The Kenai Peninsula in South Central Alaska is known as “Alaska’s Playground”. This leisurely self-driving tour allows you time to enjoy several state and national parks, go fishing, enjoy marine wildlife cruises and discover other outdoor activities that draw Alaska locals here on vacation.
On this Kenai vacation tour you will cruise through Kenai Fjords National Park to see glaciers and spot animals such as whales and sea otters, visit the Alaska SeaLife Center for an up close experience with marine wildlife and as well as take a guided hike through the rainforest. You will also have an opportunity for salmon fishing on the Kenai River or deep sea fishing in Homer, the “Halibut Capital of the World”. This tour ends with a stay at the renowned Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, a great place to relax and enjoy Alaska’s uniqueness and nature.
Anchorage Arrival
Pick up your rental car at the airport upon arrival and drive to your hotel. Enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure exploring Alaska's largest city. Overnight in Anchorage.
Important Note: Please provide us with your flight arrival information at time of booking, so that we can schedule the car rental pick up time correctly.
Anchorage to Seward
Today, start your tour with a scenic drive along Turnagain Arm, a National Scenic Byway. Watch for Dall sheep on the mountains to your left and for beluga whales in the ocean to your right. Recommended stops include Portage Glacier, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, and Exit Glacier. Visit the state-of-the-art marine science aquarium, the Alaska SeaLife Center, at your leisure. Overnight in Seward.
Seward
Seward is known as the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park. Today, enjoy a full-day boat cruise into the park, a 1760 square mile coastal wilderness. This lush area is home to abundant wildlife, including humpback and orca whales, puffins, seals, and Stellar sea lions! Cruise up close to a tidewater glacier for a chance to watch the ice calve off into the ocean with a splash. Lunch is included. Overnight in Seward.
Seward to Homer
Spend the day touring Alaska's Kenai Peninsula. You will travel along the turquoise blue Kenai River, a world-class salmon fishing area. Continue to Homer with opportunities to stop in historic villages, or take advantage of great photographic opportunities along the Cook Inlet coastline. Homer is positioned at the end of the Sterling Highway on a 4.5-mile long spit of land stretching out into Kachemak Bay. This is as far west as you can drive in the Americas. Overnight in Homer.
Homer
Today is at your leisure to explore the town and the bustling Homer Spit, where you will find water taxis, bear viewing flights, and fishing charters available (see Tour Add-ons), as well as many gift shops and art galleries. Homer's nickname is the "Halibut Fishing Capital of the World". Overnight in Homer.
Homer to Soldotna
As you depart Homer, stop for a view across Cook Inlet of four active volcanoes. Continue back up the Sterling Highway to Soldotna or Cooper Landing, both of which are located on the Kenai River. This afternoon you have the opportunity for a guided salmon fishing trip or rafting float (see Tour Add-ons). Overnight in Soldotna / Cooper Landing.
Soldotna to Girdwood
Drive east on the Sterling Highway and then north on the Seward Highway to reach Girdwood. Girdwood is the home of one of the best hotels in Alaska, the Hotel Alyeska. In the afternoon, explore the Historic Iditarod Trail during a guided rainforest hike. This moderate and exciting 5-mile round trip hike consists of lush forest, avalanche evidence, scenic creeks, and bountiful berries. Your naturalist guide will point out and discuss the flora and fauna of North America's northern-most temperate rainforest. You may even see a moose! When blueberry season is in full swing, the trail is blooming with scrumptious delights sure to please everyone. Relax tonight and/or take a tram ride 2,300 feet up the side of Mt. Alyeska for a panoramic view of the valley and Turnagain Arm. Overnight at the Hotel Alyeska.
Girdwood to Anchorage
Depending on your flight departure time, you might have time for some more optional activities, such as a helicopter flight to a glacier for a dog sled ride on the snow (see Tour Add-ons). Drive back to Anchorage along the spectacular Turnagain Arm. Return your vehicle to the airport rental station by the same hour you picked it up on Day 1. Depart or start an additional program.
To confirm this reservation we will need: Flight arrival information, Full name including middle name(s), Gender and Date of Birth.
The program will include a combination of hotels or motels that are considered moderate to standard tourist class. Please be aware not all hotels have shuttle services.
If you would like to book the standard program but with upgraded rail seating, the option and surcharge will be listed when you save to your cart.
The program will include standard rooms at this category of hotel where possible. Alaska has very limited hotel choices in remote areas and small towns. The properties will typically offer a wider range of services such as a full-service restaurant, room service and perhaps a pool or spa facilities. Please be aware the upgraded accommodations in downtown Anchorage do not have hotel shuttle services. Many of the upgraded hotels also offer guaranteed view rooms for additional cost. If you would like a specific room type, in addition to the upgraded program, please ask us about availability and cost difference.
All journeys between Anchorage and Whittier are in standard seating as deluxe dome cars are not available on that route.
Enjoy a scenic 1 to 1 ¾ hours day trip out of Homer, Alaska on a scenic flight by small plane which takes you over volcano and glacier-rich scenery to either Lake Clark National Park or the east coast of Katmai National Park (this tour does NOT go to Brooks Falls). The final location will be decided based upon the... Read More
Enjoy a fun and exciting day tour out of Girdwood just south of Anchorage. The greatest Alaskan experience of all - dog sledding on a glacier! Enjoy a scenic helicopter flight to the unique glacier base camp which serves as a summer-time training ground for Iditarod sled dogs. Learn about mushing and hold adorable puppies while the team is prepared. You will... Read More
The Alaska city of Homer is known as the "Halibut Capital of the World" and offers some of Alaska's best halibut fishing from mid-May to September. The boat trip itself on this Alaska day fishing trip is a treat - cruising the beautiful shore line you regularly see sea otters, whales, puffins, and other marine wildlife. The ship captains are... Read More
Depart from Cooper Landing on a scenic rafting float trip down the Kenai River. Watch for wildlife as your guide navigates your raft through snow-capped mountain scenery, hear about the early settlers and forces of nature that shaped this beautiful valley, and witness the fishing frenzy when the sockeye salmon run. The tour is perfect for first-time and beginner rafters. Note: Cooper... Read More
Call or email us to help plan the perfect Alaskan vacation.
Book the "Discover Alaska's Kenai Peninsula", to add these tour add-on's to your reservation.
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