Alaska VolunTour

ITINERARY
7-Days/6-Nights 

September 2-8, 2006

Day 1:
Saturday, September 2

(Note: Day 1 is a positioning day.) Fly into Anchorage International Airport (ANC) on your own. Upon arrival, take a taxi to the Aspen Hotel in downtown Anchorage. There will be an informative welcome packet with your trip itinerary and some helpful notes about Alaska waiting at the hotel for you. Settle into your room, enjoy dinner on your own at the hotel or at one of the many fine restaurants in Anchorage, then relax for the rest of the evening. Tomorrow morning, your Alaska Wildland Adventures’ Trip Leader will meet you and the rest of the group and you’ll begin your journey to the magnificent Kenai Peninsula.

Day 2:
Sunday, September 3

Have your luggage packed and meet your Trip Leader in the hotel lobby between 9:30 a.m. and 9:45 a.m. for a prompt 10:00 a.m. departure. Enjoy a scenic drive along Turnagain Arm to the quaint town of Cooper Landing, home of Alaska Wildland Adventures’ own Kenai Riverside Lodge. After settling into your very own Alaskan cabin (with a private bathroom!), enjoy lunch in the main lodge, then spend the afternoon getting to know your surroundings and meet some of the locals. You’ll spend some time at a historic museum or hike on a nearby trail in the Chugach National Forest. At dinner this night, your Trip Leader will present an orientation and prepare you for the adventurous days ahead! Overnight at Kenai Riverside Lodge. (B, L, D)

Day 3:

Monday, September 4

Raft the Kenai River Canyon and look for moose, eagles, and maybe bears! Hear the stories behind the sights from your knowledgeable and friendly raft guide. Continue traveling by raft through the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge to Alaska Wildland Adventures’ unique boat-in only Kenai Backcountry Lodge. Located on the shore of a glacier-carved lake, this award-winning eco-lodge offers the ultimate Alaska experience. For two nights, you will be surrounded by one million acres of designated Wilderness and the hypnotic sounds of the lake lapping at the pebble beach. Enjoy dinner then relax in the lodge or opt to experience a real wood-fired sauna and a dip in the lake! Overnight in a Yukon Cabin Tent at Kenai Backcountry Lodge. (Note: at Kenai Backcountry Lodge, there is a men’s and women’s heated bathhouse with hot showers, toilets, and sinks). (B, L, D)

Day 4:

Tuesday, September 5

Grab your hiking boots and stretch your legs! This is the day to join a guided hike up to alpine tundra for spectacular views of the lake and the Kenai River Valley. Or, you might opt for a motorized skiff exploration of the lake and its surrounding coves. Your guides will share their knowledge of the area and introduce you to the fascinating lifestyles of the early explorers of the Kenai. In the evening, if weather permits, meander along the rugged lakeshore in a sturdy double touring kayak (no experience necessary!). Overnight at Kenai Backcountry Lodge. (B, L, D)

Day 5:

Wednesday, September 6

This is your service day! Savor your last morning at Kenai Backcountry Lodge, then after breakfast, you’ll pack a lunch and depart by motorized skiff across the lake. Shuttle to your project site and spend the rest of the afternoon working on a habitat enhancement project near the Kenai River. Dinner and overnight at Kenai Riverside Lodge. (B, L, D)

Day 6:

Thursday, September 7

After breakfast at the lodge, enjoy a scenic drive south to the seacoast town of Seward. Embark on a small ship tour of glaciated Kenai Fjords National Park. You will explore a coastline rich in wildlife and scenic beauty. The tour includes visiting a tidewater glacier and searching for marine wildlife such as sea otters, puffins, bald eagles (and many other bird species), harbor seals, Steller sea lions, and whales. Lunch is served on the boat. Dinner and overnight at Kenai Riverside Lodge. (B,L,D)

Day 7:

Friday, September 8

Bid farewell to your Trip Leader and to the Kenai Peninsula! After breakfast, you’ll travel back to Anchorage, arriving at the airport by noon. You may choose to fly home this day or continue to explore Alaska on your own. (B)

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