ALASKA
SEA KAYAKING IN KENAI FIORDS
 Your kayak is gliding silently, effortlessly over the blue-green water
of the fiord as you reach for your camera to take a shot of a seal. It's
the same one that's been curiously following you and is now posed on a
small iceberg, framed by a towering glacier behind. "Click" - you get
the shot right before your little friend playfully slips back into the
water. It's another day of sea kayaking in Alaska!
A vast system
of glaciers once covered the entire coastal region of Alaska. As they
retreated, the splendor of the massive, intricately carved granite passageways
was revealed. Many of these fiords are beautiful, but only the most spectacular
were called the Kenai Fiords National Park. Located south of Anchorage
on the rugged southeastern coast of the Kenai Peninsula, this marine park,
with its remote bays and pristine coastline, receives little visitation.
We will be exploring the area in two person sea kayaks, whose stable shape
and rugged construction make them the craft of choice. Surrounded by only
the sounds of nature, we will weave in and out of the secluded coves,
past thundering waterfalls and view the mighty tidewater glaciers that
are still carving these fiords. This is a full week of "Kodak moments".
Days are
spent kayaking, hiking, fishing or just kicking back at camp watching
a parade of icebergs pass by. Bald eagles, otters, seals, black bears
and even an occasional orca or humpback whale call these fiords home.
This is definitely one "off the beaten track" expedition that will exceed
your expectations of the Alaska experience and answer your every need
for adventure.
 PRE-TRIP: The day before the trip starts we will meet in Seward, Alaska, at the Breeze Inn Hotel at 7 PM for an orientation. We invite you to join us for dinner after the orientation (trip cost does not include restaurant meals).
DAY
1: Meet at 8:00am at the Seward boat harbor to board our charter boat and head to Northwestern Fjord. This scenic trip takes approximately 3 1/2 hours. Quite often Orcas and sea lions may be seen on route. After we arrive, we will pack up our kayaks, have a kayak orientation and then we'll go paddling.
DAYS 2-5:The days will be spent kayaking and photographing the magnificent scenery that surrounds us in Northwestern Fjord. There will be opportunities for hiking and every day will be filled with unspoiled views of nature and memories that will last a lifetime. This is Alaska!
 DAY 6: Our charter boat picks us up in the afternoon and we return to Seward around 5:00 pm. In the event of delays due to weather or sea conditions, we recommend that you do not make any travel arrangements for this evening and plan on lodging in Seward. We invite you to join us for a farewell dinner at one of Seward's seafood restaurants (trip cost does not include restaurant meals).
TRIP
DATES: 6 days, July 13 – 18, 2009
TRIP PRICE: $1,650
TRIP COST INCLUDES: Roundtrip transportation from Seward
to Kenai Fjords National Park, park fees, all meals starting with lunch
on day 1 through lunch on day 6, experienced guides, kayaks & kayaking equipment,
first aid supplies and safety equipment.
TRIP COST DOES NOT INCLUDE: Transportation to start of
the trip, lodging at the beginning or end of the trip, restaurant meals, personal camping gear
or rental camping gear (tent, sleeping bag & pad).
RESERVATIONS: For complete
reservation information and to book a tour, click here.
Itinerary Request
DENALI
NATIONAL PARK - CAMP DENALI WILDERNESS LODGE
A
vast wilderness of snow-clad mountains, lake-studded tundra foothills
and forested river valleys make up Denali National Park and Preserve.
The parks' centerpiece, Denal i (formerly called Mount McKinley) stands
20,320 feet high and dominates the Alaska Range that stretches 150 miles
across the horizon. Denali is surrounded by forest and tundra and is a
wildlife sanctuary for caribou, grizzlies, moose, Dall sheep and wolves.
Located beneath the majestic mountaintop of Denali lies Camp Denali. The
Camp was founded in 1951 and is Alaska's original wilderness vacation
lodge and nature center. The handcrafted individual log and frame guest
cabins are privately situated along a ridge at the margins of forest and
tundra. Each has an exceptional view of the grand mountain, sleeps 2-6
and is furnished with patchwork quilts, a small wood burning stove, wall
mounted propane lights and a gas hot plate. An outhouse is located next
to each cabin and a separate building, located just a short walk away,
houses private shower and restroom facilities.
There is not a television or bar to be found or any other commercialized
amusements. If you wish to live for a time in an extraordinary wilderness
setting surrounded by the grandeur of a majestic mountain and abundant
wildlife, you will not leave disappointed. This is a unique opportunity
to explore Denali National Park's serene, remote valleys and ridges.
COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT CAMP DENALI
 How
long can I stay?
You have your choice of staying 3 to 7 nights depending on how much time
you have and what you want to do.
What is included?
Each all-expense stay includes 180 mile round-trip transportation from
the Denali Park Train Station, lodging, all meals, guided activities,
natural history interpretation, use of recreational equipment and park
entrance fees.
What is there to do at Camp Denali?
Activities include wildlife observation, canoeing, fishing and biking
around the two-mile long Wonder Lake and limitless destinations for hiking.
Small group options are available, from low-key field trips to strenuous
hikes. There is always time to just simply relax.
 What
makes Camp Denali so unique?
Camp Denali is the only lodging in Denali National Park with awe-inspiring
panorama of Mount McKinley and the Alaska Range. While the majority of
park visitors never see "Denali," nine-tenths of Camp Denali and guests
catch more than a glimpse of "The Great One." Living in its shadow makes
all the difference!
What is the best time to visit?
While mountain weather is always unpredictable, we feel that June through
August is the best time to experience this part of Alaska. Summer's long
days and warm temperatures melt the winter snow pack revealing a velvet
carpet of tundra plants and flowers. Caribou nursery bands move to summer
feeding ranges, blueberries grow rich and ripe, and Moose are often found
feeding on aquatic vegetation in tundra ponds.
How is the food?
In spite of Camp Denali's remote location, the food is not only tasty
but nourishing, plentiful and creatively prepared. Entrees may include
barbecued salmon, beef tenderloin, served with homemade breads, fresh
vegetables and fruit. Special treats like strawberry rhubarb pie emerge
daily from the bakery. Dietary needs can be accommodated with advance
notice.
How do I sign up? Call us for available dates and we'll do the
rest! A deposit of $100/per person/per night is needed to confirm your
reservaton. Camp Denali is open June 1- September 11, 2009. The final payment will be due 60 days before your reservation. (800) 648-8488
2008 Rates (includes tax): Per person based on double occupancy
3 nights - $1,425 adult $1,069 under 12 years
4 nights - $1,900/adult $1,425 under 12 years
7 nights - $3,325/adult $2,494 under 12 years
Single
supplement: add $100/night.
Singles who are willing to share are charged the double
occupancy rate above.
What is included?
180-mile round-trip transportation from the Denali Park Rail Station,
lodging, all meals, guided outings, natural and cultural history,
interpretation, evening programs, use of recreational equipment,
park entry fee.
GETTING TO CAMP DENALI
Transportation
to Camp Denali is provided by bus, and they ask you to meet at the Denali
Train Station at 12:30 pm for an orientation. Departure for Camp Denali
is at 1:30 pm. On the last day of your tour you will be driven back to
the Denali Park Train Station and arrive by 11:15 am.
By Train: From Anchorage, the train
departs at 8:15 am and arrives at 3:45 pm so you will have to overnight
in one of the many hotels or lodges in the area. You can then easily make
the 12:30 pm meeting for Camp Denali the next day. From Fairbanks,
you depart at 8:15 am and arrive at Denali Park at 12:00 noon, with ample
time to make your Camp Denali connection on the same day.
By
Van from Anchorage, The Park Connection offers a service that
will allow you to depart Anchorage in time to make your Camp Denali connection
on the same day. 800-208-0200
Alaska
Trails Parks Highway Express: (888) 600-6001 Fax: (907) 488-8129
Alaska Railroad: (800) 544-0552 Fax (907) 265-2323 Alaska
Train Schedules
LODGING SUGGESTIONS IN ANCHORAGE: Contact your local
travel agent or call Alaska Travel Industry Association (907-929-2200)
for their lodging guide. A good website to check is: Anchorage
Hotels
RESERVATIONS: For complete
reservation information click here.
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