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Sea Kayaking - Tundra Hiking... and River Rafting!
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We offered this trip last summer and it was a big success. Who says you can't do it all? This tour combines three days of wilderness sea kayaking on Prince William Sound followed by a four day tundra trek in the Dixie Pass area. Oh, and just to make sure we don't get too bored there is a day of white water rafting in thrown in! We are only offering one multi-sport tour so sign up early.
Here is the itinerary for this exiting Alaskan adventure. (Meals provided as indicated)
Day 1 (D)
Arrive in Valdez at 5:45 on Era Aviation flight 806. Your Trek Alaska guide will greet you at the airport and transport the group back to a bed & breakfast in Valdez. After getting settled in a bit we will have a group meeting to review gear to make sure you have everything you’ll need for the first leg of our journey. After the meeting we well have dinner together in Valdez where we can begin to get to know each other and talk about the adventures ahead.
Day 2 (L, D)
We meet at the kayaking outfitters where we are greeted by our kayak guide who will familiarize the group about the agenda for the coming days and give an introductory instruction on sea kayaking. We load the kayaks onto a motor boat and are brought out to Sawmill Bay State Park. From here we paddle the incredible coastline of towering mountains and cascading waterfalls. We typically stop along the way far a lunch break and to enjoy the sound of waves lapping at the shore. Our destination for the evening will be Shoup Bay. A marvelous paddle along the lush coastline.
Day 3 (B, L, D)
The day will be spent exploring the upper bay of Shoup Glacier State Park. We will find sea otters, seals, and a spectacular rookery of Black-legged Kittiwakes. This will be our first experience with floating ice and calving glaciers. The guide will take everyone on glacier hike to look for ice caves and get a birds-eye view of the glacier. The campsite is one of the best in the sound! Set your tent with a glacier view and waterfalls cascading down the hillside next to you. The guides always prepare a tasty dinner over a fire.
Day 4 (B, L)
Paddling out of Shoup Bay the group will head back toward Valdez. Paddling back offers different views than seen from the ride out on the taxi. Keep your eye out for whales! We usually arrive back in Valdez just after our lunch break spent exploring Gold Creek State Park.
Back in Valdez we check back into the B&B to get a hot shower and change of clothes. We will have an afternoon meeting to discuss logistics for the next leg of our adventure – four days of hiking to Dixie Pass!
Then you have the evening on your own for dinner and exploring Valdez.
Day 5 (L, D)
We meet mid-morning and pile into a van for a beautiful three to four hour drive up and over Thompson Pass, through Chitina and on to our trailhead for the trip to Dixie Pass.
We get a late start on this day so it’s just a half day of hiking till we stop at a gravel bar right next to a river. Your guide will whip up another great meal as we enjoy our first night in the mountains.
Day 6 (B, L, D)
Today is a fun day as we transition from the forest up into the high tundra country. The day’s hiking will not be long but there are a couple of steep spots. After setting up camp in part way up the pass, we will take a side hike to explore.
Day 6 (B, L, D)
This is the best day of our hiking trek. We leave most of our gear in camp and set out with light day packs. We head up and over the pass, then down up bit then back up to a high point on a ridge with great views of the whole valley. We pick our way carefully down the scree slope on the other side and then have fun exploring this end of the valley. After a well deserved lunch we head back over the pass to our campsite.
Day 7 (B, L, D)
We’re up early and hike all the way back to the trailhead where our van will pick us up for the ride back to Thompson Pass. We set up camp at Blueberry Lake campground and enjoy the luxories of latrines and running water.
Day 8 (B, Snack)
We’ve saved the best for last – or at least the most exciting. After fortifying ourselves with pancakes and coffee, we take short ride to the shores of the Tsaina River for a half day of white water rafting. Sections of the river are rated at class IV and provide plenty of thrills as we see the Alaskan terrain from a new perspective. The rafting and thus our trip, comes to an end far too soon.
A van will take us back into Valdez arriving sometime in the mid-afternoon. This schedule allows guests to take the Era 807 departing from Valdez at 6:05 PM and arriving in Anchorage at 6:45 PM if they wish.
Included:
- a boat ride with our kayaks out into Prince William Sound.
- 3 day kayak camping tour
- 1half day of rafting
- 4 days guided backpacking
- Professional guides for all activities
- Meals as indicated above
- All group camping gear
- All kayaking gear
- 1 night at B&B before kayak trip (based on double occupancy, upgrades available)
- 1 night at B&B after kayak trip (based on double occupancy, upgrades available)
- Gratuities for meals and rafting guide
Not Included:
- Round trip transportation to Anchorage, Alaska
- Transportation to and from Valdez Alaska
- Alcoholic beverages with meals
- Accommodations in Anchorge if needed
- Accommodations the night before or after the tour
- Gratuities for kayak and backcountry guides
 Contact us if you would like to book this trip or have questions.
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