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Journey to the wilds of USA’s northernmost state

Spot killer whales, bears and playful sea otters on this six-day Lonely Planet Experience deep into Alaska's beautiful, icy heart. From Anchorage to Seward, journey past boreal forests, around mountain ranges and into the spectacular bay. Stroll along the remote beaches of Homer, count puffins nesting in the rugged cliffs, kayak past icebergs in Seward and experience the majestic calm of this vast wilderness. With local knowledge and some pretty epic lodgings along the way, experience Alaska on a true wilderness adventure.

Start
Anchorage, United States
Finish
Anchorage, United States
Destination
United States
Style
Basix
Theme
Lonely Planet Experience
Code
SSRO
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 13

A powerful partnership

Lonely Planet and Intrepid Travel share the same philosophy: we help curious people explore the world.

Why you'll love this trip

  • Drive down the renowned Turnagain Arm, considered one of the Alaska’s most beautiful drives. In the comfort of a private vehicle with your own driver, all you have to worry about is capturing the best photos!

  • The spectacular scenery and wildlife viewing along Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula needs to be seen to be believed. And you’ll get to see both sides – artsy Homer on the west and laidback Seward to the east.

  • Spend two memorable nights at a remote wilderness lodge that can only be accessed by kayak or water taxi. This definitely isn’t your usual hostel-style accommodation!

  • Consider embarking on a range of kayaking, wildlife, hiking and aerial experiences to discover the mountainous landscapes and search for marine life.

  • Bookend your Alaskan adventure with some time spent in its largest city, Anchorage. On the Cook Inlet and framed by snow-capped mountains, why not extend your stay a couple of days here.

Is this trip right for you?

  • This is a participatory trip. That’s a fancy way of saying you’re not just along for the ride – you’re part of a team. You know the phrase ‘the more you put in, the more you get out’. Well that’s extra true on this trip. Be prepared to roll up your sleeves and help out with camp activities like food prep and washing up. It’s all about giving your new travel mates a hand – everyone knows there’s nothing worse than trying to put up a tent on your own!

  • That teamwork also extends to our optional food kitty of approximately USD 90 per week, run to cover the cost of meals. This kitty saves you worrying about stuff like where to get food or what exactly sales tax is, and actually helps keep your costs down. Instead of paying individually as you go, it means we can bulk purchase items and cook our own food – though there’s always the chance to use it for the occasional pizza night! The kitty is optional and for your convenience, so if you've got specific dietary requirements you can opt out and purchase (and cook) your own food.

  • The United States is a world of endless possibilities – that’s why our trips are designed so they fit together as (not quite endless) combinations. That means while you might just be starting your trip, some of your new travel mates may have been travelling together for a week or more (and so have some great tips for you).

  • The drive from Homer to Anchorage is quite long. There's plenty to see however so settle back and enjoy the scenery. Take the opportunity to get to know your travel companions.

  • While Alaska can experience warm summers, you should still be prepared for cold temperatures, especially at night. Bring warm clothing with you, including base layers, a warm hat, gloves and a thick coat. Be prepared for ice cold winds and quick shifts in weather. It is Alaska after all.

  • Mosquitoes are found across the USA, even in the colder regions. They can be a problem a lot of the time, especially in July. It’s recommended that you bring insect repellent with you and anything else you think is applicable.

  • The summer months in Alaska see very long daylight hours, with the sun not completely setting until after midnight. As most people are likely to sleep before midnight, you might want to bring an eye mask to block out the light.

Map of Alaska's Kenai Peninsula including United States Of America
Alaska's Kenai Peninsular with Intrepid Travel - kayaking
Alaska's Kenai Peninsular with Intrepid Travel - sea otter
Alaska's Kenai Peninsular with Intrepid Travel - coastal bears
Alaska's Kenai Peninsular with Intrepid Travel - Halibut Cove
Alaska's Kenai Peninsular with Intrepid Travel

Itinerary
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Welcome to Alaska! This is an arrival day, and there is nothing planned until a welcome meeting at your hotel at 6 pm tonight. Located in south-central Alaska on the shores of Cook Inlet, Anchorage is a unique urban environment situated in the heart of the wilderness. As there's no time spent in Anchorage on this trip, we recommend you arrive a day or two early to see the sights. If you’d like to spend more time here, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability). After your important briefing, why not get together with your travel crew and head out for some dinner.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

Journey via the Turnagain Arm (approximately 2.5 hours; 200 kilometres) to the coastal town of Seward and the surrounding Kenai Fjords National Park.  There will be time to explore some of this Arctic wonderland, with its numerous lakes, glaciers and fascinating coastline. The area is also famous for its many anglers, who follow the salmon on their annual migration up the peninsula's many wide rivers. Seward is one of Alaska's oldest towns, as well as one of the most scenic. The town itself boasts galleries, boutique shops and a bustling harbour, but it's perhaps best known as a gateway to exploring Kenai Fjords National Park. Depending on your departure date, you may be camping in town or you may be jumping into a water taxi across Resurrection Bay, where you will spend the next two nights staying in a hostel. This accommodation is so remote it can only be accessed by kayak or water taxi. Our hostel in Resurrection Bay isn't your typical hostel. You may need to climb a ladder to reach your bed, and should note that bathrooms are external to the main building. It's rustic, but that's made up for by the remote location.
Accommodation
  • Basic hostel or camping (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
Due to limited availability in this remote destination, some departures have minor changes to the itinerary. In all cases, included and optional activities will remain the same. We cannot update the itinerary or the Essential Trip Information Document at a departure level, however your leader will be able to assist with any questions about driving times or itinerary details.
- For groups departing on the 14th July and 11th August, the itinerary will run in reverse. As such, today you will head to Seward for 2 nights and then you will go to Homer for 2 nights, before returning to Anchorage.
- For groups departing on the 23rd June and 28th July, the accommodation style will be switched. As such, today you will still head to Homer however will stay in a remote rustic resort in Kachemak Bay for 2 nights and then you will camp in Seward for 2 nights, before returning to Anchorage.

Enjoy a free day to soak up stunning surrounds. Maybe hire a kayak and hit the water with the majestic snow-capped Alaskan mountains looming in the background. If you do, remember to look out for porpoises and sea otters in the water. Your lodging is also perfectly situated for exploring the surrounding woodlands, so maybe head off on one of the many trails. 
Accommodation
  • Basic hostel or camping (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Seward - Hiking - Free
  • Seward - Kayak rental - USD25
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Today head the 125 kilometres to Homer (approximately 4 hours) to arrive at your gateway to the incredible Kenai Peninsula. Keep an eye on the water as you head south because today you might catch a glimpse of beluga whales breaching off the coast. Again, depending on your departure date, you may be camping in town or you may be jumping into a water taxi across Kachemak Bay, where you will spend the next two nights staying in a hostel.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) or basic hostel (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Make the most of a free day in Homer. Perhaps explore the area by kayak and watch sea otters, or visit the beautiful rock arches, cliffs and remote beaches surrounding the city. Homer is a good place for animal watching, with bald eagles, puffins and moose plentiful in the area. Some of the activities around Homer are expensive, but they are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. The Kachemak Bay Adventure includes sea kayaking, a tour of the old Russian settlement of Seldovia and a flight over the bay. The Bear Viewing Flight can sometimes sell out, but if you can afford it, the feedback from previous travellers is that it’s a highlight.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) or basic hostel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Homer - Day on Kachemak Bay Adventure - USD220
  • Homer - Halibut fishing (half-day charter) - USD105
  • Homer - Bear Viewing Flight - USD625
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Return along the Turnagain Arm and the National Forest Scenic Byway; this route is around 380 kilometres and takes approximately 5.5 hours but remember it is considered one of the most scenic drives in the world. This trip finishes on arrival in Anchorage at approximately 5 pm. For those wishing to stay on in Anchorage, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Want to tailor this itinerary?
This trip is a Lonely Planet Experience
Our Lonely Planet Experiences include plenty of free time so you can do the things that suit your budget and interests. Between your Intrepid Travel leader’s local knowledge and Lonely Planet’s trusted travel tips and recommendations, your trip will be more epic than ever.

Meals

No meals are included on this tour

Transport

Private vehicle

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (2 nights), Hostel (2 nights), Hotel (1 night)

Lonely Planet extras

  • Free access to the Lonely Planet mobile app for one year
  • 25% discount on all items in the Lonely Planet Shop

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Alaska's Kenai Peninsula trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

Prices may go up, so secure your trip today!
Jump to a departure month
You have the flexibility to change your travel plans up to 21 days before your scheduled departure, and you can pick new travel dates or an entirely different trip, with no change fees. Learn more

Important notes

1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm on Day 1.
2. On the final day, this trip finishes at approximately 5 pm on arrival into Anchorage. If departing this day please do not book any flights before 9 pm.
3. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes 2 of the 5 nights (depends on the departure) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
4. If you wish to spend more time in Anchorage, we'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).
5. Please note that the legal drinking age in the US is 21 and in some parts of Canada it's 19.
6. A sleeping bag is required for this trip.

ITINERARY CHANGES
Due to limited availability in this remote destination, some departures have minor changes to the itinerary. In all cases, included and optional activities will remain the same. If you purchased a single supplement, you will be in shared accommodation for 2 of the 5 nights. We cannot update the itinerary or the Essential Trip Information Document at a departure level, however your leader will be able to assist with any questions about driving times or itinerary details.
- For groups departing on the 23rd June and 28th July, the accommodation style will be switched. As such, you will stay in a remote hostel in Kachemak Bay near Homer for 2 nights and then you will camp in Seward for 2 nights, before returning to Anchorage. 
- For the group departing on the 25th August, the itinerary will run in reverse. As such, the group will head to Homer for 2 nights and then to Seward for 2 nights, before returning to Anchorage.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

View Essential Trip Information

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