In wildness is the preservation of the world. — Henry David Thoreau Alaska is a state of superlatives, beginning with its size. Largest by far in the United States, it extends across four time zones, over 570,000 square miles. More than half the country’s national park lands are in Alaska. It’s home to three million lakes and 3,000 rivers, including the Yukon, the continent’s third longest. Alaska has more than 1,000 glaciers, the highest mountain in North America (and 16 other of the nation’s 20 highest peaks), and some of the most spectacular wildlife viewing in the world. The best of Alaska’s wilderness treasures cannot be reached by road or boat. The only way to reach them is by air, and the best way is with an experienced guide. Even a short vacation assumes epic proportions as you cross Alaska with your own guide, in the comfort, privacy and security of your own aircraft. The sky, literally, is the limit as you soar beyond the typical tourist stops and cruise ship excursions to loftier destinations. See this magnificent and wild state as only Sky Trekking Alaska can show you. Visit remote wilderness areas, distant native villages, and Alaska’s finest lodges. Enjoy the ability to see and experience the real Alaska and its inhabitants. A breathtaking array of adventures and exciting activities await you, including: wildlife viewing nature photography u native culture tours u fishing beachcombing wilderness hiking u kayaking u historic tours u u u u All accommodations and meals at remote lodges and B&Bs are arranged for you. Our goal is to provide you with the highest quality service marked by close attention to detail focused on your satisfaction. Our most popular treks follow parts of the state’s 45,000 miles of coastline (more than the rest of the US combined). These include the: Inside Passage South-Central coasts u Kodiak Archipelago Alaska Peninsula Bering Sea coast u Arctic stretches u u u u Over the past 15 years, our Sky Treks have reached every corner of the state. Depending on your interests and choices, we can provide a proven itinerary or design one exclusively for you. Base your expedition on a theme or series of destinations. Choose to visit several national parks and preserves, tour famous sites and hike historic trails, or explore Native American culture. View Alaska’s incredible wildlife like the brown bears of Katmai National Park or Kodiak Island, some exceeding 1,000 pounds. The continent’s most abundant and varied marine mammals are found in Alaska: stellar sea lions; Experience some of the most spectacular wildlife viewing in the world. walruses; fur seals; beluga, finback, killer, humpback, and other whales. There are more bald eagles in Alaska than in all the rest of the US. Alaska is a birdwatcher’s paradise with more than 470 species identified, many of them rare. In the spring and summer months, your guide will fly the route you choose in a comfortable, impeccably maintained, float-equipped plane reserved exclusively for you and your friends or family. Additional aircraft are available if needed. As you fly from point to point, your guide will interpret the landscape and sights and share some good stories. Flight legs are of comfortable duration and are interspersed with stops to spend time in the beauty of the natural surroundings. Catered shore lunches are a daily delight. Unlike the other Treks, this one features Kodiak Raspberry Island Remote Lodge, located on the shores of remote Raspberry Island, Alaska, in the spectacular Kodiak Island Region. Sky Trekking Alaska has visited the Robbins Family and their spectacular piece of paradise for over fifiteen years. The good news—and it keeps getting better—is that Kodiak Island is teeming with wildlife, so much so that it has been called “the Jurassic Park of Alaska.” Everything here is literally bigger and more plentiful than other regions of the state. Whether it be bears, whales, and sea birds— or a rich and historic variety of native and Russian culture—the remote tourism found on and around Raspberry Island is unprecedented and ultimately unforgettable. We offer The Ultimate Wilderness Lodge Trek —To Kodiak Raspberry Island Remote Lodge... You will unpack and relax each night in your own private cabin, enjoy the outdoor hot tub or cedar lined sauna, one of the various observaion decks, spacious and comfortable main lodge, complimentary locally brewed beer on tap or wine, and delicious meals featuring local Alaskan Seafood. Each day you will travel into one of the region’s numerous, gigantic National Parks, State Parks, or National Wildlife Refuges. Daily fly-outs are typically 2 or 4 people and may consist of mixed parties under the supervision of a pilot/ guide. Highlights include watching the world-famous Brown Bears of Kodiak Island and Katmai National Park; observing capes covered with sea birds, seals and sea lions; and seeing “the Fin Backs,” some of the biggest whales in the world. Watching herds of grazing caribou will yield remarkable memories, and so will fishing the local rivers, lakes, and streams for salmon, steelhead, rainbow trout, and dolly varden. Saltwater fishing for halibut, cod, pacific salmon, and rockfish are also featured in the experience. Aircraft and boats are utilized for wildlife viewing, photography, hiking, and fly fishing. Other activities may include birding, geology, saltwater kayaking, beachcombing for antique glass fishing floats and other artifacts—and visiting Alleutiq Villages to witness native culture and meet local artists. A visit through the Russian churches, galleries, and museums in the city of Kodiak are also favorites. Alaska’s Secret Season Winter in Alaska is a profound experience. The land is blanketed with white and shadow and the evening skies are filled with the green, red, and orange hues of the Northern Lights, one of nature’s most spectacular displays. Animal tracks in the snow tell stories and lead to wildlife normally difficult to find. The tourist season is only a memory. There is much warmth to be found as the residents welcome you. The entire state seems to be yours. Alaska’s winters are crisp, fresh, and clean. February and March bring 12 to 16 hours of beautiful light. Our itineraries are planned around special events and regional activities. Custom adventures feature viewing the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race and visiting Denali National Park, and the Brooks Range to the far north. Go cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, or drive a snow machine across trackless powder. Discover ice fishing. Winter provides splendid opportunities to view moose, fox, wolves, migrating caribou, bison, wolverine, and musk oxen. Visit Native villages, watch Eskimo artisans at work, hear their tales. Mush your own dog team through pristine wilderness and arrive at a trailside bonfire where a hot meal awaits. Soar beside granite cliffs in our ski-equipped planes, en route to the highest peak in North America. Return to a cozy lodge for evening relaxation, beneath skies lit by millions of stars and dazzling displays of the Northern Lights. Relax beneath skies lit by millions of stars and dazzling displays of the Northern Lights. Iditarod Sky Trekking Starting the first Saturday of March each year, over 70 mushers race their sled dog teams between Anchorage and Nome. The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is Alaska’s most famous event and one of the world’s most arduous competitions. Many millions know of and even follow the Iditarod; only a select few actually get to witness it. The race follows an old trade path and celebrates the trip taken in 1925 by a dog sled team delivering lifesaving serum to the people of Nome, who were suffering from a diphtheria epidemic. We offer three exciting Iditarod Sky Trek adventures: Take in the start in Anchorage (4 days) See the finish in Nome (3 days) u Travel the entire 1,049 mile trail (12 days) u u Iditarod Sky Treks are conducted with small parties of mixed groups. High guide-to-guest ratios prevail. The finest lodge, B&B, and hotel accommodations along the trail are reserved for our guests. One of our state’s best-kept secrets is that winter is the favorite time of year for many Alaskans. It could become yours too. Regardless of when you schedule your expedition, though, let your imagination run wild, then let us help you follow it and realize your dreams. “If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put foundations under them.” — Henry David Thoreau We invite you to join us for an epic travel experience. Lori Egge-Michels & Tim Gossett, Owners Reservation Office: P.O. Box 871370 • Wasilla, AK 99687 Phone: (907) 315-6098 Website: www.skytrekkingalaska.com Email: [email protected] Facebook: Sky Trekking Alaska Majority of photos by Fred Hirschmann. Other photos by Bill Buckley, Greg Syverson, George Conrad, and Lori Egge.
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