Photography: Alex Mironyuk

Join a company of like-minded hikers on a journey of a lifetime you'll never forget! Bring back a unique photo album of the most emotional moments of the trip captured by talented photographer Alex Mironyuk who will travel with our Team! 📸  🏔 🤩

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:

🌟  From Anchorage to the coast of the Kenai Peninsula - encounter incredible wilderness trails, and get close to imposing glaciers, ice-fields, fjords dramatic peaks, and unique wildlife!

🌟  Hike to 5 glaciers on this trip, including the epic Harding Icefield Trail, a spectacular route alongside Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park

🌟  Travel by private van, catamaran, scenic train ride, and of course on your own foot - get immersed in the untouched splendor of America’s Last Frontier!

🌟  Treat yourself with an additional day and see the highest Alaska's peak and one of the world's highest - Mt. Denali 20,320' (aka Mt. McKinley) up close on a flight-seeing tour from Talkeetna town

-------------------------------------------------------------

✈️  Arrival /Departure: Anchorage (ANC)

🍭  Kids: 16+ OK with previous hiking experience. NO discounts are given

🏩  Lodging: PREMIUM Class Hotels & lodges, dbl rooms

🤗  Group size: 10-12 travelers

🥾 Level of difficulty:  Upper Intermediate (for experienced hikers able to walk up to 10 mi/day approx up to 8hrs with elevation gain up to 2500 feet on average. Max elevation gain on this trip is 3800 feet (can be an optional activity).

🎯  COVID-19 test 

The state of Alaska has no special requirement for travelers. Please see the latest updates: https://covid19.alaska.gov/travelers/ 

Fully vaccinated travelers don't require a proof of a test. Make sure you have your vaccination certificate by hand when you travel. We suggest you have your second vaccine done no later than 14 days prior to departure. 

Not vaccinated travelers - we suggest you take a covid test in 72hrs or less prior to departure anyway just in case.

Having all necessary documents is responsibility of every traveler  and not a responsibility of Organizers. If a travelers fails to represent the required docx on request of authorities, no refunds or partial refunds are given for unused tours.

🎯  Trip terms and Cancellation Policy

Participant can cancel their trip anytime prior departure with the following penalties: 

Registration deposit is non-refundable after being paid

Cancellation 45 to 21 days before departure - up to 50% of the Trip cost

Cancellation 20 to 0 calendar days before departure – non refundable. Trip cancellation insurance is advisable; it protects all registration deposits and payments for both air and land cost.

🎯  The day-by-day itinerary below and the order of activities is draft version and subject to change to improve traveler's experience or due to weather conditions etc. 

July is the absolute best time to visit Alaska for summer activities. 

The days are long, nature is in full bloom, and the air is alive with energy. 

Temperatures

Alaska summer temperatures are surprisingly pleasant. Daytime highs range 60°F - 65°F. Nighttime lows are refreshingly cool, dipping into the 40's - 50's. 

A down-jacket is recommended to keep you warm for chilly mornings and evenings, as well as fleece beanie and gloves. Even if you don't use them, it's still good to have anyways.

Rain

The weather typically gets rainier as summer progresses. 

In July you can expect on average 7 to 10 days of rainfall. By August, the chance of rain is just over 50%. Please be prepared for rain anytime and bring rain-poncho and make sure your hiking boots are sturdy and water-proof.

Bugs

Mosquitos in Alaska may not be as big a problem as you might think, but can still be an inconvenience on hiking trails. Bring a mosquito repellent, covering your face and neck with a mosquito net is recommended for bugs protection as well.

Gear items:

- Suitcase OR Duffel for your MAIN luggage - PLEASE NO BULKY LUGGAGE ITEMS,  PACK COMPACT as we don’t have much room in the van trunk. Carry-on size is preferred. 

(However, if you can't fit you stuff into carry on size luggage, you can fly  to/from Alaska with any size of suitecase and leave it in the hotel storage in Anchorage on arrival, and then repack into smaller size duffel or backpack for the days of travel)

- A small backpack 28-35L for day-hikes (it should fit the following: your water reservoir, an extra layer, your personal hiking snack,  sunblock, and your personal first aid kit)

- A rainproof cover for your day-pack

- Head lamp (it is good to have light when your hands are free always keep it in your backpack on a hiking trail)

- Trekking poles – a must have for steep downhill trails  (collapsable are better. Note: Standard hiking poles are not allowed in carry on luggage during flights, collapsable ones haven't been a problem however it depends on airline rules)

- Micro spikes for Exit glacier hiking on icy surface (not possible to rent locally). For example: Black Diamond Blitz Spike Traction Devices in REI $39USD.

- Water bottle or camelback reservoir (1.5 to 2L)

- Small bags for your personal trash/leftovers for hiking days

- Sunblock (UV 50+)

- Lip balm (UV protection)

- Personal toiletries : toothpaste, toothbrush etc.

- Mosquito repellent (must have!)

- Mosquito net to wear over your sunhat - recommended (Cost around $15 USD on Amazon)

- Your personal first aid kit (your personal medicines you can’t do without)

- Sunglasses 

- Face mask (needed on a flight and indoor public places, visitor centers etc)

- Ear plugs, if you are a sensitive sleeper

- Gaiters (protection for your boots and pants from mud, wet and dust) - recommended

Hiking Outfit:

- Good sturdy high-ankled and waterproof hiking boots, well-worn before the trip  (!) Please no brand new boots, try them a few times on hiking trails before the trip to avoid painful blisters while on travel

- Comfortable tennis shoes (it's good to have a change of shoes for off-trail activities)

- Windproof hiking pants  (long pants, no shorts please) 

- Optional: thin thermo or leggings to wear under hiking pants if you get cold easily  

- Light long-sleeved loose shirt  for hiking (protection from sun, insects)

- A change of long/short-sleeved t-shirts as a base layer for hiking (preferably a quick-dry fabric, not cotton)

- A change of long hiking socks (not cotton. merino wool is the best) 

- Fleece jacket or light sweater

- A windbreaker, better if waterproof  fabric

- Rain poncho (must have) - lightweight is better, any rain-cover will work

- A lightweight down-jacket (650-700 down fill) for chilly evenings and mornings

- Sunhat 

- Fleece/wool beanie for chilly evenings and mornings, as well as windy days

- Waterproof lightweight gloves for chilly weather and glacier hiking

- Optional:  lightweight quick-dry personal towel & swimsuit (if you planning on swimming in the mountain lakes :)

Arrival in Anchorage on the afternoon flight.

Take an airport shuttle to hotel, check-in.

Group Introduction and team briefing at group dinner.

Overnight in Anchorage (Hotel La Quinta or similar) 

8AM - drive to the trailhead (50min from Anchorage).

Reed Lake Trail - 8.7 miles, 2247’ elevation gain, full day hike 7-8hrs. 

It is definitely the one of the most jaw-dropping scenery in this region. There will be 2 beautiful lakes along the way.

Picnic lunch on a trail. Drive back in the late afternoon. Dinner in town.

Overnight stay in Anchorage 

Photography credential: Megan Heinecke

Leave hotel around 8:00 AM or ealier (TBC)

Drive 50 min to the trailhead.

Hiking Raven Glacier Trail - 9 miles, 6-7h, 2000’ elevation gain - a mountain pass, alpine lakes with an exit to the glacier. One of the most scenic hikes in the region. Snacks on a trail.

Dinner in town.

Overnight in Anchorage 

Checkout with all your luggage packed & ready.

Drive to the trailhead (1.5hrs approx).

Byron Glacier - 3-4 miles , easy, 777ft elevation gain- the most easily accessible glacier.  Less than a mile walk to the viewpoint. Hiking to the glacier caves on the uneven off-trail. Exploring the ice cave. 

Portage Pass Trail - 4.2 miles, 1400’ elevation gain. We will drive approximately 30min, followed by dramatic views and partially into a long tunnel.

This hiking route offers stunning views of Portage Glacier and Portage Lake. The trail is rocky and a bit steep the first mile out. Optional downhill hike to the lake (1 mile, 700 feet elevation uphill on the way back). 

Drive to Seward, dinner in town. 

Overnight in alaskan wilderness retreat Seward Windsong Hotel or similar.

In the morning (10AM): optional visit to Alaska Wildlife Conservation, a place where rescued wild animals live, those that cannot survive in the wild. This is not a zoo. Grizzly brown bears have almost several hectares of territory there.

By 12PM we reach a railway station to board a Whistle Stop Train to enjoy the natural beauty of another stretch of Kenai Peninsula, accessible only by train. For years it has become a tourist famous attraction, but the views are awesome and worth taking a ride. The 25 min train ride will take us to a final stop from where we can reach a beautiful Spencer Glacier after a 5 miles hike with 560' elevation gain to the viewpoint.

Return to the train station by 4PM, take a ride back. 

Then get on a van and drive back to Seward (1h).

Overnight in Seward.

On this day we explore dramatic landscapes of Kenai Fjords National Park on a 8-mile hike to iconic Exit Glacier glacier (8.2 mi , 3800 elevation gain, full day, strenuous). Hiking poles will be very useful as well as crampons. 

This is going to be our longest and hardest hike of the entire journey which is worth every step for a breathtaking view of one of the largest ice massifs in the world - the Harding Icefield, which stretches over a huge area of ​​700 square miles!

Back in hotel in the late afternoon.

Overnight in Seward

Check out from hotel.

Take a scenic cruise through the southern bays of Kenai Fjords National Park. (Catamaran, 6hrs). 

Depending on the season and the weather, it may be sea porpoises or otters playing in boat wake, seabirds of every variety diving from cliffside nests, or humpbacks gliding just below the water surface (June and July are the best months to watch them). The boat's captain narrates the experience throughout. 

We will get back in the in the port by 2PM.

Drive back to Anchorage (2hrs). 

Farewell team dinner in town.

Overnight in Anchorage (hotel near the airport).

Check out. Morning or afternoon departure back home.

Add-on option (required 1 full extra day): 

Experience the extreme beauty of Denali and the fortress of granite peaks surrounding it on this must-do flight-seeing trip out of Talkeetna (2-3hrs drive from Anchorage). To see Denali from a distance is a rare and special experience. To see the mountain up close is something entirely different. This plane trip takes visitors on an awe-inspiring flight into the heart of the highest places.

Price ~$250-350 , doesn't include rental car, accommodation and assistance (if needed). 

Flight duration: 1h

Regular departures:  8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 2:30 PM, 4:30 PM, 6:30 PM

Tour arrangements: tour, hotel and rental car booking - on request. The total cost will depend on a number of travelers interested.