The glaciers are large and in charge, and right in your face. The bears crowd the rivers, plucking endless salmon from the clear, rushing waters. The peaks reach dizzying heights, untamed and merciless. Nature’s cycles are very obvious in Alaska. Rain flushes the rivers, which attract salmon, feeding orcas, bears, eagles, sea lions and even crabs. Planetary tilt changes temperatures, which brings snow, compacting over time into glaciers, which crush rock and form deep valleys and tortured landscapes. Summer sun brings warmth and plants, feeding land animals until the rain returns and the cycle starts over. All simply caused by the miraculous wobble of Earth’s axis as it hurtles around the sun. In Alaska, it’s all happening right in front of you!

During this guided hiking tour in Alaska you will come face to face with the true Alaska, exploring in ways that are truly unique and special. Search for wildlife in Denali National Park, while feeling tiny next to the massive mountain. Feel a true sense of wilderness as we boat up a wild river to a completely remote Alaska camp for a special night under the arctic skies. Step back in time to the pioneering days discovering the historic gold mining areas of Bonanza and Kennecott. Next we head to Wrangel-St Elias National Park, the largest and one of the most majestic parks in America. The mountains here are a sight to behold, and a guided trek to Root Glacier is a great opportunity to marvel at the endless ice sheets in the valley below our hiking trail.

No Alaska camping tour would be complete without a visit to Seward and Kenai Fjords National Park. From here we get a “rock’s eye view” of Exit Glacier, one of the most accessible (and dramatic, if we may) glaciers in Alaska. Cruise out through Kenai Fjords National Park to Resurrection Bay in search of whales and other marine life, as well as, you guessed it, more giant glaciers calving off into the water! Your Alaska camping tour features seven nights of camping and 4 nights to spoil yourself in hotels, lodges or cabins along the way. Feast on delicious food, prepared by your guide, and try out some eclectic local restaurants too. Our professional guides make touring Alaska easy, in the most rugged and unspoiled area in the United States. Welcome to the Amazing Alaska wilderness tour!

Fly to Anchorage and make your way to our meeting hotel to meet your new travel buddies and guide at 5 pm. We go over all the details of the tour and help you feel prepared for the adventure to come!

We depart Anchorage in the morning and head North towards Denali National Park, stopping to explore the quirky town of Talkeetna, a once mining town turned adventure and arts hub. As we near Denali we begin to get views of the massive peak of Mount Denali. We set up camp and have dinner as a group around a campfire.

Drive: 4 Hours
Accommodation: Denali Camp for 2 Nights

Hop on the included Denali National Park shuttle to explore the far reaches of one of Alaska’s wildest national parks. Keep your eyes peeled for the abundant wildlife, including bears, wolves, caribou, moose and Dall’s Sheep. Due to park regulations our guide can’t hike with you in the park, but you are welcome to explore some of the hikes in Denali National Park, or head out for a thrilling rafting adventure (optional, not included). Enjoy a social dinner with your group comparing photos at a local restaurant.

Optional Activity: Whitewater Rafting

Begin the day with a guided hike along the Triple Lakes Trail to enjoy some more gorgeous Alaskan scenery. The hike is roughly 6 miles (10 km) in length and covers 500 feet of elevation.

After our hike we drive along the scenic Denali Highway, looking out for views of the Alaska Range in the distance. Next we hop in a jet boat and speed up a river deep into the Alaska wilderness to stay at a remote camp for the night. You certainly won’t have to worry about crowds tonight!

Accommodation: Wilderness Camp 1 Night

Today we head from our wilderness camp to the small coastal town of Valdez. Valdez, Alaska has a tumultuous history, having been once destroyed by an earthquake and completely rebuilt in the 70’s. If nothing else, the history of Valdez has helped shaped the community, with a spirit of resilience that feels alive in this place. This help the residents of Valdez enjoy some of the most rugged and tough wilderness in North America, with towering mountains, enormous glaciers and the Bering Sea at their doorstep.

During our journey to Valdez we head through Thompson Pass renown for the impressive peaks that surround us, and the larger than life glaciers. We stop to check out Worthington Glacier, the most accessible glacier in the entire state!

Drive: 6 hours

Accommodation: Valdez Camp for Two Nights

Head on what might be the most epic excursions included on a Fresh Adventure! Today, you head by boat through the Alaskan ocean inlets to Shoup Bay State Park, known for the glaciers crumbling into the bay and becoming small icebergs. Could there be a better place to kayak?! We think not! With professional guides, you will be able to sea kayak in the bay, paddling through chunks of ice and catching glimpses of the main glacier. If you are lucky, you may even see parts of the glacier breaking off and sliding into the water. This is considered one of the premier glacier experiences in the world and one that won’t be available forever, so enjoy it!

Travel the famed McCarthy Road to America’s largest and possibly the most majestic national park, Wrangell-St Elias. On the way we travel through historic settlements that are almost completely unchanged since their origins in the goldrush and mining days. You can practically feel the ups and downs of the gold prospectors that made this place home, fighting constant hardship for a chance at striking it rich.

Drive: 4 hours

Accommodation: Glacier View Campground 2 Nights

Spend the day on a beautiful guided hiking tour to Root Glacier, to get unrivaled glacier views and soak in views of the surrounding mountains.

If you are so inclined, you can also opt for a variety of other activities that are available here, including ice climbing, a guided glacier walking tour, historic tour of the settlement or rafting!

Spend the morning making the most of your time in Wrangell-St Elias National Park with another guided walk on the Kennecott Glacier Trail, or opt for another activity available (scenic flight anyone?)

We spend the afternoon driving through scenic valleys and along rivers to Glenallen where we settle into a comfortable wilderness lodge for the night.

Drive: 4 hours

Accommodation: Majestic Valley Wilderness Lodge for 1 Night

Today we head further West to the infamous Alaskan seaside town of Seward. Along the way we stop for views of the Matanuska Glacier and Turnagain Arm and feast our eyes on the rugged Alaskan scenery.

Drive: 4 hours

Accommodation: Seward Cabins for 2 Nights

Venture out to Exit Glacier in the morning to explore one of the most remarkable glaciers we have ever laid eyes on.

Today you have the option to continue with the glacier theme and head out for a guided walk on the Harding Icefield Trail for a full day hike, or opt to go for a wildlife cruise in Kenai Fjords National Park, searching for whales, bears and more in the inlets around Seward and Resurrection Bay.

Enjoy dinner as a group at a restaurant in town, comparing photos from your trip and sharing your favourite experiences.

We return to Anchorage arriving with plenty of time left in the day for you to explore Anchorage on your own, or depart to the airport.

Drive: 2 hours

We plan our tours for the summer season, when the weather is at its finest. That being said, Alaska is a wild place and the weather is no exception, but that’s part of what makes it so special. On your Alaska hiking holiday package, you can expect a range of weather, from cold, windy grey days, to hot sunny days. Packing carefully to be prepared for all types of weather is a surefire way to make the most of your tour.

You can expect temperatures from 30 degrees Celsius (90 Fahrenheit) to 10 degrees Celsius (50 Fahrenheit). Being on the rugged coast of Alaska also means there is a potential for rain. Some tours and seasons have almost no rain, and some seasons have lots. It would be reasonable to expect 3 days with some rain on your 12 day Alaska tour.

The bugs are actually not bad in Alaska, despite what many people think. Of course, there are some bugs to be expected while exploring the wilderness, so being prepared with some long sleeves and bug spray is always a good idea. We provide some bug deterrents, like citronella etc to help keep them away from our campsite as well!

The majority of our guided walking tour in Alaska is rated Level- 2- Moderate. There is not as much focus on daily guided hikes as our Level 3 hiking tours. There are a few hiking opportunities on this Alaska tour that are closer to the Level 3 rating, though the longer sections are optional.

Hiking: Shorter hikes on established trails with a light day pack. Hikes cover 4-10 km (2-6 miles) with elevation gain up to 500 meters (1500 feet). Typically hiking for 2-3 hours per day.

Our groups are small and sociable and we believe that our Fresh Family is what makes our tours amazing! We are lucky to attract very warm, welcoming people from all over the world who share a passion for adventure and sharing experiences with new people.

Age Range: 30-75 (Average age around 50)
Gender: Roughly 60 percent female/ 40 percent male
Booking Size: Roughly 60 percent are travelling solo and 40 percent are couples and small groups of 2-3 friends.

We will provide a complete packing list included in your booking confirmation. We are also available to chat about specific items and questions you have before your tour. Here is a list of a few essential items for our Alaska wilderness tour.

• Rain gear (We recommend waterproof jacket and pants)

• Hiking boots

• Day pack (15-30 liters) to hold personal items on hikes like water bottle, jacket, sunscreen, lunch

• Sleeping bag (Rentals may be available- please inquire)

• Clothing suitable for active outdoor activities (non-cotton, layers)

• Some summer clothes and some warmer layers for colder days

We have chosen a variety of accommodations to provide a true Alaskan wilderness experience for you! Over the course of this tour you will be staying in hotels, wilderness camps, cabins and front country campgrounds. Each have their own perks and features wildly different from each other. Here are some examples of the accommodation types we use on this tour:

• Front country camping: Camping in 3 person tents (2 people per tent) at road accessible campgrounds. Access or pit toilets, showers at most facilities, and 1-2 nights without a shower available.

• Wilderness camping: Spend a special night deep in the wilderness at an exclusive campground only available by private boat.

• Cabins: Typically comfortable cabins at campgrounds and rv parks. Cabins vary, but are typically a combination of bed configurations with shared bathrooms. Expect to sleep in a range of twin beds, double beds, with 1-3 room mates of the same sex. We always pair couples together with a double bed.

• Hotels: Sleep in a hotel room, usually with two queen beds and an ensuite bathroom. There is typically a lobby and common area, and some hotels have a restaurant attached.

Over the years that we have run these Alaska camping tours we have noticed that groups who participate in the day to day camping activities have a far better experience and we are able to deliver a superior tour. Our goal is to create the perfect blend of relaxation and comfort, with a mix of expedition and adventure elements into one unforgettable trip for you.

During your tour there are times that we ask for your help to ensure we can run a smooth tour. Below is a rough idea of what you can expect on our camping tours in Alaska.

• Setting Up Tents: Each time we move camp, you will be responsible to set up and take down your tent. Your guide will be right there to support you and make sure you know what you are doing, and campers usually work together on this to make light work of it. Each tent typically takes less than 5 minutes to set up or take down, even for an inexperienced camper. This will happen 3-4 times on your tour.

• Meal Prep & Dishes: While your guide works to whip up a gourmet meal each day, we ask for a little bit of light and casual help in the kitchen a few times during your tour. The kitchen is where most people hang out and enjoy a beer or glass of wine at the end of a big hiking day, and the most social part of the campsites. We simply ask you to help chop a few veggies, grate some cheese etc while you hang out during a few meals. A few times over the course of your tour, you will be asked to help with the dishes, working in teams of 2-3. This is likely to happen 3-4 times over the course of this tour and shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes each time.

• Departure Day: On the last day of your tour, your guides will come by and help you quickly shake any debris out of your tent.

Please remember that we want this to be as relaxing an experience as possible for you. You always have the right to refuse to help, though we have found over the past two thousand travelers we have guided on camping tours, that the most helpful groups have a better experience overall by a longshot. As things get done quicker, your guides have more time to surprise you with desserts, or squeeze in extra sights to go and see!