Region Overviews: Alaska Travel Guide: Overview
More than just a state, the “Last Frontier” lives up to its reputation as one of the world’s last great wild places.
Dolce tempo
Walking
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Alaska's Kenai Easygoing Walking Tour
Dolce Tempo Journey among National Park Glaciers, Coastline & Wildlife
Couples, Friends & Solos
6 days 5 nights
Activity Level: 1-2
Casual Hotels
From: $3,749 - $3,899 pp dbl occ
($800 - $1,050 for sgl occ) plus 6% tax
Ancient glaciers plunge between emerald peaks. Otters play in kelp beds in Kachemak Bay. Float across waters brimming with sea life. Wildflowers dazzle and remote scenes enchant. Wander through unforgettable landscapes and visit three towns, each with a unique charm. Alaska’s grandeur is hard to believe, and even harder to leave.
Alaska Easygoing Walking & Hiking
Alaska
Start Homer / End Anchorage
Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Highlights
Refreshingly Active Adventures
Explore pristine wilderness, temperate rain forests and glacial lakes. On the trail, on a boat or relaxing on a riverbank, this may be the closest you’ve felt to nature.
Immersive Travel
Join a naturalist and learn about native flora and fauna, keeping an eye out for black bears, marmots and moose. Then enjoy sea-to-table dinners in some of Kenai’s most idyllic towns.
Unique Hotels & Delectable Dining
From a bayfront hideaway on the tip of one of the world’s longest natural spits to an elegant resort at the base of Mount Alyeska, the wilds of Alaska are always just outside the front door.
Videos
Itinerary
Accommodations may vary based on departure date.
6 Days Casual Hotels*
Accommodations may vary based on departure.
Days 1-2
Description
We begin our journey in Homer, one of Alaska's most picturesque towns | A naturalist shares the intricacies of the forest and wetland habitat high above Kachemak Bay, famous for its extreme tides | Our cozy waterfront lodgings sit at the tip of the world's second-longest natural spit | Commute alongside sea otters, porpoises, loons and bald eagles during a boat ride across Kachemak Bay to reach our trailhead | Trek through temperate rain forests, across a glacial moraine and out to a glacial lake in Kachemak Bay State Park | Learn about Alaska’s first state park, which contains 400,000 acres of wilderness.
Accommodations
Land's End Resort
Homer
| Casual Hotel Commune with eagles, otters and seals where land meets sea on Kachemak Bay.
Days 3-4
Description
Wander fields of wildflowers and moody spruce forests en route to a glacier-fed lake | Perched between mountains and sea, quaint Seward offers a serving of welcome hospitality on the Last Frontier | Marvel at Exit Glacier, originating from the monolithic Harding Icefield, a glacier spanning more than 900 square miles and concealing an entire mountain range under several thousand feet of ice | Keep your eyes out for mountain goats, moose and black bears in Kenai Fjords National Park.
Accommodations
Seward Windsong Lodge
Seward
| Casual Hotel An Alaskan wilderness retreat with contemporary finishes nestled in the woods of the striking Resurrection River Valley.
Days 5-6
Description
Meet the famed animals of Alaska at a wildlife conservation center | Settle into Girdwood, an only-in-Alaska novelty: a ski town by the sea | The sound of water accompanies you on an easygoing hike through a forest to the rushing deluge of Winner Creek Gorge.
Accommodations
Alyeska Resort
Girdwood
| *Premiere Hotel This stylish hotel with an aerial tram to the top of Mount Alyeska has earned accolades from Travel + Leisure. (pool, spa)
Dates & Prices
The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy.
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.
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From our Guests
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Activity Level: 1-2
Our Dolce Tempo walking activities allow you to leisurely explore local hidden gems and to get away from the crowds, experiencing the essence of your location on your own terms and at your own pace. Easier than our other trips, but still wonderfully active, route options typically include 2-3 hours of walking per day. Your trip is fully supported with dedicated Trip Leaders, vans, meticulously selected routes and downloadable GPS files available for use on your own device.
Route notes
The terrain on this trip includes forest paths and alpine trails ranging from lightly rolling to hilly. On some trails we encounter rocks and tree roots causing uneven footing. The hike to Marmot Meadows is especially rigorous due to its steep rocky terrain and the possibility of encountering snow. Unpredictable mountain weather can make hiking conditions more challenging.
Backroads is an Authorized Permittee of the National Park Service.
Daily Activity Options
What's Included
- All breakfasts, 6 lunches, 4 dinners
- Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
- Snacks and beverages between meals
- Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
- Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
- Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
- On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
- Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
- Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
- Park and other entry fees
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
- Select coach transfers
- Baggage transfers and porterage
- All breakfasts, 6 lunches, 4 dinners
- Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
- Snacks and beverages between meals
- Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
- Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
- Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
- On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
- Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
- Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
- Park and other entry fees
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
- Select coach transfers
- Baggage transfers and porterage
Straight talk
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
Accommodations & Service Standards
Alaska is a land of rustic and rugged beauty. While Backroads has selected the best possible lodging available in the places we visit, simplicity and comfort often outweigh elegance and luxury in this great state. Generally speaking, customer service in Alaska can seem slow and casual when compared with the high standards of hospitality found on other Backroads trips. Patience, a sense of humor and an appreciation for the cultural differences that abound in this population-sparse setting will help to make the most of your experience.
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
Accommodations & Service Standards
Alaska is a land of rustic and rugged beauty. While Backroads has selected the best possible lodging available in the places we visit, simplicity and comfort often outweigh elegance and luxury in this great state. Generally speaking, customer service in Alaska can seem slow and casual when compared with the high standards of hospitality found on other Backroads trips. Patience, a sense of humor and an appreciation for the cultural differences that abound in this population-sparse setting will help to make the most of your experience.
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