Take a bucket-list worthy hiking tour through Alaska’s wilderness
A journey to Alaska is like a trip back in time, with nothing but spectacular wilderness everywhere you look. On this 15-day guided hiking tour, you’ll travel deep into the Alaskan landscape to explore its untamed majesty and all it offers to the intrepid adventurer.
Arrive in Anchorage and meet your guide and group for an informative dinner to review the trip ahead. Then set off for the Denali Parks, centred around the famous mountain which towers over the scenery. Two nights in Denali State Park provide an excellent introduction to Alaska, where ridge hikes provide an unforgettable view of Mount Denali. Head over to the more famous Denali National Park for the next two nights, where a range of off-trail trekking options await. A visit to the massive Matanuska Glacier is next, followed by a trip deep into the heart of the Wrangell-St Elias National Park. You’ll spend three nights camping and hiking here. Trek up a mountainside on the Bonanza Mine Trail, then loop around the Root Glacier. You’ll also have the option for a proper glacier surface hike (gear and all), and even a plane ride above the landscape! Depart the park and head south to Valdez, nestled between the mountains and the sea. A fantastic hike along the Worthington Glacier’s moraine is paired with optional marine activities like sea kayaking. Then it’s a gorgeous ferry crossing of Prince William Sound, where orcas and humpbacks patrol the waters. Two nights camping outside Seward provide some great final hikes along glaciers and fjords before returning to Anchorage for a night to celebrate a truly incredible adventure.
There are few hiking tours in the world as amazing as the Alaska’s Last Frontier Hiking Tour!
Highlights of the Alaska’s Last Frontier Hiking Tour
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Alaska’s Last Frontier Hiking Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Anchorage
Arrive in Alaska’s largest city and transfer to your downtown accommodations. In the early evening, rendezvous with your group and guide at the hotel to go over the journey ahead. Enjoy an independent dinner and evening at your leisure.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Anchorage
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Exploring in Denali
Your first day of adventure takes you into Denali State Park. It’s a three-hour drive from Anchorage with great scenery to enjoy along the way, yet it hardly compares to the vistas you’ll enjoy once you arrive!
After setting up camp, head out for a walk around Byers Lake. Keep an eye out for loons and beavers who call the lake home, and on clear days, you might even glimpse the mountains reflected on the surface.
Overnight Location: Campground in Denali National Park
Distance: 2 hours, 7.5km, minimal elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3 Hiking the Kesugi Ridge
A great hike on the Kesugi Ridge provides your first real introduction to the awesome wonders of Alaska. If the weather’s right, you’ll get your first look at Mount Denali, North America’s highest peak. Boreal landscapes and arctic tundra are spread out below.
Overnight Location: Campground in Denali National Park
Distance: 4-5 hours, 14 km, 500m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4 Denali National Park
After breakfast, pack up camp and hop in the minibus for the two-hour drive to Denali National Park, the more well-known of the two parks. 6 million acres of protected wilderness await!
Meet the Park Rangers for a dog sledding demonstration, then set off on a hike up Mount Healy. A relatively steep trail provides brilliant views as you reach the top of the route. Return to the campground for dinner.
Overnight Location: Campground in Denali National Park
Distance: 3-4 hours, 7km, 518 elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5 Off-Trail Trekking
It’s an early start today as you hop in a school bus shuttle for a transfer deeper into the park. Some incredible trekking opportunities are available today, along with even greater chances of wildlife spotting. Please note that today’s off-trail hiking is not guided.
Overnight Location: Campground in Denali National Park
Distance: Flexible
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6 The Road to Gold
Pack up camp and hit the road with the group, driving south towards Matanuska. Along the way, stop at Hatcher Pass and visit the historic Independence Mine. For a deUSDe in the early 20th century, this was the second-largest gold mine in all Alaska, many of its original buildings still standing.
Continue towards Matanuska glacier, your total drive time around 5 ½ hours. Set up camp near the glacier and enjoy a hearty group dinner.
Overnight Location: Campground in Matanuska Valley
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7 Visit the Matanuska Glacier
The highlight of the morning is a hike to the Matanuska Glacier. This is Alaska’s largest accessible glacier, and it makes for an inspiring visit. The round-trip trail leading to its base is only 2km, but rugged enough to take an hour to hike.
Hop back in the minibus and continue into the Wrangell-St Elias National Park. Access can be a bit difficult – but the journey is worth it! 100km down a dirt road brings you deep into the heart of the park, where you set up camp near McCarthy village. The total drive time today is about 6 hours.
Overnight Location: Campground near McCarthy
Distance: 1 hour, 2km
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 8 Exploring Wrangell-St Elias National Park
The next two days are spent adventuring through this pristine park. Two planned hikes are on tap. The first is the Bonanza Mine Trail, heading up a mountain with plenty of elevation gain. After two days of long drives, this is the perfect opportunity to really stretch your legs!
You’ll also have the option to participate in a guided glacier hike, complete with climbing irons. Please note this is a supplemental cost.
Overnight Location: Campground near McCarthy
Distance: 6-7 hours, 14.4km, 1140m of elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 9 Airplane Sightseeing
Enjoy a second day of exploring this glorious region today. The second planned hike is a route around the Root Glacier, one of the most accessible in the park. There’s much less elevation change on this one, but it’s just as scenic.
Another optional activity today is a truly spectacular one: a plane ride above the park! Hop in a small plane to see Alaska on a scale simply impossible to replicate on the ground. Please note this incurs a supplemental cost.
Overnight Location: Campground near McCarthy
Distance: 4 hours, 13km, 300m of elevation change
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 10 South to Valdez
It’s time to depart the park and head southeast for the city of Valdez. There will be plenty of stops along the way for stunning photo opportunities. Coastal Valdez was nearly wiped out by a massive earthquake in 1974. Today, it’s a crucial freight and fishing port for Alaska.
Hike the Worthington Glacier’s moraine, with expansive views of the valley below. After the hike, set up camp nearby.
Overnight Location: Campground near Valdez
Distance: 2 hours, 6km, 360m of elevation change
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 11 Shoup Bay Trail and Exploration
It’s a day of exploring the breathtaking scenery around Valdez, a city perched along the ocean with mountains at its back. The Shoup Bay trail makes for a magnificent hike. Depending on the group’s physical condition, an extension to the hike is possible.
Valdez offers plenty of optional afternoon activities to enjoy. Join a guided glacier observation tour by boat, or hop in a kayak for some fun ocean paddling. The area’s geography provides plenty of protection for a lovely afternoon on the water!
Overnight Location: Campground near Valdez
Distance: 4 hours, 10.5km (extension is an additional 20km round-trip)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 12 Crossing Prince William Sound
After breakfast, head for the ferry terminal and embark on a crossing of Prince William Sound. There are magnificent wildlife sighting opportunities on this journey. Sea lions, orcas, and even humpback whales are known to frequent these waters. The ferry can take 3 ½ - 5 ½ hours depending on the boat used.
The ferry ends at Whittier, where you’ll continue your journey overland to Seward. Make a stop at the Portage Glacier and its visitor centre to learn more about this beautiful slice of Alaska. Set up camp outside Seward for the next two nights.
Overnight Location: Campground near Seward
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 13 The Wildlife of Kenai
Today offers plenty of opportunities to explore the Kenai Peninsula. The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge spans over a million acres, a safe habitat for mountain goats, brown and black bears, wolves, Dall sheep, and much more.
Hike the Mount Marathon trail, then make your way to the Kenai Fjord National Park. The collection of glaciers and fjords here is sure to take your breath away! A short hike to the Exit Glacier caps off a fantastic day of adventure.
Overnight Location: Campground near Seward
Distance: 5-6 hours, 11km, 900m elevation gain
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 14 Return to Anchorage
Hop in the minibus for one last ride as you return north to Anchorage, the drive taking roughly 2 ½ hours. Stop along the way at the resort town of Girdwood for a final hike through forests of spruce and cottonwood until you reach a spectacular gorge.
Once you arrive in Anchorage, you’ll have some free time to rest or explore the city before a big group dinner to celebrate a successful journey!
Overnight Location: Hotel in Anchorage
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 15 Departure from Alaska
After breakfast and check-out, depart Anchorage via your own arrangements.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Alaska’s Last Frontier Hiking Tour Price and Dates
This guided hiking tour in Alaska is run as a private custom tour for your group only and the price depends on the number of participants.
Important: This tour is not available for 2024 summer season. Please contact us for 2025 availability.
Prices below are per person, sharing a double or a triple room:
- Guided groups of 2: $9,125 USD per person
- Guided groups of 3: $6,525 USD per person
- Guided groups of 4: $5,050 USD per person
- Guided groups of 5: $4,150 USD per person
- Guided groups of 6: $3,650 USD per person
- Guided groups of 7: on request
If you prefer a single room just while in hotels, the supplement is $235 USD. If you want a single room in hotels and a single tent, the supplement is $435 USD.
Book NowAccommodation on the Alaska’s Last Frontier Hiking Tour
This tour is mostly based in tents on campgrounds located throughout Alaska, with hotel stays in Anchorage. All camping accommodations and meals while camping are provided by your guide.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. If you prefer a single room just while in hotels, the supplement is $235 USD. If you want a single room in hotels and a single tent, the supplement is $435 USD.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Inlet Tower in Anchorage ★★★
Clean accommodations and a central location make for a convenient introduction to Alaska’s largest city here.
Rustic Camping in Denali State Park
Two nights of camping in true explorer style kick off your Alaskan adventure.
Camping with Facilities in Denali National Park
This renowned national park offers campgrounds with permanent facilities to make your stay a little more comfortable!
Rustic Camping in Matanuska Valley
Sleeping this close to a glacier calls for classic camping in your provided tents.
Rustic Camping near McCarthy
Deep in the Wrangell-St Elias National Park, this is as pure as camping gets – except you don’t have to cook your own food!
Camping with Facilities near Valdez
These two nights offer some welcome campground facilities to clean up after your adventures deep in the park.
Camping with Facilities near Seward
Your final two nights of camping on the Kenai Peninsula are cozy and comfortable, with facilities to provide a smooth stay.
Inlet Tower in Anchorage ★★★
Clean accommodations and a central location make for a convenient introduction to Alaska’s largest city here.
What’s Included in the Alaska’s Last Frontier Hiking Tour?
Meals
13 breakfasts, 13 lunches, and 12 dinners are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 14 nights are included. Most are camping-style with tents and mattresses provided.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation is included throughout the tour. All travels between accommodations are included, along with transfers to and from each scheduled hike. A minibus with a luggage trailer is your primary mode of transport. Airport transfers can be added as a supplement.
Also Included
- Expert bilingual driver/guide throughout the trip
- All national park entrance fees
- Ferry from Valdez to Whittier
- Shuttle bus ride in Denali National Park
- Meal preparation by guide
- American taxes
Not included
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Visas if required
- Fees for any optional activities
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Airport transfers
Optional Extras
- Private airport transfers
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Single room supplements
Frequently Asked Questions about Alaska’s Last Frontier Hiking Tour
The origins of Windigo date back over four hundred years to the hunt for the Northwest Passage. Sir Martin Frobisher was a principal figure in these early adventures, making several trips to the Arctic. While he didn’t find the Passage, he did bestow his name on today’s Frobisher Bay, where Iqaluit meets the sea. Little did Martin know that his descendent Charles Frobisher would start an adventure travel company many centuries later!
Since 1996, Windigo has been operating group adventure tours throughout North America. They’re proud to show off the very best of this magnificent land, from its highest snow-capped peaks to its longest roaring rivers and everything in between. A team of expert guides bring unrivalled passion to each and every adventure. Traveling with Windigo provides memories for a lifetime!
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