip along the Kenai Peninsula to Homer. Also known as the ‘cosmic hamlet by the sea’, the town boasts both some incredible scenery and an artsy downtown. Once you’ve set up camp, get a sample of that scenery on a walk of the famous Homer Spit and its views of Kachemak Bay. You’re likely to spot bald eagles, many of which call this area home.

This morning, a half day kayaking tour of Homer awaits. Hop on a water taxi across to Kachemak Bay State Park, pick out your kayak and then get paddling! You’ll take in Alaska’s impressive coastal scenery as you head around Yukon Island, and might even spot eagles, sea lions and the whales that sometimes wander into the bay. Once you’ve made the round trip, head back to Homer via the water taxi and enjoy a free afternoon in the town, before one last night camping under the stars.

Say goodbye to Homer this morning and drive back along the Kenai Peninsula toward Anchorage. Along the way, stop in the town of Girdwood for lunch, then arrive back in Anchorage by 3 pm, where your trip comes to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay in Alaska, just speak to your booking agent.