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.
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.
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.
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).
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).
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).
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).
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.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Rates are dynamic and fluctuate based on capacity. Contact us for a specific quote.
Initial deposit is $400 per person, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check, or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and a maximum of $20,000 charge
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
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
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
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.
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.
Mary has kept in regular contact and prepared me for everything so far
Michael Sinner
1 month ago
Very prompt responses. Erin found us the trip we were looking for and gave us good advice.
Nancy Brown-Koeller
1 month ago
I don’t have the words to describe it but the last week has been one of the best I can remember. 6 days of adventure in South East Alaska including trekking through lush rain forest, sitting in silence listening to glaciers calving, up early to see the northern lights, kayaking and stupidly swimming in iceberg frozen waters ! (That actually hurt).
Animal sightings including black and brown bears, Minke and hundreds of Humpack Whales, porpoises, sea lions, mountain goats, harbour seals, bald eagles, salmon and more birds than I can count. Wonderful friends and connections made. A huge shout out to Trevor and his totally amazing crew on the Admiralty Dream whose energy and enthusiasm made this most incredible experience.
DAVID JAMES
2 months ago
From the initial booking all the way through the trip, this was by far our favorite trip. Small boat travel is the only way to see a location. The excursions were so much more than I could explain. The locations were remote and awesome.
Lori I
2 months ago
Personal, knowledgeable service. We felt so informed and supported before our trip. Highly recommend and would use again.