Trip Overview
This lodge-to-lodge adventure through the Kenai Peninsula is limited to just 16 travelers.
Begin in Anchorage with a welcome dinner and time to explore local galleries and shops. Travel along Turnagain Arm to Cooper Landing for a full-day guided rafting trip on the Kenai River, then settle into remote Kenai Backcountry Lodge on Skilak Lake, with options for hiking, skiff tours, and evening kayaking. Continue to Seward and cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park, watching for whales, puffins, and calving glaciers en route to Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge. Enjoy two full days of tailored activities—naturalist walks, kayaking, canoeing, and wildlife viewing—before returning to Anchorage via a scenic Alaska Railroad journey and farewell dinner.
Your Harvard Study Leader is longtime Alaska resident Fran Ulmer, who has spent more than 30 years in public service at the local, state, and national levels. Her distinguished career includes serving as chair of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission, chair of the Global Board of The Nature Conservancy, and chancellor of the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA). She also held elected office for 18 years as mayor of Juneau, a member of the Alaska House of Representatives, and lieutenant governor of Alaska.
Fran’s deep knowledge of Arctic policy, environmental stewardship, and Alaska’s history will enrich the journey with informed context, behind-the-scenes perspectives, and engaging discussions that connect the landscapes you explore to the people and politics that shape them.
Schedule by Day
The program begins on Sunday, July 26 in Anchorage. Depending on the available flights from your home city, some participants might need to plan to depart on Friday, July 24. If you need independent arrival arrangements and accommodations, please contact Harvard Alumni Travels.
Plan to arrive in Anchorage by 3:00 P.M. In the evening, meet your Trip Leader and fellow travelers for dinner and orientation. Dine at a well-known local restaurant and enjoy local sights such as art galleries, shops, and other Anchorage attractions.
Overnight: Anchorage
Meals: D
Bid farewell to the city of Anchorage and travel south along the majestic Turnagain Arm to the small mountain community of Cooper Landing. At this riverside location, your guides will outfit you in gear for a full day guided rafting adventure on the Kenai River. Explore the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge while your raft guide offers natural history interpretation and stories behind the sights. Scan for eagles and birds, salmon, and trout swimming in the turquoise water and possibly moose or bears on the banks of the Kenai River.
A delicious pack lunch will be enjoyed on the banks of the Kenai River. This afternoon settle into your backcountry retreat at Kenai Backcountry Lodge, nestled on the shores of the glacially carved Skilak Lake, inside Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. After an amazing dinner, relax near the lake and listen to the loon calls (Alaska is home to all five species of loons, and Skilak Lake is home to many of them!).
Overnight: Kenai Backcountry Lodge
Meals: B, L, D
Today, select from an array of activity options.
You can learn about Alaska’s diverse flora as you hike through three different ecosystems on the Cottonwood Creek Trail.
Or, opt to take a motorized skiff tour around Skilak Lake, making short stops to hike to scenic vistas for photo opportunities.
Depending on lake conditions, evening kayak paddles on the lake will be available.
Overnight: Kenai Backcountry Lodge
Meals: B, L, D
After breakfast, transfer to the stunning seacoast town of Seward and board a small ship bound for Kenai Fjords National Park, home to an array of glaciers and marine wildlife such as whales, Steller sea lions, sea otters, puffins, and more! A half-day marine wildlife cruise allows an exploration of the rugged coastlines. Enjoy lunch in front of a calving glacier before arriving at the exclusive Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge.
Nestled in a protected tidal lagoon area, the Glacier Lodge offers miles of pristine beachfront for exploring and views of the stunning Pedersen Glacier. This afternoon meet your guides for a lodge orientation and settle into your private cabins. Enjoy dinner and evening presentations.
Overnight: Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge
Meals: B, L, D
Explore the wild delights of Kenai Fjords National Park for two full days. After breakfast in the main lodge, choose from a wide array of activities best suited to your energy level and interest. Guided options include naturalist walks, sea kayaking, group canoe paddles and more.
In the spirit of adventure and to take advantage of tidal and weather patterns, guides will discuss specific nature outings and options with our group this morning. All activities are suitable for beginners and require no previous experience.
For those seeking a more relaxed approach, the main lodge offers ideal comfort with direct views of nature. Curious sea otters and seals frequent the lagoon, just steps from the main lodge deck. In a nearby meadow, you may sometimes glimpse bears and other wildlife from a safe distance. The lodge’s natural history library offers amazing resources and interesting reads.
Upon return to the main lodge, share stories from your day’s adventure with other guests and join an evening natural history presentation, given by local expert guides or guest speakers.
Overnight: Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge
Meals: B, L, D
Explore the wild delights of Kenai Fjords National Park for two full days. After breakfast in the main lodge, choose from a wide array of activities best suited to your energy level and interest. Guided options include naturalist walks, sea kayaking, group canoe paddles and more.
In the spirit of adventure and to take advantage of tidal and weather patterns, guides will discuss specific nature outings and options with our group this morning. All activities are suitable for beginners and require no previous experience.
For those seeking a more relaxed approach, the main lodge offers ideal comfort with direct views of nature. Curious sea otters and seals frequent the lagoon, just steps from the main lodge deck. In a nearby meadow, you may sometimes glimpse bears and other wildlife from a safe distance. The lodge’s natural history library offers amazing resources and interesting reads.
Upon return to the main lodge, share stories from your day’s adventure with other guests and join an evening natural history presentation, given by local expert guides or guest speakers.
Overnight: Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge
Meals: B, L, D
This morning allows another opportunity to kayak, canoe or beachcomb for a half-day before boarding your boat for the return wildlife cruise to Seward. Board the first-class cars of the historic Alaska Railroad for a scenic backcountry rail tour back to Anchorage. Enjoy a festive farewell dinner on the train.
Overnight: Anchorage
Meals: B, L, D
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, followed by airport shuttles.
Meals: B
Pricing
Accommodations
- Two nights at hotel in Anchorage
- One night at Kenai Riverside Lodge
- Two nights at Kenai Backcountry Lodge
- Three nights at Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge
