Alaska Northern Lights and Snowshoe Tour Southbound
Inn-Based Hiking Tours
6 Days, 5 Nights 28MI / 45KM
Trip Highlights
While spring blooms in the lower 48, Alaska remains a serene winter wonderland with long, clear days, no mosquitoes, and excellent chances of seeing the Northern Lights. It’s an ideal time to snowshoe through peaceful landscapes, with surprisingly moderate trails and milder coastal weather near Anchorage. By day, we explore the tundra, forests, and mountain ranges; by night, we look skyward in hopes of witnessing the aurora borealis. This tour offers a diverse look at Alaska’s wild beauty, from the Interior to the coastal ranges. It’s also available as a northbound itinerary from Anchorage to Fairbanks if that better fits your schedule.
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Northern Lights Viewing
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Quiet Trails
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Gorgeous Mountain Views
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Wildlife Encounters
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Views of Denali
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Intimate Alaskan Lodges
Book This Trip
View Dates
Trip Details
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Trip Type
Inn-Based Hiking Tours -
Trip Length
6 Days, 5 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
Up to 7 miles -
Group Size
2-6 Guests
Receive a PDF info packet via email which includes:
- day by day itinerary
- logistical and travel information
- gear and clothing lists and more
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Difficulty Level
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Solitude Level
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Trip Itinerary
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
Day 1
- Drive Time: 1.5 hours
- Hiking Distance: 4-6 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 500-800 feet
Our trip begins with a departure from Fairbanks and into the Chena River Valley, home of the Chena River Hot Springs. This state park is famous as a winter wonderland for both Alaskans and visitors from all over the world. During the day we will snowshoe through the tundra along frozen creek beds and get acquainted with a scene that most people picture when they think of Alaska. Situated in the heart of the ‘Aurora Oval’, it is where people come from across the globe to see the northern lights in their prime. We’ll enjoy a soak in the hot springs after our snowshoe adventure, and then – if conditions look good – after dinner we’ll go outside and find a quiet space to watch the northern lights dance in the night sky.
Day 2
- Drive Time: 6 hours
- Hiking Distance: 3-5 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 500ft
Stopping in Denali National Park, we’ll visit the Science Center in a quaint park village that looks entirely different in winter than it does during summer. If we’re lucky, we might even see the park’s working sled dog ‘canine rangers’ before continuing south. This afternoon we will snowshoe around the frozen Byers Lake in hopes of viewing the summit of Mount Denali, then make our way to Talkeetna where our lodge sits nestled on a hillside facing North America’s tallest peak.
Day 3
- Drive Time: 2 hours
- Hiking Distance: 5-7 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 800-1300 feet
This morning we’ll watch the sun rise and shine its first light upon Denali and the Alaska Range in the distance, as we prepare for a hike in the nearby Denali State Park. We’ll strap on our snowshoes and make our way up to Curry Ridge, nestled between the Talkeetna Range and Alaska Range and take in views of some of the largest mountains on the planet. In the evening we’ll return to Talkeetna and the banks of the Susitna river to enjoy a warm dinner, warm drinks, and hopefully another night with chance to view the incredible lights.
Day 4
- Drive Time: 2 hours
- Hiking Distance: 4-6.5 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 500-800 feet
Making our way further south in the Talkeetna Range, we depart the town of Talkeetna to discover the snowsports paradise that is Hatcher Pass. Nestled in mountains buried by blankets of snow, Hatcher Pass will feel like the remote alpine snowcapped peaks of the Alps or Himalayas. But, at only 3,000 feet and so close to the coast, you will be surprised with mild winter weather conditions that have Anchorage locals referring to the pass as their best kept secret. We’ll snowshoe out towards Glacier Pass and Reed Lakes for breathtaking mountain views, then get settled into our lodge for the evening just up the hill from our trailhead, or along the shores of Wasilla Lake with is a 40-minute drive down from Hatcher Pass.
Day 5
- Drive Time: Minimal to 45 minutes
- Hiking Distance: 3-8 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 1000 feet
Today we explore the views of Murphy Ridge towering above the Independence Mine historic site. This will be our first destination of the day, hitting the trail from the front steps of the Hatcher Pass Lodge. It’s an easy-going hike on a road buried in snow that is now a groomed ski trail for the winter, and we’ll explore the buried structures of the Independence Mine that made Hatcher Pass an important part of Alaska’s mining industry in its early days. In the afternoon, we’ll go for a longer hike up the Gold Mint Trail along the headwaters of the Little Susitna River. This evening we will celebrate our final evening of an incredible winter adventure, and hope the auroras make an appearance to bid us farewell too.
Day 6
- Drive Time: 2 hours
- Hiking Distance: 3.5-6.5 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 400-800 feet
Leaving Hatcher Pass and the Talkeetna Mountains, our final day takes us into Chugach State Park – one of America’s largest state parks. We’ll enjoy one last snowshoe hike from the Eagle River nature center to enjoy the dense forests of south-central Alaska. At only a few hundred feet above sea level, the scenery will look a bit different as we’re surrounded by cottonwoods and a greater variety of trees than the forests of the tundra that we’ve become familiar with this week. There is a greater opportunity to spot more variety of wildlife in this valley, as this area is home to many moose, lynx, fox, eagles, owls and even wolves. After hiking we’ll depart for Anchorage and say our goodbyes as our winter Alaskan adventure has come to an end.
Trip Dates
Click on a date to register. You can also click here to request new dates or book through customer service.
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What's Included
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5 nights of double occupancy lodging (single occupancy requires an additional single supplement)
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Top-of-the-line daypack, snowshoes and trekking poles
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All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
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Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
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Transportation from your hotel in Fairbanks and ending Anchorage
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Entrance fees and national park permits
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Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device
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Mandatory 5% national park fee that passes through directly to the national parks
What's Not Included
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Clothes, raingear, and footwear (see recommendations) -
Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
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Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
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Alcoholic beverages
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Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Accommodations
Chena Hot Springs Resort
1 NIGHT
Enjoy one night in an eco-friendly resort in the Alaskan wilderness! What our guests love about this lodge are the geothermal hot springs lake, outdoor and indoor hot tubs, as well as heated indoor pools. This unique accommodation puts us right in the action and tops it off with amazing hot springs. (hot springs, heated pool, hot tubs, private bathrooms, showers, wifi)
Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge
0-2 NIGHTs
Perched on a ridge, looking down on the town of Talkeetna, the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge offers breathtaking views of the tallest peak in North America, Denali. This lodge features the highlights of Alaska, inside and outside. Outside, we’re right in the action where we can explore Denali and beyond. Inside, guests enjoy a cozy fire in a classic rock fireplace, award-winning food, friendly service—and a great place to recuperate between hikes! (private bathrooms/showers, wifi)
Susitna River Lodge
0-2 NIGHTs
The Susitna River Lodge is a majestic Alaskan lodge located on the shores of the Susitna River and just a short jaunt (5-10 minutes) from the charming and historic downtown area of Talkeetna, Alaska. This classical Alaskan lodge is cozy, clean and put us right in the action for our snowshoe adventure. (private bathrooms/showers, wifi)
Hatcher Pass Lodge
0-2 NIGHTS
Perched in a glacial-carved valley above treeline at 3,000 feet in the Talkeetna Mountains, this rustic lodge is in a perfect spot to experience the full spectrum of outdoor adventure in Alaska. We will enjoy individual, cozy, charmingly rustic cabins. The value of this accommodation is in its superb location and its perfect reflection of Alaskan culture. (dry cabins with marine style toilets, flush toilets and showers available in main lodge)
Mat-Su Resort
0-2 NIGHTs
Mat-Su Resort is a boutique hotel on the shores of a gorgeous lake with sweeping views of the Chugach Mountain Range, one of Alaska’s most famous ranges. It has 12 rooms, all with modern amenities and either a balcony view or a front veranda so you can soak up the beauty of Alaska.
Trip Logistics & FAQs
How Do I Register?
Reserve your spot today! In the Trip Dates & Booking section of this page, the green and red dates are bookable online by simply clicking on the date, and blue dates must be booked through our customer service team for a variety of possible reasons. To email our customer service team, you can click here to get the ball rolling. Our adventure consultants will confirm availability, and if you’re ready to register we’ll email you a link to a registration profile. You’ll have 72 hours to complete your profile (and that of any dependents) and pay the deposit.
Feel free to call us for more info – we’re here 7 days a week!
Where Do We Meet
You will meet your guide and group at 6PM at the Fairbanks Bridgewater Hotel the evening before your trip begins. Your guide will be in contact approximately 10 days in advance to coordinate the rendezvous and answer any last minute questions you have.
This tour ends in Anchorage.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Travel to Fairbanks
Fairbanks International Airport and its connecting flights from many major US cities make Fairbanks very accessible. The major airlines that fly to Fairbanks are Delta, United, American, Alaska Airlines and Sun Country.
Because this tour ends in Anchorage, you may want to fly back to Fairbanks for your return flight. Flights from Anchorage to Fairbanks are a short 45-minute duration, are offered multiple times every day, and tend to be very affordable.
Start/End Times
Your guide will inform you of the first day’s pick-up time during the pre-trip communication. Generally, you can expect it to be around 7 am, although the exact time will depend on several factors such as planned activities, current weather and road conditions. On the final day of the trip, you can expect a return to Anchorage around 6 pm, and your guide will drop you off at your hotel or the airport. Note: A variety of circumstances can influence our timeline on the final day of a trip, therefore Wildland Trekking does not guarantee return times.
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Essential Eligibility Criteria
Essential Eligibility Criteria (“EEC”) have been specifically identified to help you understand the skills and abilities necessary to participate on each Wildland trip, and they apply uniformly to all potential trip participants, irrespective of the presence or absence of any disability.
Once you identify a trip in which you may be interested, please carefully review the EEC and itinerary details. If after reviewing the EEC that apply to your desired trip, you determine you need an accommodation in order to meet the EEC, please contact us prior to registering to discuss your requested accommodation.
The EEC exist for your own safety and the safety and enjoyment of all participants. If you are unable to meet the EEC for the trip, with or without an accommodation, you are not eligible for that trip. If you register and arrive for a trip for which you do not meet the EEC, you will be disqualified from participation on the trip and will be dismissed or evacuated from the trip without a refund.
Guide Working Parameters
Guides are required to take 8 hours off each 24-hour period to sleep, recuperate, take personal/down time…etc. uninterrupted for a minimum of 8 hours each night. We ask guests to respect these requirements and to not interrupt guides’ off time and sleep time unless there is a true emergency.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval and specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis
Winter Weather in Alaska
This trip covers a dramatic diversity of terrain from coastal areas to mountains and tundra to glaciers. The weather will be largely dependent on which ecosystem you’re at the moment hiking in, so it’s best to be prepared for a range of temperatures and conditions. Read below for average high and low temperatures in different parts of the Alaska:
| Average Temperatures (Fahrenheit) | ||||||||
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Month
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Denali
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Kenai
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hi
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low
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Precip
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hi
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low
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Precip
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March
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25°
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0°
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.5 in
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35°
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16°
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.64 in
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April
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40°
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17°
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.4 in
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45°
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27°
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.59 in
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