Our Most Popular Trip Itineraries

Gather at Mako’s water taxi on the Homer Spit for your scenic 30-minute boat ride to Tutka Bay Lodge. Meet the lodge managers for a brief orientation of the activities and lodge facilities. Check in to your private cabin overlooking Grace Ridge and Tutka Fjord. Plan your days with your guide so you can include all the goals you have for your time with us. Options include:

• Kayaking in the Bay
• Tide pooling
• Hiking in Kachemak Bay State Park
• Massage
• Cooking class
• Hot tub
• Join in the stretch and yoga classes
• Interpretive hike through an old growth forest

Luncheon is served at 1:00 p.m. in the main room. In the late afternoon, we offer a cooking class in the kitchen with the chefs, wine tasting and appetizers in the main lodge bar area, and dinner at 7:00 p.m. After dinner, there is an evening education program on Alaska in the main lodge or evening activities with the guides.

Early morning gentle yoga class at 7:00 a.m. on the deck with views of Tutka Bay. Breakfast is served at 8:00 a.m.

Choose between two adventure activities:

• Join your guide for a day of bear-viewing on the Katmai Coast
• Or, meet your boat captain for a day of deep sea fishing for salmon or halibut

End your day of adventure with a nice soak in the hot tub and a dip in the bay!

After yoga and breakfast, you and your guide choose from a variety of activities:

• Take a small walk through our private trail system.
• Join your guide for a kayak tour of the area and exploration the abundant ocean life found in the Tutka Bay region.
• Take the day to explore nearby Grewink glacier.

Appetizers are served at 6:00 PM. Dinner at 7:00. Don’t forget to book your complimentary massage.

Morning yoga on the deck before breakfast is optional. After breakfast, catch the water taxi back to Homer. Maybe explore the artist community of Homer and enjoy lunch at our La Baleine Café.

You will be met at your hotel or the Anchorage airport for complimentary transfer service to our air taxi at Lake Hood. Depart Anchorage at 9:00 a.m. (Departure time is customizable) for a scenic float-plane flight to Winterlake Lodge. You will depart from Lake Hood, the world’s largest floatplane base and land at Winterlake, the location of an Iditarod checkpoint. Winterlake Lodge is situated approximately one hour by air northwest of Anchorage.

Check in to your cabin and join the Lodge manager at the main lodge for a brief orientation to the activities and facilities at the lodge, then plan your days activities with your private guide. Options include:

• Hike the Iditarod Trail
• Canoe or kayak around Winterlake
• Extended hike to Red Lake
• Schedule your massage
• Meet our sled dog team
• Join in the stretch and yoga classes
• Cooking class in the kitchen

Luncheon is served at 1:00 p.m. in the main lodge. After lunch, join us for a stretch class, dog-lot tour, garden tour, or leisurely walk along the Iditarod Trail.

In the late afternoon, we offer a cooking class in the kitchen with our executive chef, wine tasting and appetizers in the main lodge bar area, and dinner at 7:00 p.m. After dinner, there is an evening education program on Alaska in the wellness room or fly-casting lessons on the lake.

Early morning gentle yoga class at 7:00 a.m. (optional, of course). Breakfast is served at 8:00 a.m.

After breakfast, meet your helicopter pilot and guide for a day-long adventure outing via our Robinson R-44 helicopter.

In the afternoon, you may enjoy a picnic lunch prepared by our lodge chefs or dine back at the lodge – your choice. Activity options include:

• Glacier trekking and exploration
• White-water rafting
• Sport fishing for Alaska salmon and/or trout, when in season
• Hiking the local tundra ridges with spectacular views of Denali
• Fly the Iditarod Trail by helicopter to the next checkpoint
• Blueberry picking
• Gold-panning

If you are an earlier riser you can take advantage of the early morning serenity by observing our resident Swans and Loons on Winterlake by kayak or join the morning stretch class. Breakfast is served at 8am.

At 9am, join your guide for a hike to the saddle of Wolverine Ridge for stunning views of our valley. In the afternoon, kayak or canoe around the lake, enjoy the lakeside sauna or relax in the hammock.

After breakfast, board your floatplane to travel to Tutka Bay Lodge. It’s a scenic hour-plus flight through glaciers and views of Lake Clark National Park, and along the Kenai Coast. You will arrive right at the lodge dock.

Check into your room with a view of the Grace Ridge and Tutka fjord. Today, perhaps explore the artist’s community of Halibut Cove. Your guide will have suggestions. Nearly all guests at the lodge enjoy hiking in the Kachemak Bay State Park. Kirsten recommends visiting a nearby oyster farm.

Appetizers are served at 6:00 PM. Dinner at 7:00. Don’t forget to book your complimentary massage.

Morning yoga on the deck before breakfast is optional.

Today, join your guide for bear-viewing into Katmai National Park or along the Katmai Coast. Spend the day bear-viewing and return in the afternoon to Tutka Bay Lodge for more lodge-based adventures.

Or another option can be deep sea fishing for halibut and salmon. It’s your choice!

Today might be a day for a long exploratory sea kayak tour around the bay or, perhaps another expedition up Grace Ridge or just relaxing around the lodge soaking up the local scenery. It’s your choice. Don’t forget to join us in a yoga class or a massage before dinner.

Join an after dinner bonfire ocean-side to bid farewell to favorite guides and fellow travelers. Enjoy a Within the Wild tradition – homemade blueberry marshmallows with graham crackers freshly made by our lodge chefs.

After breakfast, you’ll meet your float plane for a one hour flight back to Anchorage.