Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 Our exploration begins at 8AM, meeting in downtown Anchorage at previously arranged locations. Dispatching quickly with Alaska’s largest city, we’ll head for more tranquil locales, turning south and hugging the shore of Turnagain Arm where the Chugach Mountains meet the sea. Rising up over Turnagain Pass in the Kenai Mountains we’ll then descend toward the Gulf of Alaska and the scenic town of Seward, situated at the uppermost reaches of Resurrection Bay. A deep water port that remains ice-free all year, Seward was one of the earlier Alaskan settlements, serving the mining and various trades of the Interior, as the southern terminus of the state’s single rail line. It is also the historic start of the Iditarod Trail. Surrounded by mountains the scene is quite impressive, with the quaint downtown nearly at water’s edge. After lunch we’ll head out to Lowell Point for our afternoon sea kayaking exploration of the west side of Resurrection Bay. Back to land, we’ll head back through town to the turn-off accessing Exit Glacier of the Kenai Fjords National Park, walking up to its terminus while noting the dates of its historical retreat (-hint: where we parked was mighty icy about World War I). After all this fine fresh air, it’s time to check into our accommodations for the evening and have a nice dinner downtown.
Day 2 After breakfast we’ll be first in line at the impressive Alaska SeaLife Center, to garner a good background for the day’s foray into the maritime world. Boarding our vessel late morning, we’ll head out of the bay and around the point, and into the Chiswell Islands Wildlife Refuge, sliding between the rocky islands that are home to an incredible variety of marine mammals and sea birds. Reaching Kenai Fjords National Park, the vast majority inaccessible by road, we’ll head into Aialik Bay and linger off the face of a calving glacier for an otherworldly experience. We’ll cruise right up to the rugged coastal cliffs, providing wonderful opportunities for viewing murres, puffins, harbor seals, and sea lions, with the stretches in between always holding promise of porpoises, sea otters, humpback whales and maybe even orcas. Arriving back in the late afternoon, we’ll then head back up the road through the Kenai Mountains. Skirting the pristine waters of Kenai Lake we’ll make our way to Cooper Landing the “Gem of the Kenai Peninsula”. Overnight Cooper Landing.
Day 3 Today, we’ll pass through Soldotna, and stop at the historic center of old Kenai, where there was any early Russian settlement prior to Alaska’s sale. Skirting the eastern side of Cook Inlet, the towering volcanoes of Iliamna, Redoubt, Spur, and Augustine frame the Alaska Range on the opposite side. We’ll drive down to the water’s edge and catch the unique fishery of Deep Creek, before visiting the photogenic old Russian Orthodox Church nearby. Situated on the prominent bluff above the old native village of Ninilchik, the light in the church belfry long served as a beacon for vessels on Cook Inlet, in the days before GPS. The views are quite regal in any direction. Passing through Anchor Point, the most western point on the nation’s road system, we arrive at the lookout above Homer, needing no explanation as to why this is a favorite destination of many Alaskans. Glaciers and mountains rim the far view, with Homer below, and beautiful Kachemak Bay in between. We’ll head to the wonderful Islands and Oceans Center for a fascinating look at the uniqueness of this area, and insight into the thousands of miles of extreme wilderness of the Aleutian Chain. Just out back is Bishop’s Beach, begging for a beach combing stroll. Homer has long been known as an artist’s community and wandering the main street yields several funky emporiums that prove just why. Later we’ll visit the eclectic Pratt Museum, gaining further insight into both the area’s early history and chapters more recent–namely the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill. Dinner will be at a local institution, whose decor and cuisine is better experienced than explained. Lodging will be just below our former lookout, with a magnificent panorama that might just beg for a long linger before bedding down.
Day 4 Arriving at the end of the Homer Spit mid-morning, we’ll poke around a bit before boarding the boat to cross the picturesque Bay. With the nearby mountains and glaciers on the other side of the bay and the Alaska Range across the mouth of Cook Inlet, it is truly a beautiful mix of geography. Aiming toward the mouth of the Bay, our captain will circle Gull Island and a few others en route to our destination, giving great explanation to the sights before us. Early afternoon finds us on the dock in the unique community of Seldovia, inaccessible by road. Originally and still a fishing village, the name comes from the Russian word for salted herring, as this fish was the reason for its existence, prior to the purchase of Alaska in 1867. Seldovia is also a place of refuge for artists and those looking for a little less access and the pace of life that it brings. It’s a special little town to wander, with the great Sitka spruce forests unlike any other we’ve seen, starting at the end of almost every street. A good stroll is in order down the historic boardwalk, vestige of the pre-earthquake vitality of Seldovia, before dinner at the always excellent Tidepool Cafe. Our lodging for the night is in a waterfront inn overlooking the boat harbor, where sea otters are a frequent sight.
Day 5 The morning is as leisurely as it should be, with time to further explore the town or just watch the tide come in out the back door. Those looking to stretch their legs might try the “Otterbahn”, a great little trail starting by the school that weaves through tall grass and spruce thickets to end at the ocean for an unlimited opportunity to stroll or beach-comb. We’ll then head to the nearby airstrip to catch our air taxi quick hop back across the bay to Homer. From above the perspective is priceless. It’s almost hard to get back in a vehicle again, but we’ll still have time to peruse a bit more of this town that draws so many for its beauty. Lunch will be in a local eatery. Following lunch, we will make our way north to the small gold rush town of Hope (pop. 200). One of the oldest gold rush communities in Alaska, Hope boasted three thousand souls long before Anchorage existed. We’ll head “downtown” to Main Street that ends in the ocean, and the Seaview Bar that is a colorful mix of visitors, locals, and gold miners still eking an income from the creeks. The music is often phenomenal too. Overnight Hope.
Day 6 After breakfast, we might try our luck at optional gold panning with some local miners instructing, while others wander the historic displays of the museum next door. Heading out of Hope, we’ll make our way to the small town of Girdwood, home of the world-class Alyeska Ski Resort situated here due to a much higher level of precipitation than even the adjacent valleys. It is a microclimate that gives rise to a temperate rainforest (yes, rainforest) with flora completely different from Hope, just a couple dozen miles away. Lush ferns and undergrowth along with large spruce trees dominate. Some might want to explore this environment directly, following the trail up Winner Creek to its beautiful little gorge, while others might opt to take the tram to the top of Mt. Alyeska for a commanding view. It might be a late lunch but worth it at the Bake Shop upon return. The Seward Highway hugs the edge of Turnagain Arm and we just might have to stop at Beluga Point to see if any of the creatures for which it takes its name, might make an appearance. And then it’s on back to Anchorage in the late afternoon, each of us probably just a bit different than when we left, and most likely figuring out just when we can return. The Kenai is some of the best of Alaska, but then there are still many other Alaskas that remain…
We start by following along Turnagain Arm through the mountains to reach Seward at the head of Resurrection Bay, for an afternoon sea kayaking and a hike to Exit Glacier. The next day we explore the spectacular marine world of the Kenai Fjords National Park and Chiswell Islands Wildlife Refuge. From Seward we travel the Kenai Mountains to the small community of Cooper Landing. On the third day the road leads along Cook Inlet and the towering volcanoes of the Alaska Range to explore and overnight in delightful Homer. The next morning we make it to the end of the Homer “Spit” for the boat trip across Kachemak Bay to the secluded fishing village of Seldovia and our waterfront bed and breakfast. On Day 5, we cross the bay by air taxi, before heading to the quiet end-of-the-road town of Hope. Day 6 we round Turnagain Arm and stop in Girdwood and the famous resort of Alyeska, before returning to Anchorage in the afternoon. If time is somewhat limited, or you’re looking to add some authentic Alaska to your existing plans, this special tour carefully skirts the crowds and promises an unencumbered and wild tranquility guaranteed to satisfy.