This 9-day adventure blends cultural exploration, river time, and coastal wilderness into one trip. Start in Anchorage with a museum visit, Alaskan-inspired dinner, and trip orientation before traveling along Turnagain Arm to Girdwood for a rainforest hike, tram ride to Mt. Alyeska’s glacier views, and a cultural stop at the K’beq’ Interpretive Site. Settle into Kenai Riverside Lodge on the turquoise Kenai River for two full days of guided catch-and-release fly fishing for rainbow trout and Dolly Varden from drift boats, with handcrafted riverside lunches, wildlife viewing, and relaxing evenings on the riverside deck or in the wood-fired sauna. Then head to Seward to board a small boat into Kenai Fjords National Park, watching for whales, sea otters, puffins, and glaciers en route to the remote Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge, set in a protected tidal lagoon with views of Pederson Glacier. Spend two days choosing your pace with guided sea kayaking, canoeing, nature walks, or beachcombing, or simply relaxing at the lodge watching wildlife and enjoying evening natural history talks. On the final full day, enjoy a last morning outing before cruising back to Seward and boarding the Alaska Railroad’s GoldStar domed train for a scenic ride and farewell dinner en route to Anchorage, where the adventure concludes with a final night at The Lakefront Anchorage.
Schedule by Day
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The program begins on Sunday, August 22 in Anchorage.Depending on the available flights from your home city, some participants might need to plan to depart on Saturday, August 21. If you need independent arrival arrangements and accommodations, please contact Harvard Alumni Travels.
Plan to meet your fellow travelers and Trip Leader promptly at 4:00 p.m. this afternoon, in the lobby of The Lakefront Anchorage. Following a brief introduction, we’ll visit the Anchorage Museum to enjoy artwork featuring Alaskan artisans, along with the Museum’s beloved permanent exhibits. Afterward, we’ll dine at a local’s favorite restaurant for Alaskan infused cuisine and learn more about what to expect for the rest of this exciting adventure.
Overnight: Lakefront Anchorage Hotel
Meals: D
Bid farewell to the city of Anchorage and travel south along the majestic Turnagain Arm to the small mountain community of Girdwood. Today’s adventure takes you through the northernmost rainforest areas of Alaska on a guided hike through a protected forest canopy. After the hike, more amazing views can be captured as you ride the resort tram to the top of Mt. Alyeska for spectacular views of the seven surrounding glaciers. During the 8-minute tram ride, you will gain more than 2000 feet of elevation, with a bird’s eye view of winter ski routes and flower-covered valleys.
Late afternoon, stop at the K’beq’ Interpretive Site, which holds cultural significance to the Dena’ina Athabascan Kenaitze Indian Tribe, who have been amazing stewards of the surrounding lands and waters for centuries.
Your destination this evening is Kenai Riverside Lodge, located on the banks of the turquoise waters of the Kenai River. A tour of the lodge grounds will introduce you to a large riverside deck with fire pit, self-guided nature paths, a wood-fired sauna and more! Appetizers and dinner are served in the main lodge this evening, and you’ll receive a fly-fishing orientation in preparation for our next two days of nature adventuring.
Overnight: Kenai Riverside Lodge
Meals: B, L, D
Get ready for two great days of guided fly fishing on the world-famous Kenai River! Our guides will offer their experienced insight and tips into fishing these spectacular waters, and they will also provide the best in gear and tackle for the day’s adventure.
Spend an active yet relaxing day fishing on the Upper Kenai River. During this time of the summer season, beautiful rainbow trout & Dolly Varden are biting, using a combination of techniques from a non-motorized drift boat. Our local guides specialize in fly fishing (it’s easier than you think!) but can use light tackle techniques upon request. State of Alaska fishing regulations outline that trout/ and Dolly Varden fishing is catch and release only.
While on the river, enjoy scenic backcountry views and scan the riverbanks for a variety of wildlife (moose, bears, and more). Hand-crafted deluxe lunches will be enjoyed on board, each day.
After your full day of fishing (up to 8 hours) return to the lodge to share stories of the day’s adventure with your fellow travelers over dinner. Evening presentations in our Program Lodge will enlighten and amuse. Tonight, relax on the large riverside deck or treat yourself to our wood fired sauna.
Overnight: Kenai Riverside Lodge
Meals: B, L, D
Get ready for another great days of guided fly fishing on the world-famous Kenai River! Our guides will offer their experienced insight and tips into fishing these spectacular waters, and they will also provide the best in gear and tackle for the day’s adventure.
Spend an active yet relaxing day fishing on the Upper Kenai River. During this time of the summer season, beautiful rainbow trout & Dolly Varden are biting, using a combination of techniques from a non-motorized drift boat. Our local guides specialize in fly fishing (it’s easier than you think!) but can use light tackle techniques upon request. State of Alaska fishing regulations outline that trout/ and Dolly Varden fishing is catch and release only.
While on the river, enjoy scenic backcountry views and scan the riverbanks for a variety of wildlife (moose, bears, and more). Hand-crafted deluxe lunches will be enjoyed on board, each day.
After your full day of fishing (up to 8 hours) return to the lodge to share stories of the day’s adventure with your fellow travelers over dinner. Evening presentations in our Program Lodge will enlighten and amuse. Tonight, relax on the large riverside deck or treat yourself to our wood fired sauna.
Overnight: Kenai Riverside Lodge
Meals: B, L, D
After breakfast, we’ll travel by comfortable touring vehicle to the beautiful seaside town of Seward. Board a small ship bound for Kenai Fjords National Park – home to an array of glaciers and marine wildlife like whales, Steller sea lions, sea otters, puffins and more! A half-day marine wildlife and glacier cruise will allow us to explore the rugged coastline. Enjoy lunch in front of a tidewater glacier before arriving at our exclusive lodge destination: Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge.
Nestled in a protected tidal lagoon area, the Glacier Lodge offers stunning views of Pederson Glacier and miles of pristine beachfront for combing. This afternoon, meet your guides for a tour of the lodge and property 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 that are best suited to your energy level and interest. Guided options include natural 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, we can sometimes glimpse bears and other wildlife from a safe distance. Our natural history library offers amazing resources and interesting reads – cozy up with a delightful book and let your worries drift out with the tide! 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
After breakfast in the main lodge, choose from a wide array of activities that are best suited to your energy level and interest. Guided options include natural 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, we can sometimes glimpse bears and other wildlife from a safe distance. Our natural history library offers amazing resources and interesting reads – cozy up with a delightful book and let your worries drift out with the tide! 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
Savor another morning in the wilds of Kenai Fjords National Park. A morning outing allows for another opportunity to kayak, canoe, hike or beach comb for a half-day before boarding our boat for the return wildlife cruise to Seward.
Along the way, photograph the sheer cliff walls teeming with birds, plants and other vegetation and scan for more marine wildlife. Afterward, stretch out your sea legs with a short walk to the Alaska Railroad depot for check-in to the deluxe GoldStar domed train cars. Enjoy the spectacular scenery on your rail journey north to Anchorage on the Alaska Railroad, along with a festive farewell dinner.
Our driver will meet us in Anchorage to take us to The Lakefront Anchorage for our final night’s stay.
Overnight: Lakefront Anchorage
Meals: B, L, D
Following breakfast, airport shuttles will be provided to the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport for return flights home.
Meals: B
Pricing
Double Occupancy
Single Occupancy
$8,495 per person
$10,320
• All meals and non-alcoholic beverages unless noted, all transportation as noted, park user fees, best of gear and equipment, all guided activities, services of an AWA Trip Leader, applicable local taxes, all transfers and luggage handling and gratuities to guides • Beer/wine included at welcome reception/dinner on Day 1 and final dinner on Day 8; otherwise, alcoholic beverages are available for purchase at all locations.
• Airfare, additional accommodations, or activities outside of program description and travel insurance is also not included. • Beer/wine except at welcome reception/dinner on Day 1 and final dinner on Day 8. • State of Alaska Fishing Licenses cannot be packaged/sold in advance by tour operators and must be purchased directly by the guests. In the guest confirmation documents, AWA will supply each guest with the weblink to the State of Alaska Fish and Game site, with easy instructions on how guests may purchase their licenses. Estimated fees for the license is $30 per person, subject to change from the State of Alaska.
To reserve a space on this program, a $2,000 deposit is required per person. Final payment is due 120 days before departure (April 24, 2027) payable by check. Participants will receive an invoice directly from the tour operator, Alaska Wildland Adventures for all subsequent payments after the initial deposit.
Notification of cancellation must be received in writing by HAA from the participant. Cancellations received within 14 days of booking are eligible for a full refund, provided that initial deposits were made 121 days or more prior to departure. After 14 days, $1,000 per person becomes non-refundable.
The program terms and conditions can be found here and must be acknowledged upon registration.
Accommodations
Lakefront Anchorage Hotel (two nights)
Kenai Riverside Lodge (three nights)
Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge (two nights
What to Expect
Activity Level 3
Busy pacing may include multiple hotel changes plus internal flights and/or long drives. May involve exposure to the outdoors, full days of touring, and walking up to two hours, with routine breaks.
