Off The Beaten Path Adventure in Alaska

8 Days, Multiple Departures

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Off The Beaten Path Adventure in Alaska
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  • Itinerary
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This immersive travel experience takes visitors on the road less traveled. From glaciers to the nation’s largest national park, this 8-day itinerary offers thoughtfully curated experiences, lodging, and meals designed to give travelers a taste of local, Alaskan life. This active adventure will put you on trails, glaciers, in scenic fjords and more. Attendees can plan for a moderately active trip. We’ll be moving 3-7 miles most days. A small group size, maximum of 8 guests, ensures ample personal attention and quality conversation. 

Ideal fitness level: Moderate. Participants should be able to comfortably hike/walk 5 miles over uneven and potentially challenging terrain.

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About The Host
Kierre Childers

Kierre Childers

Kierre Childers, has been calling Alaska home since 2015. In addition to more than five years guiding in Alaska, she spent a season guiding backpackers on volcanoes in Nicaragua, completed over half of the Great Walks in New Zealand, and summited Mount Rainier. She is a trained EMT, has her Wilderness First Responder certification, and volunteers with the local Mat-Su Water Rescue team. Her passion for learning, the outdoors, and bringing people together shines while showing visitors Alaska.

Itinerary

Day 1 Hiking, History and Glaciers: The Matanuska

Anchorage > Palmer > Glacier View

The team will pick up our guests at their respective Anchorage lodging. Once we’ve gathered the crew, we’ll do traveler introductions and start our journey north. The morning will include a 2-3 hour hike and lessons on the history and culture of Palmer, Alaska. The afternoon will include lunch at a local restaurant and our continued journey up the Matanuska River Valley to Glacier View, Alaska. The small, rural town offers stunning views of the glacial valley and Matanuska Glacier.

Accommodation: Rustic lodging in this rural Alaska community

Hiking information: We anticipate the following for the hiking portion of our day:

Elevation gain: +1500’-2500’ elevation loss: -1500-2500’

Distance: 3-5 miles

Meals:

Breakfast: Independently

Lunch and dinner provided

Drive time: Approximately 1.5 hours

Day 2: Full Day Glacier Hike

Our hiking today takes place on a glacier! These incredible geological features provide a glimpse into Alaska’s past and dynamic present. We’ll spend a full day learning about glaciology on Alaska’s largest road-accessible glacier, the Matanuska Glacier. Get up close and personal with glacial terrain, crevasses and more. We may use rope and anchor systems to navigate portions of this day.

Accommodation: Rustic lodging in this rural Alaska community

Hiking information: We anticipate the following for the hiking portion of our day:

Elevation gain: +100’-500’, elevation loss -100’–500’

Distance: up to 5 miles

Please note we may use rope and anchor systems during a portion of our trip on the glacier.

Meals: All meals included

Drive time: 30 minutes

Day 3 Wrangell St. Elias National Park

We’ll drive from Glacier View to Valdez, a quaint coastal town with a mid-drive hiking stop to soak in the largest national park in the United States - Wrangell St. Elias. Our mid-drive hike will either be in the national park or in the vicinity of the park (pending trail conditions).

Accommodation: hotel, bed and breakfast or similar in a small, coastal community

Hiking information: We anticipate the following for the hiking portion of our day:

Elevation gain: +500’-2000’ elevation loss: -500-2000’

Distance: 4-7 miles


Meals: All meals included

Drive time: Approximately 5 hours

Day 4: Hike and paddle

Day 4 is spent perusing the coastline of Valdez. We’ll take a scenic boat ride out to a remote area, enjoy the water and tidewater glacier(s) from kayaks. From there, we’ll have the opportunity to spend time beachcombing along the shore. Depending on conditions, we may have the option for a lengthier hike (up to 2 hours) before heading back to the bay.

Accommodation: hotel, bed and breakfast or similar in a small, coastal community

Hiking information: We anticipate up to 2 hours of hiking or relaxation time

Paddling information: We anticipate about 4 hours of paddling

Meals: All meals included

Drive time: 30 minutes

Boat ride: up to 4 hours

Day 5: Free day in Valdez

Relax, recharge or opt for add-on adventures independently. We’ll have a hiking option available for those who want some mountain time. This day is all about options.

Some of our favorite Valdez activities include:

Fishing charter: Halibut, rockfish, salmon and lingcod are possible depending on what is in-season.

Flightseeing plane or helicopter ride: See the area from a different perspective. 

*Please note trip fees do not include cost associated with add-on excursions. Contact your guide to discuss add-on options in additional detail.


Accommodation: hotel, bed and breakfast or similar in a small, coastal community

Hiking information: We’ll provide options for the day depending on current conditions.

Meals: All meals included. Since we may separate during the day guests will receive meal vouchers and/or cash for meals.

Drive time: Varies

Day 6: The Historic Denali Highway

We’ll drive north to the historic and scenic Denali Highway, a dirt road at the foothills of the Alaska Range. Our final adventures will get visitors far off the beaten path.. We’ll stay at a historic roadside lodge for the full Alaska experience. After a warm meal, we’ll take an evening hike to soak in the midnight sun and scenic views of the Alaska range.

Accommodation: Historic roadside lodge

Hiking information: We anticipate the following for the hiking portion of our day:

Elevation gain: +500'-1500' elevation loss: -500-1500’

Distance: 3-5 miles


Meals: All meals included

Drive time: Approximately 5 hours

Day 7: Relax or hike

On the final adventure day, guests will have the option to take a full day hike or relax at the lodge. Our hiking adventure will be an off-trail experience. Guests will learn more about the surrounding wilderness and how Alaska’s public lands are a huge part of the state’s identity and culture.

Accommodation: Historic roadside lodge

Hiking information: We anticipate the following for the hiking portion of our day:

Elevation gain +500’-3000’ elevation loss: -500-3000’

Distance: 4-7 miles


Meals: All meals included

Drive time: None

Day 8: Denali Highway>Anchorage

Return to Anchorage. Visitors will be able to soak in final views and one last hike before returning to the state’s largest city. We’ll have a final team dinner before dropping guests off at the airport or their hotel for the evening.

Accommodation: Lodging is not included in the final night, please plan to book Anchorage lodging independently. We are happy to provide recommendations.

Hiking information: We anticipate the following for the hiking portion of our day:

Elevation gain: +1000’-2500’ elevation loss: -1000-2500’

Distance: 5-8 miles


Meals: All meals included

Drive time: Approximately 7 hours

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Things to keep in mind

Cancellation Policy

Canceling a booking with https://activretreats.com/ can result in cancellation fees applied by https://activretreats.com/, as outlined below. Additional fees may be levied by the individual supplier or tour operator. You will be notified via email or telephone of the total cancellation fees when canceling any booking.

If you have purchased an event, attraction, or coupon ticket, it will be non-refundable in all circumstances.

In some cases, the hotel or accommodation is also non-refundable but depends on the booking policy, which can be mentioned on the voucher.

There is a $500 non-refundable deposit. In addition to non-refundable deposit, 50% of trip fees are due in order to secure your reservation and guarantee availability. Remaining balance is due 60 days prior to trip departure.



Refund policy

There is no cancellation fee if you cancel at least 48 hours in advance of the scheduled departure.

If you cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the scheduled departure, there is a 50 percent cancellation fee.

If you cancel before 24 hours of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.

The refund will be complete within 30 days from the transaction date.

The refund policy may differ depending on the nature of the booking as per the nature of the tour.

No refunds are available once a tour or service has commenced or in respect of any package, accommodation, meals, or any other services utilized.

Refunds will be done only through the original mode of payment.

For no refund policy, if you have purchased some specific time coupon tickets, event or attraction, or accommodation that has no refund and replacement, it will be non-refundable.

A note on flexibility:

We strive to provide the itinerary as outlined; however, the nature of adventuring in Alaska requires some degree of flexibility. Our guides and partner operators may change and adjust the outlined itinerary in the days leading up to and during our trip. Your guide will update the team as changes arise, providing as much notice as possible.

Flexibility and a positive outlook work wonders towards making an Alaska trip enjoyable, even in adverse and unexpected conditions.


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