On days 2-7, you'll be wild camping in the Alaskan wilderness, an absolute highlight of the trip with total solitude in one of the most beautiful and wild parts of North America. The camp spots are on beaches and moraines and each spot is one that your host knows well. All the camping equipment is provided by your host; twin-share tents, sleeping mats, sleeping bags, camp chairs, a mess tent and cooking facilities. You'll muck in with putting up and taking down camp, prepping food and doing the dishes; all part of a proper wilderness adventure.

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Wild camping

Before and after the expedition you'll stay at the Harbor Inn in Valdez, a quiet hotel on the waterfront with all the usual amenities and short walk into town for Valdez' selection of restaurants and bars. You'll have a big breakfast here on day 2 to fuel the start of your adventure. Depending on availability, you may stay at the Mountain Sky Hotel &#x26; Suites.

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Valdez

On days 2-7, you'll be wild camping in the Alaskan wilderness, an absolute highlight of the trip with total solitude in one of the most beautiful and wild parts of North America. The camp spots are on beaches and moraines and each spot is one that your host knows well. All the camping equipment is provided by your host; twin-share tents, sleeping mats, sleeping bags, camp chairs, a mess tent and cooking facilities. You'll muck in with putting up and taking down camp, prepping food and doing the dishes; all part of a proper wilderness adventure. 

Before and after the expedition you'll stay at the Harbor Inn in Valdez, a quiet hotel on the waterfront with all the usual amenities and short walk into town for Valdez' selection of restaurants and bars. You'll have a big breakfast here on day 2 to fuel the start of your adventure. Depending on availability, you may stay at the Mountain Sky Hotel & Suites.

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This is a wild expedition. You'll need a decent fitness level and a passion for serious adventure, happy to take the elements as they come

Breakfasts and dinners around the campfire at your camp spots out in the wilderness are a real highlight of the trip. Your guide will orchestrate the meal times, however, everybody will muck in to help fuel the adventure. Breakfasts will vary between eggs, potatoes, cheese, fruit, oatmeal, pancakes and yoghurt. Lunches, depending on the day of the expedition, will be bagels with lox salmon, various soups and pasta, sandwiches, cheese and crackers, and plenty of fruit and snacks such as trail mix, beef jerky and energy bars. Dinners will be fish tacos, steak wraps, pasta dishes or other tasty and hearty options to keep you energised.
Vegetarians and food allergies can be accommodated on this trip. Please let your host know in advance as any dietary requirements must be known in advance of the expedition to allow for adequate preparation. Please note that Vegan diets cannot be catered for on this trip due to the remote nature of the expedition.

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Your host will meet you at Anchorage Airport at 10:00 on day 1. If arriving in Alaska on day 1, make sure to book a flight that arrives at Anchorage before 10:00. If you are already in Anchorage, your host can collect you at your accommodation ready for the transfer to Valdez.
On day 8 you'll depart Valdez at 09:00, arriving at Anchorage Airport at approximately 15:00. We recommend you book a flight that departs no earlier than 17:00.

Experienced, English speaking expedition guides

Guides

2 nights in a hotel in Valdez, 5 nights wild camping

Accommodation

All your food while on the expedition

Meals

Airport transfers between Anchorage and Valdez, boat transfers for the expedition

Transfers

All your kayaking and camping equipment

Equipment

National Forest Service and Alaska State Park fees

Permits

Experienced, English speaking expedition guides


2 nights in a hotel in Valdez, 5 nights wild camping

Airport transfers between Anchorage and Valdez, boat transfers for the expedition

National Forest Service and Alaska State Park fees

Touch down in Anchorage and meet your guide before settling in for the stunning 6-hour road trip over to Valdez. You’ll pass the imposing Chugach mountain range and head deeper into Alaska along the Matanuska Valley. There’s always something to look at, and your host will pull over so you can get a better look and stretch your legs. Once in Valdez, you can check into your hotel and get some well-earned rest, the adventure starts in the morning! Your host will give you a 10-litre and 20-litre dry bag to pack your personal gear for the expedition so that you're all set for the morning.

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Welcome to Alaska

Day 1

After a quick intro into sea kayaking, you’ll load up the gear onto a water taxi and bid farewell to civilisation. On reaching the landing beach, you'll hop in your kayak and the journey begins. You’ll spend the afternoon exploring the upper bay of Shoup Glacier Marine State Park, an area packed with sea otters, seals, and rookeries of black-legged kittiwakes. You'll also have your first up-close experience with a glacier. Arrive at your camp spot and pitch up ready for your first night out in the wilderness. You'll have time to explore the area on foot with a short hike before dinner and an evening around the campfire.

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The journey begins

Day 2

Wake up, tuck into some breakfast and load up the kayaks as you head south. Paddle out of Shoup Bay, through the Valdez Narrows and push on through into Valdez Arm. The scenery starts to open up as sheer green cliffs and snow-capped peaks frame the emerald waters. Paddle along the dramatic coastline, watching waterfalls cascade down from the cliffs. Reach tonight's camp spot at a beautiful bay flanked with rainforest and high peaks. In the evening you can paddle into "Bear's Kitchen" to look out for the bears who come here to feed on salmon.

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Into the wild

Day 3

After a tranquil evening in Sawmill Bay, venture out for a relaxing paddle along another stunning stretch of wild coastline. If the weather is friendly you'll continue on around Point Freemantle, heading towards possibly the best camp spot of the trip. Today is a full day of paddling, taking you into Heather Bay, a well-protected slab of emerald water that a variety of sea mammals and birds call home. Intrepid kayakers often see huge rafts of sea otters here. Set up camp on a beautiful beach with expansive views over towards Prince William Sound. Head out on a late afternoon hike through the rainforest to explore on foot before settling in for more stories around the campfire.

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Wildlife spotting in Heather Bay

Day 4

A more relaxed day today as you push on to explore Heather and Columbia Bays, observing the drifting ice of the Columbia Glacier. The paddling is easy-going, taking in the scenery of Prince William Sound, with towering peaks and giant icebergs all around. There are some good easy hikes to enjoy later in the day. Again there is a diverse array of wildlife to keep your eyes open for. Tonight's camp spot is on the moraine halfway up Columbia Bay.

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Paddle through glacial ice

Day 5

Today you’ll journey further up Columbia Bay along the coastline towards the Great Finger Camp, a prime spot at the opening to upper Columbia Bay. With a few days in the wilderness under your belt, you'll be an expert wildlife spotter by now, keeping a lookout for leaping orcas, listening for whale spouts and waving hello to sea otters; a constant companion on this expedition. Stretch your legs this afternoon with a hike through coastal forest, across moraines, and with sweeping views of Columbia Bay and it's glaciers.

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The journey continues

Day 6

Enjoy a final breakfast in the wild before jumping back in your kayak and heading towards the upper end of Columbia Bay; a thunderous amphitheatre where the glacier spills into the sea. Paddling here is one of the most surreal experiences, moving around freshly carved ancient ice, with cracks of thunder overhead each time the glaciers calve and echo around the bay. The icefalls cause the dead calm water to move as the icebergs creak and curious harbour seals pop up for a glimpse. After soaking up this epic end to the adventure you'll land on a nearby beach, enjoy one last hike and a spot of lunch before loading the kayaks onto the motorboat ready for the cruise back into Valdez. A hot shower and a cold beer in a bar beckons.

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Thunderous glaciers at the finish line

Day 7

After a well-earned sleep in a real bed, you'll need to pack up early and hop in the van ready for the road trip back to Anchorage Airport where you'll bid farewell to your host. Arrival at the airport will be around 15:00, we recommend you book any onward flight to depart no earlier than 17:00.

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Bid farewell to Alaska

Day 8

Touch down in Anchorage and meet your guide before settling in for the stunning 6-hour road trip over to Valdez. You’ll pass the imposing Chugach mountain range and head deeper into Alaska along the Matanuska Valley. There’s always something to look at, and your host will pull over so you can get a better look and stretch your legs. Once in Valdez, you can check into your hotel and get some well-earned rest, the adventure starts in the morning! Your host will give you a 10-litre and 20-litre dry bag to pack your personal gear for the expedition so that you're all set for the morning. 

After a quick intro into sea kayaking, you’ll load up the gear onto a water taxi and bid farewell to civilisation. On reaching the landing beach, you'll hop in your kayak and the journey begins. You’ll spend the afternoon exploring the upper bay of Shoup Glacier Marine State Park, an area packed with sea otters, seals, and rookeries of black-legged kittiwakes. You'll also have your first up-close experience with a glacier. Arrive at your camp spot and pitch up ready for your first night out in the wilderness. You'll have time to explore the area on foot with a short hike before dinner and an evening around the campfire. 

Wake up, tuck into some breakfast and load up the kayaks as you head south. Paddle out of Shoup Bay, through the Valdez Narrows and push on through into Valdez Arm. The scenery starts to open up as sheer green cliffs and snow-capped peaks frame the emerald waters. Paddle along the dramatic coastline, watching waterfalls cascade down from the cliffs. Reach tonight's camp spot at a beautiful bay flanked with rainforest and high peaks. In the evening you can paddle into "Bear's Kitchen" to look out for the bears who come here to feed on salmon.  

After a tranquil evening in Sawmill Bay, venture out for a relaxing paddle along another stunning stretch of wild coastline. If the weather is friendly you'll continue on around Point Freemantle, heading towards possibly the best camp spot of the trip. Today is a full day of paddling, taking you into Heather Bay, a well-protected slab of emerald water that a variety of sea mammals and birds call home. Intrepid kayakers often see huge rafts of sea otters here. Set up camp on a beautiful beach with expansive views over towards Prince William Sound. Head out on a late afternoon hike through the rainforest to explore on foot before settling in for more stories around the campfire. 

A more relaxed day today as you push on to explore Heather and Columbia Bays, observing the drifting ice of the Columbia Glacier. The paddling is easy-going, taking in the scenery of Prince William Sound, with towering peaks and giant icebergs all around. There are some good easy hikes to enjoy later in the day. Again there is a diverse array of wildlife to keep your eyes open for. Tonight's camp spot is on the moraine halfway up Columbia Bay. 

Today you’ll journey further up Columbia Bay along the coastline towards the Great Finger Camp, a prime spot at the opening to upper Columbia Bay. With a few days in the wilderness under your belt, you'll be an expert wildlife spotter by now, keeping a lookout for leaping orcas, listening for whale spouts and waving hello to sea otters; a constant companion on this expedition. Stretch your legs this afternoon with a hike through coastal forest, across moraines, and with sweeping views of Columbia Bay and it's glaciers. 

Enjoy a final breakfast in the wild before jumping back in your kayak and heading towards the upper end of Columbia Bay; a thunderous amphitheatre where the glacier spills into the sea. Paddling here is one of the most surreal experiences, moving around freshly carved ancient ice, with cracks of thunder overhead each time the glaciers calve and echo around the bay. The icefalls cause the dead calm water to move as the icebergs creak and curious harbour seals pop up for a glimpse. After soaking up this epic end to the adventure you'll land on a nearby beach, enjoy one last hike and a spot of lunch before loading the kayaks onto the motorboat ready for the cruise back into Valdez. A hot shower and a cold beer in a bar beckons. 

After a well-earned sleep in a real bed, you'll need to pack up early and hop in the van ready for the road trip back to Anchorage Airport where you'll bid farewell to your host. Arrival at the airport will be around 15:00, we recommend you book any onward flight to depart no earlier than 17:00. 

United States Dollar

Double/twin room

Single room

Optional Private Room Upgrade

Power yourself along Alaska’s wild coast on a stunning journey teeming with wildlife, camping in remote spots along the way

Alaskan Wilderness Kayak Expedition 

Paddle into Bears Kitchen and the iceberg alleys of the Shoup Glacier Marine State Park

Eyes peeled for orcas, humpbacks, bald eagles, bears and rafts of sea otters in the Prince William Sound

Hike through coastal rainforest, wild camp on secluded beaches and feast around the campfire under the stars

Paddle into Bears Kitchen and the iceberg alleys of the Shoup Glacier Marine State Park

Eyes peeled for orcas, humpbacks, bald eagles, bears and rafts of sea otters in the Prince William Sound  

Hike through coastal rainforest, wild camp on secluded beaches and feast around the campfire under the stars

Alaskan Wilderness Kayak Expedition

Alaskan Wilderness Kayak Expedition

DURATION

LOCATION

ANNUAL LEAVE

SEASON

GROUP SIZE

MEETING POINT

ACCOMMODATION

DIFFICULTY

Similar Trips

EXPERT LOCAL
GUIDES

YOUR MONEY
IS SAFE

TOTAL
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A COMPANY YOU CAN
ACTUALLY TRUST

Alaskan Wilderness Kayak Expedition

Alaskan Wilderness Kayak Expedition

DURATION

LOCATION

ANNUAL LEAVE

SEASON

GROUP SIZE

MEETING POINT

ACCOMMODATION

DIFFICULTY

Similar Trips

EXPERT LOCALGUIDES

YOUR MONEYIS SAFE

TOTALFLEXIBILITY

A COMPANY YOU CANACTUALLY TRUST

EXPERT LOCAL
GUIDES

YOUR MONEY
IS SAFE

TOTAL
FLEXIBILITY

A COMPANY YOU CAN
ACTUALLY TRUST