CHEECHAKO

SEA-KAYAKING AND HIKING - THE PERFECT OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE

Explore Alaska's wilderness from the glaciers and fjords of the Kenai Peninsula to the breathtaking beauty of Denali. A perfect outdoor adventure. Explore the rugged coastline of Kachemak Bay by kayak, and hike within the Taiga and Tundra of Denali National Park. It's more than a vacation, it's an experience of a lifetime.

Trip dates:
July 5 - July 12/2008
June 20 - June 27/2009

Day 1 On Top of the World

Tour participants arrive in Anchorage and assemble by 6:00PM for a “Welcome” dinner and orientation. Enjoy your first night at the “Last Frontier.”

Day 2 Girdwood's Nature Trails

After a hearty breakfast, we leave the B&B at 9:00AM for our drive southbound along Turnagain Arm to Girdwood. We’ll stop to watch for Dall sheep and Beluga whales along the way. The perfect place for our first nature hike is a pleasant trail which takes us from a quaint mountain village on the foothills of Mount Alyeska to the plunging waters of Winner Creek Gorge. After our nice picnic lunch we get rady for another wonderful afternoon hike to Byron Glacier. Enjoy a leisurely evening by exploring Girdwood’s great Alaskan hospitality and spend the night at our cozy B&B.

Day 3 The Kenai Peninsula, Alaska's Gem

Departing Girdwood in the early morning, we’re off to Homer, a picturesque little town on the southern tip of the Kenai Peninsula. From there, we take a water taxi to the 375,000 acres of mountains, glaciers, forests and ocean known as Kachemak Bay State Wilderness Park, and gear up for an afternoon of sea-kayaking. We venture along the shorelines exploring the inter tidal zone, so abundant with sea stars, anemones, octopi and blue mussels. We prepare a delicious dinner and spend the night in rustic cabins (shower and bathroom facilities) overlooking the bay, poised to watch a memorable sunset....

Day 4 Sea Kayaking in Kachemak Bay

Revel in the natural beauty and abundance of the wildlife along the rugged coastline as we kayak though an area of Kachemak Bay also rich in native history. We’ll lunch on a remote beach and watch the many species of birds that inhabit this area, including bald eagles, gyrfalcons, and puffins. This habitat supports a variety of marine life, too, such as otters, seals, porpoises, and whales. Another great dinner and a good night sleep round-out this wonder-filled day.

Day 5 Surrounded by Seven Glaciers

Photo opportunities abound during our short water taxi ride back to Homer, and even more during our afternoon trip into the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Our hike through the forest and aromatic spruce and colorful cottonwood trees provides a lovely view of Skilak Lake at its conclusion. We return to Girdwood for the night.

Day 6 Denali National Park

We drive northward from Girdwood in the early morning to reach Denali National Park, home to Mount McKinley, the tallest peak in North America, and a complete sub-arctic ecosystem with large mammals such as grizzly bears, wolves, Dall sheep, and moose. As early evening comes, we’ll retire to our comfortable cabins overlooking the valley.

Day 7 Lasting Memories

The best way to experience Denali Park is to spend a full day exploring its vast natural treasures. Whether from the open Tundra along the Teklanika River to the Cathedral Mountains with its glaciers, or from Sable-and Polychrome Pass to Wonder Lake on the foothills of Mount McKinley, our hikes will offer spectacular vistas. Within the boundaries of this wildlife preserve, caribou, moose, bears, Dall sheep, fox, and snowshoe hare all thrive. In addition Denali Park will introduce us to some of the 650 species of flowering plants surviving in this sub-arctic climate. A hot and satisfying dinner awaits us, and our comfortable cabins cradle us in for the evening.

Day 8 Time to say good bye..

We depart Denali in the morning, heading southbound. Along the way we’ll stop for one last energizing hike in Denali State Park, to be followed by a lakeside picnic. Arriving back in Anchorage around 2:00PM, in time for a delicious “farewell” meal before you are brought to the airport or an alternate destination downtown. Please schedule your return flight for after 6 PM.

Summary and notes:
participants; minimum 4, maximum 12
price: $ 1,990.00 USD per person, double occupancy
(single supplement occupancy is available for days 1, 2, 5, 6, 7)
deposit: $ 500.00 USD due with registration.
Included in trip package:
1)all ground transportation and water taxi.
2) accommodations for 7 nights in B&Bs and cabins.
3) cost of all activities as outlined in the itinerary; Arctic Ladies guide, wildlife tour, equipment, park fees, permits, and taxes
4) all breakfasts, all lunches (picnic deli-style), and dinner on days 1, 3, 5, 8

Arctic Ladies Adventure Traveling for women only Inc.
11261 Snowline Drive, Anchorage 99507, AK 99507
toll free 1 877 783 1954 or phone/fax 1 907 783 1954
e mail: info@arcticladies.com