Enjoy a beautiful backcountry tour of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge including boating on Skilak Lake, one of the largest glacial fed lakes on the Kenai Peninsula, combined with magnificent hiking opportunities. A trip of a lifetime!

Enjoy hiking and boating through the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, hiking through the forest and then above the tree-line as your knowledgeable guide explains some of the area’s history. Boat across a glacial lake in the midst of soaring cliffs as you journey deeper into the wilderness.

Embark on a boating and hiking adventure to discover parts of the Kenai Peninsula that go unseen by most travelers. Journey across a turquoise glacial lake nestled in the Kenai Mountains as you head further into the Alaskan wilderness.

Once you land on shore begin an exhilarating hike through the backcountry of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Trek through the forest as your guide points out local wildlife, and then climb above the tree-line to marvel at spectacular mountain views. Eat a picnic lunch and admire the delicate wildflowers and berries before making your way back.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Epic Alaskan hiking terrain not accessible from a car
• Unique views along with exclusive mountain discoveries
• Tranquil boat ride on a glacial lake within the mountains
• Backcountry hike throughout Kenai National Wildlife Refuge
• One-of-a-kind photo opportunities present throughout tour

Duration: 6 hours

There are 3 options available for this trip

Select your preferred option when making your reservation. If there are already guests booked for the date you’re interested in, the trip option is based on what the first guests chose. All options include a picnic-style lunch in a really beautiful location.

1) Sightseeing Session (Easy – physical exertion)

This option includes a lot of cruising around the lake in the boat looking for wildlife, and checking out the amazing scenery. We do get off the boat from time to time to stretch our legs, and check things out, but we stay close to the shore.

2) Mix-It-Up Moderate (Moderate – physical exertion)

This option is a mix of the Easy option, with more hiking involved in. The hiking is easy to moderate, and is mostly on trails. We may hike a loop trail, and/or stop at several locations and hike to the top of vantage points for views that stretch for miles. There may be some slight inclines, uneven terrain, or slippery surfaces.

3) Alpine Hike (Strenuous – physical exertion)

This is the strenuous option that entails hiking on a trail to the top of a mountain on the other side of Skilak Lake from where we begin the boating portion of the trip. The majority of the time is spent hiking up the mountain, and then exploring the alpine tundra area up above the tree-line. We take our time going up, and coming down the mountain to allow for ample rest periods. This makes for an exciting, and vigorous hiking experience!