Pre-Cruise Land Package - Kenai Peninsula

[YemenBear]

We were a group of 4 who took the 01 September 2007 Whittier to Vancouver cruise aboard the Sapphire Princess to celebrate my parents' 50th anniversary. Our ages were 48, 68, 72, and 76. I was responsible for booking the land package portion of the trip prior to the cruise. I didn't want to book through Princess for the sole reason I didn't want to be a part of a large group of people prior to boarding the Sapphire Princess. My goal was to see as much of the beauty of Alaska as possible without continually unpacking and repacking our bags.

 

I found a lodge in Sterling that was able to take care of all of our arrangements. Our sole responsibility was getting from the Anchorage airport to our Anchorage hotel. The next morning a van picked us up at the hotel and drove us to the lodge in Sterling. In route, we saw dall sheep grazing on a mountain top and beluga whales hunting salmon.

 

The first two days of our schedule included bear viewing at Bear Camp. Once we reached the lodge we were served a salmon lunch, packed an overnight bag for Bear Camp, stored our luggage at the main lodge, then driven to the airport in Soldonta for the six-passenger flight to the camp location on the banks of a bay within Lake Clark National Park.

 

The camp is in a remote location with the bay in front and a small river running on the back side of the camp. Upon arrival we were given an orientation of precautions to take due to the presence of brown bear, served a spaghetti & garlic bread dinner, then escorted to the viewing platform. The platform is a short, level, easy walk behind camp. It is on the banks of a river overlooking a broad meadow where bears frequently graze. We were immediately greeting by 4 bears fishing for salmon in the river and meandering across the meadow. To the left of the platform in the bay many more bears were visible fishing in the shallow waters. We were given the choice of remaining on the platform or walking about a mile down the beach to get a better look at bears in the bay. The women in our group elected to remain on the platform with one staff member while the guys took a beach walk with the other guide. Once we reached our beach destination, we were entertained with the sight of 15 bears within a range of 20 yards to 200 yards. Included in this number were two females with cubs. It was fascinating to watch these majestic creatures, observing the various fishing techniques, learning which bears were successful fishermen and which ones were thieves.

 

As darkness settled in, we were escorted back to camp. We were housed in two-person tents. These were spacious, had door entrances, comfortable bedding, and butane heaters. Toilet facilities are contained in a nearby outhouse. The camp is surrounded by electric fencing to discourage bears from entering. The camp and meals are nothing fancy yet more than adequate to provide comfortable accommodations.

 

Following breakfast the next morning, we were back in the Alaskan outdoors for more bear viewing. Later in the day our plane transport returned to fly us back to civilization. The only way into Bear Camp is by plane or by boat. The lodge had transportation waiting for us in Soldonta in order to drive us back to the lodge.

 

The primary business of the lodge is arranging fishing excursions. They also provide adventure trips and sight-seeing expeditions. The lodge provides all meals. Breakfast and dinner are provided at the lodge. Most meals are served buffet-style. Breakfast featured fresh fruit, a daily breakfast specialty (french toast, blueberry pancakes, eggs benedict) along with cereals, hash browns, fresh-baked muffins and other pastries. Dinner includes one main course (blackened salmon, prime rib, baked chicken during our stay) along with an extensive salad bar, fresh-baked dinner rolls, three to four vegetable side dishes, and dessert. Prior to dinner, happy hour is served in the lodge. This provides the opportunity to mix with other guests and meet your guide for the following day's activities. Drinks and various finger foods are provided. Lunch meats are laid out at breakfast so that guests can pack a sack lunch to take for the day's activities. This includes a variety of breads, several meat selections, peanut butter, chips, cookies, fruit, and beverages.

 

On day 3 we took a scenic float trip down the Kenai River. The lodge provided all transportation. We were taken to the outfitter, provided with rain boots, and soon drifting down the river. The scenery was spectacular. The river was teeming with salmon. Fishermen lined the banks, continually reeling in fish. We were also treated to the sight of bald eagles, adult and juvenile. We stopped at a secluded clearing for lunch. This was such an enjoyable, tranquil, scenic day. Eric (our guide) did a good job of providing an entertaining narrative throughout the trip. Once we were back on land, Drew (lodge driver) did his best to find some wildlife on the return drive. Best we could do was a couple of grouse, but we certainly appreciated the effort.

 

Day 4 was a drive to Seward for the Kenai fjords cruise. What a spectacular experience!!! Within 20 minutes of leaving the dock we were in the midst of a pod of orcas. After being entertained here, we watched a humpback surface, surface, surface, then dive. We hung around, watched him resurface, then go through the whole routine again. Other wildlife included puffins, sea lions, harbor seals, and bald eagles. In addition to wildlife, Aialik Glacier is truly something extraordinary. We were fortunate for witness some calving in addition to the stunning beauty of the glacier. While heading back to the dock we encountered a large pod of orcas. As we stopped and watched, some orca came up very close to the boat. WONDERFUL! We were very fortunate with weather conditions. I didn't see anyone get sick.

 

For our final day, I had requested a trip to a dog sledding camp. I confirmed this request when we initially arrived at the lodge. Everything seems to be in order until our happy hour meeting the night before. Our guide informed us this camp was only open on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. We were offered other options, but I was a bit letdown. I thought the camp did a poor job of communicating here. Despite the setback, my father and I were able to enjoy a morning of trout fishing while the two ladies in our group stayed at the lodge to read and pack their bags for that afternoon's departure.

 

The lodge drove us to Whittier, leaving us at the Princess departure area for our cruise.

 

Some negatives associated with this trip:

1. As already mentioned, I didn't think they did a very good job of communicating cancellation of our dog sled trip.

2. Flights in and out of Bear Camp land on the beach just in front of the camp. This means landing times are dictated by tides. On our first day, we didn't depart from Soldonta until 18:00. The following day we were picked up at 11:45. I wasn't happy at all with the shortened schedule. I expressed my displeasure while at Bear Camp and back at the main lodge. The owner refunded a portion of our Bear Camp payment. His initial offer was the amount I was going to request, so although disappointed with the reduced time at camp I thought we were treated fairly with the refund amount that was offered and accepted.

3. This is a negative that can't really be helped. The price of seeing bears at Bear Camp in such a remote location is the outhouse. It's not pleasant (but well worth the bear viewing opportunities in my opinion).

 

Positives associated with this trip.

1. It was truly low-hassle. We didn't have to worry with anything. Transportation, accommodations, meals, excursions were all included. While expensive, I thought we received good value for the money.

2. Although we didn't take any of the fishing excursions, we were able to fish from the banks of the lodge. Our only cost was the fishing license. All equipment is provided by the lodge. My father was quite excited with the two silvers he caught.

3. We were thrilled with the wildlife and scenic viewing opportunities that were provided. Alaska is truly a beautiful, magnificent, majestic state. The lodge did an excellent job of providing these opportunities.

4. Bear Camp provided a great opportunity to observe bears in their natural habitat. However Bear Camp is not for anyone with a great fear of bears.

5. One big advantage to travel in late August is the reduced number of tourists. We never felt crowded at any portion of the trip. We were very, very fortunate with weather as we had sunny, clear days for everyday but our last. There was a bit of rain while we were trout fishing, but proper rain gear allowed us to enjoy this outing.

 

The land-package was well worth all efforts. It provides a greater chance to feel more connected to the beauty of Alaska than does a cruise. If you have the time and financial ability, land travel is highly recommended.

[SEPyle]

Sounds like you had a great adventure. Can you share a web address or the name of the lodge where you stayed? I love to see your pictures!

 

Thanks for an objective review!

[YemenBear]

Name of lodge is the Great Alaska Adventure Lodge located in Sterling. Their website is www.greatalaska.com.

 

Regret I cannot share photographs as I stubbornly continue to use the old fashioned film-driven camera. Photos shown on the website above give a good photographic representation.

[SEPyle]

Name of lodge is the Great Alaska Adventure Lodge located in Sterling. Their website is www.greatalaska.com.

 

Regret I cannot share photographs as I stubbornly continue to use the old fashioned film-driven camera. Photos shown on the website above give a good photographic representation.

 

Thanks so much. After reading your review I did a google search and was pretty sure this was the lodge you described. It does sound really nice. With the varied activities you did, can you give a ball park price per day, per person?

[YemenBear]

We took the 5 Day Greatlands Safari package. The year 2007 price was $2,695 per person. That's basically all-inclusive for 5 days / 4 nights except for tips, Alaskan fishing license, laundry, and transport to Whittier for our cruise. Falls on the expensive side, but we felt we received good value for our money.