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With endless tundra, rugged taiga, and rivers quivering with salmon, it’s no surprise that Alaska is home to all three species of bears in North America. Alongside an expert bear biologist, we’ll head deep into the heart of central and southern Alaska in search of two of them—the black bear and the brown bear—as well as all the other charismatic creatures that call this place home. We’ll keep an eye out for lynx in the shadow of Denali, the nation’s tallest mountain, and search the icy waters of Kenai Fjords National Park for the dorsal fin of a passing orca. We’ll hike through boreal forest, visit actively calving glaciers, and stand at the foot of tumbling waterfalls, all in the company of these giant but gentle foragers.
Arrive in Anchorage and meet up with your group of fellow travelers and our resident wildlife expert. Over dinner at a local restaurant, we’ll begin getting to know one another and chat about the adventures that await us. Head back to the hotel for a good night’s sleep; our adventure begins bright and early tomorrow.
Voyager Inn, Anchorage
Welcome Dinner
Aboard the historic Alaska Railroad, we’ll pass through the lush boreal forest and tundra of Interior Alaska, rocketing toward Denali National Park. Denali is the highest mountain in North America; its snow-capped peak looms some 18,000 feet over the base below. As we approach the park, keep an eye out for moose, bald eagles, Dall sheep, and the famed Alaskan grizzlies, which can weigh up to 600 pounds. Upon arrival, we’ll take a short walk close to the park’s entrance, then head to our cozy lodge overlooking a secluded lake. Enjoy a free evening on your own to unwind or relax by the water.
Tonglen Lake Lodge, Denali National Park
Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast, we’ll shuttle deep into the heart of the park, scouring the stunning tundra landscape for wildlife as we go. Once we arrive, we’ll be looking for the “Big Five”—grizzly bears, caribou, moose, wolves, and Dall sheep. If we’re lucky, we might also spot golden eagles, elegant birds of prey with a wingspan stretching over seven feet. Denali also happens to be home to the lynx, so keep an eye out for the tawny, long-haired cat slinking through the shrubs. After a full day of rubbing figurative elbows and wings with central Alaska’s most magnetic wildlife, head back to the lodge for a free evening to yourself.
Tonglen Lake Lodge, Denali National Park
Breakfast, Lunch
Beginning in the southern part of the park, we’ll spend this morning hiking through the boreal forest, the largest forest ecosystem on the planet. We’ll learn about the local flora and fauna that surround us, including the many plant species that have long been harvested and used medicinally by people in this region. In the shadow of Mount Denali, we’ll be able to scope out the icy, jagged peaks of the Alaska Range looming above. Our hike will take us into Talkeetna, where we’ll stop by a local microbrewery for some craft beer and conversations with locals. Head to your cabin for an early night, or opt to take a scenic flight over Denali at an additional cost.
Susitna River Cabins, Talkeetna
Breakfast, Lunch
Start the morning with a drive along Seward Highway, taking in the stunning alpine landscape as it rushes by. Though our final destination today will be Kenai Fjords National Park—home to icy water, jagged cliffs, and tidewater glaciers—we’ll stop first at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, a sanctuary that cares for orphaned and injured animals from muskox to wolves. Our next stop will be Seward, the charming port town considered to be the gateway to Kenai Fjords. Here, we’ll tour the world-famous Alaska Sea Life Center and browse a variety of interactive exhibits showcasing the region’s rich marine life. Dinner tonight will be at a cozy seafood restaurant where we can chow down while gazing out at the marina, keeping our eyes peeled for playful sea otters back-paddling out beyond the boats.
Harbor 360 Hotel, Seward
Breakfast, Lunch
Enjoy a full day of exploration in Kenai Fjords National Park. We’ll set out by boat into the icy, glacier-studded water, searching for orcas, humpback whales, sea lions, harbor seals, puffins, and more. In this remote park, we’ll get to experience the extraordinary allure of local wildlife—as well as some actively calving glaciers—up close. We’ll return to Seward tonight to recount some of our most memorable encounters over dinner, then head back to the hotel for some sleep.
Harbor 360 Hotel, Seward
Breakfast, Lunch
To kick off our second day in Kenai Fjords, we’ll journey out along the Harding Icefield Trail to Exit Glacier—an incredibly scenic and moderately strenuous hike. Exit Glacier is one of the few large glaciers that you can access via a hiking trail, and this offers the rare opportunity to see it up close. For those who’d prefer not to make the trek, there will be an option to take a ranger-led tour of the glacier and its surrounding sites. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife—black bear sightings are common here, especially along the Harding Icefield Trail. Spend the rest of the day relaxing, or venture out onto the water for a deep sea fishing excursion at an additional cost.
Harbor 360 Hotel, Seward
Breakfast, Lunch
We’ll hit the road early today, heading toward Homer. Keep your eyes peeled for bears fishing in Russian River, as well as moose lumbering by and bald eagles soaring above us. After making a short stop at the edge of tumbling Russian River Falls, we’ll arrive and check in to our rustic resort. Take the rest of the afternoon to recuperate before our big bear viewing tomorrow, or if you’d like, enjoy a scenic float or fishing trip along the Kenai River.
Land’s End Resort, Homer
Breakfast, Lunch
Head into Lake Clark National Park, flanked by your guide and rangers, in search of bears. A remote park that’s only accessible by plane, Lake Clark is renowned for being one of the best sites to view and photograph groups of grizzlies. We’ll likely find them feeding in salmon streams and along the shoreline, elegantly catching their midday meals like pros. After a full day of bearing witness to all that makes the Ursus arctos horribilis so magnificent, head back to the resort for our final dinner together.
Land’s End Resort, Homer
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The cost of this trip is $7315, based on double occupancy.
You’re in good company. Solo travelers typically make up about half of our small groups. With curiosity at the center of our experiences, there’s a natural camaraderie that develops over the course of a trip. We have two options for you:
(1) Shared room: You’ll be matched with another solo traveler of the same gender.
(2) Private room: Have your own room, subject to availability, for a supplemental cost of $925. When booking, please select the single room package option.
We suggest you arrive in Anchorage by 3 p.m. on Day 1 and depart anytime in the evening on Day 10. If you'd like more time to explore Alaska, we recommend arriving a few days early. We'd be more than happy to help you arrange extra nights and suggest things to do on your own.
Travelers should feel comfortable walking three to four miles over the course of each day, spending time in nature, remaining on their feet for long periods of time, and sometimes walking on uneven terrain. Note that this trip entails several charter flights and boat rides, so you should be comfortable in small planes and spending time on and around water. Since this is a wildlife trip, you should be prepared to spend time in the wilderness, accompanied by an experienced guide. Optional strenuous hikes and physical activities will be offered alongside less active options.
Summer in Alaska is warm and pleasant. Daytime temperatures range from 60°F to 80°F, with refreshingly cool nighttime lows in the 40s and 50s. You can expect some rain throughout the week.
Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated, though in most cases ingredients can't be substituted or omitted from particular dishes. If you have a severe allergy, please contact us to find out if this is the right trip for you.
The perceived value of Alaskan wildlife has long been attached to the ability to hunt different species found in the Alaskan wilderness. More recently, ecotourism has shown that these animals are often more economically valuable when they’re living and thriving creatures, admired by locals and tourists alike. Supporting industries that have placed value on living wildlife helps to conserve important and threatened species as well as the cultures that have existed in harmony with them for millennia.