I have given my proposed itenary below, please advise. Also, I have a few questions that I'll list @ the end:

day 1: Reach Anchorage @ 10am. Pick up the car head towards Seward. On the way stop at Girdwood (take the Aerial tram), Vagt lake, Portgage glacier and wildlife center. Night camp @ Seward

day 2: Kayak, Harding Icefield hike (with the ranger...heard that 4pm on Sat. ranger lead the hike). camp @ Seward

day 3: Kenai 6 hr cruise with the Tour Saver coupon. Don't think that I want to go for 9 hr cruise. Sealife Center. May be Ididit ride (option) (depending on the cost) Camp @ Seward

day 4: Drive to Homer.Stop in Ninilchik to visit the old Russian Church. Camp in Homer

day 5: Pratt Museum. Not interested in Bear visits (costs too much). May be Halibut cove (how much does it cost for the water taxi ?). Not sure whatelse to do in Homer. I am not into fishing. Camp in Homer.

day 6: Drive to Whittier. Take ferry to Valdez. Stay @ Best Western. Hike/walk around valdez. May be museum (option).

day 7: Drive/hike around Valdez. May be kayaking (option) depending how our kayaking experience was in Seward. I haven't found any coupons in Toursaver for Kayaking in valdez..!! Any deals that I don't know of..!! Please recommend. Also, I didn't find any coupons for cruises for Columbia Glacier..if I find any good deals, I may go again. (option). any advise.

day 8: Drive to Copper Center and thompson pass area. Worthington glacier. Camp @ Blueberry lake.

day 9, 10:....please see my questions at the bottom.

day 11: drive to Denali. Camp in Wonderlake..already have reservations. Hope to reach denali by 2pm to take the camper shuttle.

day 12: denali. take the shuttle to wander around the park. Camp in wonderlake.

day 13: Leave Denali in the morning, visit Talkeetna. Leave late to Anchorage. Stay @ hotel in Anchorage.

day 14: Drive from Anchorage to Palmer, Hatchers pass, Matanuska glacier hike back to hotel in Anchorage.

day 15: Leave to Katmai in the afternoon. Camp in Katmai.

day 16: 10000 valley of smokes. Camp in Katmai.

day 17: local hikes in Katmai. camp in katmai.

day 18: Take the evening flight back home.


My group: Wife and two children (10 & 12). Driving around in a full size car.

We are NOT very fond of Museums. But would like to see the ones that we must see..;-))

My main questions:
1. My original thoughts for day 9 and 10 were Wrangel's. Now after more research (ignorance is a bliss..;-)) I have two options:
OPTION a: McCarthy. But I don't want to spend $600 to fly in. Is it worth spending the money to take the shuttle to go into the park for two days of stay. I am not planning to do Backcountry camping but regular camping near the city and hike.
OPTION b: Take the ferry from Whittier to Cordova and stay there for two days and then take the ferry to valdez. So no stay in Wrangells.
When everyone in this forum talk about Wrangells, do they talk about going into the park or hiking at the outskirts of the park..? Please advise me to choose between Cordova or Wrangells.

2. In the options (for example day 3 Ididit ride, etc) that I have mentioned in my itenary which one I shouldn't miss.

Thank you very much for your wonderful advise.

fun4less,
We just got back from Alaska--had an amazing trip. I won't comment on most of your itinerary--I'll leave that to all of the experts on this forum that know Alaska really really well.

But, one thing I noticed is that I don't think you will be able to kayak in Seward and hike the Harding Icefield on the same day. (By the way, the hike starts at 9:00 a.m., and lasts until about 4:00 p.m.).

I would definitely recommend doing it--it was one of the highlights of our trip. Beautiful scenery--wildflowers--we ate lunch on a ridge ABOVE a family of mountain goats. Saw a mother black bear leading her cub across a patch of snow--etc.

One thing though, the hike might be a bit of a stretch for your 10 year-old. I think the 12-year old should be fine. But you should know that it is a strenuous hike (gains 3000 feet in about 3 1/2 miles).

Another thing--the trail is extremely well marked--you don't really need to do it with the ranger. We started out with the group, but ended up going ahead--and it was just fine. That way you could have more flexibility.

On the other hand, I wouldn't give up on the kayaking. We did it in Whittier, and it was another highlight of our trip. Maybe you could do that in Homer. Someone else might know more about what the options are there.
Your kids would probably have fun with the kayaking--definitely a "must do".

We did Halibut Cove in Homer and enjoyed it--your kids would probably like the ferry ride--it passes Gull Island which is kind of a "fun" bird rookery. Not sure if they'd enjoy the restaurant,etc. once you get there. Just depends on what they're like.

(We also hiked into the Valley of 10,000 Smokes--the rock formations are very picturesque. Looks more like something you'd expect to see in Arizona than in Alaska--well, I guess Alaska has it all!).

Hi again,
One more thing. Be sure to leave enough time for the Sealife Center in Seward. It is really well done--with lots of interactive activities that the 10- and 12-year old might like.

There's even little walks you can do outside. And there are also special tours that you can sign up for (we didn't do these, because we ran out of time). I think some (or all) of the extra tours may involve an extra fee, though.

Another fun thing to do in Seward was to go to the fishing boat docks when the fishermen are all coming in and weighing, cleaning their fish,etc. We didn't go fishing either--but watching this whole process was pretty cool (and likely to be another kid-pleaser).

Thank you very much Caligirl for mentioning about the ranger program time at Harding icefield. Our 10 yr old is more energetic than the 12 yr old. They have been hiking long hikes for a while..and also for the last two weekend we have been going for long hikes (as a practice)..;-)

It looks like Seward has more things to do than Homer..most of the postings mention about Bear trips from Homer..!! I'll wait for other expert advise regarding my plan.

Are you going this year???

You definately need to allow most of a day for the Harding Ice Field Hike, don't plan much else for this day.

In Valdez the coupon for Columbia Glacier cruising is with Stan Stephens. An excellent well run company that gives great tours. The small museum is worthwhile. Nice exhibit on the earthquake and oil spill. Valdez has some great hiking trails to consider http://www.valdezalaska.org/maps/maps.html

Not sure of your post, but are you considering driving from Copper Center to Denali Park AND planning on being on the 2pm camper bus??? NOT a good plan. There will be construction at some point and delays. You need to consider staying at a half way point perhaps, like Palmer or Talkeetna.

I also would not be back tracking Anchorage, stay in Talkeetna, Palmer, etc and go direct to Matanuska glacier hike. A better plan would be to do it on your way from Valdez. Why are you considering this???

As only a suggestion, change your Wonder Lake stay by a day and add another day between Valdez/Wrangels and Denali park. Avoid all this extra distance that is of no benefit and adds time that could better be used elsewhere.

As for your Wrangel question- the top attraction here is to get back to McCarthy and Kennicott. Flying is the best option. And really shows the expanse and beauty of Alaska. I suggest you consider it, it is an extremely excellent trip. The price is definately fair in my opinion and makes the best use of time.

As for Cordova- haven't been there. but I would say you are not allowing enough time since the ferry eats up 2 days and you are still planning on being in Denali Park after???

Finally your Seward question- Seavey's Sled dog cart ride would be a hit with the kids, extremely well run tour that is definately worth the price and time. But see if you can get an early Kenai Fjords boat tour so to be back in the afternoon. Otherwise with a 5-6pm return, see what is available for a morning cart ride prior.

The Sealife Center is also well worth time, the back stage tour is excellent- if of interest. You MUST sign up early, they always "sell out" and many people will be on a waiting list that seldom clears.

You might want to rethink your routing and make it more streamlined perhaps?? My opinion only.

Thank you BudgetQueen. Thank you for your suggestion and the time saving idea. Value your opinion and it always counts. Made the change for wonderlake. Here are the changes:

day 2: Only Harding IceField hike only. No kayaking in Seward.

day 3: I'll try to go to the kenai tour early morning and after noon sled dog cart ride.

day 4: Sealife center (before driving to Homer)

day 7: Columbia Glacier cruising is with Stan Stephens.

day 9, 10 : wrangels.. Hope to get the drop off and pick up for a reasonable price.

day 11: Drive to Palmer. Hatchers pass, Matanuska glacier hike.

day 12, 13: Denali

day 14: Leave Denali in the morning, visit Talkeetna. Leave late to Anchorage. Stay @ hotel in Anchorage.


Question:
1. Since we already take Kenai cruise, does it make sense to take another cruise on day 7..? or is it make sense to take Kayak trip in Valdez..!!

2. Any ideas for Homer..!! Where is kayaking better.. Valdez or Homer/seward area..?

thanks in advance.

One more thing....We're going this year...end of Aug. Camping most of the time.

You have come up with a very nice routing, organized and will allow a great trip. But be WELL prepared with your camping- I had snow last year in Denali Park at Wonder Lake Sept 1, not uncommon.

Kayaking is great in all the locations. I would leave it open for a good day. Upon getting up, if it looks like good weather, go at your first opportunity, have companies known ahead of time, so you can just call and see if you can set something up last minute. Nothing is worse than kayaking in the cold and/or rain.

On your trip to Homer, take your time and stop at all the little towns along the way of interest. www.kenaipeninsula.com Request Homer's visitor guide. http://www.akms.com/