The O’Donnell & Wegman Family
Alaskan Tour
Dear Chris, Colleen, Cole, and Clay~
We are already into the first days of February and we hope it is not too late to wish you a Happy 2026. We are getting to the point in our lives when we want to have less things and more experiences, more health, and more time. We hope you feel the same way.
In the past, we have invited you to Alaska and this year our invitation has taken shape with more detail. While our budget doesn’t allow us to cover all the costs, our gift to you includes a custom-designed itinerary for up to 8 of your favorite people, ground transportation upon arrival, and the full-time guiding services of our very own, Laurent. No one can do a better job showing you the best of Alaska…and what a pleasure it would be!
We hope you can make it!
With love,
Laurent, Greta & Florian
Overview
The O’Donnell & Wegman Family Alaskan Tour will take you and up to 4 additional guests to the most amazing places in Alaska. Together with your trusted, world-class guide, Laurent, you will be setting foot on four National Parks: Lake Clark National Park, Katmai National Park, Kenai Fjords National Park and Denali National Park
On the first part of your journey, we will fly into a landscape with the largest concentration of brown bears in the world and observe wild Alaskan brown bears in their natural habitat. From two different locations, first in Katmai National Park and next, in Lake Clark National Park, we will safely view brown bears living their best life in the wild.
This is a wilderness tour. You will walk along the same trails as the bears do, sit on the same riverbanks as they sit upon, and observe them from a skiff as they go about their day-to-day life. There are no barriers, fences or platforms separating you from bears and other wildlife.
The flights depart from both Homer and Soldotna by floatplane. Once in the air, you will fly across Cook Inlet, past glaciers and volcanoes along the rugged, wild coastlines of Katmai National Park and Lake Clark National Park.
During the second part of this unique journey, we will first take a private boat cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park. This cruise offers an intimate view of Alaska’s wild coast, passing towering glaciers, dramatic fjords, and remote shorelines. You may spot whales, sea otters, puffins, and sea lions, while enjoying the flexibility to linger near calving glaciers and fully absorb the park’s raw, unforgettable beauty. For the more adventuresome souls, hopping into sea kayaks to explore the area will be a fun and active option.
We will then head to Talkeetna to meet a private ski-plane for a flight into Denali National Park. This experience showcases sweeping views of towering peaks and glaciers, capped by a rare landing on a remote glacier where you can step onto the ice and experience the park’s vast, silent wilderness.
The O’Donnell & Wegman Family Alaskan tour will wind down in the scenic city of Anchorage. Nestled between the Chugach Mountains and the powerful Cook Inlet, the city will dazzle you when it comes alive from the glow of the midnight sun. If the timing is right, we will catch a glorious sunset together before you head back to Rochester.
Suggested Itinerary
We imagine a great adventure for your family in Alaska. However, the itinerary is open to change in order to fit your tastes. For example, making each day more or less active depending on energy levels and changing ambitions, is one of many ways to customize your experience. Nothing is written in stone. We look forward to fielding your questions, listening to your ideas and learning about your preferences.
Welcome to Alaska
Day 1: Homer (arrival)
Homer, Alaska will be your “home” for the next 3 nights. Depending on your arrival time, we will check out the local scene, take a scenic hike, or just rest at our lodging to recover from the day of travel.
Day 2: Homer to Katmai
Highlight: Flight by floatplane to Katmai National Park to view brown bears.
https://northwindak.com/bearviewing/morainecreek
https://www.nps.gov/katm/index.htm
Today you will fly into Crosswind Lake in Katmai National Park. From there, you will take a short hike across the alpine tundra to Moraine Creek, a hidden gem for bear viewing tucked within the pristine wilderness of Katmai National Park. This remote creek boasts one of the best natural salmon runs in the region, attracting brown bears from miles around. These powerful animals gather to feast on the rich sockeye and coho salmon, fueling up for the long Alaskan winter. You will move quietly through the maze of creeks and willows to observe these magnificent creatures in their natural environment, often just yards away.
Day 3: Homer to Grewingk Glacier Lake
Highlight: Water taxi ride to/from trailhead and hike to glacier lake.
https://www.makoswatertaxi.com/
After breakfast, we will head out to the Homer Spit and hop aboard a water taxi that will take us to the beginning of our day’s hike. It’s a two-mile hike (round trip) with an elevation gain of about 390 feet to Grewingk Glacier Lake. We will enjoy lunch at the lake and there will be plenty of time to explore the shoreline before we hike back to your pick-up spot in the afternoon.
Day 4: Homer to Lake Clark
Highlight: Flight by floatplane to Lake Clark National Park to view brown bears.
https://www.talonair.com/bearviewing
https://www.nps.gov/lacl/index.htm
This morning, we drive along the Kenai Peninsula to Soldotna for a floatplane ride to Crescent Lake in Lake Clark National Park. The 45-minute flight offers a spectacular flight-seeing tour. This scenic route allows for amazing views of Mount Redoubt, an active volcano, numerous salmon streams, glaciers, and the vast Alaskan landscape.
We will take a trip upriver to look for bears as they fish for salmon or meander along the shore. Afterwards, we will cruise along the shoreline of the lake and keep an eye out for bears. There’s a shallow estuary where bears often congregate to fish for salmon. Returning to Soldotna in the floatplane will give you another chance to savor the view before the drive back to Homer.
Day 5: Homer – Seward – Anchorage
Highlight: Wildlife and Glacier cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park.
https://www.alaskacoastalexplorer.com/boat-charters/private-charters
https://www.nps.gov/kefj/index.htm
Don’t let the word “cruise” scare you off. Together we will explore the stunning fjords of Kenai National Park on a private vessel departing from Seward. Travel at your own pace with a knowledgeable, local captain as you search for sea otters, harbor seals, bald eagles, porpoises, and seasonal whales. Take hold of the rugged coastline and seabird colonies before approaching a majestic glacier, where towering ice cliffs and floating blue ice create unforgettable scenery.
This private charter offers flexibility, quiet wildlife viewing, and personalized attention.
Possibility for sea kayaking….if the mood strikes!
Day 6: Anchorage – Talkeetna – Anchorage
Highlight: Flight by ski-plane around Denali with glacier landing.
https://www.talkeetnaair.com/flightseeing/glacier-landings/
https://www.nps.gov/dena/index.htm
Today we will visit the historic town of Talkeetna, then take an unforgettable flightseeing tour around Denali, North America’s tallest mountain. Fly over the sweeping landscapes of the Alaska Range, with views of massive glaciers, rugged peaks, and remote wilderness. Land on a high alpine glacier, where you’ll step onto the ice for photos and experience the quiet grandeur of the mountains. This is a classic Alaskan adventure combining small-town charm, breathtaking scenery, and a once-in-a-lifetime glacier landing.
Day 7: Anchorage
Farewell to Alaska, it’s been amazing!
If you have made it this far, you are one step closer to visiting Alaska. We have had fun planning a once-in-a-lifetime vacation specifically for you and your family. You are very dear to us and more importantly, to Florian. He is a wonderful judge of character and his love for you inspires us. Thank you for helping raise our son. It really does take a village!