Aniakchak River - Aniakchak National Monument

Day 1: Anchorage

Your trip begins today in Anchorage, Alaska. You can arrive at any time and transfer to our B&B independently. We’ll be staying at the Susitna Place or the Copper Whale Inn, which are both located close to the airport and adjacent to downtown Anchorage. Depending on your arrival time, the remainder of the day is at leisure to relax after your flight or to explore some of the city’s notable sites including the Anchorage Museum of History & Art or the city Park Strip. This evening, you’ll meet your guide at 6pm and head to an orientation dinner at a local restaurant. The orientation will include a discussion of the route, an introduction to our unique style of Alaska wilderness travel, a familiarization of the principles of Leave No Trace, and a conversation about traveling safely in bear country. Dinner included.

Day 2: King Salmon

After breakfast, we’ll board a flight to King Salmon, where, if the weather cooperates, we’ll then board a floatplane destined for Surprise Lake within the Aniakchak Caldera. As we unload our gear and establish camp on the shores of the lake’s azure waters, we are sure to be awestruck by the magnitude of our surroundings. With mountains surrounding us on all sides, the outside world will seem distant and detached. You’ll forever remember the overwhelming feeling of solitude as the float-plane lifts from the lake and disappears into the distant horizon. All meals included.

Day 3-5 : Aniakchak Caldera

We’ll take the next three days to explore the amazing Aniakchak Caldera. With daypacks containing essentials, we will head out in search of adventure. Whether climbing to the caldera’s rim or scanning for wildlife along the lakes edge, we are sure to feel immersed in the wilderness that surrounds us! The hiking within the caldera is endless and wonderful. Devoid of vegetation, the hiking offers unparalleled access to the ridges and peaks that rim the valley floor. All meals included.

Day 6: Aniakchak River

Today we will trade our trekking poles for paddles as we break down camp and load our boats for our descent down the Aniakchak River, a nationally registered Wild & Scenic River. The river runs swift as it exits the caldera through the famed "Gates". Losing almost 75’ per mile, this section of the river requires careful navigation through car sized boulders and exciting rapids! All meals included.

Day 7-9: Aniakchak Bay

We will spend 4 total days on the river, taking time to enjoy the wilderness that surrounds us, and anticipating the changes we will see as we scan the horizon for the Pacific Ocean. On the shores of Aniakchak Bay we’ll share our final camp with the residents of this coastal environment, including seals, sea otters and the sea birds that call this magical place home. All meals included.

Day 10: King Salmon

Weather permitting, we’ll again revel in the skill of our bush pilots as they whisk us back to King Salmon and the conclusion of our adventure. From King Salmon, you’ll catch a flight back to Anchorage. If you are leaving Alaska on this day, please make certain that you schedule all homebound flights from Anchorage for after 11 pm. Breakfast & Lunch included.