ALASKAN HIKE

Day 1
Start Anchorage. The group flight arrives in the evening

Day 2
To Denali National Park We have a briefing on the trek after breakfast, before leaving for Denali National Park, a drive of 360 km. Denali is a must on any journey to Alaska. Nowhere in North America has such a variety of wildlife, unspoilt wilderness and great scenery as Denali. We camp near the park entrance for 3 nights.

Day 3 - 4
Denali National Park We have two full days in the park, which operates a system of shuttle buses to keep the main roads free of traffic. The buses drive deep into the park and much of the wildlife has got used to them, so we should see moose and bears near the roadside and Dall sheep on the mountain slopes. In the middle of the park is snow-clad Mt. McKinley, North America's highest mountain at 6,194 m - on a clear day we should excellent views. Guided ranger walks show us the highlights of the park. Hiking in the Savage River area is one option or a good climb to the Mt Healy lookout near the entrance to the park guarantees spectacular views. For those that do not want to hike, options include rafting (paid locally) on the nearby Nenana River or visit the dog sled kennels run by the park rangers. It is also possible to take a scenic flight over Mount McKinley.

Day 5
To Tangle Lakes We travel west on the Denali Highway (mainly gravel) parallel to the Alaska Range to the Tangle Lakes region. It is a half-day drive and the scenery is beautiful and is also of geographical interest, with various glacially formed features, such as moraines, kames, and pingos. There are many small lakes formed by melted ice (called kettle ponds), plus gravel ridges and terraces. We arrive at our campsite in the afternoon and there will be free time to relax.

Day 6
Tangle Lakes We have a day at Tangle Lakes for some good hiking on the tundra covered in wild flowers. There are great views of peaks and glaciers of the Alaska Range to the north. Again there is a choice of walks for all abilities, from strenuous to easy, and an opportunity to canoe (paid locally) on the network of lakes - hence the name Tangle Lakes.

Day 7
To Wrangall-St Elias National Park We have a full day on the road to Wrangall-St Elias National Park. On the way we pass through some amazing scenery including the dramatic Copper River valley and there will be plenty of opportunities for photo stops. The last part of the journey is the 60-mile gravel road to the small town of Macarthy (population 40 in the summer, rest of the year 17!). The area has recently received some publicity because of the popular book The Road to McCarthy, by the late Pete McCarthy. He visited the area in an attempt to pursue his far-flung Irish connections.

Day 8 - 9
9 Wrangall-St Elias National Park The Wrangall-St Elias area as a whole contains nine of the sixteen highest peaks in the United States including the second highest, Mt. St. Elias (5,488m) and is also the most glaciated region in the North American continent. We have two full days in this beautiful area, which has some wonderful hiking opportunities for all abilities. There is also a great opportunity to go ice climbing with a local outfitter. It is an imposing area of glaciers, mountains and old copper mines and there is a chance to don crampons (provided) and explore the Kennicott and Root glaciers (paid locally). We can also visit the abandoned Kennicott copper mill.

Day 10
To Valdez Driving south towards Valdez through the Chugach Range, we stop by the famous Worthington Glacier for a photo opportunity. We can also stop at Thompson Pass, which holds all of Alaska's snowfall records. We arrive in Valdez, our base for two nights in the late afternoon. Valdez itself is a new town, a major earthquake having destroyed the old town in 1964. It is a busy port, where the Trans Alaska Pipeline ends, and oil is thereafter transported by ship. It was here where the large oil spill took place in 1989, but this has all been cleaned up and virtually no signs of this disaster remain.

Day 11
Valdez We have a full day in Valdez where there are plenty of activities to do. We can hike or alternatively, those who want a rest day can wander around the new town and harbour, visit the museum or go kayaking to the awesome tidewater Shoop or Columbia glaciers (optional, see extra expenses).

Day 12
Prince William Sound The Alaska State ferry takes us across Prince William Sound to Whittier and is one of the highlights of any visit to Alaska. The views of the mountains and glaciers as we travel across the Sound are impressive, we can see Harbour seals, sea otters and sea lions playing in the water. From Whittier we drive to Seward passing the Portage Glacier. There will be a chance to explore the small fishing town of Seward, which has a busy port before heading to our campsite about 3 miles out of town

Day 13
Seward We have a full day in Seward and there is a wide range hiking opportunities and other activities to choose from. One option is a cruise through the Kenai Fjords National Park, which offers wonderful wildlife and bird watching opportunities. We may even see humpback whales. One hike we can do is the spectacular walk from Exit Glacier to the Harding Icefield. Exit Glacier is one of the 30 frozen rivers flowing off the 1800 square kilometre icefield. The walk (total walking distance is 14 km) gives views of deep crevasses and huge seracs on the glacier, and takes us 900 m up to a lookout point over the icefield. This walk is strenuous, and those who want to take an easier option can choose from other trails in the area. There are alternative trails on the June departure, in case there is still too much snow on the Harding Icefield trail. We will camp again at Seward.

Day 14
To Anchorage There may be an opportunity for a hike in the morning before the drive back to Anchorage, including the Harding Icefield walk if we don't do that on Day 13. Anchorage contains half the population of the state, and in some ways looks just like any other sprawling American town. However, there are some points of interest, including several art galleries and craft shops where you can see the beautiful Eskimo handicrafts being made, and the National Parks Centre has some excellent displays.

Day 15
End Anchorage Those on the group flight will depart in the morning and land in the UK the following morning.

Day 16
Arrive London.