Skip to main content
Kayaking through the icy Shoup Bay - Great Alaska Adventure, United States
Kayaking through the icy Shoup Bay  | Jake Hutchins
Trekking the beautiful Denali National Park - Great Alaska Adventure, United States
Trekking the beautiful Denali National Park  | Jake Hutchins
Sailing the icy waters of the Prince William Sound - Great Alaska Adventure, United States
Sailing the icy waters of the Prince William Sound  | Jake Hutchins
Exploring Root Glacier in Wrangell St Elias National Park - Great Alaska Adventure, United States
Exploring Root Glacier in Wrangell St Elias National Park  | Amanda Mallon
Wild Grizzly walking the local roads - Great Alaska Adventure, United States
Wild Grizzly walking the local roads  | Jake Hutchins
Looking out across Denali National Park - Great Alaska Adventure, United States
Looking out across Denali National Park  | Jake Hutchins

Great Alaska Adventure

Active adventure in Alaska's wilderness

11 Days from

$ 

Trip Code: DNW
View dates to Book
Essential Information
Duration
  • 11 Days
Activities
  • Day hiking
  • Sea kayaking
  • Canoeing
  • Whitewater rafting
  • Wildlife viewing
Accommodation
  • 10 nights hotel/lodge/cabin
Meals
  • 2 Dinners
  • 10 Lunches
  • 4 Breakfasts
Difficulty Grading  
3 / 10

Introductory

Carbon Footprint  

63kg of CO2-e PP per day

(634kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)

Trip highlights

  • Experience true Alaskan wilderness
  • Keep an eye out for sea lions, curious seals and otters, porpoises, whales, caribou, moose, and bear
  • Hike, raft and go on a nature tour in Denali National Park
  • Canoeing on Maclaren River
  • Walk atop a glacier and cross Prince William Sound by ferry
  • Take a scenic bush flight into incredible Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
  • Explore the Chugach Mountains
  • Hike and paddle amongst mountains, glaciers and turquoise lakes

Overview

Alaska’s greatest asset may actually be its diversity and the state’s superlatives simply defy the imagination. Alaska is home to Prince William Sound – a diverse maritime complex of tidewater glaciers and deep fjords, Wrangell-St. Elias – America’s largest National Park and home to 9 of the 16 highest peaks on the continent, Denali – the highest peak in North America at 20,320’, and to countless treasures that fill the pages of coffee table books around the world. Our popular itinerary will allow you to sample the wonders of Alaska by hiking, kayaking, rafting, cruising and flying through its vast wilderness all while enjoying the hospitality and character of rustic, yet comfortable lodging. If you want to actively experience and participate in the “real” Alaska but would prefer not to camp, then this 11-day itinerary is the quintessential adventure.

Itinerary

Expand all | Collapse all

Arrive in Anchorage and make your way to the group hotel. Settle into your room, and explore wonderful downtown Anchorage. The hotel offers complimentary airport shuttles for ease and convenience. NB: If you wish to spend more time in Anchorage then we are able to book additional nights for you. Accommodation: Coast Inn Hotel or similar

Meals: Nil

We'll meet in the morning at the hotel lobby in Anchorage for a short tour briefing before heading north into the vast Alaskan Interior. We’ll stop along the way for a hike and picnic lunch in Denali State Park. This is a really great 3-4 hour alpine hike and, if the weather is kind, we may enjoy our first views of Denali (Mt. McKinley) and the rest of the mighty Alaska Range. That evening, we will check into our comfortable lodge at Denali National Park (3 nights). Total drive time is approximately 4-4.5hrs total, with the hike about mid-way through.

Meals: L

A fun day of activity today as we enjoy a hike of up to 3 hours in Denali National Park before heading out for an exhilarating whitewater rafting trip on the mighty Nenana River (approximately 2hrs). The Nenana is an exciting Class III/IV whitewater river and our expert guides will take us through canyons and rapids as we enjoy spectacular views of the peaks of the Alaska Range. Rafting the Nenana is a true classic.

Meals: L

Today we'll board the park shuttle bus to explore the vast wilderness of Denali National Park, with opportunities for wildlife viewing and hiking along the way. Keep your eyes peeled for the park's remarkable wildlife, including grizzly bears, wolves, caribou, Dall sheep and moose, all living amidst the spectacular scenery of the Alaska Range. Denali is also home to the continent's highest peak, the 20,320 ft / 6,194 m Mt Denali, known as “The Great One”. If the weather is kind, we may also enjoy views of this magnificent mountain.

Meals: L

Today, we pack up and head east along the even more remote Denali Highway, paralleling the scenic southern side of the Alaska Range. This unlikely gravel 'highway' passes through some of the wildest, most remote, road-accessible country on Earth with amazing mountain, glacier, tundra, and river valley views. A beautiful short hike at the pass/divide is next, with tremendous 360-degree views of the mountains, rivers, and glacial lakes that are all about. There are lots of rare and interesting birds as well as moose, foxes, Arctic ground squirrels, beavers, muskrats, and occasionally grizzly bears to be seen throughout the whole area. In the afternoon we will check into our rustic and friendly, riverside lodge for the evening. Total drive time is approx 3.5hrs with breaks in between for hiking and photos.

Meals: L

The morning begins with a canoeing adventure. We will be transported upstream to the put-in in the lodge’s air boat, an adventure in itself. We’ll float downstream (calm, Class 1 waters), on the lookout for wildlife. Afterwards, we’ll continue to the Copper River, where small planes will take us on a scenic flight across the volcanic and glacier-clad Wrangell Mountains into the immense Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, the largest national park in the USA and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our destination is the historic Copper and Gold Rush boomtown of McCarthy (population approximately 120), a rejuvenated former ghost town. We’ll spend three nights in a boutique lodge with beautiful mountain views. Mt Blackburn (4,996 m / 16,390 ft) looms above the glacier, with other towering peaks all around. Four major mountain ranges, nine of the 16 tallest peaks in the USA, and the largest non-polar ice field on Earth converge in this little-known and seldom-visited national park.

Meals: L

After breakfast, we’ll strap on some crampons and venture out onto the ice with a local mountaineering guide to explore the blue crevasses, moulins, and the rest of the fascinating glacial geography. The walk starts from the small town of Kennicott and follows the lateral moraine of Kennicott Glacier out to were the blue ice begins. The more adventurous can challenge themselves with an optional introductory ice-climbing course on the glacier (at additional cost + and an additional 2hrs). Other optional extras include flight-seeing over the immense fields of glacial ice, various ranger-led activities, and/or the Historic Kennicott Copper Mine tour. Our glacier hike is suitable for beginners and is an amazing adventure on a real moving glacier.

Meals: B,L,D

Today, we have the option to hike up towards the abandoned Bonanza Mine (1,798 m / 5,900 ft), a vigorous but rewarding hike offering spectacular mountain and glacier views. This is a favourite hike among both travellers and guides. For those seeking a less strenuous option, there are several beautiful walks to choose from. We can explore the lateral moraine of the Root Glacier, follow the historic Wagon Road, or hike out to the toe of the immense Kennicott Glacier. Here, we can witness the remarkable effects of the glacier's movement as it deposits boulders and debris carried down from the mountains into the terminal lake at the headwaters of the Kennicott River. Alternatively, take the day to relax and soak up the atmosphere of the historic mountain village of McCarthy, surrounded by the spectacular wilderness of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.

Meals: B,L,D

Driving out of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, we'll cross yet another tremendous range: the heavily glaciated Chugach Mountains. At alpine Thompson Pass, we'll enjoy a short hike to the toe of Worthington Glacier, taking in the dramatic glacial landscape, sometimes including ice caves, and magnificent views of the surrounding mountains. Dropping down out of the mountains towards the picturesquely situated town of Valdez, we'll get our first taste of magnificent coastal Alaska. The young and geologically active Chugach Mountains rise dramatically out of the sea, surrounding the spectacular waters of Prince William Sound. Glaciers are all around us, some spilling their ice directly into the sea. Tonight, we'll settle into our accommodation in Valdez, where we'll spend the next two nights.

Meals: B,L

Today we'll explore the spectacular marine wilderness of Prince William Sound. We can enjoy a sea kayaking adventure in Columbia Bay, paddling among icebergs and taking in views of the magnificent Columbia Glacier. Alternatively, travellers can choose an included full-day marine wildlife and glacier-viewing cruise, offering another way to experience the dramatic coastal scenery and wildlife of this remarkable region.

Meals: B,L

This morning, we'll board the Alaska state ferry for a beautiful crossing of Prince William Sound, on the lookout for whales, bald eagles and other wildlife. Following a short hike (time permitting), we'll drive back to Anchorage (approximately 1hr). On some trips (depending on the ferry schedule), a flight over the glacier-clad Sound from Valdez back to Anchorage may be substituted, but the ferry is preferred. Either way, the trip will end in Anchorage around 5pm. Please schedule homebound flights to depart after 8pm.

Meals: L

Ready to start your adventure?

7 scheduled departures between 23 Jun 2027 and 18 Aug 2027.

  • Departs 23 Jun 2027 – ends 3 Jul 2027 (11 days)
  • Departs 7 Jul 2027 – ends 17 Jul 2027 (11 days)
  • Departs 21 Jul 2027 – ends 31 Jul 2027 (11 days)
  • Departs 28 Jul 2027 – ends 7 Aug 2027 (11 days)
  • Departs 4 Aug 2027 – ends 14 Aug 2027 (11 days)
  • Departs 11 Aug 2027 – ends 21 Aug 2027 (11 days)
  • … and 1 more departures.
View dates to Book

What's included?

Included

  • 4 breakfasts, 10 lunches and 2 dinners
  • 10 nights twin share accommodation in lodges and hotels with mostly private bathrooms (shared facilities in McCarthy)
  • Scenic bush plane flight to McCarthy
  • Private transport in good quality vehicles throughout
  • Anchorage hotel airport shuttle
  • Denali National Park wildlife-viewing shuttle
  • Prince William Sound ferry (or over flight)
  • Guided hiking and paddling as described
  • Professional guide throughout
  • All group gear and safety equipment
  • All park permits and fees

Not included

  • International airfare and airport taxes
  • Transportation to and from Anchorage
  • Travel Insurance (mandatory)
  • Dinners/meals not listed in inclusions
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Optional activities (see itinerary)
  • Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls, etc
  • Tips & Gratuities (see pre departure notes for guidelines)

Reviews (13)




My guide Rebecca was wonderful. She was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable about Alaska. The adventures were even better than I had anticipated.

Margaret|Austria
6 Sep 2026


Alaska had been on my bucket list for years. This trip was everything I hoped it would be--plenty of varied activities, scenery and opportunities to see wildlife. Alaska is a huge place, and this trip allowed me to see many of the must-see areas with a great group of like-minded participants led by a knowledgeable and helpful guide. I would definitely recommend this trip to anyone who would like to experience the best Alaska has to offer.

William|Michigan, United States
14 Sep 2025


Great trip and fantastic experiences. A very small group which made the experience even more personalised

Darren|QLD, Australia
26 Aug 2025


Had an amazing time. Jam packed with activities and very well organised. Our guide was very helpful and always concerned for our wellbeing. This is my third trip with WE and would recommend them any time

Dawn|United Kingdom
13 Aug 2025


Everything was just perfect, from the excellent and friendly guide, to the trips, excursions, hikes, lodges etc.

Not a moment was wasted but also didn't feel rushed.

A perfect tour of a very big and beautiful country.

Paul|United Kingdom
12 Aug 2025


A great adventure- rafting, kayaking, floating, glacier hiking, all were excellent. Well organised and professional. The Bonanza mine hike would be classified a level 3 hike with some parts level 4, for those Australians who want more detail on what "strenous and challenging" means.

Rosemary Lovell|Penrith, NSW Australia
9 Aug 2024


We had a great trip, with a fun group of people, including our informative, multi-talented and hard working guide. We saw a great range of landscapes and wildlife and enjoyed the range of activities and not being stuck in the van most of the time. Particularly enjoyed the energetic hike to the Bonanza Mine and the view from the tops. Staying at the same accommodation for several nights made things more relaxed. The flight into Wrangell-St.Elias was good, despite the poor weather, and probably would have been great with better weather.

We were disappointed that our request for twin beds had not been passed on to the accommodation providers, which resulted in a couple of poor nights sleep. We raised this with the guide the first evening, who contacted the company owner who was going to try to sort it out for the rest of the trip. Put at one of the later accommodations I was told that they had had no contact from the company about providing twin beds for us and when they contacted the company got a reply along the lines of "Oh, I thought I'd contacted you about it".

We were also disappointed with the rooms at the Inlet Tower Hotel. The first room we were shown when we arrived had no working blind on the largest window, which would have made it very difficult to sleep with the long daylight hours. The blind was sitting on the window sill and had dirt and fly droppings on it, which suggests it had been like that for some time. We were given an alternative room which had two leaking taps, one in the same room as the beds, and one of the set of taps only had hot water. The room we had at the end of the trip also had a leaking tap in the room with the beds and only had a venetian blind on the largest window, which still let in a considerable amount of light.

Peter Nicholas Eman|Christchurch, New Zealand
12 Jul 2023


we had a great trip, Nicole our guide was organised, fun and wealth of information, Alaska is a huge state , we had an amazing adventure over 10 days

Ruth Isobel Tramschek|Christchurch, NZ New Zealand
11 Jul 2023

Susan|United Kingdom
9 Aug 2026

Extra trip info

Every departure date advises whether the date is confirmed, and roughly how full it is. Here is what each one means.

Is the departure confirmed?

Guaranteed to go This departure has reached its minimum number and will run.
It is the point travellers should wait for before booking any non-refundable flights.
Close to guaranteed This appears only when a date is close to reaching minimum numbers. If it shows 1 or 2 to guaranteed, book as a pair on a date needing two and it reaches its minimum. Your booking confirms the date for everybody already booked.

How full is the date I am looking at?

Space is filling or Space is filling fast This date has bookings and places are still open. Filling fast means limited spots available, so don't leave your decision too late.
Closing soon Down to its last few places, or close enough to departure that we are finalising numbers. Still bookable online.
Closed Not bookable online - either full, or inside the notice we need to arrange permits, flights and logistics. Ask us anyway, you never know!

Availability questions answered

Will this trip actually go ahead, or could it be cancelled?

If a date shows Guaranteed to go, it runs regardless of further bookings.

What does 2 to guarantee mean?

It means two travellers are enough to confirm the departure. It could be 2 more to add to the group, or the date only needs 2 people to run. Either way, if you book for two people, the date will become guaranteed to run.

What happens if my departure does not reach minimum numbers?

You will know the status before you book. Every date on this page is labelled, and dates marked “Guaranteed to go” are running regardless of further bookings. Where a date has not reached its minimum we either offer a surcharge to operate for a smaller group size so it can still run, or we cancel it. We contact you directly either way.

Will I get my money back if you cancel a departure?

If we cancel a departure due to not meeting minimum trip numbers, you receive a full refund of everything you have paid us less any non recoverable costs, where insurance may cover you. We cannot refund money committed elsewhere – additional non refundable deposits advised at the time of booking, flights, visas, vaccinations, gear - which is why it is worth waiting for “Guaranteed to go” before booking other arrangements around this trip date. Please read our Booking Terms and Conditions before you book.

Why can't I book some dates online?

Each trip closes online a set time before departure. Permits, internal flights and hut or campsite bookings all have to be arranged before we take payment. Call or enquire as it might still be possible to organise last minute places.

The date I want is closed. What are my options and why does it say to enquire?

Cancellations happen and places do open up on closed dates, so it is worth being on our list. We can also tell you which nearby date on the same trip has space, which is usually the faster route.

None of these dates suit me. Can you run this trip on another date?

Yes, as a private departure. We can run this trip on a date you choose, for your own group - family, friends, a club, or in many cases, just for the two of you. Tell us when you want to travel and who is coming, and we will build it around that.

Guaranteeing A Great United States Trip

Pioneering World Firsts
Quality equipment
Quality accommodations
Innovative itineraries
Custom built, reliable transport
Our all inclusive approach

Multi Award Winning Adventures

Responsible Travel

Adventure Experts Since 1975

Search Filters