Included: Experienced hiking guides with extensive knowledge of the area 10-day hiking trip in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park Accommodation on the first night in Anchorage All bush flights in and out of the mountains All breakfasts and dinners (except the final dinner in Anchorage) Group supplies: cooking equipment, water treatment options, group shelters, bear canisters, toilet supplies, emergency communication devices, maps, GPS, first aid kit National Park entrance fees Not included: Flights to Anchorage Transportation within Anchorage Dinner in Anchorage on Day 10 Personal gear (backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, personal bowl, personal eating utensils, etc.) Lunches and snacks Guide gratuities — optional (10-20% customary) Travel and medical insurance — recommended

How fit do I need to be?

This hiking trip in Wrangell-St. Elias is a challenging adventure in remote Alaskan terrain. Great fitness level is required and prior hiking experience is strongly recommended. Since backpacking in Alaska can be pretty tough, you’ll likely have a better time if you have at least 4-5 trips of any length under your belt before coming here. You must be able to walk 2 miles (3.2 km) off-trail, sometimes up steep terrain, with a 30-pound (13.6 kg) pack in order to carry gear between remote airstrips and camps. To get the most out of this adventure, you should be comfortable hiking 8-10 miles (13-16 km ) on varied terrain. Daily hiking is flexible —you can opt for shorter walks near camp or join longer, challenging day hikes. The group can be split based on preferred hiking distances and speeds. Full-day adventures involve off-trail travel across scree slopes, mountain passes, and occasional dense Alaskan alder thickets. Even experienced backpackers will find these hikes rewarding and challenging. Beyond fitness levels, all participants must be self-sufficient with basic camp tasks such as packing and unpacking gear, setting up and breaking down tents, and carrying a share of group equipment to and from airstrips. While the off-trail hiking can be demanding, the spectacular views and sense of accomplishment make it all worthwhile. For more hiking adventures in the USA, click here !

What do I need to bring?

Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring: Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 25-40L bag) Hiking poles — optional Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity) Lightweight hiking boots or shoes Comfortable hiking clothes Spare clothes for layering Waterproof rain jacket Sunhat Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.) Sleeping bag and sleeping pad Personal bowl Eating utensils Lunches you can eat on-the-go Headlamp Sunglasses Camera — optional (but recommended) Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Note: Please keep in mind that the personal gear limit for this trip is set at 30 lbs (13.6 kg).

Group sizes and age requirements

Group sizes and pricing For this hiking trip in Wrangell St. Elias, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 6:1. It takes a minimum of 5 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 7 participants. Hiking in Wrangell St. Elias can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements. Min. age requirements If you are older than 16, you’re good to go. Minors younger than 16 may be permitted to join this hiking trip in Wrangell St. Elias on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian. If your group has hikers under the age of 16, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Getting there and meeting location

The starting point of your hiking trip in Wrangell St. Elias is Anchorage, AK. To get there, most people fly into Ted Stevens International Airport (ANC) . From there, you can take a shuttle service, public transport, or rent a car to reach Anchorage. Please plan to arrive in Anchorage no later than 5pm on Day 1 and book your flights for no earlier than 8pm on the final day. Once you’re there, you will meet your guide and group at 5:30pm on Day 1 in Anchorage.

Safety measures and insurance

We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout. Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

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WRANGELL-ST. ELIAS NATIONAL PARK | ALASKA

Wrangell-St. Elias Hiking Expedition: Alaska’s Deep Wilderness

10 days | Moderate to Challenging | 5.00

From $6,995 ()

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At over 13 million acres, Wrangell-St. Elias is a wilderness that defies imagination. It could fit Yellowstone, Yosemite, and the Grand Canyon inside—and still have room to spare. Home to 9 of the 16 highest peaks in the U.S., it’s a landscape of jaw-dropping scale. Over 10 days, we’re diving straight into its heart. We’ll bypass hours of road travel with bush plane flights from Anchorage. With two basecamps in vastly different parts of the park, we’ll spend our days exploring corners that very few people will ever see. Every night, we return to a cozy camp to recharge for the next adventure. This is a place so wild, so impossibly remote, it’s a world unto itself—and it’s all ours to discover.

Adventure Highlights

Way off the beaten path: Step into a landscape so vast and untouched, it feels like the edge of the world
Fly me to the wild: Take a bush plane deep into Alaska’s mountain kingdom, where few have ever set foot
Effortless expedition: The wilderness just got cozy—hot meals and a well-equipped camp await at the end of each day

Duration

10 days

Season

June to September

Group size

Up to 7 people

The adventure, day by day

Download itineraries

Experience the ultimate Alaskan adventure in Wrangell-St. Elias, America’s largest national park. At over 13 million acres, it’s six times the size of Yellowstone, with towering 16,000-foot peaks, glaciers, and untamed wilderness. We’ll fly by bush plane into remote areas most will never see, then spend 10 days exploring two distinct regions of the park. Our routes will take us through alpine meadows, along glaciers, and up ridgelines for panoramic views. Each day brings new challenges, each evening a cozy tent and hot meal. This is Alaska at its wildest, made surprisingly accessible. Ready to step into the wild?

Day 1: Arrival in Anchorage

Welcome to Anchorage, where the mountains and oceans meet and (this time of year) the sun never sets. This is the hub of Alaska and where many-a-wild adventures have started!

Settle in a gorgeous rental apartment anytime after 3pm and make yourself at home. We’re staying at one of the most beautiful places in the heart of Anchorage, away from the hotel and cruise ship crowds. We’ll meet up as a group at 5:30pm to get to know each other, talk about our upcoming adventure, share goals for the trip, go over gear, and share a great meal complete with local Alaskan beer.

Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Private accommodation in Anchorage

Day 2: Bush plane transfer & basecamp setup

Bush planes on a grassy field with snow-capped mountain backdrop and hikers nearby

In the morning we’ll have a delicious breakfast before a short 15-minute drive to Merrill Field. As the Alaskan saying goes, walk a month or fly an hour. In our case, a 2-hour stunning flight across the Chugach mountains will replace what would be an 8-hour drive! Our skilled pilots will put us down in the small historic town of McCarthy, where we’ll change to smaller planes and head deeper into the mountains. After landing, we’ll hike less than a mile to our basecamp for the next 3 nights. That evening we’ll rest and absorb the magnitude and remoteness of the place, whether in sunshine or rain.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Wrangell St. Elias basecamp

Day 3-5: Hiking exploration

Three hikers on a rocky terrain with mountains in the background under a cloudy sky

We’ll settle into basecamp life with off-trail hikes, shared meals, relaxing evenings, card games, and crackling campfires. When people ask us to describe the Wrangells, we say: imagine a vast valley where the lower 3,000 feet feel like lush Scottish hills bursting with wildflowers, the next 10,000 feet rise in deep red cliffs like a glaciated Grand Canyon, and above that, snowcapped peaks pour glaciers over the edges.

Each day we’ll head out to explore a new corner of this alpine wilderness. Our hikes won’t be fixed in advance—they’ll be shaped by the weather, terrain, and group energy. With little brush and few bugs at higher elevation, we’ll move freely through open country (though a little bushwhacking may still find us). If our group is larger than six, we’ll have two guides and can split into smaller hiking groups. Some may opt for a gentle, mindful walk near camp while others might head out for a full-on push. Each day will be its own co-creation—between us, the land, and the moment.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Wrangell St. Elias basecamp

Day 6: Bush plane transfer & new basecamp

Tents in an alpine landscape at dusk with a glacier, rocky terrain, and clouds

After lunch, bush planes with large tundra tires will pick us up from our remote basecamp and take us to our next home. We’ll set up again and settle in for a relaxing evening taking in our new view. These flights are often a trip highlight, offering incredible views and unique experiences, and AK bush pilots are some of the wildest and most competent characters you’ll ever meet.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Wrangell St. Elias basecamp

Day 7-9: Hiking exploration

Hikers on a mountain trail overlooking a vast valley with winding glaciers and snowy peaks

We’ll spend our days on long hikes exploring our new surroundings, sharing hot meals around a fire or in the tents if it’s raining. If you get exhausted, you can spend some time in camp resting, reading, making art, or playing the camp guitar—whatever suits you. Our dome tent serves as a cozy community space with camp chairs, perfect for staying warm and social even during rain, with hot drinks always available. While the planes allow us to bring these comfort items, we have to be weight-conscious, so we still pack light like we’re out for backpacking.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Wrangell St. Elias basecamp

Day 10: Return to Anchorage

After breakfast, we’ll pack up camp and our planes will fly us back to McCarthy—a small mining town about 40 minutes away. Then, two more flights or a flight and drive will get us back to Anchorage by mid to late afternoon. From our drop off spot, you can take a taxi back to your chosen accommodation for the night. In the evening, we’ll have a group celebratory dinner (at your own expense) at one of Anchorage’s coolest restaurants and say our goodbyes.

Meals: Breakfast

Important note

Alaska’s weather is dynamic and ever-changing, requiring flexibility in our plans. Flying conditions, weather patterns, and other factors may cause adjustments to the schedule. Flight delays of a day or more are possible while waiting for appropriate weather windows, and the itinerary may also shift due to group skill, pilot availability, or any number of unforeseen circumstances. Please bring an open mind and adventurous spirit; working with nature’s rhythms is part of what makes this expedition special

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Photo gallery

Hiker at the Kennicott Glacier with snow-capped mountains and a small stream

Tent in a wild grassy area with snow-capped mountains in the background at twilight

Accommodation & food

Camping in the wilderness

We’ll spend 8 nights camping in Alaskan wilderness! Backcountry camping can be surprisingly cozy. We like to bring small comforts—like a favorite coffee press, dessert, or even an umbrella—plus our dome tent, which is a total game-changer in Alaska. One past camper called it “a literal godsend”—you could have sideways rain and still be warm, dry, and relaxed inside.

Basecamp trips give us the luxury of camp chairs and a few fresh ingredients, but aside from those extras, we pack just as we would for a backpacking trip. The best part? Waking up to pink and orange skies over snowcapped peaks—or being tucked in and toasty when it rains. And the bathroom views? Unbeatable.

The first night will be spent at comfy private accommodation in Anchorage.

Food

Breakfasts and dinners will be hearty backcountry meals, blending the convenience of dehydrated backpacker food with the taste of fresh, gourmet ingredients.

The price does not include the cost of lunches. On your trip, lunches are really just extended snacking throughout the day. By not having long elaborate sit-down lunches, you’ll have more time to experience new terrain. Guests are expected to provide their own snacks/lunches and your guide will provide you with guidance for how to plan for proper amounts and keep the weight low.

Your guides can accommodate most dietary restrictions. Contact us to make arrangements.

Adventure, packed to go

Wrangell-St. Elias Hiking Expedition: Alaska’s Deep Wilderness

Adventure Brochure

Adventure brochure

Download to share and explore full itineraries, key info, FAQs, and guide details.

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Meet your guides

Seasoned pros, local legends, and passionate adventurers—your trip is in the best hands.

5.00

Jack

AMGA Certified Rock Guide

Jack brings a decade of backcountry guiding experience across the globe, having traveled more than 20,000 miles by bike, sea kayak, foot, raft, and skis. He is the youngest person ever to solo Denali and has completed first ascents on 6,000-meter peaks in the Himalayas; his solo climb of Bhandar Lek was recognized among the year’s most significant ascents by the Piolet d’Or. Based in Seattle when he’s not in the field, Jack spends much of his time leading expeditions and pursuing his own mountain adventures.

What others say about this adventure

5.00 (3 reviews)

Genevieve T.

Being in a place like that without having to cary heavy packs was an incredible treat. I was so impressed by how seamless the logistics were! Jack truly went above and beyond at every turn to make this trip special.

Diana W.

I recommend this trip to all my friends. Hands down the greatest wilderness experience of my life! Oh and the food was beyond awesome!

Jamey L.

The food was excellent! I’ve never been in such a remote place and eaten so well. And the views from camp were truly astounding.

Show all reviews

Things to know

Included:
- - Experienced hiking guides with extensive knowledge of the area
  - 10-day hiking trip in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
  - Accommodation on the first night in Anchorage
  - All bush flights in and out of the mountains
  - All breakfasts and dinners (except the final dinner in Anchorage)
  - Group supplies: cooking equipment, water treatment options, group shelters, bear canisters, toilet supplies, emergency communication devices, maps, GPS, first aid kit
  - National Park entrance fees
Not included:
- - Flights to Anchorage
  - Transportation within Anchorage
  - Dinner in Anchorage on Day 10
  - Personal gear (backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, personal bowl, personal eating utensils, etc.)
  - Lunches and snacks
  - Guide gratuities — optional (10-20% customary)
  - Travel and medical insurance — recommended
This hiking trip in Wrangell-St. Elias is a challenging adventure in remote Alaskan terrain. Great fitness level is required and prior hiking experience is strongly recommended. Since backpacking in Alaska can be pretty tough, you’ll likely have a better time if you have at least 4-5 trips of any length under your belt before coming here.

You must be able to walk 2 miles (3.2 km) off-trail, sometimes up steep terrain, with a 30-pound (13.6 kg) pack in order to carry gear between remote airstrips and camps. To get the most out of this adventure, you should be comfortable hiking 8-10 miles (13-16 km) on varied terrain.

Daily hiking is flexible—you can opt for shorter walks near camp or join longer, challenging day hikes. The group can be split based on preferred hiking distances and speeds. Full-day adventures involve off-trail travel across scree slopes, mountain passes, and occasional dense Alaskan alder thickets. Even experienced backpackers will find these hikes rewarding and challenging.

Beyond fitness levels, all participants must be self-sufficient with basic camp tasks such as packing and unpacking gear, setting up and breaking down tents, and carrying a share of group equipment to and from airstrips. While the off-trail hiking can be demanding, the spectacular views and sense of accomplishment make it all worthwhile.

For more hiking adventures in the USA, click here!
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
- - Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 25-40L bag)
  - Hiking poles — optional
  - Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
  - Lightweight hiking boots or shoes
  - Comfortable hiking clothes
  - Spare clothes for layering
  - Waterproof rain jacket
  - Sunhat
  - Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
  - Sleeping bag and sleeping pad
  - Personal bowl
  - Eating utensils
  - Lunches you can eat on-the-go
  - Headlamp
  - Sunglasses
  - Camera — optional (but recommended)
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season.

Note: Please keep in mind that the personal gear limit for this trip is set at 30 lbs (13.6 kg).

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Group sizes and pricing
- - For this hiking trip in Wrangell St. Elias, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 6:1.
  - It takes a minimum of 5 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 7 participants.
Hiking in Wrangell St. Elias can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements
- - If you are older than 16, you’re good to go.
  - Minors younger than 16 may be permitted to join this hiking trip in Wrangell St. Elias on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
If your group has hikers under the age of 16, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
The starting point of your hiking trip in Wrangell St. Elias is Anchorage, AK. To get there, most people fly into Ted Stevens International Airport (ANC). From there, you can take a shuttle service, public transport, or rent a car to reach Anchorage. Please plan to arrive in Anchorage no later than 5pm on Day 1 and book your flights for no earlier than 8pm on the final day.

Once you’re there, you will meet your guide and group at 5:30pm on Day 1 in Anchorage.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.
Deposits

Secure your spot either by paying in full or with a 50% deposit! The remaining 50% of the trip price must be paid 120 days prior to departure, at the latest. If booking within 120 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.

Cancellations
- - If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  - If cancelled 120 or more days before departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  - If cancelled within 119 days of departure, no refund will be issued.
  - Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period.

Have more questions?

Our team is here to answer your questions and plan with you.

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