Kayakers in front of Northwestern glacier.

Alaska Kayak Exploration - Tour 180

An Alaska road trip from the shores of Kachemak Bay and the fjords of Seward to the heart of Denali National Park.

Remarkable setting of the K2 Denali Experience flight.

Alaska Kayak Exploration - Tour 180

An Alaska road trip from the shores of Kachemak Bay and the fjords of Seward to the heart of Denali National Park.

Alaska Kayak Exploration - Tour 180

An Alaska road trip from the shores of Kachemak Bay and the fjords of Seward to the heart of Denali National Park.

Rafting trips are great for groups or families.

Alaska Kayak Exploration - Tour 180

An Alaska road trip from the shores of Kachemak Bay and the fjords of Seward to the heart of Denali National Park.

Overview
What's Included
Itinerary
Map
Rates & Dates
Options & Upgrades
Photos
Add to My Trip

Trip Overview

This 10-day self-drive Alaska vacation package is geared towards travelers who enjoy active adventures, especially on the water. There are kayaking opportunities in Seward and Denali State Park, plus a rafting trip on the Nenana River. The package includes a rental car, all accommodations, and daily tours. It starts and ends in Anchorage.

Trip Highlights

Head off the beaten path to Homer, a charming town known for its thriving arts scene, excellent food, and halibut fishing.
Explore the waterfalls, cliffs, and tidewater glaciers of the remote Northwestern Fjord within Kenai Fjords National Park.
Visit pristine Byers Lake in the quiet and less-frequented Denali State Park.
Experience Denali National Park by air on a flightseeing trip and by land on a bus tour.

Why Pick This Trip

Enjoy the freedom of traveling by rental car on an Alaska vacation package that goes off the beaten path, but also ensures that you experience the highlights of Southcentral Alaska. The package is also perfect for kayakers, however novice.

What's Included

Here is everything that is included. Remember, we can easily add or remove services so this vacation package is the perfect fit for your party.

Anchorage | 1 Night

Relax in style and this new boutique hotel in midtown Anchorage. Learn More >

Anchorage | 8 Days

When flexibility and freedom is a must, opt to travel by rental car. Rates available for compact, midsize, full size, and minivans. Learn More >

Homer | 2 Nights

The new Homer Aspen Hotel features spacious guest suites with full kitchenettes. Located in the heart of the oceanside community, the hotel is a perfect jumping off point for excursions into beautiful Kachemak Bay. Learn More >

Homer | Depart 8:00 AM | 9 Hours

Spend a full day on an active adventure that showcases some of the best spots to hike and paddle near Homer. Learn More >

Seward

Unlock the mysteries of Alaska's rich and diverse marine ecosystem at this renowned education, research, and wildlife rehabilitation facility. Learn More >

Seward | 2 Nights

Just three miles north of Seward, this full-service lodge invites guests into a secluded forest setting while providing convenient shuttle service to local activities. Learn More >

Seward | Depart 8:30 AM | 10 Hours

Enjoy a spectacular small-group kayaking experience deep within the quietest and most rugged corners of Kenai Fjords National Park on this full-day paddling trip out of Seward. Learn More >

Talkeetna | Depart 6:30 PM | 1 Hour

Experience the extreme beauty of Denali and the fortress of granite peaks surrounding it on this must-do flightseeing trip out of Talkeetna. Learn More >

Talkeetna | 1 Night

When the mountain is "out" Denali is unmissable from this ridge-top property. The lodge comprises two full-service restaurants, a coffee shop, bar, and comfortable guest rooms with either forest or mountain views. Learn More >

Talkeetna | Depart 12:45 PM | 3 Hours

With complimentary transportation available from the McKinley Princess Lodge, this easy three-hour kayak trip takes visitors into the wildlife-rich waters of Byers Lake. Learn More >

Denali Park | 2 Nights

Minutes away from the Denali National Park entrance, this mountaintop property offers standard guest rooms, premium rooms with a view, and private cabins as well as fine dining at the Alpenglow Restaurant and Peak Spirit Lounge. Learn More >

Denali Park | Depart 6:00 AM | 5 Hours

Fully narrated bus tour with a turnaround point at the historic Murie Cabin deep inside Denali National Park. Learn More >

Denali Park | Depart 6:30 PM | 3 Hours

Float down the Nenana River on mild water excursion with Denali's longest-running rafting company. Learn More >

Anchorage | 1 Night

Relax in style and this new boutique hotel in midtown Anchorage. Learn More >

Itinerary

Read on for a day-by-day breakdown of this tour package. Click on an item to get started, and be sure to contact us if you have any questions.

Welcome to Anchorage! You'll have the day at your leisure once you arrive. Overnight Anchorage.

Pick up your rental car and start your road trip to Homer. The total drive time is between four and five hours, but with so much to see along the way you'll want to take your time. You'll drive the Seward Highway east along the Turnagain Arm, cruise up into the green mountains around Turnagain Pass and Kenai Lake, and pass through little towns like Cooper Landing along the way. The last hour into Homer has pretty views of the Cook Inlet. Overnight Homer.

Spend the day "across the bay" on a guided kayaking and hiking tour. It starts with a water taxi ride across Kachemak Bay followed by a paddle through pristine bay water. After lunch you'll head out to the Grewingk Glacier Lake on a four-mile hike before catching a return water taxi. Overnight Homer.

Bid adieu to Homer as you continue to Seward. The drive takes about four hours. After you settle into your comfortable lodge, head into town for a visit to the Alaska SeaLife Center. Overnight Seward.

Your Homer kayaking trip was a warmup for today's excursion. You'll head deep into Kenai Fjords National Park with a small group on a private water taxi. The destination is Northwestern Fjord, a remote inlet with crystalline water perfect for kayaking. You'll spend several hours paddling here, cutting through glassy water with tidewater glaciers as your backdrop. The tour includes lunch. Overnight Seward.

With an Alaska Range flightseeing tour scheduled for this evening, you'll have plenty of time to discover the many roadside attractions on the highway from Seward to Talkeetna. The drive takes about five hours.

If you have time before your flight, take a stroll thorugh downtown Talkeetna. Like Homer, it's a small town with a lot of personality. Overnight Talkeetna.

Bid adieu to Talkeetna as you head up the road to Denali State Park. This park is much smaller and quieter than its national park neighbor to the northwest. You'll take your final kayak tour on Byers Lake, a serene spot with Denali views when the weather is clear. Afterwards continue north through spruce forest and eventually up onto the tundral plateau near Broad Pass. Overnight Denali.

You'll leave the driving to a professional today as you board a morning bus tour into Denali National Park. After your early afternoon return, take a hike on one of the many trails near the park's visitor center or enjoy some down time before your evening raft trip. Overnight Denali.

The day is yours to spend making your way back to Anchorage. Stop for snacks at roadside cafes and coffee huts, visit galleries or shops that caught your eye on the way up, or pull over for photos at scenic overlooks. Above all, enjoy the ride. Final overnight in Anchorage.

Tour concludes in Anchorage.

Map

Check out the map below for a visual overview of this specific tour package. You can see a larger version of the map here, or try our an interactive tour map by using the link below.

SHOW INTERACTIVE MAP >

Rates & Dates

The prices below will give you an idea of approximately how much this trip will cost. Keep in mind your actual price will likely vary based on your departure date, availability, and any modifications you make. You can use one of the links below to request an exact quote for your party, or price the trip yourself if you prefer using our My Trip feature. You can often save money by traveling in the value season, typically May and September.

	Single	Double	Triple	Quad	Child
Tour Price	Single: $6,061	Double: $3,705	Triple: $2,984	Quad: $2,624	Child: $1,143
Taxes & Fees	Single: $615	Double: $349	Triple: $264	Quad: $221	Child: $67
Total	Single: $6,676	Double: $4,054	Triple: $3,248	Quad: $2,845	Child: $1,210
The columns above represent room occupancy. For example, "Double" means two adults sharing one room. The "Child" rate shown is based on an 11 year old sharing a room with two adults.

	Single	Double	Triple	Quad	Child
Tour Price	Single: $6,061	Double: $3,705	Triple: $2,984	Quad: $2,624	Child: $1,143
Taxes & Fees	Single: $615	Double: $349	Triple: $264	Quad: $221	Child: $67
Total	Single: $6,676	Double: $4,054	Triple: $3,248	Quad: $2,845	Child: $1,210
The columns above represent room occupancy. For example, "Double" means two adults sharing one room. The "Child" rate shown is based on an 11 year old sharing a room with two adults.

Options and Add-Ons

This is one of our most popular self-drive Alaska tour packages, but you can make it even better! We can add or remove services to make it a perfect match for your party. The choices are endless, and just a few suggestions are listed below.

You can make these changes at check out and your final package price will be updated to reflect just the services you choose. Give us a call or request a quote for more specifics.

Talkeetna | Depart 8:30 AM | 1 Hour

Land on a glacier deep within the Alaska Range on this unforgettable flightseeing trip out of Talkeetna. Learn More >

Denali Park | Depart 7:40 AM | 3 Hours

Offering active exploration of the unique natural setting of the Denali Park area, guests return from this three-hour walking tour both energized and educated. Learn More >