The Kenai Peninsula south of Anchorage is the focus for our 6-day Alaska Hike (see Hiking Adventures), which has been scheduled to facilitate linkage with our Adventure Alaska dates for those seeking an extended Alaskan experience.

Adventure Alaska!

Dates: (8 days, 7 nights; Sun-Sun) July 4-11; July 25-Aug. 1; Aug. 22-29

Assembly Point: Anchorage (airline to Anchorage; van transfers to and from airport prior to and following tour)

Tour Cost: $1,795 (includes all lodging, breakfasts and dinners, ferry toll, sea kayak program, support van, transfers, leaders, tour maps and narratives)

Towering snowclad mountains, massive glacial formations, wild, roiling rivers, the quaint port of Valdez, and a vastness and pristine character beyond articulation—these are but a few of the components of Adventure Alaska.

First and foremost, Adventure Alaska is a bicycle adventure, and an adventure that has been created consistent with Timberline's concept and tradition of Adventure Cycling. But Adventure Alaska is more than cycling, and layover days at Sheep Mountain and Valdez provide the opportunities to experience the excitement of whitewater rafting on a wild Alaskan River and to explore Prince William Sound by sea kayak.

Adventure Alaska assembles in Anchorage and we'll follow the city's excellent bike trails as we head toward the Matanuska Valley. Our first night's destination is Palmer and an overnight at the Gold Miners Inn. We'll continue along the Matanuska River on Day 2 as it courses through the valley between the snowclad Talkeetna and Chugach Mountains. We'll visit Matanuska Glacier, our first of many close encounters with glacial formations, as we ride to Sheep Mountain, where we'll spend the next two nights in the magical setting of the Sheep Mountain Lodge.

The Matanuska River is whitewater rafting Alaskan-style, and it is an experience not to be missed. In other words, our layover day at Sheep Mountain will be something other than a "rest" day. Excellent hiking opportunities are also available.

Early-morning of Day 4, we'll plunge into the lush forest so typical of that which characterizes much of the Alaskan interior. We're headed for the historic Alaskan copper district and an overnight at the Copper Center Lodge.

Without question, Day 5 promises an extraordinary cycling experience. We'll trace the route of the famous Alaskan Pipeline south from Copper Center along Richardson Highway and then challenge Thompson Pass, with its 61/2-mile, 2,000 foot climb to the summit in the heart of the Chugach Range. Along the way, we'll visit Worthington Glacier before a long descent to the coastal town of Valdez and Prince William Sound. We'll spend the next two evenings at the Valdez Village Inn.

Valdez is the kind of place in which you'll want to linger. The rugged mountains and ethereal glaciers rise abruptly from the sea and provide the magnificent backdrop for this interesting village. Sea kayaking is only one of several interesting activities available on the layover day. One of the world's great salmon fishing opportunities is another intriguing option.

A variety of adventures await us on Day 7. We'll begin the day by boarding the Alaskan Ferry westbound across Prince William Sound to Portage Glacier Park. We'll conclude this memorable day with a short ride along Turnagain Arm to Alyeska, where we'll spend our final night prior to our return to Anchorage.

Total Mileage – 375