Imagine waking up to the sounds of glaciers calving into icy waters, cascading waterfalls, and the calls of wildlife each morning. In Alaska, you get just this – untamed wilderness where adventure unfolds by sea, land, and air. When a family with teenagers came to EXP Journeys unsure of how to explore the Last Frontier, we knew just the answer: a 16-day journey that perfectly combined rugged exploration with luxurious comfort, all wrapped up into a once-in-a-lifetime vacation.
Front-Row Seats to Nature Aboard a Private Yacht
The adventure began in Alaska’s capital, Juneau, where our EXP Guide greeted the family and whisked them off to meet their floating base for the next eight days – the 157-foot luxury charter yacht, Rebel. With spacious cabins, state-of-the-art entertainment, and a treasure trunk overflowing with watersports equipment – from sportfishing gear, Jet Skis, Seabobs, and paddleboards to all kinds of towables – Rebel was the perfect platform for this first section of the trip, exploring the iconic Inside Passage.
The first morning onboard set the bar high as they ventured into the famous Tracy Arm Fjord, where they could get closer to see the North and South Sawyer Glaciers. As Rebel inched closer, they had front-row seats to nature’s magic as ice chunks dramatically broke off and splashed into the water. That evening, in the anchorage, the family experienced Alaska’s ultimate luxury: peaceful and complete isolation.
The perfect way to cruise Alaska aboard the 157-foot luxury yacht Rebel
After a breakfast feast prepared by the yacht’s private chef, the sun was shining, and Rebel cruised toward the area of the Tongass National Forest. The following two days’ agenda here included kayaking through Snug Cove’s glassy waters, where they were joined by various seabirds circling above, and a salmon fishing expedition for the teenage son and his dad. Back onboard, the family enjoyed afternoons soaking up the rays and panoramic views.
A yacht anywhere provides the ultimate privacy and exclusivity, but combining this with a yacht in Alaska, the experience reaches a whole new level. The following morning began with the sounds of nearby wildlife while the teenage daughters enjoyed sunrise yoga on the deck before cruising to Red Bluff Bay. Awaiting them were yet more stunning landscapes, dramatic mountains, waterfalls, and ice fields; a kayak trip brought them close to brown bears, where the family watched them snatching at salmon. As they enjoyed the activities, the crew set pots for fresh Dungeness crab, which were savored over dinner.
Salmon fishing expeditions
Spotting the bears fishing for salmon
The wildlife encounters were a daily occurrence; the next morning brought sights of humpback whales and even orcas while cruising the Chatham Strait. Just off the Strait, the parents headed to Baranof Warm Springs, where they soaked in the hot springs while the teenagers unleashed Rebel’s water toy collection. Onwards to Windfall Creek the next day, there was more bear spotting and an afternoon spent hiking, which was complemented by a remote picnic setup thanks to the crew.
The final day onboard Rebel delivered more excitement, with further whale sightings and opportunities for watersports in the Peril Straits. As the sun set, they enjoyed a memorable farewell dinner onboard, reflecting on their favorite moments of the week and ending with a cozy movie night before the next day saw them back on dry land.
Bush planes offering the ultimate Alaskan adventures
Sky-High to Access Alaskan Wilderness
Truly off-grid and deep in the Alaskan bush, the Ultima Thule Lodge was next up on the itinerary, sitting in the largest protected landmass on earth – the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. This remote, four-generation, family-run lodge epitomizes an authentic Alaskan adventure. With no roads in or out, everything arrives by the lodge’s bush planes, including the family.
With no fixed itinerary and nature leading the way, this is where true exploration happens. Dictated by the whims of the weather, clear skies graced the family’s first day, so an impromptu hike to a hidden waterfall was in the cards, where some even braved an invigorating glacier-fed plunge.
It isn’t just the scenery that Alaska boasts; everything is on a grander scale, including the adventures that come with it. The next day’s sky-high experience took them over the Bagley Icefield, North America’s second-largest nonpolar ice field, with incredible views of Mt. Logan. Later in the afternoon, some of the family opted for relaxing in the wood-fired sauna, while others tried out an authentic glacier mud mask before dinner.
Relaxing in the Ultima Thule Lodge grounds
Flying high over Bagley Icefield
With rested muscles and another sunny day, the family took off with a guide for another hike within the National Park. Hiking here is unlike anywhere else, beginning with the bush planes getting you to spots that haven’t seen any other footprints apart from the resident Dall sheep. After the day’s activity, the private cabins – complete with plush interiors and rustic charm – offered the perfect retreat.
The final day’s unscripted adventure included a wildlife-spotting flight, where they saw bears and moose from above before landing to explore an abandoned gold mine. Back at the lodge, they soaked in the surroundings before a farewell dinner of freshly prepared Alaskan halibut. The next morning, the family continued the journey with a private transfer to Denali.
Where Mountains Meet Luxury in Denali
Strapping into the helicopter, the family flew over vast peaks and glaciers as they approached their final spot: Sheldon Chalet. Completely dwarfed by the surrounding nature of Denali National Park, the five-bedroom chalet awaited them – which happened to be the closest place you can sleep within Denali’s summit without an ice pick and a tent. When they touched down, they were greeted with warm Alaskan hospitality, and the family quickly settled in alongside seafood canapés and champagne.
Exploring the original mountain top house
The chalet itself is steeped in family passion, built by the children of adventurers Don and Roberta Sheldon; it honors their legacy while offering the ultimate comfort in one of our planet’s most remote and breathtaking locations. Just a stone’s throw away lies the original backcountry refuge Don built in the 1950s – a rustic reminder to the family of the pioneering spirit that has shaped this place. This mountaintop and intimate retreat, 6,000 feet up, was home for the final three nights of the family’s trip. On the first evening here, they gathered around the rooftop fire pit and gazed in awe at the star-studded sky.
With personal guides leading the way, the family spent the next day hiking the Great Gorge, the deepest on earth; the teenagers even braved a plunge in the surface pools from the glacier. Visiting in summer means the long days allow for a fully packed agenda while balancing plenty of relaxation time. The evening called for a famous ‘Glacier Water’ cocktail from the chalet before enjoying another gourmet dinner featuring barbecued Alaskan oysters.
Snow-capped adventures
Snowy yet sunny days perfect for family fun
On their final day, the family woke to the soft pink glow of sunrise lighting up the peaks, and after a leisurely breakfast, there was time for one last adventure – a historic tour of the original mountain house. Savoring every last moment of the Alaskan wilderness, they spent a final evening unwinding at the chalet.
The family set off on one final panoramic helicopter ride, bidding farewell to Alaska’s breathtaking landscapes. Along with uncountable unreal photographs, they carried endless memories of Alaska’s charm back home, full of wild and adventurous stories from one of the world’s most extraordinary destinations.
