When we create, design and plan a new trip we look and see where other tour operators go and try to improve on what is offered. With Alaska, we found an itinerary offered by a competitor that looked great but didn’t include the arrival night in Anchorage which seemed odd to us as everyone would naturally spend a night here and there is a beautiful cycling path/greenbelt trail along the waterfront that we think is the perfect way to introduce you to Alaska. We use the Captain Cook Hotel in downtown Anchorage, located just three blocks from this trail with views of the Chugach Mountains and Cook Inlet. Our itinerary also stays at the luxurious Alyeska Resort near Girdwood, Windsong Resort in Seward and Land’s End in Homer. We think we’ve planned the perfect itinerary for this region. Here is a brief description of a recent trip (the family that booked the trip said they chose Great Explorations because they liked the itinerary and we were willing to run a private trip for just 4 people, their two kids are 16 and 19 years old).
Day 1
The trip starts with an optional ride at 2pm, of a beautiful bike path from Anchorage that follows the shoreline south to Kincaid Park. It is named the Tony Knowles cycling path (named after former governor Tony Knowles), with outstanding views of the Chugach mountains, Denali (Mt. McKinley), Mount Susitna, Fire Island and the tidal mud flats. After fitting bikes we cycled along the coast under sunny skies for what turned out to be an ideal way to stretch our legs, just three blocks from our hotel on all paved bike paths with birding opportunities. Dinner is typically at one of the top restaurants in Anchorage. Ride Distance: 20mi; 1200’ (33km; 400m).
Day 2
The Bird to Girdwood is a bike path that follows Turnagain Arm to Girdwood and is along a moderately rolling paved bike path that is very scenic and fun. We arrived to Girdwood, which boasts several excellent restaurants including the Spoonline Bistro, a charming restaurant. Afterwards, we continued on to Alyeska Resort. The resort was started in 1954, when a handful of Girdwood residents passed the hat and raised enough to purchase the land base for what was to become a major ski area. French baron Francois de Gunzburg financed a day lodge and lifts and it has become Alaska’s top ski destination with the longest double black diamond ski run in the world. The mountain gets over 650 inches of snow each year, but in summer, it is a mecca for hiking and walking with plenty of peaks to view. Everyone was very impressed with the Alyeska Resort, the most luxurious hotel of the trip. But when we offered an afternoon hike, everyone was keen. The hiking trail starts right from the back doors of the resort and climbs through lovely forest past waterfalls and a clever hand-pull trolley. Had there been time, we might have also considered taking the tram up for views but instead, the family went for a swim in the large pool and had dinner at the Forte Alaska restaurant. Yum. Ride Distance: 17mi; 855’ (28km; 285m); Hike Distance: 4.8mi; 525’ (7.7km; 175m).
Day 3
We awoke to sunny skies again and this is the day we shuttle to Seward to cruise along the Kenai Fjords. The newer vessel we use, Calypso has a capacity for just 110 passengers and is small enough to get up close to glaciers and wildlife. The captain of our boat, Steve, was very knowledgeable about the wildlife, history and had many interesting stories to share (and poetry!). There was a high probability we would see humpback whales and did in the most outstanding of circumstances, when we were treated to what is known as bubble feeding, where a female whale dives deep before returning to the surface chasing fish. The whales all surface together in a spectacular show. The family was quite astounded by the experience. After this full day excursion, we returned to Seward and arrived at the Windsong Lodge which boasts a great restaurant on site. Hike Distance: 4.8mi; 525’ (7.7km; 175m), if not done day before.
Day 4
Although it wasn’t originally part of our itinerary, this family wanted to bike extra distance so we biked directly from the hotel up to the Kenai Fjords National Park entrance for the Exit Glacier trail. The road is quiet and gently climbs so in the morning cool, it was quite pleasant. We joined a ranger-lead hike through cotton wood and alder forest, heather filed meadows to the Exit Glacier and then past the tree line towards the Harding Icefield. The top of the trail is a window to past ice ages – a horizon of ice and snow that stretches as far as the eye can see, broken only by an occasional nunatak, or lonely peak. Because of the snowpack, we made it up to about 1380’ (460m) before encountering traces of snow and turned back. We did get fantastic views of the Harding Icefield, which was quite breathtaking. After biking back to the lodge at Windsong, we relaxed and enjoyed another dinner at the restaurant. Ride Distance: 16mi; 750’ (26km; 250m); Hike Distance: 5.7mi; 1200’ (9.3km; 400m).
Day 5
Today we encouraged everyone to sleep in a bit and at 10am, departed for Homer, starting our ride on Old Sterling Road and finishing along a stretch of bike path that weaves through the lupins along the spit to aptly named Lands End Resort at the tip of the peninsula. Along the way there is the opportunity to visit an art gallery and extend the ride east of town. There is also a cool farm tour to consider but this family was happy to explore a bit. There is a fantastic saloon called the Salty Dawg that is perhaps the perfect place to have a celebratory beverage. Just behind it, fishermen were hoisting enormous fish to weigh, clean and prepare for tables. There are so many fantastic restaurants here, including Fresh Catch, Swell Taco, Finns Pizza and Johnny’s Corner, an Asian fusion restaurant. Who’d of thought, in Homer. Ride Distance: 23mi; 1140’ (38km; 380m).
Day 6
On this day, the plan was to take a water taxi across to Kachemak Bay State Wilderness Park, a 350,000-acre paradise of glaciers, mountains, protected coves for paddling and an extensive trail system to explore on foot. We hiked along pleasant trail through Sitka spruce and mixed cottonwood forests to Grewingk Lake to admire ice-flows having calved from glaciers here. Even though I have seen this previously, it is quite a sight! We enjoyed some time here before hiking on to our exit point at Halibut Cove beach for the trip back to Homer. Our final night dinner is a surprise that I’ll keep a secret for now! Back at our hotel, Land’s End, with sea-facing rooms overlooking glorious landscapes, this really is the last frontier. Hike Distance: 4.5mi; 450’ (7.2km; 150m).
If You Go
Great Explorations offers a 7-day Alaska itinerary that stays in the same hotels and has similar routes as that tour operator that calls itself the world’s best; ours is one day longer (includes a night and day in Anchorage) and is at a fraction of the price. But don’t choose us because we are less expensive. Choose us because our itinerary is better, groups smaller, guides local and for the magic that we bring to the experience.
The family that just completed this trip wrote a favorable review:
“We have been doing active trips for almost 25 years, and this was by far one of our most favourite trips! The views were absolutely MAJESTIC, and the service impeccable. We had been looking for a good Alaska itinerary for years and Great Explorations has one that gets you up close to witnessing climate change while taking in all the beauty in the state. The itinerary has a great tempo with plenty of activity and downtime as well, not to mention a beautiful cruise. We saw some other tours with large groups and we were so happy to be in a smaller group and not rushed every day and able to take on more rides and hikes. We will do this trip again! “ – Cristine L., Aspen, CO.
Straight Talk
The cycling is really, very good with a large percentage on bike paths and not difficult so regular bikes are suitable. The hikes are on very good trails that are moderate also. Except for in Anchorage and at Alyeska, the hotels are not as luxurious as where we stay in Europe and in some other countries but they are the best in this region of Alaska and quite nice.
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