America's wild frontier shelters an array of plant and animal life and remains delightfully deserted. This Alaska holiday includes time at two very different wilderness lodges - one in the interior and one by the coast - to ensure maximum exposure to Alaska's diversity; time is split between observing wildlife including bears, eagles and moose, adventurous pursuits and relaxation.
WILD ALASKA
HIGHLIGHTS
- Search for bears in their natural habitat
- Take part in dog mushing, glacier hikes and other activities
- Enjoy cookery classes at the lodge
- Look out for whales and eagles by the coast
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Arrive
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Day 1 Arrive Anchorage
Arrive in Anchorage, home to almost half of Alaska's population, where you will be met and transferred to your central hotel for the balance of the day at leisure.
Overnight: Hotel Captain Cook
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Day 2 Anchorage - Winterlake Lodge
After breakfast this morning you will be transferred to Lake Hood for the shared float plane flight up to Winterlake Lodge. As you touch down on Finger Lake, your hosts will be waiting to welcome you and show you to your cosy log cabin. After lunch in the main lodge, choose an activity from hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, sauna or fishing. This evening there will be a wine and cheese tasting before dinner.
Overnight: Winterlake Lodge
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Day 3 Winterlake Lodge
Yoga is offered each morning at 7am, with breakfast served from 8am. There are many ways to occupy yourself at Winterlake, whether relaxing in the hot tub, enjoying a boat ride or a hike looking out for bears, eagles, wolves and caribou, or taking part in more active pursuits such as kayaking, heli-hiking, dog mushing, snow-shoeing and fishing. The on-site helicopter is on hand to transport you to more remote areas if you are feeling adventurous.
Overnight: Winterlake Lodge
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Day 4 Red Lake
A short hike from the lodge will take you to Red Lake, where your canoes will be waiting. Your guide will accompany you on a leisurely canoe across the lake, where moose, swans, loons and bears are frequently spotted. When you reach the other side, you will be able to join the Iditarod - a walk along which will bring you conveniently back to the lodge. Your walk will take you through a forest where blueberries, cranberries and currants grow in summer; you are welcome to pick some and bring them to your cooking class later in the day. You can choose to enjoy lunch along the way or back at the lodge.
Overnight: Winterlake Lodge
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Day 5 Transfer to Tutka Bay
After breakfast, your float plane will pick you up at the dock to take you South and East to Kachemak Bay. The scenic 70-minute flight is a great opportunity to see moose, bears, eagles, and beluga whales below as you fly along Cook Inlet, lined with active volcanoes, and the mountains of Lake Clark National Park jutting out from the ocean below. As you touch down at Tutka Bay your hosts will waiting to greet you on the dock. After a delicious homemade lunch and an orientation, explore the nearby private hiking trails or wander the coastline by kayak. Return to the lodge for dinner and tonight's highlight might be a bonfire on the beach with homemade s'mores.
Overnight: Tutka Bay Lodge
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Day 6 Bear Viewing
Today could be all about bears. Katmai National Park and coast are home to one of the world's largest populations of brown bears, and you could explore some of the best vantage points with a private guide. You might see the bears catching salmon, digging for clams or scouring the coastline for sedge grass. Enjoy a packed lunch prepared by the lodge while you are out, returning to the lodge in the early afternoon; just in time for a local cookery class during which you can help prepare the appetisers for that evening. Delicious cheese and wine accompanies the appetisers before dinner; and afterwards we recommend a dip in the hot tub or a spot of nature watching or fishing at low tide.
Overnight: Tutka Bay Lodge
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Day 7 Tutka Bay to Anchorage
After your last lodge breakfast, a short water taxi ride through Kachemak Bay to Homer will provide a last look at the coastal wildlife here. In Homer board a scheduled flight to Anchorage where you will be met by your private driver/guide for an afternoon's tour of the city. Enjoy a scenic walk along the coastal trail, downtown's shops, Earthquake Park or hike up to Anchorage's most famous mountain, Flattop.
Overnight: Tutka Bay Lodge
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Day 8 Depart
Breakfast is included this morning before you are privately transferred to the airport in time for your departure flight.
Overnight: Flight
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Depart
GUIDELINE PRICES - Per Person
| One Season | $ 19,449 |
BOOKING NOTES
- Price based on two people travelling and sharing a room. Per person price will decrease if more people travel together.
- The lodges are small and so advanced booking is strongly recommended.
- Season is early June to mid-September.
- Bear viewing is never guaranteed.
INCLUSIONS
- All accommodation as detailed in the itinerary.
- Daily breakfast throughout and lunches and dinners at the lodges.
- Private transfers in Anchorage.
- All sightseeing, entrance fees and guide services as detailed in the itinerary.
- Shared floatplane from Anchorage-Winterlake-Tutka Bay.
- Water taxi (shared) from Tutka Bay to Homer.
- Scheduled flight from Homer to Anchorage.
- Gratuities at the lodges.
- Applicable taxes and fares.
EXTRAS
- International flights.
- Meals not indicated in the itinerary.
- Items of a personal nature such as laundry, drinks, gratuities (discretionary).
- Entrance fees and excursions not specifically mentioned as included.
- Travel insurance or visa fees.
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REASONS TO BOOK
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