Travel to Alaska: Glaciers and Grizzlies

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Glaciers and Grizzlies

			DAYS: 11 GRADE: I-II, Active; options for more rigorous activities define PRICE: From $6395 per person HIGHLIGHTS: Juneau Glacier trekking Glacier Bay National Park Point Adolphus whale watching Denali National Park ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotels/Lodges MEALS: As noted  [B-Breakfast, L-Lunch,   D-Dinner] Prices, Departure Dates and Included Services Send to a Friend Print this Itinerary

On this Alaska Wildland Adventure you venture into the temperate coastal rainforest habitat of Southeast Alaska around Glacier Bay National Park and the rugged interior wilderness of Denali National Park. Surrounded by the Alaska Range, dominated by towering Mt McKinley, the highest peak in North America, we explore with naturalist guides in Denali National Park based from Camp Denali in the heart of Kantishna. A scenic flight over Mt Denali takes us to Anchorage and then it's on to Juneau for an exciting helicopter glacier walkabout. It's a short flight out to Gustavus and the Bear Track Inn for several days of hiking, and excursions by boat watching whales, orcas and calving glaciers off Point Adolphus and in Glacier Bay National Park with opportunities for sea kayaking, fishing and other activities.  

DAY 1 :  ARRIVAL IN ANCHORAGE
Arrive in Anchorage today and transfer on your own from the airport to the Copper Whale Inn, conveniently located in downtown Anchorage. Overnight at the Copper Whale Inn. [Meals on own]

	Get out your cameras and binoculars for grizzly viewing on our Denali National Park tour.

DAY 2 :  CAMP DENALI BUS TO KANTISHNA
Arise early to begin our journey from Anchorage to the heart of Denali National Park.  A comfortable shuttle takes us 5 hours to the Denali Park Entrance where we will meet the Camp Denali bus. Resident naturalist guides narrate this 90-mile, 7-hour trip  deep into Denali National Park (including gourmet picnic dinner en-route), stopping frequently to learn about the park's glaciology and flora, cultural heritage and legends, and of course, its incredible mega-fauna. Wildlife viewing opportunities are excellent, you may spot grizzly and black bear, moose, caribou, loons, beaver, dall sheep, and possibly wolves. We learn how different species adapt to life in the subarctic and about the impacts of climate change in the high latitudes of North America. Overnight near Wonder Lake in the middle of Denali National Park in your own authentic wilderness cabin at Camp Denali. Cabins are lit by propane lights, heated by wood stove, and each has a running water spigot and private outhouse just outside the door; flush toilets and hot water showers are in a communal building a 5 minute walk to the main lodge where meals are served. [BD] Total travel time: 12 hours

Denali's evening alpenglow

DAYS 3-4 :  DENALI NATIONAL PARK
Our tour of Denali National Park explores the heart of Alaska's premier wilderness area. Naturalist guides lead easy to strenuous hikes through alpine and tundra environments along rivers, lakes, or ridge-top trails. The beautiful scenery of Kantishna is also habitat for grizzly and brown bear, caribou, dall sheep, wolves, Arctic fox, and moose. In addition to the naturalist-guided hikes, canoeing, fishing, biking, and gold-panning are available as independent activities. Enjoy evening presentations in the lodge sometimes with special guest lecturers. Keep a look out for outstanding views and dazzling photographic opportunities of Mt. McKinley. Overnight at Camp Denali. [BLD]

DAY 5 :  DENALI SCENIC FLIGHT TO ANCHORAGE
Arise early for a spectacular bush plane scenic flight over Mt. McKinley and Denali National Park back to Anchorage. This spectacular Mt McKinley scenic flight glides over vast glaciers, through mountain passes, and through the snow-covered peaks of the Alaska Range, including unsurpassed views of Mt. McKinley (20,320 ft), the tallest mountain in North America.  Overnight at the Copper Whale Inn. [B]

Note: The flight is weather dependant. On the rare occasion that we are unable to fly we will take the Camp Denali bus 5 hours back to the park entrance and a coach another 5 hours to Anchorage.

DAY 6 :  ARRIVAL IN JUNEAU
Transfer on your own to the Anchorage International Airport this morning for your flight to Juneau. [Not included in land cost, this flight is booked as part of your personal flight arrangements to Alaska.] Upon arrival in Juneau take a taxi on your own to the Silverbow Inn, a charming newly remodeled 1914 building in the heart of historic downtown Juneau. Your afternoon is free to hike behind the down to an old mine, or stroll through this historic gold rush capitol and visit the Red Dog Saloon! Overnight at the Silverbow Inn. [B]

With the best gear and guides, we access the most remote and unusual landscapes in Alaska.

DAY 7 :  GLACIER WALKABOUT
Embark this morning on an unforgettable Alaska adventure. Glacier trekking is an exciting way to experience the extraordinary glaciers flowing from the Juneau Ice Field. After being outfitted with the proper clothing and gear, take off in a helicopter for an exciting flight over the coastal range. As soon as the helicopter touches down professional mountain guides demonstrate basic glacier skills and proper use of ice axe and crampons and lead you on an easy and exciting ice walk. No experience is necessary. Those not interested in trekking on the glacier can still enjoy the scenic helicopter flight on the Juneau Ice Field. Note: The glacier walkabout is about 1 hour walking on a glacier with crampons. For a more active option we can book a 2 hour or a 3 hour trek at an additional cost.

This afternoon take a taxi on your own to the Juneau airport in time for your scenic flight to Gustavus. Transfer to the Bear Track Inn, a family-run lodge constructed from hand-crafted spruce logs in the middle of Alaska wildland. Enjoy inspiring views of Icy Straight from the great room during the day and a cozy fireplace and snug down comforter in the evening. Today is open to explore the surrounding forests where spruce and hemlock have grown in to cover an area that was buried underneath layers of glacial ice only 200 years ago. Overnight at the Bear Track Inn. [BD] 

DAY 8 :  POINT ADOLPHUS WHALE WATCHING
Embark on an exciting half-day journey aboard a whale-watching vessel for a short trip across Icy Strait to Point Adolphus, one of the premier humpback whale watching sites in the world. Each year these magnificent cetaceans gather here to feed in the krill and herring-rich waters. Minke and orcas, porpoise, seals, sea lions and sea otters are present as well as the numerous birds, bears and deer that populate the shore. Return to the lodge for lunch and a free afternoon to relax or explore. Overnight at the Bear Track Inn. [BLD]

	Venture into the far end of the beautiful West Arm on this Glacier Bay tour.

DAY 9 :  GLACIER BAY NATIONAL PARK
Board the M/V Spirit of Adventure and navigate into the far end of Glacier Bay's beautiful West Arm. The national park naturalist guide shares the ecological, natural and cultural history of the park and helps us imagine how it looked just 200 years ago when it was completely covered in ice. Since that time it has endured the fasted retreat of glaciers in recorded history, almost 70 miles. Throughout the journey you will be witness to the succession of habitats from old growth temperate rain forest at the entrance of the bay to bare rock near the glacier's face. Watch for resident wildlife including bear, whales, harbor seals, otters, bears, mountain goat, and moose. Dinner and overnight at the Bear Track Inn. [BLD]

DAY 10 :  FREE DAY AT THE BEAR TRACK INN
Today is a free day to plan your own activity at the Bear Track Inn. Options include sea kayaking in Icy Strait or Glacier Bay, a biking tour, flight seeing, or charter fishing in either salt or fresh water (most activities at additional cost). Overnight at the Bear Track Inn. [B]

DAY 11 :  DEPARTURE
Your flight back to Juneau is included this morning to connect with your onward departure from Alaska after noon. [B]

Questions? Ask Our Program Directors.

. C o n t a c t Kurt Kutay 1(800)345-4453