National Park Wildlife Safari
National Park Wildlife Safari
National Park Wildlife Safari
 
 
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Bear Camp August 2012
From the moment we touched down on the beach at beautiful Chinitna...
- Ian and Kaye Young
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National Park Wildlife Safari

The whole enchilada- Bears, Denali and more!

Our Original Safari and still the favorite after twenty years! Combine our famous riverfront main lodge with an amazing stay at our private, fly-in wilderness camp plus 3 days touring Denali for that perfect blend of adventure and variety without constant travel or the dreaded "bus tour" feel. Experience glacier cruising, wild bear viewing, moderate hiking, cultural touring, Talkeetna and Denali and the Alaska Railroad, and even a day of fishing if you prefer....it's the perfect Alaska wildlife and sightseeing tour. AVAILABLE 2012 DATES: 6/2, 6/20, 6/30 7/7, 7/14, 8/4, 8/11, 8/25
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June 1 - September 10

10 Days / 09 nights

$5,295.00/$5,795.00  Standard/Deluxe

$3,795.00 7 day

$2,795.00 5 Day

Available 10 day trips for 2013

6/18 – 6.27   6/23 – 7/2    8/18 – 8/27

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Day-by-Day Itinerary


Day 2

Day 1 fly to bear camp

Your driver will pick you up at your hotel at 7:30 on day one.  The trip on Alaska’s most scenic highway crosses 2 mountain passes & brings you to our Riverside Main Lodge for lunch. Following orientation, drop your main bag and board a small plane for the flight to our private, remote Bear Camp, named “Best U.S. Bush Camp” by Outside Magazine. A truly one of a kind experience with outstanding staff.  Excellent meals flown in daily and served with fine wines combine with comfortable accommodations (in comfortable, high tech heated tent-cabins) with uniquely knowledgeable guides make this a highlight of any Alaska experience.

Day 3

Day 2 Return from Bearcamp

Your final morning with the bears and true wilderness.  You'll choose from our raised platform or a number of other ground-level viewing stations to truly experience the bears in the their native environment.  Following lunch, your return bush flight will bring you back to our main lodge and your riverside home for the next 5 days on our renowned riverside lodge the Kenai River.  Private bath and gas fireplace will join with nightly happy hour, great meals and service welcome you back to civilization!  


Alaska Hiking

Day 3 Wilderness Hiking

Today you'll enjoy one of the amazing local trails that make the Chugach National Forest and Kenai National Wildlife Refuge justly famous.  Choose from a moderate, mostly level and fairly short trail to the Russian River falls to view salmon leaping towards their native spawning grounds- or select a more aggressive hike that will break a sweat and culminate in a fantastic view of the surrounding snow capped peaks...it's your choice and there are many to choose from!  Return to lodge for happy hour, dinner and overnight.

Day 4  Glacier/wildlife cruising

Today we'll cruise the incomparable Kenai Fjords National Park!  The protected waters of Resurrection Bay and Aialik bay are some of the most amazing regions on earth.  On the short drive to Seward, we'll stretch our legs by walking to the face of a retreating Glacier close enough to nearly touch...then it's on to Seward to spend the rest of this day cruising and seeking calving Glaciers, Humpback whales and Orca, charming Sea Otters and endangered Stellar Sea Lions. Return to lodge for happy hour, dinner and overnight.

Day 7

Day 5  Bald eagle scenic float

Today we'll float through the turquoise clear waters of the upper Kenai River and it's prodigious salmon spawning grounds to see one of nature's most amazing events.  This annual returning salmon brings Bear and Eagle (plus wild Trout!) in numbers to feast on salmon eggs and the carcasses of hundreds of thousands of dying salmon.  The tumbling aquamarine water rushes along rocks and forest through the younger and "Swiss-Alp" inspired Kenai Mountains.  Gourmet lunch served shore side by your guide with Reindeer sausage and a robust Merlot for the grown up. Return to lodge in later afternoon.

End of the Road tour

Day 6  end of the road touring

No one should miss Homer and the “End of the Road”. See early Russian churches, active volcanoes, mountain vistas and probably baby Moose with their mothers.  Your first view of Homer and Kachemak Bay is truly unforgettable and we will spend a fun filled day exploring the art and rustic uniqueness of a bush community at “Land’s End”.  A famous sawdust floor tavern, wine tasting, local artist galleries, even a boat from "A dangerous catch" call this amazing area home.  Return to lodge for happy hour, dinner and overnight. 


Refuge Paddling

Day 7  "Refuge paddling and wildlife

 

This morning we'll paddle into the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge- leaving civilization behind as we head towards our tent camp on the Moose river.  Nesting Swans, giant Moose, Beaver, Lynx and more call this region home.  A fantastic way to see wildlife from their level!  We'll return to the lodge via comfortable and quick river boats with shallow draft motors.  ITINERARY NOTE: Guided fishing is also available if you choose- drift or troll for salmon with one of our expert guides (this means an early wake up!) returning to the lodge in time for depart to Kenai and your flight back to Anchorage.  (Return to Anchorage flight not included). t.


Downtown Talkeetna

Day 8  HEAD FOR DENALI....

And now the Denali Experience!  We’ll depart in the morning for the incredibly scenic trip north, with stops at Turnagain Arm (in hopes of spotting a "bore tide") then continue north past Anchorage Palmer and the "sleeping lady" in the distance.  Finally, it's on to the historic bush community of Talkeetna (base camp for the Denali climbs).  You and your guide will walk the old streets of this unique and quirky town within view of the tallest mountain in North America. Perhaps hike or a local micro-brew before our overnight at our favorite local inn. 

Denali Flightseeing

Day 9 TUNDRA WILDLIFE TOUR

An early drive will find us at the entrance to our largest national park where you will board one of the famous Park Tour Buses for the tour of spectacular Denali National Park .  Traffic is restricted to only these buses and you will receive a narrated tour of the history, animals and grandeur of this incomparable location. DELUXE VERSION ITINERARY NOTE:  Travel from Talkeetna to park entrance...Flight see to historic Kantishna mining district- board small van for one way tour of Spectacular Denali Nat. Park.  


 Whichever option you select, we'll hope to see to see all of the animals that you may have missed on the early part of your journey.  Dinner and overnight at the park entrance at one of our favorite inns at the park entrance.


   
Day 10

DAY 10  RETURN TO ANCHORAGE

Today you can rise early and relax on your deck in view of the sweeping vista laid out before you.  We may visit the dogs of an Iditarod Champion or spend time at the awesome visitors center or even take a short hike before we head back to your hotel in Anchorage.  Return to Anchorage via the historic Alaska Railroad.  DELUXE VERSION ITINERARY NOTE:  The Deluxe version travels from the park to Anchorage via the famous dome car on the historic Alaska Railroad, arriving downtown Anchorage at 8:30 pm. Dinner and overnight on your own.