Heart of Alaska Inn-based Tour
Trip Highlights
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!
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Mountain & Coastal Hikes
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Up Close Glaciers
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Iconic Alaskan Wildlife
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Fascinating History
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All-inclusive Adventure
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Unique Alaskan Lodging
Book This Trip
View Dates
Trip Details
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Trip Length
7 Days, 6 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
Up to 7 Miles -
Group Size
2-6 Guests
- day by day itinerary
- logistical and travel information
- gear and clothing lists and more
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Is This Trip Right For me?
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.
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: 2 hours
Hiking Mileage: 5 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,030 feet
Our adventure begins as we leave Anchorage and head north into Alaska’s Interior. The coastal scenery fades, replaced by the dramatic peaks of the Alaska Range, with Denali rising above them all at over 20,000 feet. We’ll enter Denali National Park and enjoy our first hike, where we’ll encounter the park’s famous sled dogs—Alaska’s original “canine rangers” and a nod to its rich history of exploration. After lunch, the afternoon is yours 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.
Day 2
Drive Time: 4 hours
Hiking Mileage: 6.5 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,100 feet
After a nice cup of tea or coffee and a hearty breakfast, we’ll hit the trail! Starting from the trailhead, we’ll gradually ascend about 1,100 feet through lush forest, crossing streams and walking beneath towering trees. As we climb, the trail opens up to sweeping views—weather permitting—of the Alaska Range and the mighty Denali on the horizon. We’ll enjoy a lovely trail lunch prepared by your guide. Around 1,500 feet, we’ll break out of the trees and may encounter strong winds as we reach the ridge. We’ll return to our lodge for relaxation and a dinner to round out the day.
Day 3
Drive Time: 4 hours
Hiking Mileage: 6.3 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 761 feet
We’ll begin today’s hike with a gradual climb along an old mining road that soon narrows into a peaceful trail. Surrounded by open meadows and mountain views, the path offers steady grades, minimal tree cover, and a tranquil backcountry experience. After the hike, we’ll return to the van and head to our quiet cabins—our home for the next two nights. After a delicious dinner together, we may have time to gather around a campfire and unwind under the Alaskan sky.
Day 4
Drive Time: 2 hours
Hiking Mileage: 4.5 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,463 feet
This morning, we’ll enjoy a stunning drive that transitions from ocean views to dense forests, and finally to glacial landscapes as we head toward Whittier. A highlight of the journey is the 2.5-mile-long Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel—the longest highway tunnel in North America. Our hike begins with a fairly steep uphill climb, but the effort is quickly rewarded with breathtaking views of Portage Glacier, Portage Lake, and the surrounding mountains. The trail features several scenic lookout points, especially at Portage Pass, where the glacier and lake stretch out below. We’ll enjoy another delicious trail lunch—possibly lakeside—giving us time to soak in the dramatic scenery. Keep an eye out for wildlife along the way, including mountain goats and a variety of bird species.
Day 5
Drive Time: 2 hours
Hiking Mileage: 5 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,400 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: 20 minutes
Activity Duration: 10.5 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: N/A
After five days of exploring Alaska by foot, it’s time to take to the water! Today we’ll embark on a full-day kayaking adventure at Aialik Glacier, the largest and most actively calving tidewater glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park. Our journey begins with a wildlife-focused, intimate, water taxi ride through Aialik Bay, where we’ll keep an eye out for humpback whales, sea lions, harbor seals, sea otters, mountain goats, and a variety of seabirds. Once we reach our launch beach, we’ll gear up and begin paddling through the dramatic fjord landscape. From the water’s surface, we’ll be immersed in the breathtaking presence and power of Aialik Glacier —listening for the thunderous cracks as ice calves into the sea and marveling at the towering ice face. This immersive experience offers a humbling perspective of Alaska’s wild grandeur.
Day 7
Drive Time: 3 hours
Hiking Mileage: 3.3 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 2,260 feet
It may be our last day, but the adventure isn’t over yet! As we make our way back to Anchorage, we’ll stop for a final hike along a section of the historic Iditarod Trail in the Chugach Mountains. With stunning views of glaciers, waterfalls, wildflowers, and wildlife, it’s a fitting finale to our week of exploring the heart of Alaska. After, we’ll return to Anchorage and drop you off at your hotel. Thank you for choosing Wildland—we’re grateful to have shared this journey with you!
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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6 nights of double occupancy lodging (single occupancy requires an additional single supplement)
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Top-of-the-line daypack and trekking poles
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All meals are included from breakfast the first day through dinner 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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Roundtrip transportation from your hotel in Anchorage, AK
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Entrance fees and national park permits
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Bear safety equipment including bear spray canisters
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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 -
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
Denali Grizzly Bear Resort
0-2 Nights
The Denali Grizzly Bear Resort is along the banks of the Nenana River with beautiful river or mountain views from your private deck. Each room is furbished in cedar and provides 2 double beds with a flat screen TV and full bathroom including tub. Family owned and operated for over 50 years. (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)
Trip Logistics & FAQs
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.
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
Reviews
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Kristin L
1 year agoTHE 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
2 years agoDid 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
2 years agoWonderful Tour
This was a wonderful hike to see different parts of the Alaska interior as opposed to a cruise.
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