Hike among glaciers and into Alaska's far-reaching valleys. Cruise the magnificent Kenai Fjords National Park and witness calving glaciers and the playful antics of sea lions, whales, and puffins. Sea kayak in Kachemak Bay in search of orcas and bald eagles.

With its massive mountains, diverse wildlife, expansive tundra, sparkling rivers, and wildflower-filled meadows, it's no wonder that the Kenai Peninsula is often referred to as the "playground of Alaska." We begin our exploration in the magnificent Kenai Fjords National Park, which boasts abundant wildlife, and breathtaking mountain and coastal scenery. Then we hike to glaciers, along salmon-filled streams, and deep into the alpine tundra. From the colorful fishing village of Homer, we explore, by foot and sea kayak, the pristine wilderness of Kachemak Bay. We discover vast territory on this multifaceted adventure as we become acquainted with the rich diversity of some of the most beautiful wilderness on the planet.

Days 1-3: Meet in Anchorage, Alaska, and set out for the Kenai Peninsula. Hike and cruise in the Kenai Fjords National Park. Learn about porpoises, whales, and other marine life. Explore Exit Glacier, and hike to a viewpoint of the immense Harding Icefield, or hike along a salmon-filled stream to a turquoise alpine lake.

Days 4-6: Transfer to Homer. Take a water taxi across Kachemak Bay and enjoy hiking to a glacial lake with its shimmering source as a backdrop. Kayak the pristine waters of Kachemak Bay, touted as one of the world's richest marine bays with its vast system of tidal channels. Optional bear viewing in Alaska's famous Katmai National Park.

Day 7: Hike the Homestead Trail near Homer, with beautiful vistas of mountains, bays and inlets.  Enjoy lunch on serene Bishops Beach, before a scenic ride back to Anchorage. 

Our day of sea kayaking in the heart of Alaska's Kachemak Bay State Park is abundant in diverse and stunning scenery. The route winds its way through two bays where we paddle in protected tidal channels and up close to bold sea cliffs. A great variety of scenery and sea life unfolds at every turn including the Gull Island bird rookery and its 10,000 nesting birds, and China Poot Bay, often touted as one of the world's richest marine bays.

The Boundless Journeys' Advantage

• A passion for travel. Simply put, we love to travel, and that is woven into every one of our journeys.
• Unique, award-winning itineraries. Our flexible, hand-crafted journeys have received accolades from the world’s most revered travel publications.
• Insider connections. There is simply no substitute for traveling with a knowledgeable insider.
• Small groups. We tread softly, and our average group size is just 6-8 guests.
• Flexibility to suit your travel style. We offer both small-group departures and Private Collection trips.
• Customer service that goes the extra mile. There is no request that is too big – or too small.
• Sustainability. We are committed to traveling responsibly.

Most Convenient Airport:
Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport; Anchorage, Alaska (Airport Code ANC)

Meeting Time and Place:
We have chosen three convenient downtown hotels as the meeting point for this trip. Your guide(s) will meet you in the lobby of your chosen hotel on the first day of your trip between 8:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. (time depending upon hotel you choose).

Departure Time and Place:
Your guides will provide transportation to the Anchorage Airport by 6:00 p.m. (approximately a five hour transfer from Homer.) Since we will be traveling from Homer on the final day of the trip, we will not be able to arrive in downtown Anchorage prior to 6:00 p.m. Please schedule your hotel arrangements or flights accordingly.

Optional Homer Departure by Plane:
You may choose to fly from Homer to Anchorage instead of traveling by van at the end of trip, and this can provide you with the option of leaving early or staying later than the group departure. The flight from Homer to Anchorage takes only 40 minutes, and there are a number of daily flights. Many flights out of Anchorage require an overnight flight to your final destination, but it maybe possible to fly directly from Homer on the last day of the tour, and possibly return to your final destination the same day. Please contact the airlines directly if you wish to fly from Homer.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Physical Activity
Boundless Journeys’ trips are designed for energetic and flexible individuals who like to be active and have a spirit of adventure and a positive attitude. Kenai Explorer is rated 2+, moderate, on a scale of 1-5 (with 5 being the most strenuous). The hikes on this trip are day hikes with minimal vehicle support, and average 4-6 hours per day. We hike on nature trails with terrain that can be rocky or uneven at times. There are two days of hiking on this trip where there will be both easier and more strenuous options available. Because of the nature of the trails, we often hike “out and back” on the same trail. There is one day of easy sea kayaking included in the trip. No previous experience is necessary. Please refer to the daily itinerary for descriptions of the activities on each day of the trip.

Preparing for this Trip
It is very important that you realistically assess your physical condition with regard to the demands of this trip. The more well-prepared you are for the activities on this trip, the more you will enjoy yourself! Please engage in moderate aerobic activities (hiking, jogging, or cycling) for at least 30-45 minutes several times a week for 4-6 weeks before the trip. If you live in a flat area, try to incorporate some stairs into your workout, or use a treadmill with varying incline capability. Consult your doctor before undertaking any new fitness program.

For our kayaking excursion you may want to consider some sort of strength building and flexibility maintenance for your core and upper body. Done correctly, kayaking makes use of abdominal muscles and the muscles of the shoulders and back.

About Sea Kayaking
No previous experience is required to enjoy a day of sea kayaking. Sea kayaks are stable vessels which allow for an up close experience of a marine environment. Our professional guides will provide basic paddling instruction and tips throughout the day. It is hard to accurately rate the difficulty of a sea kayaking trip as much of the challenge is determined by the weather. We typically plan our route to avoid strong winds and currents. It is especially important on a sea kayaking excursion that you approach it with a spirit of flexibility and an openness to enjoy nature and all it presents.

Our kayak fleet is comprised of double and single kayaks. Based upon your experience, and the size and composition of the group, your guide will help determine what kayak is most suitable for you, with safety always the first concern. The kayaks are primarily constructed of fiberglass, and all are equipped with rudders.

Weather
Expect the weather conditions in Alaska to be variable, and you won’t be disappointed! While summer days can be delightful, with crisp mornings and warm, sunny afternoons, you must come prepared for a variety of conditions, including the likelihood of rain. June tends to receive the least amount of rain in the summer months, with the average precipitation amounts increasing as the summer progresses. Mornings and evenings tend to be much cooler than midday, therefore you will find dressing in layers to be an effective strategy. Average summer temperatures in Anchorage range from a high of 62°F - 65°F during the day, and a low of 47°F - 51°F during the evening.

You may obtain more detailed weather information by visiting www.weatherbase.com.

When to Go
Summertime in Alaska is short, and June through August is when travelers like to roam throughout the state, making the most of the ‘warmer’ temperatures. While slightly cooler than other summer months, June receives less rain and often fewer visitors. July brings warmer temperatures and a greater number of visitors to the Kenai Peninsula. Snow is possible at higher elevations at any time of year. July and August find many species of wildflowers in the high alpine meadows, and spawning salmon in the rivers. By September, the alpine tundra starts to turn a beautiful color in anticipation of the upcoming fall.

Overview:  First-class and scenically located hotels with many amenities. All have private baths.

Nights 1, 2 & 3:  Seward Windsong Lodge
Seward, Alaska

Located in a forested setting in a beautiful glacial valley, the Seward Windsong Lodge is perfectly situated and offers a comfortable base for our Seward adventures.

Nights 4, 5 & 6:  Land’s End Resort
Homer, Alaska

The Land’s End Resort enjoys a spectacular beachfront location at the tip of the Homer Spit on the shores of Kachemak Bay, with 180-degree views of the Kenai Mountain Range and its glaciers.

DAY 1

Meet in Anchorage. Transfer to Kenai Peninsula; Caines Head and Fort McGilvray

Hiking – easy to moderate, 2-3 hours on hiking trails.

Upon meeting our guides in Anchorage, our exploration of the Kenai Peninsula begins with a scenic drive south to Seward, where we will spend the first two nights of our trip. Our route is a fine introduction to the beauty of the peninsula as we pass through the massive Chugach Mountains just after leaving Anchorage.

Situated at the head of Resurrection Bay on the Kenai Peninsula, Seward is one of Alaska’s oldest and most scenic communities. Known as the "Gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park," Seward is a picturesque town that offers much to explore.

Following lunch on arrival in Seward, we board a water taxi in Resurrection Bay which brings us to a small beach where we begin our afternoon hike. A forest path leads us to the scenic site of an abandoned World War II fort. This massive headland rises 650 feet above the bay, against a backdrop of rolling alpine meadows and sharp peaks, giving way to a sweeping view of the northern Pacific Ocean. Early in World War II, as the territory of Alaska was attacked and occupied by Imperial Japanese ground forces, Caines Head and other Resurrection Bay locations became strategic spots for defending the Port of Seward. This port was the southern terminus of the Alaska Railroad, a critical supply line for the war effort and for Alaskans.

Late this afternoon, back in Seward, we have time to visit the Alaska Sea Life Center. The center’s exhibits immerse visitors in the dynamic marine ecosystems of Alaska, and provide a good introduction for our week’s adventure.
Seward Windsong Lodge, Seward, Alaska

DAY 2
Kenai Fjords National Park

Wildlife Cruise – 6-8 hours.

Sweeping from rocky coastline to glacier-crowned peaks, Kenai Fjords National Park encompasses 607,805 acres of unspoiled wilderness on the southeast coast of Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula. Today’s exploration of this vast park is by boat, as a nature cruise takes us deep into the park to Aialik Bay. Here we witness a landscape continuously shaped by glaciers, earthquakes, and storms. Three tidewater glaciers flow into Aialik Bay and the area teems with wildlife. Orcas, otters, puffins, sea lions, bald eagles, bear, porpoises, moose, and mountain goats are just a few of the numerous animals that make their home in this ever-changing place where mountains, ice, and ocean meet. The awesome power of glaciers is on display all around us, as thunderous booms from calving glaciers send huge chunks of ice breaking off and falling into the water, creating waves and scattering birds.

Upon returning to Seward we enjoy dinner this evening in one of the town’s fine restaurants.
Seward Windsong Lodge, Seward, Alaska

DAY 3
Exit Glacier; Ptarmigan Lake

Hiking – moderate, 4-6 hours.

Exit Glacier provides one of the most accessible opportunities in Alaska to view a glacier up close and offers an entirely different perspective than we experienced yesterday. Several short trails offer beautiful views of Exit Glacier and its deep blue crevasses, the surrounding snowcapped mountains, and the glaciated terrain in the valley. There is nothing more awesome than walking to the face of a glacier you can touch. The sheer size of Exit Glacier dwarfs visitors who stand in awe of this slow moving sea of ice.

Following a brief interpretive walk at Exit Glacier, a short drive brings us to the start of today’s hike. From the start, our trail follows Ptarmigan Creek upstream but occasionally leaves it to ascend a scenic knoll or rock outcropping. Our trail leads through spruce forest and ascends through large meadows on the way to the turquoise Ptarmigan Lake. We are rewarded with many grand views of the surrounding mountains and alpine areas, including two small mountain glaciers on the north side of the lake. Beautiful wild flowers, including dogwood, wild roses, and wild geranium, are everywhere. The abundant wildlife of the area includes moose and mountain goats. On this hike, we may also have excellent views of the brilliant red sockeye salmon in Ptarmigan Creek during their run upstream in late July and early August.

Our return from the lake once again provides outstanding views of the surrounding mountains. Once back at the trailhead, we return to our lodge for a final night in Seward where dinner is on your own. You can enjoy a nice meal in the dining room of our lodge, or head to the lively waterfront of downtown.
Seward Windsong Lodge, Seward, Alaska

DAY 4
Transfer to Homer (4 hours). Russian River Lakes

Hiking – easy to moderate, 2-3 hours.

This morning our day starts by beginning our transfer to the artists’ community of Homer, where we spend the remaining days of our adventure. Homer, often touted as the most scenically located town in Alaska, is on Kachemak Bay, with the mighty Kenai Mountains as a backdrop.

Our beachfront hotel is at the end of the 4.5 mile Homer spit, jutting into the middle of the Kachemak Bay. Along our route we will stop to stretch our legs with a short hike to the lower Rusian River Lakes. Before reaching the lake, there is a spur trail to the Russian River Falls viewing platform, a great place to view jumping salmon when they are running. The Russian River Falls afford the hiker an opportunity to watch migrating salmon jump this obstacle, and thousands of sockeye salmon migrate up this stream each summer to spawn in the Russian Lakes. Our trail leads back the way we have come, and we then continue on to Homer where a rewarding dinner and a good night’s rest await.
Land’s End Resort, Homer, Alaska

DAY 5
Grewink Valley

Hiking – easy to moderate, 2-4 hours. Optional bear viewing in Katmai National Park.*

After a hearty breakfast, a water taxi brings us across the bay, where we begin our exploration of Kachemak Bay State Park with a short hike to Grewink Lake, which was formed from the drainage of Grewink Glacier in the distance. This is an excellent scenic hike which provides very close views of the glacier as well as Kachemak Bay. Our approach trail connects with the Saddle Trail, which leads us through a notch, or “saddle,” in the surrounding hills, and down to the quiet cove where our water taxi is waiting to return us to Homer. We return to Homer mid-afternoon and the rest of the day and evening is yours to explore on your own. For dinner, you have the pleasure of discovering one of the many fine restaurants in Homer.

*For an additional fee, bear viewing in Katmai National Park may be arranged for you with advance notice. This excursion begins with a flight across Cook Inlet and down Shelikof Straight featuring views of four magnificent active volcanoes and the vast ice fields and jagged spires of Cape Douglas. On average, we spend 4 to 6 hours viewing brown bears, in small groups of 4-8 people.
Land’s End Resort, Homer, Alaska

DAY 6
Peterson Bay and China Poot Bay

Sea Kayaking – easy to moderate, 4-6 hours; no experience necessary.

Following breakfast, another water taxi returns us to the wilderness of Kachemak Bay, where we meet our sea kayaking guides. Sea kayaking requires no previous experience and allows for a unique opportunity to connect with the marine environment that is such an integral part of the Alaskan ecosystem. After being outfitted with equipment, and receiving paddling instruction and tips from our professional guides, we begin our kayaking adventure.

Our sea kayaking route is abundant with diverse and spectacular scenery, winding its way through two bays, where we alternately paddle in narrow tidal channels, up close to bold sea cliffs, and into more open water. The loop provides varied scenery and sea life, including the Gull Island seabird colony where we enjoy close up views of puffins and other species of seabirds. China Poot Bay is often touted as one of the world's richest marine bays with its vast system of tidal channels. There are archways to paddle through, and beaches to rest on as well as short hikes to scenic vistas. Our kayaking is organized to take best advantage of fair tidal currents and the protected waters of small inner bays.

Before our final celebratory dinner, there is time to soothe well-used muscles in the hotel’s hot-tub overlooking the beautiful wilderness from which we have just returned.
Land’s End Resort, Homer, Alaska

DAY 7
Homestead Trail Hike; drive to Anchorage to depart (5 hours); or fly from Homer.

Walking – 3 miles, easy.

After a hearty breakfast, we hop in our van for a quick ride to the trailhead. Our final hike follows an old wagon road once used by rugged farmers who homesteaded in the hills above town before World War II. Fields of wildflowers line our trail, which on a clear day offers beautiful vistas of mountains, bays, and inlets. A final climb brings us to the Reuben Call Memorial Bench, which looks out onto Kachemak Bay and is a tribute to one of Homer’s most famous hikers. We enjoy a farewell Alaskan lunch at serene Bishops Beach, where a wide coastline and covered picnic shelter makes for the perfect spot in any weather condition.

Following lunch we settle into the van for the scenic ride to Anchorage, where our Alaskan adventure draws to a close. If you’d like to extend your stay in Homer or simply want to skip the shuttle and return to Anchorage on your own, there are multiple daily flights available.
 

Please note that this is a typical itinerary, and actual activities may vary to take advantage of weather conditions, local events, and to allow serendipity to play a hand in your experience. Accommodations are as outlined in the itinerary, although we reserve the right to change these should the need arise.

• Expert leadership
• All accommodations
• All meals except for two dinners
• All transportation during the trip
• Park fees
• All activities, except optional bear viewing, as noted in the itinerary