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The Kenai Peninsula

Alaska Cultural Walking Tour

6 DaysStarting at $6,295

Overview

Half the people we know have cruised to Alaska. The other half plans to. But as much as we love a cruise, it just seems a shame to float right past some of the most spectacular landscapes on earth. After all, the Kenai Peninsula offers a range of wonderful walking options that don’t require “bush” skills. There’s the world’s most northerly rain forest…Exit Glacier where a scenic path allows us to experience its awesome scale up-close…Resurrection Bay with its humpback whales and orcas…the wildflower meadows too far from shore to ever be spotted by a landing party. With Classic Journeys, you’ll see it all—and you’ll meet local fishermen, naturalists and other friends. Accommodations include historic lodges and hotels. Even if we don’t offer a 2 a.m. dessert buffet, we think you’ll take home equally happy memories of a lakeside salmon-bake followed by fresh-picked blueberries. And then you’ll know you’ve truly touched Alaska.

Classic Journeys provides unbeatable access to experiences around the globe.”
Travel + Leisure

Itinerary Highlights

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  • Begin with a warm-up walk on one of Anchorage’s most scenic coastal paths offering striking views of three mountain ranges including Denali, North America’s highest peak
  • At the foot of Mt. Alyeska, take a forest walk past a series of waterfalls culminating at the state’s richest gold mine where you’ll pan for gold
  • Take to the waters for a breathtaking boat trip into the Kenai Fjords to witness the power and fragility of glaciers up close
  • Be camera-ready as you spot moose, bear, and caribou in Kenai National Wildlife Refuge before choosing your own adventure: a gentle river-rafting excursion or riverside walk.
  • Ferry to the fringes of the Alaskan wilderness for a hike amongst the prolific wildlife
  • Watch the local halibut fishermen return and unload their catch
  • Experience the rich culture and hearty people of Alaska during an exchange at the local artists' farmstead and art studios.


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Map

  • Starting Point:

    Anchorage – 1:00 pm – Lobby of Hotel Captain Cook
  • Ending Point:

    Homer – 1:00 pm – Homer Airport
Itinerary Map

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Walking Level

  • Daily Mileage Options: 2-7 miles

  • Route Notes:

    The terrain on this trip includes a mix of paved streets in Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula villages; as well as well-maintained mountainside, countryside, riverside and coastal trails of compressed dirt and stone. The footpaths offer a selection of level, rolling and hilly terrain with some elevation gain and loss.

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. Talk with one of our travel experts at 800-200-3887.

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Family Departure

Select our “Family Departure” to travel with other families.

Hotels

We spend years cultivating personal relationships with our hoteliers to provide you thoughtfully selected accommodations that reveal the true character of the region. Here is a sampling of our favorite hotels on this tour. 

The Hotel Alyeska

Tucked amid Alaska’s Chugach Mountains, this luxurious chateau-style resort is surrounded by hanging glaciers and spectacular ocean views. Amenities include an indoor saltwater pool, fitness center, and a hot tub overlooking the north face of Mt. Alyeska.

Land’s End Resort

Watch otters, seals, whales and eagles from your room’s private deck on the shores of Kachemak Bay. Take in 180-degree view of the Kenai Mountain Range from the oceanfront spa and outdoor hot tub.

Harbor 360 Hotel

Your gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park in the scenic harbor town of Seward, Alaska. Located directly on the waterfront of the Seward Small Boat Harbor, Harbor 360 Hotel offers guests stunning 360 degree views of Resurrection Bay.

What’s Included

  • Meals: All breakfasts, three lunches and four dinners.
  • Hotels: Award-winning boutique properties, thoughtfully selected for their exceptional location, design, history, and regional character.
  • Tour Leader(s): Expert guides who are your well-connected local friends and provide you access to people and places you wouldn’t find on your own.
  • Supplemental Experts: Additional regional guides and specialists on select tours.
  • Transportation: All land transportation as listed in the daily itinerary, including fares for trains, ferries, and other modes of travel.
  • Admissions & Entry Fees: Entry to tastings, historic sites, and other scheduled activities listed in the daily itinerary.
  • Baggage Transfers: Upon arrival, we whisk you and your bags directly to your room—no waiting, no tipping.
  • Dedicated Guest Services Coordinator: Your pre-trip concierge and tour expert, available to answer questions and ensure you’re fully ready to get the most out of your tour.
  • Equipment: Premium gear and expert guides for kayaking, rafting, glacial hiking, and snorkeling as outlined in the daily itinerary on select tours.
  • Privileged Access Events: One-of-a-kind access to remarkable people, places, and experiences arranged just for you, as noted in the daily itinerary.
Not Included: Tour Leader gratuities, travel to and from your trip’s start and end points, and any meals or activities taken independently.

Why Choose Classic Journeys

Travel + Leisure has awarded Classic Journeys the #1 World’s Best Tour Operator multiple times and says, "Classic Journeys provides unbeatable access to experiences around the globe." Here’s what that access means for you.

  • Experience the world on foot and at eye level. Each day, join your guide on the most cinematic footpaths in the region.
  • Exceptional full-time local guides who become your well-connected friend. Our amazing guides are with you throughout each day of the tour, share their lifelong connections as well as engaging anecdotes about the history and culture of the region.
  • Small groups that provide you unrivaled access. An average of fewer than 10 guests per departure means we can offer you special access to sites like Stonehenge so you experience the stone circle when it’s closed to the general public, a guided visit to Zion Narrows that other companies cannot arrange because of larger group sizes, and vineyard walks with a count and countess in Tuscany.
  • Award-winning hotels are waiting for you at the end of every day. Luxuriate in the finest and most distinctive accommodations in the region you’re exploring, including rainforest lodges, 16th century villas, and award-winning properties that show up on World’s Best and Gold lists.
  • Eat like (and with) the locals. Food is a foolproof way into the hearts, homes and history of the places you visit with us. From gourmet picnics to coveted local restaurants, our meals offer you opportunities to explore native food traditions and fine dining.
  • Handcrafted itineraries with all activities included. With our long-term friendships, we know our walking tour regions more personally than anyone else. So you get thoughtfully curated itineraries that combine explorations of the villages, organic farms, archeological sites and the people who know them best.
  • Sustainable travel that supports the places you’re visiting. We put our local currency into the pockets of the people who live where we travel. It’s your guarantee that you’ll have authentic, up-close experiences on your trip. Best of all, our person-to-person approach helps sustain their ways of life.

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FAQs

Why is Classic Journeys the best tour company for Alaska tours?
Classic Journeys puts you at the heart of Alaska with expert local guides—your well-connected friends—who lead you through cinematic landscapes and unforgettable wildlife encounters. You’ll experience handcrafted itineraries, access to people and places other tours miss, and stay in award-winning boutique hotels that reveal the true character of Alaska.
Which locations the Classic Journeys Alaska itinerary include?
Our Alaska adventure includes scenic coastal walks in Anchorage, forest hikes in the Kenai rain forest, glacier cruises in Kenai Fjords, and up-close views at Exit Glacier. You’ll pan for gold, watch halibut fishermen, and share moments with local artists—plus see Denali and encounter wildlife on foot, by boat, and in wildflower meadows on this trip of a lifetime to the Last Frontier.
When is the best time to visit Alaska?
Alaska shines from June through August—catch wildlife migrations, summer’s endless days and wildflowers, and early fall’s golden light. Your Classic Journeys guides time every walk, cruise, and wildlife watch for peak viewing, so you see Alaska at its most spectacular.
How active is the Alaska cultural walking tour and is it suitable for families and mixed abilities?
Expect daily mileage from 2 to 7 miles on easy to rolling terrain—from scenic village streets to gently hilly trails in Denali and along the Kenai coast. Walks range from relaxed strolls to more active hikes, and every day is crafted to suit families and guests of all abilities, with your expert local guide to assist along the way.
What wildlife can I expect to see?
Alaska unveils moose, bear, caribou, Dall sheep, bald eagles, plus humpback whales and orcas on glacier cruises. Your Classic Journeys guides know where and when to spot these icons and share bear-aware tips for safe but thrilling wildlife encounters every day.
How many travelers are in each small group on your Alaska tour?
Our groups are small with just a handful of travelers from 8-12 on tour and no more than 18. Together you’ll enjoy personal attention from your expert local guide as well as genuine camaraderie from your travel companions.
How does Classic Journeys’ Alaska itinerary compare with other Alaska tours?
No cruise or big-group tour gets you closer to authentic Alaska like Classic Journeys with our expert naturalist guides, handcrafted routes, and boutique lodging in the heart of the wilderness. You’ll walk quieter trails, meet people living Alaska’s story, and experience value in every included meal, transfer, and discovery along the way.