Alaska, an unspoiled land filled with glaciers, rugged coastlines, protected coves, lakes and rivers, provides you with a number of backcountry adventures. One of the most exciting ways to explore the Alaskan wilderness is to reserve a kayaking tour. The Last Frontier features Great Outdoor explorations for beginners and experienced kayakers. So whether it's your first time or 100th time, you'll be able to enjoy stunning mountain landscapes while paddling in a lake or taking on Class IV rapids in whitewater rivers.
Types
When trying to decide on what type of vacation to choose, it's best to figure out what kind of adventure you want. Touring companies provide vacations in the Alaskan wilderness feature ocean kayaking, lake kayaking, river kayaking and whitewater kayaking trips. The tours extend from single-day adventures to multi-day expeditions with hiking, camping, fishing and wildlife viewing. If you're looking for a calm cruise along Alaskan waters then lake kayaking would be ideal, however if you're interested in adrenaline-pumping adventure then whitewater kayaking trips should top your list.
Cost
The cost of your kayaking vacation depends upon the length of your outing. If you're interested in a short excursion then outfitters, such as Sunny Cove Sea Kayaking Company, offer three-hour tours in the Seward Area for $65 per person and day-long excursions in Resurrection Bay for $130 per person. Alaskan Alpine Adventures provides you a seven-day six-night adventure in Lake Clark National Park for $3,150. Incidentally, trips of this length often require a deposit to secure your reservation.
Services
Whether you're out on a three-hour or seven-day kayaking vacation, Alaskan outfitter companies provide you with certain services to make your outing more comfortable. Kayaking tours provide kayaking instruction, professional guides, delicious Alaskan meals, kayaking equipment, extra storage, overnight lodging, and camping gear, such as tents, stoves and fuel. In addition all internal transportation for your tour, such as floatplanes, boats, or automobiles will be included in the cost. However, you are responsible for bringing personal gear, such as sleeping bags, rain gear, layered clothing and backpacks.
Regions
Kayaking vacations cover three popular regions of The Last Frontier: The Inside Passage, Southcentral, and Interior Regions. The Inside Passage kayaking tours feature glacier view sea kayaking with outfitters like Alaska Travel Adventures, in addition to paddling down the Alsek and Tatshenshini Rivers. The Southcentral Region features Prince William Sound, Seward, Fox Island, Kenai Fjords National Park, Copper River Delta and Anchorage area tours with companies like Kayak Adventures Worldwide. The Interior Region covers whitewaters, such as the Nenana River, along Denali National Park through the Denali Outdoor Center.
Features
By kayaking through Alaskan lakes, river, ocean and whitewaters, you can benefit from some of the best natural features tucked away in the Alaskan wilderness. You'll be able to view places like Emerson Falls, Mendenhall Wetlands and a multitude of iconic glaciers and mountain ranges. Tundra hiking, ice climbing or wildlife viewing are among the other activities. You'll be able to see various birds of prey, mouse, caribou, Dall sheep, porpoise, seals, sea lions, eagles, whales, black and brown bears.
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