A 7 day adventure in Alaska
Travel Itinerary
0 ratings
Duration: 7 days
Itinerary Introduction
Welcome to the Last Frontier! We all have seen photos from our coworker’s vacation to an island resort, full of sitting on a beach and drinking over-priced alcoholic cocktails, day-in and day-out. Does the thought of that bore anyone else? Call it our tendency to never sit still and always be on the lookout for experiences that make life worth living, but vacations need to be full of physical activity and adventure that we wouldn’t otherwise get back home to get the 5-star vacation rating. This Alaskan adventure itinerary gives you the perfect balance of outdoor adventure with adequate down-time to recuperate for the next day’s grind. Happy trekking, travellers! Alaska, The Last Frontier, offers unimaginable and incomparable beauty across every coordinate.Useful information about Alaska
Local customs in Alaska
It is best to always practice ‘Leave No Trace’ while in the backcountry or any environmental setting. The ‘Leave No Trace’ principles include packing out all of your goods (including used toilet paper!), avoiding any interactions with wildlife, leaving what you find (yes, that rock is cool, so leave it for the next person to see), minimize campfire impact, and being sure to travel and camp on durable surfaces (stay on the trail and avoid any areas of soft or erosive ground). Practicing ‘Leave No Trace’ will ensure that the environment you get the privilege to explore is left intact for visitors to visit for generations to come.Safety in Alaska
Welcome to Alaska! Before we start off exploring the adventures we have planned for you on your week-long trip, there are some must-know safety details that are imperative that we cover. A prerequisite for the state’s beauty is the wildlife, some of which can pose great risk and life-threatening danger if an uneducated and under-equipped traveler embarks in the wild environment. Wildlife such as bears and moose are not inherently dangerous, but they can be unpredictable, which is why it is always better to air on the side of over-preparedness. We strongly urge you to keep bear spray with you at all times, especially in the backcountry or on trails. This is an item you cannot take on an airplane with you, so you will have to purchase a can in Alaska once you arrive, and get rid of it before you fly back to the lower 48. To lower the risk of being in the Alaskan backcountry, always share your itinerary including locations and who to contact in case of emergency with someone who is not in your group. Let them know when to expect to hear from you and when they should contact authorities if they do not hear from you. It is also highly recommended to pack for colder temperatures than you are expecting to experience in case of unplanned inclement weather. Bringing a handheld GPS tracker that can make emergency calls is also highly recommended for emergencies.Alaska - Travel Itinerary
Day 1
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Day 1: Fly & Settle Into Anchorage
Fly into Anchorage, go to the market to get food for breakfast and lunch for the week, then head to dinner before checking in to your AirBnB
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04:00 - 17:00
New Sagaya Midtown Market
3700 Old Seward Hwy, Anchorage, AK 99503, USA
When you arrive in Anchorage, run and don't walk (or just simply drive) to a genuine Alaskan market to gather the staples for breakfast and lunch for the next few days, such as the New Sagaya Midtown Market. Complete with fresh artisan bread, handmade pasta, and fresh seafood and produce, you can get everything you’ll need to prepare your own breakfast and lunch for the next few days while staying in Anchorage then traveling north to Denali. Preparing two out of three of your meals a day will help you save on cost but will also allow a more homey and true Alaskan experience during your trip.
Address: 3700 Old Seward Hwy, Anchorage, AK 99503
Photos courtesy of unsplash.com
Article By: Kerri Somers
Price covers: Entry
| Category | Price | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Free |
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18:00 - 19:00
Moose's Tooth Restaurant
3300 Old Seward Hwy, Anchorage, AK 99503, USA
Before you can take a load off from your flight and before checking in to your AirBnB, head to the Moose’s Tooth Pub & Pizzeria that’s located in the heart of Anchorage. The pub has a psychedelic and colorful theme but they’re mostly known for their artisan pizza and house-brewed beer. Alaska is known for being chilly and mountainous-- you’re going to need some carb-loading before the adventures set out before you for the next several days. Whether you are a beer fan or not, keep on the lookout for an Anchorage-famous beer called “A Deal with the Devil”: a 17.3% ABV barleywine from Anchorage Brewing that can be seasonally found bottled at this pub. If you don’t have luck finding that beer at Moose’s Tooth, it’s worth the short 5-mile drive south to Anchorage Brewing to experience it straight from the source.
Address: 3300 Old Seward Hwy, Anchorage, AK 99503
Photos courtesy of unsplash.com
Article By: Kerri Somers
Price covers: Entry
| Category | Price | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Free |
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From: Day 1
19:00
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To: Day 3
08:00
AirBnB: Rustic AK Cabin Getaway
200 Davis St, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA
Located just 10 miles east of the Anchorage airport, this top-rated AirBnb will feel like adventure waiting. When you arrive at this scenic and updated-rustic cabin, you’ll be immersed in the true Alaskan experience complete with one-of-a-kind wood architecture and furniture, not to mention the quintessential cabin wood paneling.
Your stay here will be fully equipped with full appliances, heating, and TV/internet to ease the start your Alaskan adventure week with some cozy, homey vibes. The cabin is equipped with one king bed and one queen bed, a quaint and rustic-style kitchen, and PLENTY of hot water-- an essential for any Alaskan stay.
Address: 200 Davis St. Anchorage, AK 99508
$136/night
Photos courtesy of unsplash.com
Article By: Kerri Somers
Price covers: Family Room
| Category | Price | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 136.00 USD |
Notes
You will stay here for 2 nights (night 1 and night 2)
Day 2
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Day 2: Trail Running Day 1
Head to Chugach State Park for a day of trail running before enjoying your first fresh Alaskan seafood meal
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10:00 - 18:00
Trail running in Chugach State Park
18620 Seward Hwy, Anchorage, AK 99516, USA
An easy drive just 25 minutes southeast from your stay you’ll arrive in Chugach State Park for a day of trail running. This great expanse of beautiful land meanders over 495,000 acres, each one more biodiverse than the last. Trail running is the best adventure for a new location to unfold it’s beauty to you and luckily will only cost you $5 for the day (not including the price of snacks-- every trail run requires yummy snacks!)
This is where you get to pick your own adventure: a short and sweet 3.1 mile trail run on the Rendezvous Peak Trail or a path of higher difficulty and mileage, the O’Malley Peak Trail that covers 7.7 miles. The shorter loop trail run of moderate difficulty is known for its impossible array of wild flowers along the trail (during the spring and summer) and vertigo-inducing views that ask only that you trek a few miles to experience them. The more challenging 7.7 mile trail run, on the other hand, is well worth the challenge for the views if you can make it up through the scree scramble (hint: go up the left side for a boulder scramble or up the right side to make it much easier on the scree). You might even see some mountain goats along the way!
Address: 18620 Seward Hwy, Anchorage, AK 99516
Photos courtesy of unsplash.com
Article By: Kerri Somers
Price covers: Entry
| Category | Price | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Free |
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19:00 - 20:00
Simon & Seaforts Seafood Restaurant
420 L St, Anchorage, AK 99501, USA
Kick off your Alaskan adventure and dine on seafood straight from the source while watching the day slip away in the sunset in the background of this rustic dining cabin. The price of dinner will set you back a pretty penny with a minimum of $32 per seafood dish but when in Rome, eat the fresh fish! The recommended meal at Simon & Seaforts includes an appetizer of oysters and a main dish of either the grilled salmon with fennel relish or the grilled seafood trio. The mixologist also offers a specialty drink which uses Botanist gin, St. Germain Elderflower liqueur, cucumber, and mint-- a lovely bright pairing for any seafood dish.
Address: 420 “L” Street Anchorage, AK 99501
Photos courtesy of unsplash.com
Article By: Kerri Somers
Price covers: Entry
| Category | Price | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Free |
Day 3
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Day 3: Trail Running Day 2
Finally to Denali! Today will be a longer trail run in the park which will make your dinner even tastier.
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08:00 - 16:00
Trail Running at Triple Lakes Trail, Denali National Park
Denali National Park and Preserve, Parks Hwy, Denali National Park and Preserve, AK, USA
Parking in the Riley Creek Campground in the northeastern corner of Denali National Park along the Healy River, trail runners will follow the McKinley Station Trail southwest until it meets up with the Triple Lakes Trail when it crosses a channel off of the Healy River. The trail continues to meander southwest, crossing this channel once more before beginning to unapologetically climb via switchbacks east from 1800 ft to 2800 ft. At this point, about a quarter way through the entire out-and-back trail, you-- thank goodness-- start to descend back down to 1800 feet.
The turn-around point can be found just beyond the McKinley Park train tracks, at the border of the George Parks Highway with the Healy River on your right. Because you didn’t sign up for an easy day in the park, the trail then turns right around and marches you back to your beginning trailhead. Keep your head on a swivel for dangerous wildlife on the trail (and be sure to keep your bear spray with you), though you’re most likely to spot docile muskrat and berry bushes along your route.
Address: 63.73319, -148.89682
18.5 miles total
3,690 ft elevation gain
Photos courtesy of unsplash.com
Article By: Kerri Somers
Price covers: Entry
| Category | Price | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Free |
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18:00 - 20:00
Moose AKa's Restaurant
Denali National Park and Preserve, Parks Hwy, Denali National Park and Preserve, AK, USA
Since not many people prefer to eat seafood every night, Denali offers a diverse array of ethnic restaurants within reasonable distance from the park. Your first night in Denali has to be spent at Moose-AKa’s, a rustic Serbian restaurant that matches the mountains you just ran through. Sit back and imagine you are in Serbia-- the surrounding cold Alaskan air will help convince you of it! With a menu of a plethora of imported wines served in Viking-style steins, the restaurant is most popular for their Becka Schnitzel and their Schnitzel Fingers.
Moose-AKa’s
Address: Denali National Park and Preserve, 238.9 Parks Hwy, Denali National Park and Preserve, AK 99755
Call: (907) 687-0003
Website: https://www.moose-akas.com/
Photos courtesy of unsplash.com
Article By: Kerri Somers
Price covers: Entry
| Category | Price | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Free |
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From: Day 3
20:00
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To: Day 5
08:00
AirBnB: Coho Cabin: Walking Distance to Downtown!
Talkeetna, AK 99676, USA
The Coho Cabin is perfectly tucked away in the trees for a full feeling of privacy and protection (though be aware of the bears!) A Superhost-rated AirBnB tiny house, this home takes the cake for best feeling of “home away from home” as it sits contently along the Talkeetna River. The Aurora Borealis, the majestic legendary free light show in the sky that makes the top of most bucket lists, can be viewed from the cabin if you’re lucky. Equipped with one queen bed, a full kitchen, washer and dryer, and WiFi/TV, this oasis amongst the trees is like a chiffon ribbon tying off your trip to Denali with a sweet, but luxurious bow.
62°19'35.1"N 150°06'12.1"W Talkeetna, AK 99676
$120/night
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/33910426?adults=2&check_in=2022-04-13&federated_search_id=c15c393f-a643-4144-b2e7-25529950ab79&source_impression_id=p3_1637023949_IwOhqkXCs2ohFwU3&guests=1&check_out=2022-04-15
Photos courtesy of unsplash.com
Article By: Kerri Somers
Price covers: Family Room
| Category | Price | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 120.00 USD |
Notes
Stay 2 nights (night 3 and 4)
Day 4
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Day 4: A Day On The Water!
Spend your whole day on the water from rafting to eating fresh Alaskan salmon straight from the source!
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10:00 - 16:00
Rafting in Denali National Park
Denali National Park and Preserve, Parks Hwy, Denali National Park and Preserve, AK, USA
Rafting is a surprisingly accessible outdoor sport, since it only asks you to sign up for a rafting trip through a guide company, who then plans and supplies everything you need. Just a short distance from your stay near Denali National Park is Denali Raft Adventures, a rafting company who provide guides and fully-planned day-long itineraries through Nenana River. Though they run several different types of trip, I would recommend the 6-hour Healy Express Run to get the most out of your whitewater experience.
$200/person
Book now: https://www.denaliraft.com/healy-express-run/#_reserve
Call: (907) 683-2234
Email: info@denaliraft.com
Address: Mile 238.6 Parks Highway Denali National Park and Preserve, AK 99755
Photos courtesy of unsplash.com
Article By: Kerri Somers
Price covers: Entry
| Category | Price | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 200.00 USD |
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19:00 - 20:00
Denali Park Salmon Bake Restaurant
Denali National Park and Preserve, Parks Hwy, Denali National Park and Preserve, AK, USA
What is a better way to follow up a day on the water than to enjoy fresh, top-quality salmon? Head over to Denali Park Salmon Bake (located right by last night’s dinner at Moose AKa’s) and experience the taste of fresh-caught, Denali-based, Alaskan salmon. Dozens of travelers seek out the meals at Salmon Bake every night, specifically for their Alaskan-sourced seafood such as salmon (of course!) and lobster, or more unique dining choices such as elk and yack, both of which are hunted in Alaska. To add to the rustic atmosphere, the restaurant is slightly tilted due to accumulated permafrost!
Address: Mile 238.5 Parks Hwy, Denali National Park and Preserve, AK 99755
Phone: (907) 683-2733
Website: http://www.denaliparksalmonbake.com/
Photos courtesy of unsplash.com
Article By: Kerri Somers
Price covers: Entry
| Category | Price | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Free |
Day 5
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Day 5: Clamming and A Seaside Stay
Today you will spend clamming for your dinner then whipping it up seaside in a homey, off-the-grid cottage
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14:00 - 17:00
Clamming in Cook Inlet
17467 Clam Gulch Rd, Clam Gulch, AK 99568, USA
One of the many wholesome experiences of a resident Alaskan is hunting for your own food, such as fishing for fresh salmon and halibut. One such place to find your delicious dinner for a night is Cook Inlet. Positioned on the shoreline just between Homer and Anchorage is the Clam Gulch Recreation Area where clamming is available and legal to non-residents year round (though you do need a basic sportfishing license), the best time of year being the summer months. The famous razor clams of the Last Frontier can be dug up here during low tide with just a shovel and brought back home for a delicious and genuine Alaskan dinner. The best ending to your clamming trip is bringing your foraged clams back to your stay to cook up with some herb butter for a fresh-caught dinner.
Be sure that you check up-to-date fishery registry information before your clamming trip to ensure legal and sustainable clamming at http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fishingSport.main.
Address: 17467 Clam Gulch Rd, Clam Gulch, AK 99568
Photos courtesy of unsplash.com
Article By: Kerri Somers
Price covers: Entry
| Category | Price | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Free |
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From: Day 5
20:00
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To: Day 7
08:00
AirBnB: "Seaside! The Cottage at Cohoe Fish Camp"
55730 Ugashik Ct, Kasilof, AK 99610, USA
Park yourself in this quiet cottage on the shoreline of Cook Inlet, the same body of water you foraged for your dinner. Just like that, the day comes full-circle. Finally!, a stay sans WiFi. There’s no better place to unplug than by the sea-- and with a view of an active volcano! You can relax into true R&R knowing that Mt. Redoubt *probably* won’t erupt, but some say that makes the experience even more unique and memorable. The space has four beds total including two queen beds as well as full appliances, bathroom, and kitchen. The sea-to-mountain view from this cottage is remarkable and otherworldly. Kick your feet up on the porch to soak it all in with a glass of wine in the evening or with a cup of coffee in the morning; you may even get to see a swooping Eagle soar over Cook Inlet!
Address: 60.296911, -151.379095
Price: $106/night
Book now: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/48722478?adults=2&federated_search_id=9d14d60b-7964-4a61-8cdf-605f8122e24c&source_impression_id=p3_1637112313_3EOjsvMnVDacPGNy&guests=1
Photos courtesy of unsplash.com
Article By: Kerri Somers
Price covers: Family Room
| Category | Price | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 106.00 USD |
Notes
Stay 2 nights (night 5 and 6)
Day 6
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Day 6: Whale Watching
The best day yet-- whale watching day! This is an all-day affair that you'll want to last forever
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07:00 - 22:00
Whale watching in Kenai Fjords
1412 4th Ave, Seward, AK 99664, USA
Take a load off from your active adventures for a day and let the beauty come to you (well, on a boat, that is). You may have seen whales in real time before, but the experience was likely separated by a thick pane of glass at an aquarium. The Major Marine ship tours will get you up close with the goliaths of the Kenai Fjords-- orcas, humpbacks, sea lions, puffins, and other marine mammals. The tour departs from Seward, AK (information on getting to Seward can be found in the next paragraph) and will continue for 6 hours with a complimentary lunch in the middle.
The drive from Anchorage to Seward is just under 2.5 hours, but there is nothing better than feeling comfortable and cushioned after days of adventure. If you opt for the more scenic route to Seward for the tour, you can hop on the Alaska Railroad Coastal Classic train for a narrated train ride fully equipped with restrooms and a full bar to make the final chapter of your trip luxurious and ultra-magical. To opt for this transportation option to your cruise you can call (907) 224-8030 to reserve your train tickets. Train tickets are $197/person for a round-trip.
Train schedule for whale-sighting cruise:
Departs Anchorage: 6:45 am
Arrives to Seward: 11:05 am
Departs Seward: 6:00 pm
Arrives to Anchorage: 10:15 pm
$179/person round-trip
Address: 1412 4th Ave, Seward, Alaska 99664
Book now: https://majormarine.com/tour/6-hour-kenai-fjords-national-park-cruise/
$179/person round-trip
Photos courtesy of unsplash.com
Article By: Kerri Somers
Price covers: Entry
| Category | Price | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 179.00 - 376.00 USD |
Notes
You must pack food for the day-- this will be a full-day affair!
Day 7
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Day 7: Ice Fishing
Last day in Alaska will be one of your best days. Spend today learning how to ice fish with a sweet couple who wants to teach you.
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10:00 - 14:00
Ice Fishing in Anchorage
5600 Radcliff Dr, Anchorage, AK 99504, USA
Before you fly out, there’s time to fit one more short but well-worthwhile adventure. This trip has been full of wholesome experiences, but until now has lacked in one department: human connection. Conversations with other humans, especially those who reside in the place you are vacationing, fill the gap of experience that is often left empty at the end of a run-of-the-mill trip. Through AirBnB Experiences, a sweet couple runs ice fishing trips that are more private and hands-on than other big group guided trips. The guides, Dustin and Jenelle, come prepared with a warm tent and boring the fishing holes in the ice for you; all they ask is that you dress warmly and come ready for conversation and to learn. They guarantee to teach you all about ice fishing and share about their life on the Last Frontier. Seeing wildlife during your fishing trip is a common occurrence. You will need a fishing license for this trip but luckily those can be easily accessed online or from convenience stores in town.
Address: 61.201955, -149.775680
Price: $150/person
Book now: https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/759654?location=Anchorage%2C%20AK%2C%20United%20States¤tTab=experience_tab&federatedSearchId=e977e076-9630-4170-9127-c933bc4cc844&searchId=§ionId=ac639bc6-73a6-4d20-9cd0-7a1a3ef722c3&source=p2
Photos courtesy of unsplash.com
Article By: Kerri Somers
Price covers: Entry
| Category | Price | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 150.00 USD |
About the author
Hello, fellow adventurers! My name is Kerri and I can't wait to help you venture to brave new heights. You can find itineraries on my page that are full of outdoor adventure such as trail running, mountain biking, hiking, and even unique experiences like swimming with Manatees in the Gulf of Mexico or meandering through the Mendenhall Ice Caves in Alaska. I've been lucky enough to gain access to remote locations on the earth and I want to return that favor to you all. Happy travels!
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