Heart of Alaska Inn-based Tour
Anchorage, AK
4.8 (4 reviews)Trip Highlights
- Mountain & Coastal Hikes
- Up Close Glaciers
- Iconic Alaskan Wildlife
- Fascinating History
- All-inclusive Adventure
- Unique Alaskan Lodging
Description
This spectacular Alaskan tour features the best of Denali and Kenai Fjords National Parks. Our adventure trip starts with a mesmerizing visit to Denali National Park and finishes on the Kenai Peninsula. It includes not only Alaska’s two most popular national parks, but both interior tundra and coastal forest ecosystems. Each day guests have the opportunity to experience glaciers, mountain views, abundant wildlife, Alaska’s amazing history and salmon-fed waters teeming with life. At night we retire to cozy Alaskan lodges and hotels where we can get cleaned up and enjoy delicious dinners at local eateries. If you love to hike and explore – and Alaska is on your “Life List” – then this all-inclusive tour was made for you!
$1645 Single Supplement
The single supplement guarantees your own room. If you would like to forego the single supplement, you can request to be paired with a roommate of the same gender. If we are unsuccessful in pairing you with a roommate, the single supplement will apply.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 2
Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult
The majority of trails on this trip are well used, but there are significantly rugged sections that can be wet, muddy, overgrown or snow-covered. Some days feature moderately long hikes (up to 7 miles) with moderate elevation gain/loss of up to 1400 feet.
Hiking Distances:
Up to 7 Miles
Backpack Weight:
10-20 Pounds
Terrain:
Significantly Rugged
Max Daily Elev. ↑↓:
Up to 1400 ft.
Heights Exposure:
Moderate
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS TRIP
- Hiking uphill or downhill with a 8-12 lb backpack for 5-7 hours
- Maintaining balance and footing on moderately rugged terrain
SOLITUDE LEVEL 2
1 least solitude, 5 most solitude
We rate this Alaska hiking tour a solitude 2. You can expect as much as an hour of solitude at a time.
PRIVATE TRIPS
Travel in perfect company by booking a private trip exclusively for your group!
Our sliding scale for private trips is based on the final number of guests in your group. Rates are per person and do not include sales tax, national park fees or guide gratuity. The final rate is based on the actual number of guests on the trip and may adjust based on cancellations or additions.
Please Note: you can also enjoy a private trip at our normal scheduled rates by filling any empty tour to capacity. However, if group members drop from the tour those spots will automatically become available on our website for instant booking. By purchasing a private trip at the rates listed below, your trip will remain exclusive to your group regardless of cancellations.Â
PRIVATE RATES FOR THIS TRIP
- 2 People: Rate x 2.5
- 3 People: Rate x 2
- 4 People: Rate x 1.5
- 5+ People: Rate x 1.15
*all rates are per person and single supplements apply
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ITINERARY
Day 1
- Drive Time: 5 hours
- Hiking Mileage: 6.5 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 600 feet
Today we will launch our exciting journey from Anchorage by heading north into Alaska’s ‘Interior’. We begin by heading north to Alaska’s ‘Interior.’ Along our drive we will start to see the landscape change as we get farther from the coastal ecosystems around Anchorage and into the stunning Alaska Range, where Denali towers above everything else at over 20,000 feet in elevation. Stopping to hike in the dramatic Talkeetna Range, we’ll hike along the Little Susitna River at Hatcher Pass, experiencing the Alaskan tundra for the first time. Then we’ll settle into our lodge near the banks of the Nenana River on the edge of Denali National Park and enjoy our first dinner in the land of the Midnight Sun.
Day 2
- Drive Time: 30 minutes
- Hiking Mileage: 4.5 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 1000 feet
Our hike today takes us from the Denali Visitor Center out to see the ‘canine rangers’ or working sled dogs that are a unique and essential element of the Park’s history. After hiking we’ll enjoy a picnic lunch and explore the Denali National Park Visitor Center. This afternoon is set aside for you to explore Denali Park based on your specific interests. Popular options include scenic river rafting, national park bus tours, air tours for greater views of Denali and the Alaska Range, hiking on additional trails on your own and more (see air, raft and bus tour options). After our afternoon of independent adventures, we’ll reconvene for a dinner that concludes our final night in the far north before returning south towards the coast.
Day 3
- Drive Time: 3.5 hours
- Hiking Mileage: 7 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 1300 feet
This morning we’ll enjoy breakfast and check out of our lodge. Heading south from Denali National Park, we will embark on a classic ridge hike with gorgeous views of the Alaska Range. If the skies are clear we may be fortunate to have one of the best views of Denali that the state has to offer (this is not guaranteed, as Denali is often shrouded in clouds). After our invigorating hike we’ll continue south and settle in for the night, in a cozy lodge nestled at the edge of the Talkeetna Mountains.
Day 4
- Drive Time: 3 hours
- Hiking Mileage: 5.5 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 800 feet
Continuing south to the coast, we will hike once again in the Chugach Range, where we will be reminded of the contrast between the salmon fed coastal forests and those of the interior. The trees will get bigger as we make our way to the Kenai Peninsula – nicknamed Alaska’s Playground. Our lodge this evening will again be nestled in a glacially carved valley, but the mountains will feel closer than ever as we experience the origins of what form a glacial fjord.
Day 5
- Drive Time: 2 hours
- Hiking Mileage: 5 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 1400 feet
Today will be our closest experience with a glacier yet. As we approach the coastal town of Seward, we will head back up into the mountains and enter Kenai Fjords National Park. Here will hike along the lateral moraine of Exit Glacier, the only glacier in the park that is accessible by foot trail. After hiking, we will settle in our final lodge in the hills above Resurrection Bay where dinner awaits. For seafood lovers, this is a great opportunity to try the freshest halibut, salmon and crab anywhere in the world.
Day 6
- Drive Time: 30 minutes
- Hiking Mileage: 4.5 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 700 feet
To beat the tides we’ll make an early start at our hiking destination on the south side of Seward, just a few minutes away. We will hike along the coast to the historic site of Fort McGilvray, where we will learn about a big piece of Alaska’s history as a strategic military location for the United States. Next we’ll enjoy lunch on the beach and watch for Humpback Whales, sea otters and bald eagles. Because the tides will be too high for us to return on the trail that brought us here, we will return to our trailhead at Miller’s Landing with a short water taxi boat ride. This evening we will celebrate our final night of a week long journey in ‘The Great Land’.
Day 7
- Drive Time: 3 hours
- Hiking Mileage: 3 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 600 feet
It may be our last day, but we’ve saved some of the very best for last! Before we leave the Kenai Range, we’ll enjoy a beautiful hike near Portage Lake to see Byron Glacier. Then, after a tasty lunch, we’ll board the Alaska Railroad and ride it to Spencer Glacier. This backcountry destination is only accessible by rail. You will step off the train into a dramatic setting with a gorgeous, aquamarine glacial lake, icebergs and mountain views. You will feel like you’ve been taken back in time to the last ice age, as you stare up at towering peaks, dramatic headwalls and glacial-fed rivers. We will raft out onto the lake to access a short float down the peaceful Placer River for more stunning views. We’ll re-board the train at a remote, backcountry station. If you’d prefer not to raft, you can enjoy a longer scenic train ride into the mountains for views of Grandview Glacier, or embark on a short hike with your guide along the shores of Spencer Glacier Lake to look for wildlife or touch an iceberg if you’re lucky. We’ll have a farewell dinner at the famous Alyeska Ski Resort before a relaxing, scenic drive back to Anchorage for the conclusion of our adventure. What a week it’s been!
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.
TRIP DATES & BOOKING
AVAILABLE TO BOOK
This trip is available and bookable online! Click on the date to register now or contact us online to book through our award-winning customer service team!
GOING FAST
This trip has 1 or 2 spots remaining and is bookable online! Click on the date to book now or contact us online to book through customer service.
REQUEST A RESERVATION
This trip is exclusively booked through customer service due to logistics with lodging, permits, staffing, availability, or something else. Please contact us online or call us at 800-715-HIKE (4453) to request a reservation.
Don't see your dates? Call us! We may be able to add new trip dates.
800-715-HIKE (4453)Trip Details
What's Included
- 6 nights of double occupancy lodging (single occupancy requires an additional single supplement)
- Top-of-the-line daypack and trekking poles
- All meals are included from breakfast the first day through dinner on the last day
- 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.
- Roundtrip transportation from your hotel in Anchorage, AK
- Entrance fees and national park permits
- Bear safety equipment including bear spray canisters
- Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device (InReach Explorer or satellite phone)
- Mandatory 5% national park fee that passes through directly to the national parks
What's Not Included
- Clothes, raingear, and footwear (see recommendations)
- Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
- Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
- Alcoholic beverages
- Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about what to pack.
Meals: What to Expect
We provide all your meals from breakfast the first day through lunch the last day. Your guide will prepare breakfasts and lunches with a variety of hot and cold meals that are appropriate for the day’s activities. Feel free to tell us about your food preferences, as we’re more than happy to tailor the menu to your needs/desires. For dinners, we’ll visit local restaurants you’re sure to enjoy!
Gear We Provide
We provide all group gear which includes the following:
- Deuter or Osprey backpacks
- Leki trekking poles
- Bear spray canisters
- Company-issued first-aid kit
- Emergency communication device(s)
Guest Packing List
When you register for this tour you’ll receive access to a printable, downloadable trip information packet with a detailed packing list specific to this trip (click here to see it now.) All trips require a sturdy pair of hiking shoes or hiking boots, rain gear, a recommended clothing system, a headlamp or flashlight, a hydration system (water bottles and/or bladder) and other items specific to each trip.
Trip Logistics
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 on the morning of Day 1 with pick you up at your hotel in Anchorage. Your guide will be in contact approximately 10 days in advance to coordinate the rendezvous and answer any last minute questions you have.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Travel to Anchorage
Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and its connecting flights from many major US cities make Anchorage very accessible. The major airlines that fly to Anchorage are Delta, United, American, Alaska Airlines and Sun Country. Direct flights are often available from Portland, Seattle, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Minneapolis, Chicago and Las Vegas.
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 6 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 9-10 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 Requirements
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. In addition, as part of the 8 hours off they must sleep/rest or be in their tents/rooms uninterrupted for a minimum of 5 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
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) | ||||||||
|
Month
|
Denali
|
Kenai
|
||||||
|
hi
|
low
|
Precip
|
hi
|
low
|
Precip
|
|||
|
June
|
53°
|
41°
|
2.42 in
|
58°
|
46°
|
5.2 in
|
||
|
July
|
56°
|
45°
|
3.12 in
|
61°
|
50°
|
7.1 in
|
||
|
August
|
51°
|
41°
|
3.01 in
|
61°
|
55°
|
8.8 in
|
||
|
September
|
41°
|
31°
|
1.74 in
|
55°
|
49°
|
13.3 in
|
||
Accommodations
Grande Denali Hotel
0-2 Nights
The Grande Denali Lodge is perched on Sugarloaf Mountain near the entrance to Denali National Park. The main lodge features classic log architecture with a stately rock fireplace and vaulted ceilings. The lodge offers spacious guest rooms with canyon or hillside views.
Denali Cabins
0-2 Nights
Nestled in the dramatic landscapes of Denali National Park and Preserve, and only eight miles from the park entrance, these wonderful cabins are the ideal base camp to embark on our Denali adventure. Beautifully tucked away from the busy-ness of the park entrance, this property boasts 46 private cedar cabins surrounded by wilderness. Before and after our hikes, we’ll unwind, relax at these amazing accommodations. (wifi, private bathrooms/showers)
Denali Crows Nest Cabins
0-2 Nights
At the Denali Crows Nest Cabins you’ll enjoy private log cabins with beautiful, hand crafted log interiors and a pristine mountain setting. The cabins come with premium pillow top beds, a flat panel TV, and charming mountain furnishings. Each cabin has an en-suite bathroom and shower. (wifi, private bathrooms/showers)
Mat-Su Resort
1 Night
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.
Bear Creek Lodge
1 Night
Bear Creek Lodge is a cozy, rustic, very authentic retreat in the wilds of Alaska. We enjoy their private cabins with backcountry feel and their majestic property for only one night, but we wish it could be more. The rustic cabins are nestled between a majestic pond and rushing mountain stream, and the on sight restaurant is a guest favorite. Please note this lodge does not have private bathrooms and showers, but the communal area is very clean. (shared bathrooms and showers, wifi in the restaurant, cell service, sauna)
Seward Windsong Lodge
2 Nights
Alongside the shores of the Resurrection River, on the edge of Chugach National Forest and not far from Exit Glacier, this wonderful lodge is a pristine retreat that perfectly shows off The North’s wild beauty. Minutes from the bustling town of Seward and the iconic landscapes of Kenai Fjords National Park, Windsong’s tranquil setting offers a quiet and cozy escape between exhilarating days of hiking and exploration. (private bathrooms/showers, wifi)
*These exact accommodations are not guaranteed. In some instances alternative accommodations of similar quality and location may be used
Trip Reviews
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- Most recent
- LOW - HIGH
- HIGH - LOW
Kristin L
THE BEST
Our guide Jessie was amazing! She made us healthy, delicious lunches on the trails and found THE BEST bakeries and restaurants for our breakfasts and dinners in each of the places we visited. She shared so much knowledge about the geography, the plants and wildlife, and her love for Alaska. She is very special! I cannot thank her enough, and Wildland for hiring her and providing such a great opportunity for this Virginia girl to fall in love with Alaska. This is my 5th trip with Wildland and definitely not my last. All of them have been outstanding.
Greg J
Did Not Disappoint
Our fourth adventure with Wildland Trekking did not disappoint! Imagine an epic Alaskan excursion without “where’s a good place to stay here?” or “can we find a hike with great views?” or “who’s driving today?” or “where can I find authentic local cuisine?” Our guide Sam G. was flexible, knowledgeable and passionate about Alaska. Flightseeing Denali on a beautiful day, multiple hikes with great rewards, exploring WWIi ruins, and rafting were my highlights. The varied lodging was fun. We are already planning our next destination with Wildland Trekking!
Gregg W
Wonderful Tour
This was a wonderful hike to see different parts of the Alaska interior as opposed to a cruise.
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