9 Day Alaska Wildlife Tour W. Bear+whale Viewing, 2 Nat'l Parks, Boutique Hotels

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Anchorage, Copper Whale Inn

Stop At: Copper Whale Inn, 440 L St, Anchorage, AK 99501, USA
Upon arrival a driver will pick you up and bring you to our boutique hotel, where you can rest, explore downtown or the river trail and grab dinner. There will be a meet and greet in the evening at the hotel with your guides and fellow travelers
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, entrance at W 2nd Ave, Anchorage, AK
When you arrive in Anchorage a driver will be waiting for you at the airport. Our guide will be in the lobby later that evening to answer any questions and discuss plans for our trip. You can use this free night to relax and recover from your travel day with comfort at our downtown boutique hotel (typically either Copper Whale Inn or Historic Anchorage). If you would prefer to explore there is plenty to do. The hotel is conveniently located near downtown activities, but with a peaceful setting and both nature and culture within reach.
With the 11 mile Coastal Trail just a few blocks away and bikes available for rent, you will be in the perfect location to settle in and explore Anchorage. Enjoy the afternoon and evening at your leisure.
Duration: 1 hour

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Copper Whale Inn, a small and cozy locally owned location nearby the action of downtown but tucked away and quiet

Day 2: Drive to Seward with Picnic Lunch, Visit to Sea Life Centre & Seafood boil!

Stop At: Alaska SeaLife Center, 301 Railway Ave, Seward, AK 99664, USA
After breakfast we enjoy a scenic drive to Seward, stopping for a picnic lunch at a beautiful viewpoint. Later we arrive in the town of Seward, located on an inlet at the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park. We check in at Resurrection Lodge and visit the Sea Life
Center where they research and rescue local wildlife. Afterwards we have some time to explore the downtown area of this historic fishing town. Save your appetite for a private outdoor seafood boil dinner at the lodge, before resting up for tomorrow’s tour of Kenai Fjords.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner: Alaskan seafood boil prepared by your guide!
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Resurrection Lodge is located on Lowell Point, overlooking the bay
and the Chugach Mountains.

Day 3: Kenai Fjords National Park Boat Cruise & Kayak Adventure

Stop At: Kenai Fjords National Park, Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska
This full day tour provides an up-close experience with a tidewater glacier. Your day begins in the bay with a wildlife tour aboard a small boat. Watch for whales, orca, sea lions, harbor seals, puffins, bald eagles, porpoise and more. A box lunch will be provided. Upon reaching the bay the guides provide basic paddling instructions and a safety talk before we paddle amidst some of the most spectacular scenery in Alaska. We use stable tandem (two-person) kayaks allowing both novices and experts to kayak
comfortably. We’ll paddle in turquoise waters near small icebergs and observe a towering glacier from a safe distance of half a mile away. The views, sounds of cracking ice and wildlife encounters make the 2-3 hour kayaking a magical experience! For those who prefer to stay onboard the boat instead of kayaking, the captain and crew will provide a tour through the nooks and crannies of Aialik Bay and spend time in front of a nearby glacier.
Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Resurrection Lodge on the Bay has incredible views and wildlife visible from the deck, cozy rooms and secluded location

Day 4: Exit Glacier Hike

Stop At: Exit Glacier Road, Kenai Fjords National Park, AK 99664
After breakfast at the lodge we drive to Exit Glacier. This beautiful glacier is located at the edge of the Harding Icefield and is 4 square miles large. It is believed to have retreated a mile over the past 100 years, and an estimated 136 feet just in 2015!
Based on personal preference, part of our group will do the full day hike to view the Harding Icefield, and the rest of the group will do a short hike to the glacier overlook and then will head back to town for optional add-on activities like deep sea fishing or glacier dog sledding. This evening is again free for dinner at your leisure in town.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Resurrection Lodge on the Bay has incredible views and wildlife visible from the deck, cozy rooms and secluded location


Day 5: Drive to Homer & Time at Leisure

Stop At: Homer, Homer, Alaska
After breakfast we enjoy an incredibly scenic drive to Homer. The drive takes approximately four hours and includes viewing stops along the way. Once we arrive and check into the beautiful waterfront Land’s End resort, you have the option to explore the Homer Spit, visit the Islands & Oceans Center, the Wynn Nature Center or the Pratt Museum.
Gold miners arrived in Homer in the 1890s and since then Homer has been known for its incredible wildlife nearby and its moniker “Halibut Fishing Capital of the World”.
The evening is free for dinner at your leisure and we spend the night at the famous Land’s End Resort, where you can fall asleep to the sound of the waves lapping on the beach.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Land's End Resort you will enjoy mountain views from your room, explore the beach or relax in the sauna or hot tub.

Day 6: Bear Viewing at Katmai National Park!

Stop At: Brooks Falls, Katmai National Park and Preserve, AK
Today is our first day of bear viewing! We board a morning floatplane flight to Katmai National Park and Brooks Falls for a day of bear viewing! Take in scenic views as we head to Katmai National Park, famous for the salmon run and some of the largest brown bears on earth! Upon arrival a Park Ranger will give us an orientation about the area and bear safety. Then we spend several hours watching the bears eat, play and mingle at Brooks Falls.
We fly back to Homer in the afternoon and the evening is free for your leisure.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Land's End Resort you will enjoy mountain views from your room, explore the beach or relax in the sauna or hot tub.

Day 7: Bear Viewing at Hallo or Chinitna Bay

Stop At: Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, Alaska
Today we will either head to Chinitna Bay or Hallo Bay, depending on which location has the best bear viewing potential and clearest weather that day. The views from these flights are spectacular and gives you a bird’s eye view of the dramatic landscapes here.
We land on the beach amidst spectacular scenery in either Katmai or Lake Clark National Park and spend the day tracking and viewing bears from a safe distance. There are lots of opportunities to take photos from different viewpoints. Learn about bear
behavior, take in the spectacular wildlife and scenery, and enjoy a picnic lunch. Head back on another scenic flight, enjoy some free time for dinner on your own in Homer, and relax another night at Land’s End.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Land's End Resort you will enjoy mountain views from your room, explore the beach or relax in the sauna or hot tub.

Day 8: Homer to Alyeska with Tram Ride & Dinner

Stop At: Alyeska Ski Area, 1000 Arlberg Dr, Girdwood, Anchorage, AK 99587
Enjoy breakfast at the lodge before heading on a scenic drive to Alyeska Resort. We stop in Ninilchik along the way, a native Alaskan village with Russian heritage. After learning about the history of the town we continue to Girdwood with a stop at the
confluence of the Russian and Kenai rivers. Enjoy a picnic lunch and gaze at the mesmerizing blue-green water below.
We arrive at The Hotel Alyeska in the early afternoon. This hotel features an award-winning restaurant and a saltwater swimming pool. Its picturesque location is surrounded by glaciers and mountain peaks. Join us on a complimentary tram ride to
take in the incredible scenery from up high—or just enjoy the hotel’s amenities!
Tonight we will share a final group dinner together (on us!), where we can exchange photos and contact information and recap after a week packed full of excitement.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Alyeska Resort features a restaurant, a saltwater pool and jacuzzi, and hiking trails accessible right
from the hotel.

Day 9: Drive to Anchorage & Departure Day

Stop At: Anchorage, Anchorage, Alaska
Today we say goodbye to the group and head our separate ways. Transport to the airport or other locations in Anchorage is provided. Head home with memories, new friends, and some incredible photographs!
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.