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Adventure
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| Maximum Exposure Tour Details | ||
If you want to experience the best of Alaska from the coast to Denali, you'll need at least 9 days. This trip does a good job of providing variety without too much time on the road, covering Prince William Sound, Matanuska Glacier, Talkeetna Mountains and Denali. While this trip is more active and adventurous than many tours that include Denali, if you want to amp it up just a little more check out our new Extreme Plus. Learn more about how we like to visit the Denali Area. This trip now includes Ice Climbing! Day 1 – We’ll meet you in Anchorage, and after a gear check and orientation, you'll look for Beluga Whales, bald eagles, and mountain goats as we take one of the most scenic drives in the world. We’ll drive through a mountain to the unique small town of Whittier, the gateway to Prince William Sound. The afternoon will be spent paddling past waterfalls and bird rookeries, a short hike and then on to our campsite in the rainforest. Day 2 - We head into Blackstone Bay where you'll paddle close to several huge tidewater glaciers. It's a full day paddling but we still have time to enjoy ourselves and look for wildlife. Day 3 – Finally we’ll reach our goal. Blackstone Glacier is an actively calving glacier and if you’re lucky while we’re watching for falling ice, we might see some seals playing in the icebergs. We’ll be picked up at a nearby beach by water taxi to take us on a quick ride back to town. Now we’ll head north toward the Matanuska Valley. On the way we’ll stop in Anchorage for dinner at one of our favorite spots. You'll get a shower and a night in a bed at an historic inn in Palmer, about an hour north of Anchorage.
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Day 4 – We’ll drive further up the valley to the huge Matanuska Glacier where you’ll don mountaineering crampons to explore and try out the exciting sport of ice climbing. Our step-by-step approach will have you scaling vertical walls of ice by the end of the day. Bottomless crevasses and towering seracs make for impressive photos. That evening it's back to our homestead for a big Alaskan barbecue. Our homestead and Base Camp is about halfway between the Matanuska glacier and Anchorage. It's nothing too elaborate but you can sample a little of our "off the grid" lifestyle. We have comfortable cabin tents equipped with cots and foam mattresses and a wood-fired hot tub for relaxing after a hard day on the ice. Our other guests sometimes include moose and bear wandering through our "yard". Day 5 – An early start and we’ll head up into the alpine areas of scenic Hatcher Pass for a great day hike high above tree line. Or choose to explore the historic gold mine. After the hike we'll continue driving a little further north to a great little campground in Denali State Park. Day 6 – If the weather allows, a hike up the ridge could provide our first view of Denali (Mt. McKinley). The hiking in Denali State Park is superb...few visitors and great views. In the afternoon we'll move a little further north to a campground just outside Denali National Park. Hot showers await at this deluxe private campground. Day 7 – The bus is far and away the most reliable way to see wildlife in Denali, there is no other vehicular traffic and animals are accustomed to these non-threatening daily visitors. During the ride we’ll be looking for bear, moose, caribou, fox and everything else. A picnic lunch and maybe a short hike before heading back to the campground for the night. |
Day 8 - Take either a leisurely morning or a more ambitious early hike in the Denali Park area. Then it's time for some whitewater action on the Nenana River before we start heading back south. Our destination for the night is Talkeetna. This quirky little town is what many people think of when they envision Alaska and was reportedly the inspiration for "Northern Exposure". You'll stay at an inn or cabin for the night and enjoy a hot shower, comfy bed, dinner out and some Talkeetna nightlife. Day 9 – A famous Roadhouse breakfast and a leisurely morning for you to explore the town, maybe even do a flight seeing trip before we head south to Anchorage. Although the trip officially ends when we drop you at your hotel, good restaurants and nightlife are easy to find in "the big city" for those who choose to meet up for a last hurrah!
Challenge Level: 3 - 4; Day hiking and scrambling. Trekking and climbing on glacier ice. Some primitive camping while sea kayaking. Read more about Challenge Levels. No experience required but you must be over 18 and in relatively good physical condition. Accommodation: 4 nights at developed campgrounds. 2 nights primitive camping, 2 nights in an inn, cabin or B&B.
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| Cost:
$2570 Make it Exclusive Exclusive trips may be modified to include extra nights in an inn, cabin or B&B. |
Includes: all related local transportation. All meals from lunch on day of pick-up to lunch on last day. Accommodation as listed in the itinerary. All guides and instruction. Group and specialized equipment (tents, kayaks, rafts, safety equipment etc.) Not included:
Anchorage accommodation before and after the trip. Personal expenses such
as beverages, etc. Personal gear and clothing (sleeping bag, pad, backpack,
boots, outerwear, all other clothing) Click HERE for more details on costs, payment, and what is and is not included. |
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Choose Exposure for your Alaska Adventure TourExposure Alaska Tel. 907.761.3761 or 800.956.6422 Email is the best way to get in touch with us quickly. |
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Sea kayaking
tours in Prince William Sound. Ice
climbing, glacier treks and glacier
tours on the Matanuska Glacier. All photos and text Copyright 2008, Exposure Alaska LTD |