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Aialik Bay (pronounced eye-Al-ick) - Kenai Fjords National Park 7-Day Kenai Fjords Sea Kayaking Package Departing From Anchorage A BACKCOUNTRY SAFARIS EXCLUSIVE, COMPARE: Choose to paddle a "single kayak". Includes dry suits to keep you warm and dry. Includes the pre- and post-trip transportation to Seward from Anchorage, Alaska and the lodging in Seward before and after the kayaking trip.
Aialik Bay is a sea kayaking paradise, famous for calving glaciers and abundant wildlife. Located in Kenai Fjords National Park, a visit to Aialik bay offers 3 tidewater glaciers. You'll witness the awesome power of calving glaciers, kayak among icebergs trapped in a lagoon, sea kayak through rock arches, and see waterfalls cascading down sheer granite walls. Wildlife often seen include, Orca whales, humpback whales, harbor seals, sea otters, black bears, mountain goats, bald eagles, the endangered Steller sea lion, and a variety of marine birds, including puffins. This is an all inclusive package that includes transportation from Anchorage to Seward, Alaska, the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park and the pre- and post-trip lodging in Seward. On request we can also include lodging in Anchorage, Alaska your arrival destinations to Alaska. With most air flights arriving in Anchorage, Alaska this package departs from Anchorage and simplifies your travel planning. With other Alaska sea kayaking adventures you're left on your own to figure out how to get from Anchorage to the sea kayaking trip departure locations and that added expense. This Aialik Bay Kenai Fjords National Park 7-day sea kayaking camping adventure provides a complete tour package; transportation to and from Seward, pre- and post-trip lodging in Seward, and combined with of our 5-day Aialik Bay sea kayaking wilderness camping trip. 5 days kayaking gives you time to gain an intimate understanding of this magical place. We think this is the single best overall sea kayaking camping adventure we offer. Compare The Differences
OVERVIEW
Tour Type: Sea Kayaking, Wildlife Viewing, Camping, Alaska Railroad Difficulty: Moderate Comfort: Hotel, Tent Camping Prior Experience: None Seward transportation and lodging is combined with of our 5-day Aialik Bay sea kayaking camping adventure to give you a complete sea kayaking tour package departing from Anchorage. This 7-day Seward sea kayaking adventure includes 5 days sea kayaking in Kenai Fjords National Park's Aialik Bay, one of Alaska's most diverse sea kayaking destinations. There are 3 tidewater glaciers that flow into Aialik Bay, and the area is well known as one of Alaska top wildlife viewing hotspots. We often see humpback whales and pods of orca whales and sometimes we get quite close to them. Dall porpoise, harbor seals, sea otters, black bears, mountain goats, bald eagles, and a variety of marine birds including puffins are also commonly seen. We'll sea kayak through rock arches while we explore the rugged coast of this fjord. Three immense glaciers flow into the ocean and we explore them all. You'll sea kayak among icebergs trapped in a lagoon and witness the awesome power of calving glaciers from the best seat in the house, your kayak. You'll see lots of waterfalls cascading down sheer granite walls. You can even sea kayak under waterfalls, if you're bold.
ITINERARY **
Arrival - Fly into Anchorage International Airport. Plan to arrive at least one day before your kayak trip departure date. Anchorage offers many fine hotel and bed and breakfast lodging options. We can provide you a list of recommended lodging options or include hotel lodging in Anchorage with your tour package. If you would like us to include hotel lodging in Anchorage with your sea kayaking tour package just let us know.
Leaving Turnagain Arm the train heads up into the Kenai Mountains towards Grandview Valley where you'll travel through lush spruce and birch forests. Keep your eyes open for the occasional moose along the railroad and to see the many hanging glaciers. There's Bartlett Glacier, Trail Glacier, and Spencer Glacier, which stands out as one of the most beautiful glaciers along the southern railbelt. You arrive in Seward around noon. You'll have an opportunity to freshen up before heading out on your own to explore the small maritime community of Seward. Activities you may want to consider include: a walking tour of Seward to visit the many shops; a harbor and sea wall walk; Guided Ice Climbing Adventure, museum, or maybe a fishing trip. Ask our travel host about making arrangements for these special side excursions. Seward has many coffee houses and restaurants to choose from for lunch (on your own).
Seward is a small community and everything is within walking distance. From your Seward hotel you can easily walk to the small boat harbor, downtown and the SeaLife Center. Dinner (on your own) at one of the local Seward restaurants. Around 6:00 p.m. one of our guides will meet you at the hotel for a pre-trip meeting. Tonight will get you outfitted with rain gear, rubber boots and dry bags to pack your gear. Also, our guide will answer any last-minute trip questions you may have. Day 2 - Breakfast on your own. Our guides will pick you at the hotel and with team effort we will load our sea kayaks and gear onto an ocean charter vessel for a 4-hour marine wildlife and glacier cruise to our first camp. Along the way, we round Cape Aialik, pass Caines Head, Bear Glacier, and a Stellar sea lion haulout. We'll set up camp, then devote the rest of the day to sea kayak safety and instruction as we paddle around our new environment.
Day 4 - Today we head out toward the open ocean and paddle around Holgate Head and back into Holgate Arm, setting camp up on Holgate Beach. Day 6 - We break camp early morning and if you choose you can go for a short paddle near camp while waiting for our charter boat to arrive for our ride back to Seward. Our shuttle driver will meet us at the dock and take you to back to your hotel. Day 7 - Breakfast on your own. Meet the bus at 9:45 a.m. for your trip back to Anchorage. Along the way you will pass through dramatic valleys of the Kenai Mountains and keep a watch out for bald eagles, beluga whales and Dall sheep on this National Scenic Byway. You will arrive in Anchorage around 1:30 p.m. For those that are continuing on to Denali National Park, you'll have about a 90 minute lunch stop at the Anchorage Museum of History and Fine Arts before continuing on to Denali.
MAPS
Aialik Bay Map Kenai Fjords National Park Map See All The Kenai Fjords Maps Available RELATED LINKS AND NATURAL HISTORY Aialik Bay Photo Album Kenai Fjords Wildlife Kenai Fjords National Park Cultural Resources Kenai Fjords Glaciers - Glacial Features Harding Icefield The Retreat of Exit Glacier A Tour of the Life of a Glacier Iceberg Sizes, Shapes And Classifications Hypothermia, Cold Water Immersion Wildlife Whale Watching Glacier Cruise SUGGESTED ALASKA READING LIST Kenai Fjords Historic Resource Study (online book) by Linda Cook and Frank Norris Exploring Alaska's Kenai Fjords  by David MillerKenai Fjords Park - Trails Illustrated Map  Alaska: A Novel  by James A. MichenerAlaska: A History of the 49th State  by Claus-M Naske and Herman E. SlotnickGuide to the Birds of Alaska  by Robert H. ArmstrongWild Flowers of the Yukon, Alaska  by John G. S. TrelawnyComing into the Country by John McPhee Travels in Alaska by John Muir  Did You Know? The Dall's Porpoise may be the fastest small cetacean on the planet? It has been reported to reach speeds of 30 knots. These creatures delight in riding the bow waves of tour boats in the Kenai Fjords.
Limitations of liability: Although every precaution is taken to safeguard you and your belongings, our adventure trips involve inherent risks and dangers which are beyond our control and Backcountry Safaris shall assume no responsibility for personal injuries or deaths and loss of personal property. Due to the nature of the activities, a condition of your participation is that you will read and sign the acknowledgment and Release of Liability before the tour begins. A copy of the text is available on request. |
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