Alaska—perhaps nowhere in North America is the call of the wild as strong. Join this all-encompassing exploration of wild Alaska which combines a visit to Denali National Park with a two day rafting trip on the Matanuska River, a three day sea kayaking adventure in Kenai Fjords National Park and an interpretive tour of the natural and cultural history of the surrounding area. Enjoy three nights of comfortable wilderness camping, gourmet meals and four nights of casual lodge-based accommodations. Experience the incredible terrain—mountains, rivers, glaciers, oceans and beaches—and catch a glimpse of the locals: eagles, moose, sea otters, seal, whales, sea birds and bears.

Please note that this is a shared trip so there will most likely be other people on your trip.

Anchorage is the largest city in Alaska, located in the South-central region. Downtown is the historic core of the city located at the northwestern tip next to the waterfront; home to most of the tourist activities, gift stores, hotels, and the railroad depot. Attractions in town include the Alaska Native Heritage Center, Wildlife Conservation Center, and Museum of History and Art. Nearby there is excellent wildlife viewing, skiing, and walking and biking.

Enjoy a private airport transfer with vehicle and driver.

Meet with your river rafting trip leader at the Clarion Suites Downtown for a pre-trip orientation this evening.

Please note that all participants are required to sign a liability waiver acknowledging awareness that some risks are associated with the trip. Safety is of the utmost concern on our trips. However, due to the nature of the activities, a condition of your participation is that you will sign this form before the trip begins.

Clarion Suites Hotel (3.5*) in Anchorage is ideally located in the heart of downtown and is within walking distance of many area attractions, including the Anchorage Visitors Center, Dena'ina Civic and Convention Center, the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center and the Anchorage 5th Avenue Mall. Amenities and facilities include a complimentary hot breakfast, wireless high-speed Internet access and a complimentary newspaper. Facilities include an indoor heated pool and hot tub and fitness center.

Overnight at Clarion Suites Hotel (3.5*).

Early this morning you'll depart Anchorage for the four hour drive to Denali National Park.

On arrival, check in to your hotel for overnight lodging.

This afternoon is yours to visit the Denali Visitors Center, explore the many accessible hiking trails, and browse in the local Denali shops.

Meet this evening for a welcome dinner and get to know your guides as well as the other people in your group.

Tonight you will stay in the McKinley Chalet resort (or similar). The resort offers comfortable rooms as well as fine and casual dining. The resort is set on 42 acres and includes a number of eateries as well as number of shops.

Overnight at Denali National Park: McKinley Chalet resort or similar.

This morning you'll join the Denali Natural History Tour by bus with a naturalist guide. There is only one road into Denali National Park, and with few exceptions, private vehicles are not allowed. Focusing on the rich natural and cultural history of the park, the four to five hour excursion includes several interpretive stops which enhance the experience, beginning with a stop at the Wilderness Access Center. Here you can view the film “Across Time and Tundra” which depicts early visitor experiences within the same area explored by your group today. A stop at the still-used ranger cabin—Savage Cabin—provides a living-history glimpse of the folks who might have used the cabin at one time. You will also have the opportunity to experience a memorable Alaskan Native presentation that will enlighten you regarding how this land has been used for nearly 10,000 years. Keep a lookout for wildlife as sightings of bear, moose, caribou and dall sheep are common. Weather permitting you may get a glimpse of the summit of 20,335-foot Mount McKinley, the highest peak in North America.

After lunch, you'll be driven to the glacier-sculpted valley of Hatcher Pass.

After checking in to your overnight accommodations you'll have the opportunity to visit the remains of the historic Independence Mine and take a hike on the arctic tundra. This is an excellent area to see wildflowers, the Arctic ground squirrels, mountain sheep and the Hoary Marmot.

Overnight at Hatcher Pass Lodge (or similar).

Today you'll head southeast amid stunning mountain vistas to Chickaloon, the starting point for the two day rafting trip on the Matanuska River. This trip combines the exciting rapids of the Lion Head river section with a mellow float along the seldom-traveled and scenic segment below the Matanuska Glacier and the magnificent peaks of the Chugach Range. Views of Dall sheep along the shore and rocky ledges are common here. After the two mile stretch of nonstop Class III and IV whitewater, you'll continue to float along stretches of intermittent rapids and smooth water while distant views of the glacier follow us downstream.

The two-day river trip combines the exciting Class III-IV rapids of the Lion Head run with a seldom-traveled, more mellow segment of the Matanuska River below the Matanuska Glacier and the magnificent peaks of the Chugach Range. The Lion Head Run tackles a short, fast stretch of whitewater where the Matanuska River is squeezed between rock and ice. During this section of the trip, you'll get a great view of the 27-mile-long Matanuska Glacier, which presses the river up against the massive rock wall called Lion Head. Spectacular scenery—and lots of fun!

After lunch, continue rafting approximately eight miles to your overnight campsite.

There may be opportunities to explore several side drainages for tracks of the abundant wolves in this area. Sightings are rare, but it’s not uncommon to hear them.

Overnight at Riverside Camping.

After a leisurely breakfast, you can help in the breakdown of camp before loading-up the rafts.

You will find the easy movement of the river in conjunction with the wilderness surroundings very peaceful.

After the river trip ends around lunchtime, you'll travel south to Seward.

The journey through the Kenai Peninsula is approximately four hours and offers spectacular views as you pass between the dramatic shorelines of Turnagain Arm and the jutting peaks of the Chugach Mountains. Time permitting, a stop at Beluga Point may be an option which offers a sweeping panorama and a chance to spot belugas chasing salmon that come in with the tide, or killer whales hunting belugas. Other areas that could be visited en- route depending on the season and time of day are Moose Creek (spawning sockeye salmon) and Exit Glacier which offers an easy trail for wonderful views of one of the most-accessible glaciers in Alaska.

Check in to your hotel for overnight lodging in Seward.

There will be an orientation with drinks and snacks this evening prior to the sea kayaking trip which commences the following morning.

Dinner is on your own tonight. There are a number of great places to choose from in Seward. Your guide will be happy to make some recommendations.

Overnight at Harborview hotel.

Before you head out on the first paddle of the trip, your guides will review paddle techniques and safety considerations while still at our wilderness camp. They will offer kayak instruction for first time kayakers or anyone who’d like to refresh their skills.

Upon arrival the tents will be set up in a magnificent cove surrounded by waterfalls and with distant views of either Aialik or Holgate Glacier.

After a hearty breakfast, you'll take a charter boat through Resurrection Bay amid hanging glaciers, towering mountains and expansive vistas. Watch above for eagles, puffins, cormorants, oyster catchers and marbled murrelets. Watch below for sea otters, sea lions, orcas, humpback whales, porpoise and more as you cruise to your destination of Aialik Bay in the Kenai Fjords National Park, with distant views of either Aialik or Holgate Glacier.

This afternoon you’ll get to explore the coastline of the bay.

Upon your return to shore a dinner of hearty fare will be served while you can enjoy some solitude, scenery and good company. The evening is a good time to absorb the serenity of nature, stroll along the beach, enjoy quiet conversation or to just plain relax.

Overnight at Wilderness Camping.

Today will be an active day of sea kayaking full of breath-taking paddling opportunities. Options are plentiful and your experienced guides will facilitate your Alaskan adventure based on wind, weather, tides and dynamics of the group. Options may include: • A day of paddling among 'bergy bits' - experiencing the feeling of being in a prehistoric slush cup. Your trance will only be broken by the thunder of glacial calving as rumbling ice crashes into the sea. Enjoy lunch beach-side overlooking Aialik Glacier. • A paddle to a glacial lagoon where you can paddle amongst large bergs and may encounter harbor seals in one of their favorite pupping and molting areas. Nearby you'll get to enjoy a beach-side lunch. • A visit to Abra Cove and Coleman Bay. Paddle among magnificent waterfalls dropping hundreds of feet into the cove. A shore-side lunch will be served in view of this unique landscape. • Aialik Bay waters provide prime opportunities to view seals, whales and many pelagic birds. Keep an eye on the shoreline for bears and goats which frequent the fjord in abundant numbers.

Overnight at Wilderness Camping.

An early breakfast and camp break-down will start your day today.

Sea kayaking may be an option this morning before your departure.

A charter boat will return to whisk you away for lunch while viewing the glacier.

The wildlife cruise back to Seward will take you to a sea lion haul-out, sea bird rookeries and with a little luck will give you an opportunity to view more whales and orcas. Return to Seward is typically between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM depending on weather and whale conditions.

Check into your hotel and enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant, toasting to an incredible adventure!

Overnight at Harborview hotel.

Transfer to Anchorage airport for an afternoon or evening departing flights and bid farewell to your fellow adventurers and beautiful Alaska.

Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart (Int`l Airport).