Alaska Camping: Glaciers & Mountains

Arrive at any time. Welcome to America’s Last Frontier. Tonight channel all of the excitement of arriving in a new place by heading out on the town with your CEO and crew. Head to a local bar and enjoy an evening filled with laughter, fun, and excitement as your adventure begins.

Yes, you’re really in Alaska—stop thinking it’s all a dream and start to enjoy it! Traipse along the coast of the Kenai Peninsula with your travel family and maybe enjoy a hike outside of Homer. Then it’s back to the peninsula, where glaciers tumble down from the mountains into the ocean. Pick a friend to be on the lookout for beluga whales playing out at sea while you search for volcanoes across the Cook Inlet or vice versa. As you travel along the Turnagain Arm you're going to want pictures so make sure those cameras are charged.

It’s time to explore Homer—a long strip of land full of shops, art galleries, bars, restaurants, and beaches. (Although, you probably won’t be swimming much). Take advantage of your free day to mingle with the locals, find some hidden gems, small town charm, and many friendly people more than willing to swap stories. Or let nature be your guide and take a water taxi out to explore Kachemak Bay and go for a hike. Stay observant as wildlife including; bald eagles, moose, and sandhill cranes are sure to be close by.

Say, “see ya later” in the morning to Homer before it’s back onto the road to the Kenai Peninsula, but this time it’s to explore the Kenai Fjords on a half-day wildlife and whale watching cruise. Afterwards, arrive at the tip of the peninsula where the ice age still lingers. Spend the day exploring this site to discover the fjords, their history, science and remote splendour.

Spend a day taking in the sheer beauty of Kenai Fjords National Park. Head to the Harding Icefield, where almost 40 glaciers flow from. Challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone. Try hiking the Exit Glacier and witness a very visual example of climate change. Kayak in the fjords or view impressive wildlife including, puffins, bald eagles, and peregrine falcons while you are out and about.

Grab breakfast together as a group before heading back to Anchorage. Take advantage of a free day to get lost in Alaska's largest city. Walk along the boardwalk in Potter Marsh, pan for gold in Crow Creek, or sample local fare like, delectable king crab, fresh water salmon, and reindeer sausage.

Travel to Valdez, a quintessential Alaskan coastal town surrounded by impressive mountains and full of great places to explore. This tiny town is a great base for wild adventures in ‘Last Frontier’. Today, will be a long day of travel, but well worth it when you get to stop at places like Matanuska valley, Worthington Glacier, and Thompson Pass along the way.

Rise and shine! It’s time to get out and explore the coastal town of Valdez. Go off together or set out on a solo adventure through the wilds of Alaska. Hike Thompson’s pass, kayak beside one of the world’s largest tidal glaciers, or if in season catch a glimpse of salmon spawning. This town is a photographer’s dream with the crashing glaciers and towering Chugach Mountains rising from the seas; don’t forget that camera.

Alaska is notorious for its wild landscape and stunning views, which you will get to see as the group drives from Valdez to McCarthy. You will be making short stops at some of the viewpoints along the Copper River where you can enjoy breathtaking vistas of spruce-filled taiga, permafrost swamps, and mountain ranges far larger and more intimidating than anything you'll see in the Lower 48. The group will also make a stop to Chitina, an old mining boomtown that was all but abandoned after the mine closed in 1938. Chitina's rebirth stemmed from the creation of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park in 1980 and now serves as the gateway to the largest national park in the country.

We told you there’d be more time to explore! Take advantage of a full free day to really get deep into Wrangell-St Elias National Park. Choose between taking an optional scenic flight over the park, go for a glacier walk, or try ice climbing. You’re in a stunning new place so why not venture out of that comfort zone. You can also choose to explore the ghost town of Kennecott, hike the Bonanza Mine Trail or the Root Glacier Trail. Either way take some time to reflect and appreciate the ‘Mountain Kingdom of North America’. Fun fact: this park is actually the largest in the U.S., about 25% larger than Switzerland, and is the convergence point for three mountain ranges!

Cruise through wild Copper River Valley on the way to Tangle Lakes. Take a peek at the fishwheels (used for salmon) along the way. Once in Tangle Lakes hop out, stretch your legs, take in the mountain scenery, and get ready to camp under the big sky in the remote Alaskan wilderness.

Hop back on the road and enjoy a scenic drive along the Denali Highway, stopping for all those mountain selfies along the way. Pass by the highest mountain in North America, formerly called Mt McKinley. Bask in the awesomeness of this vast wilderness and camp just outside of Denali National Park for the night.

Enjoy plenty of time to explore and hike Denali NP. Discover the dynamic glaciated landscape providing large rivers, countless lakes and ponds, and unique landforms which form the foundation of the ecosystems that thrive in Denali with some hikes in the area. Enjoy picnic lunches and revel in the awesomeness of the park. For those that do not want to hike, options include rafting on the Nenana River, a visit to the dog-sled kennels run by the park rangers or opt to take a scenic flight over Denali.

Alas, even the most epic trips must come to an end. Gaze out the window as you pass mountains, glaciers, and open sky on your return to Anchorage. Get ready to say “see you later” to your newest adventure buddies and maybe grab one more meal together before heading home.