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Denali National Park - Mount McKinley

Hiking in Denali National Park

Alaska Small Group Tour - Example 6 Day Tour
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On a 6-day small group hiking tour in Denali National Park, spend a week surrounded by some of North America's most unspoiled natural wonders. Explore the Matanuska Glacier, the Talkeetna Mountains, and the Alaskan wilderness. Denali National Park's natural beauty and wildlife make it a hiking paradise with a knowledgeable guide. Enjoy your hotel stay in Anchorage and Denali with amazing views and plenty of opportunity for fresh air while running through lush flora or crossing rivers on log bridges. Hiking through the trails of Denali National Park is an experience like no other.
Enjoy a hike to try to see DenaliDenali National ParkA bear explores the tundra surrounding DenaliFireweed blooms before majestic DenaliTravelers exploring a glacier on an Alaska tourLook out for moose, the largest members of the deer familyGlacier streams wind across the Alaskan landscapeDenali National Park - Mount McKinley
Highlights
  • Hike the rugged beauty of Denali National Park, home to the tallest peak in North America.
  • Walk atop the ice of the largest car-accessible glacier in Alaska, the Matanuska.
  • Learn from a local glacier expert and with all technical gear provided.
  • Hike the North Face Hiking Trail in Girdwood
Activities
Activity Level: Moderate
Activities that provide a reasonable level of physical challenge and elevate the heart rate. Focused on more active pursuits including multisport tours. Travelers may be active 5-7 hours total each day. Recommended for travelers with active lifestyles.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Anchorage | Girdwood

  • 1 Lunch
Welcome to Alaska! Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 9 a.m. this morning in Anchorage. It’s recommended you arrive early, as after the meeting, you’ll head out and drive the scenic Seward Highway along Turnagain Arm to the charming ski resort town of Girdwood. Stop along the way for photo ops and then arrive at Alyeska Ski Resort, where you’ll go on your first hike in Alaska. Take the North Face Hiking Trail and start by hiking up the mountain to the top, where you'll get incredible views over the Chugach Range and a whopping seven glaciers. You’ll start nearly at sea level, so you don't need to worry about acclimatizing to the altitude. There will be time at the top to grab a bite to eat at the café for lunch, perched on the mountain top, before taking the Aerial Tram back down. Tonight, head out on an optional group dinner in Anchorage to celebrate your first hike together.

Please wear sturdy shoes, layered non-cotton clothing, and a light hat and gloves. Sunglasses are a must as well. This trip starts on Day 1 at 10 a.m. in Anchorage and travels to the Matanuska Glacier immediately after the welcome meeting. If you are at risk of being late, please consider arriving a day earlier and staying in Anchorage before your tour begins.

Included Activities:
    • Girdwood - Mt. Alyeska Hike & Aerial Tram
    Your travel time today will be approximately 1.5 hours. Your trekking distance will be approximately 3.5 km (or 2.2 miles) with an elevation gain of 610 m (or 2000 ft).

      Day 2: Matanuska Valley | Glacier Hike

      Embark on a scenic drive along the Glenn Highway towards the town of Palmer this morning – a trip that’s packed with gorgeous mountain vistas and plenty of time for photo ops. You’ll eventually reach the famed Matanuska Glacier – Alaska's largest road-access glacier. It’s a jaw-dropping 27 miles long and 4 miles wide and has some of the most accessible walking areas of any glacier in the state! Don your ice cleats and helmet (included) and begin exploring the glacier on foot with the help of an Alaskan guide and glacier expert. Marvel at the ice that formed thousands of years ago, high in the Chugach Mountains. Amazingly, every day is unique at Matanuska, due to the dynamic nature of the glacier. Similarly, your tour will be customised to suit your group’s interests. After, enjoy a picnic lunch with stunning glacier views and surrounding scenery before heading to Wasilla for the night.

      Included Activities:
          • Matanuska - Guided glacier trek
          Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours. Your trekking distance will be approximately 4.8 km (or 3 miles).

            Day 3: Talketna

            This morning, you'll do a short ascent of The Butte (as the locals call it) for some incredible views over the mountain-fringed Matanuska Valley. Enjoy the gorgeous scenery along the way of local farms and the Knik River below as you walk among pine trees surrounded by snow-capped mountain peaks and birdlife. Then, continue to Talkeetna, where you’ll head out on a leader-led orientation walk. After checking in to your hotel, you'll have some free time to do an optional hike, or perhaps book a scenic flight. This evening, head out for a beer tasting at a local brewing company, followed by a delicious group dinner – what a great way to fuel up and get ready for your Denali National Park hikes in the coming days!

            Included Activities:
                  • Palmer - Bodenburg Butte Hike
                  • Talkeetna - Denali Brewpub Pizza & Beer Dinner
                  • Talkeetna - Leader-Led walk
                  Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours. Your trekking distance will be approximately 3.7 km (or 2.3 miles) with an elevation gain of 220 m (or 721 ft).

                  Day 4: Denali National Park

                  Today, hit the road for the gorgeous Denali National Park – a park and preserve with six million acres of Alaskan wilderness featuring North America’s tallest peak – Denali. This park is Alaska’s most popular land attraction, as its diverse landscape of tundra, mountains, spruce forests and glaciers are home to various wildlife, including grizzly bears, wolves, moose, caribou and sheep. When you arrive, your leader will choose a hike in the park based on the group's abilities and interests to warm you up for tomorrow’s full-day hike. Take in the scenery and enjoy a night off at your accommodation.

                  Included Activities:
                          • Denali National Park - Leader-led hike
                          Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours. Your trekking distance will depend on the group but will be no more than 6.5 km (4 miles).

                            Day 5: Denali National Park | Triple Lakes Hike

                            Today you’ll set out for the trip's most challenging (and rewarding) hike – the full-day Triple Lakes Trail. You’ll start by the Denali Visitor Centre and then trek through spruce forests, hillsides, mountainous landscapes, and the three lakes where the trail gets its name. Walk along Riley Creek and ascend for beautiful views of the surrounding landscape. Along the way, you’ll stop for a picnic lunch with the group and enjoy a breather while you listen to the sounds of nature. Look out for the birdlife that calls this park home (this is a popular trail for birdwatching) and spots the bright colors of local flora. After the hike, unwind and reset at your accommodation or enjoy a group dinner to swap stories, highlights, and photos.

                            Included Activities:
                                      • Denali - Triple Lakes hike
                                      Your trekking distance will be approximately 14.8 km (or 9.2 miles) with an elevation gain of 604 m (or 1981 ft).

                                        Day 6: Anchorage, Alaska | Return Home

                                        • 1 Breakfast
                                        The tour ends after breakfast and you’re free to depart at your leisure or stay and explore more of Anchorage on your own.

                                        Accommodations

                                        Talkeetna - Hotels

                                        Anchorage - Hotels

                                        Denali Frontcountry - Hotels

                                        Dates & Prices

                                        My Preferred Start Date

                                        This itinerary is no longer available. For other trip ideas, please visit Alaska Small Ship Cruises & Tours.
                                        Rates are dynamic and fluctuate based on capacity. Contact us for a specific quote.

                                        Notes

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                                        Included
                                        • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 1 Dinner
                                        • 5 Nights Accommodations
                                        • 4 Days Locally Hosted Guide Service
                                        • Accommodations as listed
                                        • Ground transportation as listed
                                        • Activities as listed
                                        • Meals as listed
                                        • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
                                        • Onboard lecture program from Expedition Team and Naturalists
                                        • Insulated inner jacket, yours to keep at the end of your Antarctic cruise.
                                        • Transfer from hotel to ship for embarkation
                                        • All shore excursions and Zodiac cruising (except paid adventure options with cost)
                                        • Use of rubber boots on land and use of waterproof outer shell jacket
                                        • Transfer from airport to hotel (Day 1) and pre-night hotel
                                        • All port taxes
                                        • Use of onboard gym, sauna, pool, and jacuzzi and onboard yoga
                                        Excluded
                                        • Gratuities
                                        • Travel Insurance
                                        • Personal Expenses
                                        • Flight costs (please request a quote)
                                        • Additional excursions during free time
                                        • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
                                        • Optional Activities
                                        • Life jackets, waterproof outer shell jackets, insulated inner jackets, and boots for minors under 16 years of age at the time of travel
                                        • For those traveling internationally with Intrepid: emergency evacuation and medical insurance are mandatory, and comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended. See here for more details
                                        • Airport transfers, taxes, and excess baggage charges, unless specified
                                        • Visa and passport fees
                                        • Laundry and communication charges
                                        • Tobacco, alcoholic or special beverages

                                        Map

                                        When to Go

                                        Jan
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                                        Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
                                        Chance for unpredictable weather but with fewer visitors.
                                        Typically not offered during this period because of weather conditions.

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                                        The trip was terrific with great planning on your part. Most of the adventures were not mainstream and somewhat off the beaten path which made it especially enjoyable!! We felt taken care of and you all were readily available to respond to questions and issues. I would highly recommend your company and friends have already expressed interest based on our pictures and excitement.
                                        Gale Cantor

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