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Alaska's Kenai Peninsula offers breathtaking scenery, excellent wildlife viewing and some of the best fishing Alaska has to offer. Drive along Turnagain Arm with the scenic Kenai Mountains as the perfect backdrop. Visit Alyeska Resort - Alaska's largest ski area, take a spectacular wildlife and glacier cruise in the famous Kenai Fjords National Park or Prince William Sound (from Whittier), and explore the Alaska Sealife Center in Seward - the largest cold-water marine research institute in the world. World-class salmon fishing for king, sockeye and silver salmon on the Kenai River is a treat for more than just avid anglers. Homer and the quaint artist community of Halibut Cove offer a wealth of outdoor activities (sea kayaking, wildlife viewing) and shopping. |
AK#01 Kenai Peninsula Self Drive Tour | Discover Alaska's Outdoor Playground
Tour Itinerary
Dates | Rates
Options | Extensions
Accommodation
Rental Car
Self Drive FAQ
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Day
01 |
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Anchorage - Seward Arrive in Anchorage during the day and pick up your rental car. The drive on the scenic Seward Highway offers incomparable vistas of fjords, glaciers and mountains as you follow the Cook Inlet and Turnagain Arm. Arrive in Seward, a small fishing community at the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park. Kenai Fjords is named for the numerous fjords carved by glaciers moving down the mountains from the ice field. The field is the source of at least 38 glaciers, the largest of which is Bear Glacier. This afternoon you have time to visit Exit Glacier. Short trails lead to the Toe of the Glacier where you can climb on the surface of the glacier itself. You may spend some time at the Alaska SeaLife Center – the world’s first cold water marine search institute, try your luck halibut or salmon fishing or attend a kayaking tour from Lowell Point - the choice is yours. Evening at leisure for a delicious seafood dinner on the harbor. Distance: 120 Miles | Overnight: Seward |
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Seward Created in 1980, Kenai Fjords spreads over 587,000 acres and is crowned by the massive Harding Ice Field from which countless tidewater glaciers pour down into coastal fjords. The impressive landscape and an abundance of marine wildlife make the park a major tourist attraction. Our 110-mile long day cruise - hosted by a National Park Ranger who provides narration - takes you deep into Kenai Fjords National Park. You'll visit the mighty Holgate or Aialik Glacier - the largest tidewater glaciers within the park which are actually a very active "calving" glacier and often massive chunks of ancient ice will plummet into the sea below. Your cruise experience continues with a visit of the Chiswell Islands National Wildlife Refuge - an important marine bird sanctuary were millions of seabirds are nestling on nearly vertical islands. Last but not least, you see a small rookery of the endangered Steller Sea Lions and have a good chance to spot Orca and Beluga whales within the Gulf of Alaska. Overnight: Seward |
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Day
03 |
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Seward - Homer Visit the renowned Alaska SeaLife Center - the first cold water marine search institute in the world or Seavey's sled dog kennel. Continue your self drive journey and follow the Sterling Highway - a designated scenic highway covering miles of spectacular landscape with snowcapped mountains and it's many active volcanoes known as the "Ring of Fire" with Mt. Iliamna, Mt. Redoubt and Mt. Augustine, deep ocean bluffs, excellent salmon fishing opportunities along the Kenai River and a magnificent coastline. Homer is blessed with a view to the south that is stunning in its beauty and grandeur. The rugged Kenai Mountains are spreading across the sparkling waters of Kachemak Bay. Homer is also known as a great fishing hole. King Salmon may be caught here from May to June, while Silver Salmon run during August. Halibut - large as a barn size door are available from May - September. Driving Distance: 170 Miles | Overnight: Homer |
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Homer Homer aka: “Halibut Capital of the World” provides you with truly incredible panoramic views of mountain ranges, white peaks, glaciers and the famous Homer Spit - a long strip of land that stretches into the beautiful deep blue colored Kachemak Bay. It is a community that tempts you to stay for a while. Between the excellent museum, restaurants and art galleries, great scenery and interesting side trips to the other side of Kachemak Bay or to Seldovia you could easily spend a week here. Use the day to explore the area - kayak to a remote cove, take a scenic cruise and spot wildlife including whales, seals, sea otters and many shorebirds. If you prefer to observe grizzly bears up close, take a scenic flightseeing tour to the Katmai Coast. Take a evening cruise to Halibut Cove (optional) and enjoy a dinner at the famous Saltry Restaurant and a walk to renowned artist galleries along the picturesque boardwalks. Overnight: Homer |
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05 |
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Homer - Cooper Landing (or Girdwood) Leave Homer for a scenic drive to Ninilchik - the oldest settlement on the Kenai Peninsula. The Russian-American Company established Ninilchik in the 1820s for its elderly employees, who could not endure the long journey back to Russia. Other settlers soon congregated there, and in 1901 they constructed the community’s Russian Orthodox Church. Continue to Cooper Landing - located at the world famous Kenai and Russian River. Take a (optional) 1/2 day guided fishing trip for King or Sockeye Salmon. Your fishing guide is expert in spinning, casting and fly fishing techniques on these waters. Join us (included) for a two-hour float trip on the Upper Kenai River. Have your camera ready as we keep an eye out for moose, eagles, Dall sheep, salmon and bears as your guide navigates you safely on the Kenai River. The tour ends on the shores of a glacier-carved lake within the heart of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Distance: 120 Miles | Overnight: Cooper Landing or Girdwood |
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06 |
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Cooper Landing (or Girdwood) - Anchorage Drive north through the Chugach National Forest and visit Begich Boggs Visitor Center, home to Portage Glacier - one of Alaska’s most visited attractions. Portage Glacier is in retreat, and not visible from the center's observation deck, but the center is still an interesting stop thanks to exhibits that let visitors walk through a simulated ice cave, view live ice worms or touch an iceberg. Enjoy some time in Girdwood. Summertime recreation includes hiking in Girdwood's alpine rain forests, mountain climbing and biking on Girdwood's bike path or the many trails in the valley. Take the Alyeska Tramway to get a bird's eye view of the surrounding glaciers and Turnagain Arm. Stopover at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, a home for orphaned and injured animals. Follow the Seward Highway along salt water bays, ice blue glaciers and alpine valleys and look for bear, moose or dall sheep. Distance: 100 Miles | Overnight: Anchorage |
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Anchorage Spend the remaining day in Anchorage, explore Alaska's largest city and visit the many points of interests. Take a walk on the Coastal Trail along Cook Inlet to Earthquake Park with a magnificent view of the Alaska Mountain Range in the distance. Savor a delectable lunch at one of Anchorage's premier seafood restaurants, or unwind with a drink at the Crow's Nest, where stunning views of Anchorage set the perfect backdrop. Return the rental car at the airport. Individual tour extensions or sightseeing tours are available. |
| Rates in US $ / per Person | Single | Double | Triple | Quad | Child | |
| May 15 - May 31 | $2301.00 | $1298.00 | $1020.00 | $883.00 | $234.00 | |
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| June 1 - August 31 | $2918.00 | $1607.00 | $1226.00 | $1035.00 | $234.00 | |
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| September 1 - September 20 | $2301.00 | $1298.00 | $1020.00 | $883.00 | $234.00 | |
| Rates in US $ / per Person | Single | Double | Triple | Quad | Child | |
| May 15 - May 31 | $2817.00 | $1556.00 | $1204.00 | $1019.00 | $234.00 | |
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| June 1 - August 31 | $3647.00 | $1970.00 | $1477.00 | $1230.00 | $232.00 | |
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| September 1 - September 20 | $3159.00 | $1727.00 | $1318.00 | $1104.00 | $234.00 | |
| Daily Departures from May 01 - September 20 |
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| Tour Details | Rates in US$ |
| Cooper Landing: Half Day / Full Day Kenai River Salmon Fishing Trip | |
| Cooper Landing: Six Mile Creek Whitewater Rafting Trip (3 hrs) | |
| Homer: Full Day Bear Viewing Tour to Katmai Coast / Katmai National Park | |
| Homer: Full Day Salmon or Halibut Fishing Trip | |
| Whittier: 1/2 Day Prince William Sound Glacier Cruise | |
| LDW Rental Car Insurance / per day | from $ 25.99 |
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First Class Hotel Category (**** Hotels & Lodges) First Class hotels usually offer additional amenities such as a restaurant, lounge, bar, fireplace seating, fitness room, swimming pool/hot tub, etc. All rooms in First Class hotels belong to a higher category and are always equipped with a private bathroom. Most hotels in this category are usually located in prime locations in prime downtown locations or in national parks. These include larger hotel chains such as: Marriott Hotels, Sheraton, Westmark Hotels, Princess Hotels and Lodges, Clarion Suites, Comfort Inn & Suite. The larger hotel chains are only available in Anchorage and Fairbanks. If a major hotel chain is not available, we prefer to book local premium hotels/deluxe cabins or cottages for our clients. Please note that premium accommodations may not be available in small towns; in such cases we will book the best available accommodation..  Superior Hotel Category (*** Hotels, Motels & Lodges) Superior Hotels offer a good amount of essential guest services and are located in downtown locations and/or in/near national park areas. All superior class hotel rooms are equipped with a private bathroom. Example larger hotel chains for superior class hotels are: Holiday Inn, Howard Johnson, Guesthouse Inn, Ramada Inn, High Country Inn, Aspen Hotel Group, Comfort Inn. As you might be aware, that these hotel chains are not available throughout Alaska. In such cases or/and when we feel that Alaskan owned hotels & lodges offer a better experience, we go with that choice. Cabins and Cottages also considered in this category to make your experience even more ‘Alaskan’. We ensure that all the Cabins & Cottages have a private bath to make your stay comfortable.  |
Rental CarWe have compiled a list of car rental categories that fit Alaska trips and are suitable for various budgets, trip durations, as well as group sizes. Mid Size Car (included - part of the package / additional day $150) Generally, midsize cars measure between 180 to 195 inches in length but can vary depending on specific models. Mid-size cars, also commonly known as intermediate or standard cars, are four-door sedans that are more spacious than compact cars while still being fuel-efficient. They can fit 3 or sometimes 4 bags depending on the model. They feature more interior space compared to compact cars and offer comfortable seating for four to five passengers.  Full Size Car (upgrade $8 per day / additional day $160) Full Size cars are what many people would describe as large cars. A full-size car typically refers to a vehicle that offers more extensive interior space, comfort, and power compared to smaller vehicles such as compact or midsize cars. These cars usually have larger dimensions, including length, width, and height. They commonly feature roomy interiors with ample seating for five or more passengers along with expanded trunk capacity for luggage or cargo. Historically, full-size cars were synonymous with large sedans boasting V8 engines and body-on-frame construction. While this has changed over time due to evolving industry trends and technological advancements, what remains consistent is the emphasis on spaciousness, comfort, and performance these vehicles provide.  Standard Size SUV (upgrade $55 per day / additional day $210) SUVs (short for sport or suburban utility vehicles) are good-sized vehicles with a rugged look, set higher off the road than normal cars. In an SUV, the description of “standard” generally refers to the size of the SUV. The standard SUV is larger than the intermediate or compact versions. These full-size models are more powerful, like a truck, and they are usually more equipped to handle a wider variety of terrains and road conditions as well. In addition to being powerful, their size also means that they typically have more seating capacity than the smaller SUVs. They can seat more passengers and have more cargo space for transporting luggage and equipment.  Premium SUV (upgrade $170 per day / additional day $325) A favorite of weekend warriors and full-time adventurers, this sturdy SUV rental boasts versatile interior and strong performance. A premium SUV is a high-quality, extra-large sport utility vehicle made to seat 7 or 8 passengers in three rows of seating. They also have powerhouse engines and room for plenty of cargo. The result is a smooth and spacious ride. Premium SUVs are suitable for different types of terrain and great for all types of travelers and occasions. Book from this vehicle group to enjoy a safe, strong, family-friendly SUV with extra space and premium features. The following models included in the premium SUV vehicle group will make you happy to hit the road.  Mini Van (upgrade $90 per day / additional day $250) This roomy mini van is your ticket to family adventures and travel memories on your next rental. More spacious than a full-size car, and with better gas mileage than an SUV, a minivan is a 7-passenger van that provides unbeatable comfort and convenience. By providing leg and luggage room, configurable seating and storage layouts, easy in-and-out, competitive fuel efficiency, and high-performance drive—all without sacrificing style—minivans accommodate every kind of group outing, from lengthy family vacations to quick business trips. Did somebody say “road trip”?  11 Passenger Van (upgrade $250 per day / additional day $400) Choose a 11-person passenger van so that no one gets left behind on your road trip or vacation. Instead of trying to coordinate a car pool; save time, resources, and gas money by putting everyone together in one clean and comfortable van. You'll find each passenger has much more leg room. Sample Models: Chevrolet Express, Ford Transit or similar Sample Features: 3 Doors –10 to 11 Passengers- 6 Large Suitcases - Air-conditioning - Automatic Transmission  |
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Self Drive Tours Information - FAQ
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