It is home to hundreds of species of migratory birds such as puffins, cormorants, murres and kittiwakes. Birds of prey patrol the beaches, whales and porpoises frolic in the clear Pacific, and thousands of salmon spawn in many of the park’s rivers. Katmai holds within its borders 15 active volcanoes – more than any park in the world – and remains one of the most geologically active places on earth! Additionally, the coastal region that Katmai National Park and Preserve encompasses contains one of the richest and most concentrated prehistoric and protohistoric cultural resources known in Alaska.

Our 12-day kayaking adventure along the coast will take us along 30+ miles of this spectacular shore – From Geographic Harbor to Kaflia Bay. As we head northeaset along the Alaska Peninsula, we’ll camp on islands and beaches and will have the chance to view this spectacular national park in a way that few ever have. Our route will take us around a complex of narrow fjords, island and sea stack bays, sandy beaches, deep river valleys, and rocky headlands. Views of active volcanoes and Kodiak Island will be the backdrop of our panorama as we glide past a complex ecosystem that includes river drainages, marshes, beaches, inter-tidal zones, estuaries, coastal uplands, and islands. The campsites we choose will allow for beach combing, hiking, exploring, wildlife viewing and more. We’ll also visit Takli Island Archeological District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and will strive to understand the hearty history of those who called this area home for over 6,000 years.

This trip originates in Anchorage, Alaska. Getting to Anchorage is a snap. Alaska Airlines, your travel agent, or the carrier of your choice can easily arrange roundtrip airfare from the lower 48.  Once you land in Anchorage, your adventure really begins. For this trip into Katmai National Park,  you'll find that the areas we visit won't be found on any road map; out here there aren't any roads!

Bush Flights: Access to Katmai National Park and the rugged Katmai Coast is limited to air travel in a small airplane flown by an experienced bush pilot. This adventure includes float-plane flights between Homer, Alaska and the Katmai wilderness.  Have your camera at the ready, your trip begins here.  For most, this will be your first experience in a small aircraft – a memorable one to be sure.  The 150 mile flight from Homer to the Katmai Coast takes you over the Shelikof Strait, and along some of the most remote and beautiful coastline in Alaska, with towering peaks and tumbling glaciers right off the wing tips.  Our pilot has spent years flying in this area and you’ll immediately understand why we choose to fly with him.

Accommodations: Lodging on night one in Homer is included in your package.  We'll be staying at the Holland Day's Inn in Homer, Alaska.  We love this property for its quiet setting and amazing views, and it's convenient location just outside of Homer.  Prices are double occupancy. If you prefer your own room on night one you will be asked to pay a single supplement of $85.00.  The remaining nights will be spent camping in the wilderness!

The Experience: We’ll be meeting at 8am this morning at the Susitna Place in downtown Anchorage.  If you’re staying at a different property in Anchorage, let us know and we’ll arrange to pick you up.  We can also schedule an airport pick-up if you’re arriving into Anchorage that morning.  We’ll need to be on the road to Homer by 9am, so your flight should arrive no later than 7am.  The drive to Homer takes approximately six hours. Once you’ve settled into your accommodations for night one, we’ll gather for a group dinner and discussion of logistics.  We’ll pour over topographical maps and discuss safety issues.

Up early on day 2, we’ll have breakfast at the B&B.  We’ll get an early start and head to the float plane dock in Homer. Our first day will allow us to collect our senses, gaze at the surrounding beauty, and get a feel for the terrain we will be covering.  You will quickly become acquainted with our style of wilderness travel and camp etiquette.  Meals are planned to be sumptuous, filling culinary adventures of their own.  Because weight and packaging is critical, careful consideration is taken in planning and packing the ingredients.  You can be assured every meal will be something you may never have experienced in the wilderness.  We use organic and real food products when possible, and the very best freeze-dried and dehydrated ingredients available.

What’s Included:

• All group camping & paddling gear (tents, stoves, fuel, kayaks, dry bags, etc.) satellite phone and safety equipment.
• Van transportation from Anchorage to our air taxi in Homer.
• All internal airfare and float plane flights necessary for the trip.
• One night of lodging in Homer.
• Professional guide service at a maximum 4:1 client to guide ratio.
• All meals from lunch on day one through breakfast on the final day of the itinerary.
• Storage for your extra travel items while in the field.

What’s Not:

• Lodging in Anchorage prior to and after your adventure.
• Personal gear (sleeping bags, packs, rain gear, etc.) - See Equipment Lists.
• Trip cancellation insurance.
• Alcoholic beverages.
• Guide gratuities.

Everyone asks:

What about the mosquitoes?
In case you've heard horror stories... the number of mosquitoes is greatly dependent on hatching season and annual weather conditions. While we are bound to encounter some mosquitoes during the course of our adventure, their numbers have not generally presented major problems on past trips in these specific areas. That said, please arrive prepared with insect repellent and a head net to fend off any mosquitoes that are present.

Will bears be a problem?
Alaska is bear country! There are both grizzly and black bears in most of the wilderness areas of Alaska we visit. We love seeing bears in the wild and it really is one of the most thrilling experiences common in Alaska backcountry travel. With that said, traveling safely and taking precautions to minimize a negative encounter are things we take very seriously. In addition to being subject to our thorough bear safety orientation, you’ll also see that we take many precautions when traveling in Alaska’s wilderness – 1 all of our food has been packaged to minimize odors – we vacuum seal most of our fresh ingredients and sauces, we pack our food in bear resistant food canisters, and we store our food well away from camp. 2 We make noise when we’re hiking in thick brush or when we’re hiking in windy conditions to minimize surprise encounters and 3 we keep an exceptionally clean camp.

What kind of food might we expect?
Our food is excellent – in fact it is something that clearly differentiates us from our competitors. We have spent the past decade fine tuning our backcountry menu. Breakfasts include pancakes, scrambles, various homemade granolas and cereals, French pressed coffee, assorted teas and hot drinks. For lunch we enjoy foccacia sandwiches, bagels and Alaska lox, hummus and toasted pita chips, and assorted wraps. We also have homemade snack mixes both salty and sweet and energy and candy bars available throughout the day. Dinners could include lasagna, pad thai, beef mole’ tacos, penne pasta with a roasted red pepper pesto, wild mushroom risotto, etc. And we ALWAYS enjoy one of Derek’s home baked desserts after dinner.

When would you require a deposit? and how much? Trip cancellation insurance? Can we get it through you?
We require a deposit of $1000 per person to officially reserve a trip. Really the deposit is due as soon as you’d like to book. That way, we have the trip inked in on the schedule and can begin the effort to coax others into joining the adventure. When you decide to book, we then generate an invoice that we send by email. You’ll then have the option to pay the deposit by mailing us a check, calling us with a credit card number or by using a Visa, Master Card, or American Experss on our secure online payment system. As for trip cancellation insurance, Alaska Alpine Adventures is licensed to sell Travel Guard - an industry leading insurance product designed specifically for adventure travelers. Please contact us for details, or click here to obtain a quote.

The Katmai Coast:

Why go to the Katmai Coast?
The coast of Katmai National Park is one of the most spectacular and ecologically diverse areas in Alaska. Its rugged beaches are home to some of the largest brown bear concentrations in the world and its waters and shores support some of the richest marine life in the Pacific. It is home to hundreds of species of migratory birds such as puffins, cormorants, murres and kittiwakes. Birds of prey patrol the beaches, whales and porpoises frolic in the clear Pacific, and thousands of salmon spawn in many of the park’s rivers. Katmai holds within its borders 15 active volcanoes – more than any park in the world – and remains one of the most geologically active places on earth! Additionally, the coastal region that Katmai National Park and Preserve encompasses contains one of the richest and most concentrated     prehistoric and protohistoric cultural resources known in Alaska.

Where is the Katmai National Park?
The 3.5 Million Acre Katmai National Park it's contained within lies the end of the Alaska Peninsula at the crest of the Pacific Rim of fire.  This remote park is over 200 air miles south-west of Anchorage. 

How do you get to the Katmai Coast and Katmai National Park?
Access to the Katmai Coast and Katmai National Park and Preserve is soley by small aircraft or, in some instances, by boat.

Is transportation to Katmai National Park included in the price of the trip?
Absolutely, our trips are all inclusive from Anchorage. All you need to do is get yourself to Anchorage by Day 1 of your itinerary.

Where will you meet us?
Your Alaska Alpine Adventures guide will meet you at 8 AM at our B&B on the morning of day one an orientation and gear check. 

Who will I be flying with and what time will we be departing on day one?
Your guides will meet you at the B&B at 8AM.  You'll drive with your guides in a comfortable 15 passenger van to Homer Alaska, a drive that takes around 5 hours.  From there, we'll be flying with Beluga     Air to the Katmai Coast. 

Is the Katmai Coast a good place for viewing wildlife?
Absolutely. Katmai National Park is home to grizzly, coastal brown, and black bears, dall sheep, caribou, moose, wolves, and tremedous seasonal populations of migratory birds.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Our trip will originate today in Anchorage, where you’ll meet your guide at a local Bed & Breakfast.  We’ll then make the scenic four hour drive to Homer, a delightful fishing village on the shore of Cook Inlet’s Kachemak Bay. We’ll end the evening with dinner at a local restaurant, followed by a thorough orientation and gear check. Dinner included.

Day 2: After a night enjoying the quaint charm of Homer, we’ll board a float-plane for the 1-hour flight to Geographic Harbor and the starting point for our kayaking trip up the coast.  Our flight route will take us directly over our route and along the stunning coastline of Katmai National Park. All meals included.

Days 3-10: We’ll spend the next 8-days kayaking and exploring this amazing wilderness.  Days will be spent kayaking, bear viewing, beach combing, assessing the constantly changing weather, and basking in the incredible solitude found in this wilderness park.  All meals included.

Day 11: Today, after our final breakfast in Katmai National Park, we’ll await our return float-plane flight to Homer.  We’ll then continue by van toward Anchorage where we’ll stop at a local camping resort for hot showers and a celebration dinner at a local restaurant. All meals included.

Day 12: Today, we’ll return to Anchorage.  Along the way we’ll stop to stretch our legs in Portage and will visit the Begich Boggs Visitor Center near the Portage Glacier. If you are leaving Alaska on this day, please schedule homebound flights from Anchorage after 9pm.