Talkeetna is one of Alaska’s coolest and most character-filled towns, long known as the state’s mountaineering hub. Nearly every expedition heading for Denali or the Alaska Range begins here, and you can feel the mix of excitement and nerves from climbers waiting to fly into the mountains. It’s an easy trip from Anchorage by car, bus, or train, and arriving a day early gives you time to explore and try the famous Roadhouse cinnamon rolls. We’ll meet in the morning, organize our gear, grab lunch, and—if the weather cooperates—fly straight into the Alaska Range, stepping immediately into the remote wilderness of Denali National Park.
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Experience Denali’s wilderness up-close on a week-long backpacking tour through Denali National Park—the ancestral and unceded territory of the Dena’ina Ełnena. Join your experienced guide for a 20-30 mile (30-50 km) journey across Alaska’s towering mountains and massive glaciers and spend your days traversing epic ridgelines, summiting peaks, and marveling at the wildlife. Re-energize with delicious food, enjoy the serene atmosphere and make memories with fellow adventurers!
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We wake up in our wilderness camp, still taking in the experience of yesterday’s flight—seeing Alaska from above, passing over tundra, spotting wildlife, and flying eye-level with Denali is unforgettable. After breakfast and hot drinks, we pack up and begin our first full travel day, hiking across open alpine tundra as we move closer to North America’s highest peak. It’s our introduction to off-trail travel in Alaska, getting used to uneven terrain, river crossings, brushy sections, and whatever weather the day brings. The challenges are part of the experience, and with every step the sense of vastness and solitude grows, reminding us why this landscape feels so completely wild.
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We’ll spend the next four days wandering high alpine meadows, climbing small peaks, spotting moose & bear (from a safe distance), watching the persistent alpenglow of the far-north dance across the snowy Alaska Range, laughing around camp, eating delicious well-earned meals, and connecting in the deep way wilderness makes possible. There are no trails in Alaska and very few people set foot out here—so be prepared for a real adventure.
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We wake on our final morning in the backcountry relishing the memories of the past days—a deep connection to a quieter world—while also feeling the growing excitement of a hot shower and a meal in town. Before breaking camp, we take a few moments to enjoy the stillness and reflect on what we want to carry back into the busier world—and what we’re ready to leave behind. In the afternoon, we’re picked up and say goodbye to Denali as we take one last wild flight back to Talkeetna. There, a comfortable shared house awaits where we can clean up before celebrating over dinner in town. Because Denali’s weather is famously unpredictable, we reserve two nights of lodging at the end of the trip; if weather delays our flight and we remain in the field longer, any additional in-town nights are at guests’ expense.
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After a delicious breakfast in town we’ll all say our goodbyes to each other and to the Alaska Range off in the distance. You can return now to Anchorage (or Fairbanks if you prefer) for your flight home or head off elsewhere to continue exploring Alaska.
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Please consider the Alaska factor—any expedition in Alaska requires flexibility, patience, and a big sense of adventure. We always try our best to follow our itineraries as written, but rarely do. That’s part of the fun of it!
Alaska weather is always changing and shifting and we will always respectfully honor what the weather allows or doesn’t allow us to do. We get the incredible luxury of flying into these beautiful places, but with flying also comes a need to defer to the conditions. Sometimes flights may be delayed for a day or more as we wait for an appropriate weather window.
Trip itineraries may also shift due to group skill, pilot availability, or any number of unforeseen circumstances. Please come with an open mind, a spirit of enthusiastic adventure, and a willingness to see where the trip takes you.
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Included:
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- Backpacking tour guide with extensive knowledge of the area
- 8-day Denali backpacking adventure
- Accommodations in Talkeetna on Day 7
- Tents — your guides can equip you with tents free of charge
- All air and ground transportation for the duration of the tour
- All breakfasts and dinners in the field
- Denali National Park entrance fees
- All group supplies (cooking equipment, water treatment options, group shelters, bear canisters, toilet supplies, emergency communication devices, maps, GPS, first aid kit)
Not included:
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- Flights to Alaska and travel to Talkeetna
- In-town meals
- Airport transfers
- Personal gear (backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, layers, rain gear, personal bowl, personal eating utensils, headlamp, personal toiletries)
- Lunches and snacks
- Insurance — recommended, available to add at checkout
- Guide gratuities — optional, 10-20% of the trip cost recommended
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Backpacking through Alaska can be quite challenging. You’ll be hiking 4-7 miles (6-11 km) per day off-trail across scree slopes, over mountain passes, and through the occasional thick Alaskan Alder, all while carrying a loaded backpack.
That said, if you have previous backpacking experience and are in good physical shape, you’ll do fine. Guests will be expected to practice excellent self-care, pack and unpack their own packs, setup and breakdown their own tents, and carry a portion of group equipment. All the challenges of off-trail backpacking are overwhelmingly worth it for the splendor, the views, and the deep knowing in your gut that you did something powerful and profound.
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Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
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- Backpack large enough to carry all the items listed
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad
- Hiking poles — optional
- Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
- Warm backpacking clothes
- Spare clothes for layering
- Waterproof rain gear
- Sunhat
- Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
- Sleeping bag and sleeping pad
- Personal bowl
- Eating utensils
- Headlamp
- Lunches you can eat on-the-go
- Sunglasses
- Camera — optional (but recommended)
Group supplies, such as first-aid kits, cooking equipment, emergency communication devices, and others will be provided by your guide.
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Group sizes and prices:
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- For this adventure, the max client-to-guide ratio is 6:1.
- It takes a minimum of 3 people for this tour to run. If there are more than 6 participants, a second guide will join the party.
- Solo travelers are welcome! People come on these trips by themselves all the time! There’s nothing like travel through remote wilderness to build community.
Backpacking in Denali can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
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- If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
- Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the backpacking trip on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
If your group has backpackers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
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To get to Talkeetna, the starting point of your Denali adventure, it’s best to fly into Ted Stevens International Airport (ANC) in Anchorage. Ted Stevens International Airport in Anchorage is the closest major airport. From Anchorage it’s about a 2.5 hours drive to Talkeetna. You can also take the bus, or the Alaska Railroad.
You’ll meet your guide and your team in Talkeetna (near the downtown) in the morning to go through gear. It’s strongly suggested that you arrive in Talkeetna the day before the trip starts in case you experience any travel delays.
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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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