Expedition Details
From glacier-fed rivers to soaring ice-blue peaks, Alaska's majesty is legendary. On this adventure, hike in Denali National Park on the lookout for migratory birds, caribou, and moose. At Redoubt bay, watch bears fish for spawning salmon. Board the Alaska Railroad for a journey into the mountains, and glide among icebergs on serene Spencer Lake.
Trip Highlights
- Explore Alaska's sweeping tundra and lush forests, spotting caribou, moose, wolves, and Dall sheep.
- Ride to spectacular Denali National Park aboard the historic Alaska Railroad, taking in magnificent views of the Alaska Range.
- Take a scenic flight over snowy peaks to remote Redoubt Bay to watch bears in their natural habitat.
- Float past the massive Spencer Glacier on a leisurely rafting trip.
Itinerary - 8 Days
Day 1 — Fairbanks, Alaska
Arrive in Fairbanks and gather for a welcome reception and dinner.
Springhill Suites (D)
Day 2 — Fairbanks/Denali National Park
Step aboard the celebrated Alaska Railroad and travel through rolling taiga forests to Denali National Park; then drive into the heart of the park in search of caribou, Dall sheep, grizzly bears, and moose. En route to our remote lodge in the historic mining settlement of Kantishna, witness Alaska's stunning scenery, from glacier-fed braided rivers to the peaks of the Alaska Range.
Denali Backcountry Lodge (B,L,D)
Days 3 & 4 — Denali National Park
The next two days are devoted to exploring Denali on guided hikes of varying degrees of difficulty. You may choose to pursue optional activities, such asmountain biking, fly fishing, gold panning, or attending a dog-sledding talk and demonstration. While in the park, keep your eye out for the many migrating birds that congregate in Denali for summer breeding. You may spot golden plovers, arctic loons, jaegers, and eagles. An optional flight-seeing trip around Mount McKinley is available, weather permitting.
Denali Backcountry Lodge (B, L, D daily)
Day 5 — Denali/Anchorage
Take advantage of an early morning drive out of the park to catch wildlife during one of their most active periods. Then board the Alaska Railroad for the scenic ride through the Alaska Range to Anchorage.
Anchorage Hilton (B,L,D)
Day 6 — Redoubt Bay/Girdwood
Each summer, thousands of salmon swim upstream into the lakes and rivers of Redoubt Bay, providing food for one of the most concentrated bear populations in Alaska. A floatplane takes you right into Redoubt Bay—located near the Lake Clark National Park and Preserve—to watch the brown bears frolicking at the water's edge or feeding on spawning salmon. Early this evening, fly back to Anchorage, and transfer to our stunning hotel in Girdwood.
Hotel Alyeska (B,L,D)
Day 7 — Spencer Glacier
Board the Alaska Railroad for the short journey to Spencer Glacier. After a picnic lunch on the lakeshore, enjoy a scenic rafting trip on Spencer Lake, floating within arm's reach of icebergs. Or you may choose to embark on a day cruise on Prince William Sound, watching for marine birds, seals, whales, and calving glaciers. Celebrate your Alaska adventure at tonight's farewell dinner.
Hotel Alyeska (B,L,D)
Day 8 — Anchorage
After breakfast, return to Anchorage to connect with your flight home.
(B)
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Roman Dial
A professor at Alaska Pacific University, Roman Dial teaches courses in ecology, outdoor skills, and math. He has climbed, hiked, and skied across the major mountain ranges of Alaska. Roman's 800-mile mountain bike traverse of the Alaska Range was featured in the May 1997 issue of National Geographic magazine, his "canopy trek" through Australia in the March 2003 issue, and his expedition to find Borneo's tallest tropical tree in the July 2006 issue.
Roman will join the following departures:
Jul 30 - Aug 06, 2010 • Aug 06 - 13, 2010Expedition Dates 
Expedition Costs
The charter flight between Anchorage and Redoubt Bay is included in the expedition cost. Airfare from/to your home city is not included.
