Alaska, Mountains to Sea

Brown Bear Viewing, Pristine Ecosystems, and Denali Backcountry

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Overview

Immerse yourself in Alaska’s untamed beauty! This Alaskan road trip hits some of the state’s most breathtaking highlights, plus you’ll take some spectacular flights above the vast landscape. From the wild diversity of the Kenai Peninsula up to Denali National Park, you’ll get a taste of every Alaskan wildlife habitat but one while you explore on foot, by car, by boat, helicopter, fixed-wing plane, and more. The journey is part of the adventure!

Extraordinary experiences and unforgettable moments will fill your days. Take a scenic, private flight to a remote national park to see bears in their natural habitat! Go salmon fishing in the pristine Kenai River with a local fishing guide. Kayak to a calving glacier and then board a wildlife cruise to spot whales, seals, puffins, and more. Cap it all off with a private helicopter ride into the heart of Denali National Park where you’ll spend two nights at a backcountry lodge hiking, wildlife viewing, and enjoying the serenity and solitude.

Price From*

$18,500 USD
Trip Type

Custom-Made Travel
Best Months for Travel

June, July, August, September
Duration

12 days / 11 nights
Trip begins/ends
Anchorage, Alaska / Anchorage, Alaska

*Price per person based on sample itinerary detailed. Pricing will vary depending upon number of travelers, rooming configuration, and other planning details specific to your trip.

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How Can We Customize This Sample Itinerary For You?

If this sample itinerary looks intriguing, let us know and we can begin the process of tailoring it for you and yours! Call or email us today: [email protected].

Trip Details

Trip Highlights

What’s Included? Everything you need, plus everything you want.

Only in Alaska Activities: Active adventure for all ages and abilities from glacier hiking and kayaking to fishing, bear viewing, and flightseeing.
Backcountry Lodging: Stay at the remote and intimate Denali Backcountry Lodge, complete with an exhilarating helicopter ride in and out.
Protected Landscapes: This journey offers the chance to check three Alaska national parks off your list – Katmai or Lake Clark, Kenai, and Denali.
Wild Alaska: Spot diverse wildlife, from marine life along the Kenai Peninsula to Denali’s tundra. There’s the opportunity to possibly spot Alaska’s “Big 5”: bears, moose, Dall sheep, caribou, and wolves.

The Essentials

Alaska, Mountains to Sea

Trip Type: Custom-Made Travel

Territory: North America

Region: Alaska

Trip Price: $18,500

Duration: 12 days/11 nights

Trip Begins/Ends: Anchorage, Alaska / Anchorage, Alaska

National Parklands: Denali NP;Lake Clark NP;Katmai NP;Kenai Fjords NP

Select Terms & Conditions

All custom travel is tailored to the desires and interests of our traveling clients (see How Custom Travel Works tab). Trip pricing detailed is an estimate of the per person pricing for the sample itinerary detailed and includes all of the lodging, activities, and guided experiences described. Actual pricing for the trip designed expressly for you and others traveling with you will depend on the features and elements developed during the trip planning process. Travel with Off the Beaten Path requires agreement to our standard Terms & Conditions.

Energy Index

No Sweat - 1-2 miles of walking or hiking per day, plus easy activities

Nice & Active – 3-6 miles of hiking or walking per day, plus physically active exploration

High Five! – 5-10 miles of hiking per day, plus possible peak bagging or other action-oriented fun

Alaska, Mountains to Sea

The Energy Index detailed above relates to the level of exertion associated with the sample trip detailed. This would be modified to fit the style and ability of your group as a part of the custom trip planning process

Make It Private

How custom-made travel works at Off the Beaten Path

We’ve been tailoring custom journeys for clients since our very inception in the mid-1980s! The process is all about connecting the interests of the travelers with the best that a given destination has to offer. To achieve this, we rely upon good ol’ fashioned conversation! Our geographically focused travel designer love to meet new people and learn about their interests for travel. Understanding your goals informs the process immensely and serves as the foundation for the development of a bespoke travel experience for you and yours.

The trip detailed on this web page is a sample of something we’ve done for other clients over the years. In order to start the process of designing your own custom travel experience, just call us at (800) 445-2995 and ask to speak with one of our Travel Advisors. After a bit of time on the phone, you will then have the opportunity to connect with one of our travel designers.

The entire planning process is very personalized and works in an iterative fashion until a final, perfect trip has been created. We then secure all of the lodging, activities, and guided experiences associated with your trip and send along abundant trip materials capturing these details – and much more about your travels!

Trip Highlights
The Essentials
Energy Index
How Custom Travel Works

What’s Included? Everything you need, plus everything you want.

Only in Alaska Activities: Active adventure for all ages and abilities from glacier hiking and kayaking to fishing, bear viewing, and flightseeing.
Backcountry Lodging: Stay at the remote and intimate Denali Backcountry Lodge, complete with an exhilarating helicopter ride in and out.
Protected Landscapes: This journey offers the chance to check three Alaska national parks off your list – Katmai or Lake Clark, Kenai, and Denali.
Wild Alaska: Spot diverse wildlife, from marine life along the Kenai Peninsula to Denali’s tundra. There’s the opportunity to possibly spot Alaska’s “Big 5”: bears, moose, Dall sheep, caribou, and wolves.

Alaska, Mountains to Sea

Trip Type: Custom-Made Travel

Territory: North America

Region: Alaska

Trip Price: $18,500

Duration: 12 days/11 nights

Trip Begins/Ends: Anchorage, Alaska / Anchorage, Alaska

National Parklands: Denali NP;Lake Clark NP;Katmai NP;Kenai Fjords NP

Select Terms & Conditions

All custom travel is tailored to the desires and interests of our traveling clients (see How Custom Travel Works tab). Trip pricing detailed is an estimate of the per person pricing for the sample itinerary detailed and includes all of the lodging, activities, and guided experiences described. Actual pricing for the trip designed expressly for you and others traveling with you will depend on the features and elements developed during the trip planning process. Travel with Off the Beaten Path requires agreement to our standard Terms & Conditions.

Energy Index

No Sweat - 1-2 miles of walking or hiking per day, plus easy activities

Nice & Active – 3-6 miles of hiking or walking per day, plus physically active exploration

High Five! – 5-10 miles of hiking per day, plus possible peak bagging or other action-oriented fun

Alaska, Mountains to Sea

The Energy Index detailed above relates to the level of exertion associated with the sample trip detailed. This would be modified to fit the style and ability of your group as a part of the custom trip planning process

How custom-made travel works at Off the Beaten Path

We’ve been tailoring custom journeys for clients since our very inception in the mid-1980s! The process is all about connecting the interests of the travelers with the best that a given destination has to offer. To achieve this, we rely upon good ol’ fashioned conversation! Our geographically focused travel designer love to meet new people and learn about their interests for travel. Understanding your goals informs the process immensely and serves as the foundation for the development of a bespoke travel experience for you and yours.

The trip detailed on this web page is a sample of something we’ve done for other clients over the years. In order to start the process of designing your own custom travel experience, just call us at (800) 445-2995 and ask to speak with one of our Travel Advisors. After a bit of time on the phone, you will then have the opportunity to connect with one of our travel designers.

The entire planning process is very personalized and works in an iterative fashion until a final, perfect trip has been created. We then secure all of the lodging, activities, and guided experiences associated with your trip and send along abundant trip materials capturing these details – and much more about your travels!

Itinerary

Day 1: Anchorage

Arrive at the Anchorage Airport and kick off your adventure in the heart of the city, with a beautiful mountainous backdrop.

Days 2-4: Homer

Today you’ll drive the length of the Kenai Peninsula. Along the way there will be opportunities to hike trails, spot Dall sheep (or whales if you’re lucky), and enjoy the views as you journey along one of the world’s most scenic drives. Spend two nights on the shores of Kachemak Bay. Kayak the rugged coast and take a guided hike to a glacial lake. Take off from Homer for a truly Alaskan day of flightseeing and remote bear viewing.

Days 5-7: Seward

Your next Kenai Peninsula port-of-call is the coastal town of Seward. Along the way, go fishing on the wild and scenic Kenai River with a seasoned local fishing guide. Once in Seward, take a guided hike through spruce forest, past a waterfall, along a gorge and finally to the top of the ridge for rewarding views. Enjoy a scenic boat tour along the rugged shoreline to a calving tidewater glacier, with lots of wildlife viewing opportunities along the way. Board your own kayak to paddle through the blue-green waters of Kenai Fjords National Park.

Day 8: Talkeetna

As with all of our lodging choices, we want to make sure each night adds to the adventure of the trip. Tonight, your half day of driving will be awarded with a cozy room and if, the weather cooperates, views of Denali.

Day 9-10: Denali National Park

Board a helicopter for a thrilling and scenic ride into the backcountry of Denali National Park! Spend your time wildlife viewing, mountain biking, and naturalist-led hiking. Your two nights in the deep-green boreal forest will grant you unique access to Denali’s backcountry.

Days 11-12: Departures Home from Anchorage

One last scenic drive and one last night in Alaska are on the agenda as you head south to Anchorage. Depending on your arrival time, you can walk the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail to take in some final Alaskan views.

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Lodging

Hotel Captain Cook

Hotel Captain Cook is in the heart of downtown Anchorage, with excellent access to the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, as well as restaurants and shops. Built after the 1964 earthquake at a time when Alaska was flush with new oil money, the hotel has a nautical theme and is both grand and classic Alaska. The hotel takes up an entire city block and towers top the building. All 550 guest rooms have sweeping views of either the Cook Inlet or Chugach Mountains, and there are three restaurants on site for your convenience.

Land's End Resort

Situated on the shores of Kachemak Bay at the end of Homer Spit, you can walk out the hotel door to walk the beach, or look for otters, whales, seals, and eagles right from your private deck. Guest accommodations are in 117 modern rooms, each with private bath and deck. Enjoy your stay in—pretty much literally—Kachemak Bay!

Bell in the Woods Bed and Breakfast

Bell in the Woods is a luxury b&b nestled in picturesque Seward, and is just a few miles from the downtown area. This is a quaint and intimate location and a full breakfast is included in your stay.

Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge

Located two miles from Talkeetna, overlooking the Susitna River Valley, the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge offers luxury accommodations, great dining and breathtaking views of Mount McKinley. Take advantage of the view from the deck, one of the lobby areas, the lounge, or one of the full-service restaurants. This will be the perfect base for your stay in the area.

Denali Backcountry Lodge

Denali Backcountry Lodge sits beside Moose Creek in the Kantishna Hills at the base of massive Denali. There are thirty comfortable cedar guest cabins, each with heat and a private bath. The two-story main lodge is the gathering place, where you will enjoy hearty, healthy meals with fellow guests. A buffet is offered for breakfast and lunch, and dinner is served family style. There is an informal bar which serves beer and wine. Each day you can choose from a host of guided activities, including naturalist-led hikes, gold panning, wildlife explorations, and flightseeing. There are mountain bikes for guests to use, and a variety of evening programs that you are welcome to attend. We hope that on at least one of the day’s you visit it will be clear enough to see Denali in all its glory, as there is no better location from which to view it.Your helicopter flight to and from the lodge, lodging, meals and daily guided activities are included in your stay here.