Alaska: The Kenai Peninsula

Welcome to Alaska! Arrive anytime today to Anchorage and take the free airport shuttle to our hotel. By area, Anchorage is one of the largest cities in the U.S., encompassing 1,961 square miles – nearly the size of the state of Delaware! With around 300,000 residents, Anchorage is also Alaska's most populous city and home to more than 41 percent of the state's population. Although the sun technically sets for about three hours on this day, it never really gets dark. You may find yourself exploring long past your bedtime! If you have time, there is a fun trolley tour of the city and lots to learn at the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Otherwise, there will be a welcome dinner and orientation this evening. Don’t worry, if you arrive late there can be an orientation the following morning. (D)

Overnight: Hampton Inn or similar, Anchorage

We’ve got so much wildlife to see that we’ll start the day bright and early by meeting as a group at the hotel in Anchorage at 8 AM. After introductions and a brief orientation, we’ll load into vans and drive to the Kenai Peninsula, admiring the spectacular scenery along the way. En route, we’ll stop for an easy hike to stretch our legs and a delicious picnic lunch. After arriving in Seward, we’ll get our legs moving again with another hike and picnic lunch. Tonight, everyone will have free time to explore the charming coastal town and gather for an evening group dinner. (Drive time: 2.5 hours. Hiking mileage: 1-3 miles first hike, 3-5 miles second hike) (B, L, D)



Overnight: Best Western Edgewater Hotel or similar

After breakfast at our hotel, and time to make any last purchases, we’ll take a scenic boat ride to our home away from home for the next few nights. During the one hour boat ride through Resurrection Bay we may see both humpback and orca whales, as well as sea otters and sea lions.



Our glamping adventure begins today! What is “glamping,” you might ask? It stands for “glamorous camping” and implies a rustic adventure that still has lots of lovely amenities. Glamping gives you the peace and serenity of a wilderness experience without the traditional downsides of ‘roughing it’. In our case, we’ll be staying in spacious yurts, each with a queen bed and a futon. Linens are provided, including pillows, blankets and comforters. The eco-friendly yurts have solar power and each features a kitchen with propane range and complete set of dishes and basic cookware, a dining and comfortable living area, propane fireplace, private bathroom with shower and compost toilet, and a large private deck with barbecue grill.



Once we’ve had a chance to unload and settle in, we’ll gather for an afternoon paddle or hike and then have dinner together as a group. Your AGC guides will teach basic paddling techniques and safety - no previous sea kayaking or stand up paddling experience is necessary. (B, D)



Overnight: Orca Island Cabins

Humpy Cove is an incredible spot to enjoy all 22 hours of functional daylight today. The best part about our trip to the Kenai Peninsula is that you can spend your day however you choose - this is the ultimate vacation! Soak up the incredible views from your yurt’s private deck, do a few yoga sun salutations in the eternal daylight, bring your watercolors along and capture the beautiful scenery on paper, get your boots muddy on a hike among Boreal forests, or grab a paddle and look for wildlife in the cove. Animals you may see include: harbor seals, porpoises, sea otters, and Steller sea lions. Breakfasts and dinners will be prepared by your AGC guides and eaten together as a group, but lunches are on your own so you don’t have to worry about cutting short your activity in the middle of the day. (Your guides will walk you through good lunch options to purchase when the group is in Seward on Day 2) Each day your AGC guides will lead a longer hiking/paddling option that you can choose to join. (B, D)



Overnight: Orca Island Cabins

Another full day in paradise! Rinse, repeat from yesterday. We’ll partake in a cruise of Resurrection Bay to see wildlife and where the sea meets the snow-capped mountains. We’ll cruise by the bird rookeries (nesting grounds), observe puffins, seabirds, and mountain goats! At night we’ll gather around a campfire for stories and laughter beneath a night sky so magical that you will be oohing and ahhing! (B, D)



Overnight: Orca Island Cabins

Our time in paradise together is either ending or getting underway (depending on if you are joining us for the hiking trip Alaska: From Anchorage to Fairbanks) This morning we’ll eat a final scrumptious breakfast together as a group before catching our scenic boat back to Seward at 10AM. In Seward we’ll swing by the grocery store so you can grab an easy lunch and do a final hike at Exit Glacier together before we drive back to Anchorage. We’ll see sweeping views of the glacier, valley, and forest to soak in the moments in Alaska. If you’re flying out today, we’ll have you back to the Anchorage airport by 4PM, in time for flights out after 6PM. If you’re staying on for the next AGC Alaska trip, we’ll drop you off at the group hotel by 5PM. (Drive time: 2.5 hours. Hiking mileage: 2-3 miles) (B, L)



Overnight: Hampton Inn Anchorage or similar for participants extending to the Alaska: Anchorage to Fairbanks departure.