Hike the Wrangell - St. Elias backcountry on this Alaska hiking tour. This region is one of the most expansive tracts of wilderness remaining in North America and offers the avid hiker a playground of options for exploring. Travel by bush plane to a remote area with your private guide. Set up your comfortable base camp from which to adventure each day. Spot alpine lakes, glaciers, and observe wildlife in the tundra as you explore at your own leisure and pace. Included at the beginning of your tour is a full day walk and ice climb on Root Glacier, one of the most accessible glaciers of its type and size.
Highlights
Hike the Wrangell - St. Elias wilderness with a private guide from your base
Basecamp in a virtual alpine magic-land as you explore at your own pace
Walk and ice climb on Root Glacier north of Kennicott town
Wander the streets of the historic Kennicott copper mining town
Activities that provide a reasonable level of physical challenge and elevate the heart rate. Focused on more active pursuits including multisport tours. Travelers may be active 5-7 hours total each day. Recommended for travelers with active lifestyles.
Fly from Anchorage to the McCarthy - Kennicott area nestled inside of the boundaries of Wrangell - St. Elias Park. A number of transportation options are available, but your tour includes a direct charter flight.
Arrive in McCarthy and transfer to Kennicott, an Alaska 'ghost town' that is seemingly frozen in time. The Copper Mine abruptly closed in 1938, and the inhabitants left behind equipment, buildings and even personal belongings. Come and see what it was like to work in this remote wilderness town. Set out on a group tour for a peek into history. Be prepared for some steep stairs as you explore inside this historic 14 story mine.
Today you get to choose your way of exploring Root Glacier. Set out for a full day private tour with your guide today. Walk along Root Glacier to see its features or try your hand at ice climbing! Start out with a moderate 2-mile hike to Root Glacier, then explore the glacier features by using ropes and harnesses for views of the glacier that are not easily seen by just walking. See crevasses, glacial pools, and Jumbo Creek Ice Cave where you will be surrounded by blue ice. Suitable for those who are ready for an adventure but perhaps do not have all the technical knowledge required to go it alone. Try ice climbing along the walls of Root Glacier. This is perfect for the nervous novice or the seasoned climber, you can spend your time with our experienced lead climbers as you practice the sport at your level. Enjoy views of the 7,000 ft Stairway Icefall and the towering Mt. Blackburn peak.
Day 3-6: Wrangell - St. Elias Hiking adventures
3 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 3 Dinners
The Wrangell – St. Elias park is one of North America’s most expansive remaining swaths of wilderness area. These rugged snow-covered peaks offer a backcountry paradise with glaciated valleys, clear alpine lakes, and high altitude tundra. The wildlife here is abundant and you get the sense that you truly are in their home. This trip gives backcountry enthusiasts a glimpse of this breathtaking alpine magic-land away from the crowds of more frequented camping destinations.
Set out on a bush plane with your guide to find the hidden and remote location that suits your preference and hiking level the best. Your guides are expert backpackers and very knowledgeable about the wilderness options throughout the vast park. Likewise, your pilots stem from three generations of bush pilot experience in this part of the world, and they know the area like their own backyard. Find your perfect wilderness "home" where you will set up camp for the next two nights, or longer if you prefer to extend your Alaska trip. Instead of carrying heavy packs, you set out each day with your daypacks and your guide towards the ridge or adventure that seems like the best match for the weather that day. This trip is customizable and perfect for the hikers who don’t need a set day-by-day itinerary but would rather be flexible for a personalized backpacking experience.
At the end of your Wrangell - St. Elias hiking experience, return to Kennicott, or extend your trip a day or two if you prefer more camping.
Day 7: Return Anchorage
Return to Anchorage today via charter plane. Travelers can choose to extend the trip with more time in this region for additional camping or a rafting tour.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$6,3042-3 travelers
Notes
Select a Date
Rates based on private group of 2 throughout. Discounted rates for groups of 3 or more are available, please inquire.
Initial deposit is 35%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check, or credit card. Final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum $20,000 charge
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
TrustScore 4.8 | 176 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 176 reviews on
9 hours ago
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
2 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
4 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
5 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.