Expeditions Alaska offers guided Alaska backpacking trips for individuals and small groups (maximum 5 participants). We specialize in guiding trips into places most people never reach.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park – The majority of our trips happen here.
Gates of the Arctic National Park – Brooks Range trips for people who want to see what the Arctic looks like.
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge – We run backpacking and packrafting trips here every year. True wilderness.
Lake Clark and Denali National Parks – Additional options depending on what you’re looking for.
How These Trips Work
Bush plane access is standard for us. We fly in to the backcountry, and then start our journey. Distances vary a lot trip to trip, and day to day. We travel well, exploring and dealing with whatever the Alaskan landscape throws at us.
Trip length varies from 5-14 days depending on the route and your schedule. Most trips involve 7-10 days in the backcountry (not counting travel days to and from the trailhead).
We typically include travel days to/from the backcountry in our trip descriptions.
We customize each trip based on your experience level and what you can handle. The degree of difficulty each trip involves varies significantly. The skills and experience of the participants matter.
Beginners are welcome on easier routes. Experienced backpackers who want something harder can get that too. We match the trip to the people, not the other way around.
Custom and Exploratory Trips
We also run custom backpacking trips and guide an exploratory trip each summer. These trips are great for those hardy folks with some experience looking for something a little bit different. Inquire for details.
On a scale of 1 – 5, five being the most challenging, three hiking boots is smack in the middle.
1 boot = basecamp/dayhike easy 2 boots = easier backpacking trip 3 boots = intermediate level trip 4 boots = intermediate to advanced backpacking 5 boots = ask yourself are you really ready for this?
11 boots = One louder. For when 5 boots just isn’t enough.
Expect whatever level you think might best fit you to be one level LOWER on our scale. Hiking here in Alaska is generally a step or three above what you’ll find in the Lower 48 states.
If you consider yourself up for an intermediate level hike, for example, assume that a trip rated intermediate here will probably be a bit tougher than you’re expecting; not impossible, but harder than you think. Intermediate level trips don’t mean you won’t be challenged, won’t struggle at times, and won’t have any easy sections either. On any trip you’ll probably find some easy sections, some harder, and some are challenging.
Backpacking in Chugach Mountains, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
Also, understand that all these rating are so completely subjective that they’re not entirely all together practical. They’re a VERY loose idea of how the trips might compare to one another, for some people.
Lastly, understand that even a trip we might rate as “intermediate” (3-4 hiking boots) may still have some difficulty at times. Weather changes things. There may be a tough steep climb on the route that takes a few hours.
Scheduled Dates
2026
Jun 8 – Jun 17, 2026
Jun 15 – Jun 19, 2026
Price
$5,300
Above the Circle. Backpacking the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
On a scale of 1 – 5, five being the most challenging, four hiking boots is toward the tougher end of the course.
1 boot = basecamp/dayhike easy 2 boots = easier backpacking trip 3 boots = intermediate level trip 4 boots = intermediate to advanced backpacking 5 boots = ask yourself are you really ready for this?
11 boots = One louder. For when 5 boots just isn’t enough.
Expect whatever level you think might best fit you to be one level LOWER on our scale. Hiking here in Alaska is generally a step or three above what you’ll find in the Lower 48 states. We might call something intermediate-advanced, and it may well be the toughest trip you’ve ever done in your life. Just understand that these metrics aren’t perfect.
You’ll find some good, easier walking, but also encounter sidehill or moraine and talus, or dense brush such as alder or willow.
The challenges aren’t generally so much in the distance we cover, or the elevation gain and loss. Most backpackers are surprised just how far we do NOT go on a backpacking trip in Alaska. The challenges are in the terrain you’re walking over, and how well you adapt to those. Some people do great walking on boulders, and other people struggle to the very last stone. I can’t tell you how well you’ll do on a specific route, but we’ll do our best to work with you to match you with a trip that fits your experience and backpacking level.
Most people will call these trips tough. They just haven’t done the 5 hiking boot trips.
Backpacking across glacial moraine, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
Scheduled Dates
2026
Jul 18 – Jul 29, 2026
Aug 4 – Aug 15, 2026
Aug 9 – Aug 20, 2026
Price
$5,700
A backpacking adventure in a place like no other. Hike the Brooks Range and camp beneath the soaring Arrigetch Peaks. And finish with a packraft adventure down the Alatna River.
On a scale of 1 – 5, five being the most challenging, four hiking boots is toward the tougher end of the course.
1 boot = basecamp/dayhike easy 2 boots = easier backpacking trip 3 boots = intermediate level trip 4 boots = intermediate to advanced backpacking 5 boots = ask yourself are you really ready for this?
11 boots = One louder. For when 5 boots just isn’t enough.
Expect whatever level you think might best fit you to be one level LOWER on our scale. Hiking here in Alaska is generally a step or three above what you’ll find in the Lower 48 states. We might call something intermediate-advanced, and it may well be the toughest trip you’ve ever done in your life. Just understand that these metrics aren’t perfect.
You’ll find some good, easier walking, but also encounter sidehill or moraine and talus, or dense brush such as alder or willow.
The challenges aren’t generally so much in the distance we cover, or the elevation gain and loss. Most backpackers are surprised just how far we do NOT go on a backpacking trip in Alaska. The challenges are in the terrain you’re walking over, and how well you adapt to those. Some people do great walking on boulders, and other people struggle to the very last stone. I can’t tell you how well you’ll do on a specific route, but we’ll do our best to work with you to match you with a trip that fits your experience and backpacking level.
Most people will call these trips tough. They just haven’t done the 5 hiking boot trips.
Backpacking across glacial moraine, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
Intermediate
On a scale of 1 – 5, five being the most challenging, three hiking boots is smack in the middle.
1 boot = basecamp/dayhike easy 2 boots = easier backpacking trip 3 boots = intermediate level trip 4 boots = intermediate to advanced backpacking 5 boots = ask yourself are you really ready for this?
11 boots = One louder. For when 5 boots just isn’t enough.
Expect whatever level you think might best fit you to be one level LOWER on our scale. Hiking here in Alaska is generally a step or three above what you’ll find in the Lower 48 states.
If you consider yourself up for an intermediate level hike, for example, assume that a trip rated intermediate here will probably be a bit tougher than you’re expecting; not impossible, but harder than you think. Intermediate level trips don’t mean you won’t be challenged, won’t struggle at times, and won’t have any easy sections either. On any trip you’ll probably find some easy sections, some harder, and some are challenging.
Backpacking in Chugach Mountains, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
Also, understand that all these rating are so completely subjective that they’re not entirely all together practical. They’re a VERY loose idea of how the trips might compare to one another, for some people.
Lastly, understand that even a trip we might rate as “intermediate” (3-4 hiking boots) may still have some difficulty at times. Weather changes things. There may be a tough steep climb on the route that takes a few hours.
Scheduled Dates
2026
Jul 15 – Jul 23, 2026
Aug 5 – Aug 13, 2026
Aug 11 – Aug 19, 2026
Price
$3,400
A favorite Alaska backpacking trip. Just the right level of adventure, challenge and solitude. And stunning mountain scenery. Everyone loves the Goat Trail.
On a scale of 1 – 5, five being the most challenging, five hiking boots is right up there.
1 boot = basecamp/dayhike easy 2 boots = easier backpacking trip 3 boots = intermediate level trip 4 boots = intermediate to advanced backpacking 5 boots = ask yourself are you really ready for this?
11 boots = One louder. For when 5 boots just isn’t enough.
Expect whatever level you think might best fit you to be one level LOWER on our scale. Hiking here in Alaska is generally a step or three above what you’ll find in the Lower 48 states.
Expect it to be tougher than you think it will. At least in part, anyway. Some sections will inevitably be easier. Some will make you feel it.
How do we get down from here? Tough backpacking in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.
One of the best hikers I’ve walked with, Ben, said it perfectly one day, as we traversed a step sidehill on the Southern Traverse. “Man, Alaska just beats you up, doesn’t it?”
And he’s right. It does. Don’t be fooled by the low mileages and the lower elevations. The catch is the difficulty of traversing rugged country with no trails. However much you think that might impact you, double it.
You need to be athletic, well balanced, in good shape, and an experienced backpacker for this kind of trip. If you’re not that .. well, don’t say you weren’t well warned.
Tap Out
Our Maximum Difficulty Rating.
It’s one louder.
🥾🥾🥾🥾🥾🥾🥾🥾🥾🥾🥾
11 boots = One louder.
For when 5 boots just isn’t enough. Where can you go from there? You’re right at the edge & you need that little extra push.
If you know, you know. 😏
All the way up, all the way up.
Scheduled Dates
Custom dates available
Price
$4,900
A trek like no other. A glacier like no other. We backpack across the largest glacier in North America. Beneath the highest coastal mountains in the world.
On a scale of 1 – 5, five being the most challenging, four hiking boots is toward the tougher end of the course.
1 boot = basecamp/dayhike easy 2 boots = easier backpacking trip 3 boots = intermediate level trip 4 boots = intermediate to advanced backpacking 5 boots = ask yourself are you really ready for this?
11 boots = One louder. For when 5 boots just isn’t enough.
Expect whatever level you think might best fit you to be one level LOWER on our scale. Hiking here in Alaska is generally a step or three above what you’ll find in the Lower 48 states. We might call something intermediate-advanced, and it may well be the toughest trip you’ve ever done in your life. Just understand that these metrics aren’t perfect.
You’ll find some good, easier walking, but also encounter sidehill or moraine and talus, or dense brush such as alder or willow.
The challenges aren’t generally so much in the distance we cover, or the elevation gain and loss. Most backpackers are surprised just how far we do NOT go on a backpacking trip in Alaska. The challenges are in the terrain you’re walking over, and how well you adapt to those. Some people do great walking on boulders, and other people struggle to the very last stone. I can’t tell you how well you’ll do on a specific route, but we’ll do our best to work with you to match you with a trip that fits your experience and backpacking level.
Most people will call these trips tough. They just haven’t done the 5 hiking boot trips.
Backpacking across glacial moraine, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
Scheduled Dates
2026
Jul 31 – Aug 10, 2026
Aug 11 – Aug 21, 2026
Price
$3,800
Backpack across two glaciers, multiple alpine passes and enjoy some of the best campsites this side of anywhere. Backpacking with something of everything.
On a scale of 1 – 5, five being the most challenging, three hiking boots is smack in the middle.
1 boot = basecamp/dayhike easy 2 boots = easier backpacking trip 3 boots = intermediate level trip 4 boots = intermediate to advanced backpacking 5 boots = ask yourself are you really ready for this?
11 boots = One louder. For when 5 boots just isn’t enough.
Expect whatever level you think might best fit you to be one level LOWER on our scale. Hiking here in Alaska is generally a step or three above what you’ll find in the Lower 48 states.
If you consider yourself up for an intermediate level hike, for example, assume that a trip rated intermediate here will probably be a bit tougher than you’re expecting; not impossible, but harder than you think. Intermediate level trips don’t mean you won’t be challenged, won’t struggle at times, and won’t have any easy sections either. On any trip you’ll probably find some easy sections, some harder, and some are challenging.
Backpacking in Chugach Mountains, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
Also, understand that all these rating are so completely subjective that they’re not entirely all together practical. They’re a VERY loose idea of how the trips might compare to one another, for some people.
Lastly, understand that even a trip we might rate as “intermediate” (3-4 hiking boots) may still have some difficulty at times. Weather changes things. There may be a tough steep climb on the route that takes a few hours.
Scheduled Dates
Custom dates available
Price
$3,600
Options abound. Backpacking in the eastern Wrangell Mountains, or basecampjng and day hiking the high alpine tundra. And soak up the finest mountain views anywhere.
On a scale of 1 – 5, five being the most challenging, three hiking boots is smack in the middle.
1 boot = basecamp/dayhike easy 2 boots = easier backpacking trip 3 boots = intermediate level trip 4 boots = intermediate to advanced backpacking 5 boots = ask yourself are you really ready for this?
11 boots = One louder. For when 5 boots just isn’t enough.
Expect whatever level you think might best fit you to be one level LOWER on our scale. Hiking here in Alaska is generally a step or three above what you’ll find in the Lower 48 states.
If you consider yourself up for an intermediate level hike, for example, assume that a trip rated intermediate here will probably be a bit tougher than you’re expecting; not impossible, but harder than you think. Intermediate level trips don’t mean you won’t be challenged, won’t struggle at times, and won’t have any easy sections either. On any trip you’ll probably find some easy sections, some harder, and some are challenging.
Backpacking in Chugach Mountains, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
Also, understand that all these rating are so completely subjective that they’re not entirely all together practical. They’re a VERY loose idea of how the trips might compare to one another, for some people.
Lastly, understand that even a trip we might rate as “intermediate” (3-4 hiking boots) may still have some difficulty at times. Weather changes things. There may be a tough steep climb on the route that takes a few hours.
Scheduled Dates
2026
Jul 12 – Jul 19, 2026
Price
$3,500
Ten to twenty people hike here each year. Alpine plateau between 16,000' peaks. Wrangell Mountains wilderness. Yours alone.
On a scale of 1 – 5, five being the most challenging, three hiking boots is smack in the middle.
1 boot = basecamp/dayhike easy 2 boots = easier backpacking trip 3 boots = intermediate level trip 4 boots = intermediate to advanced backpacking 5 boots = ask yourself are you really ready for this?
11 boots = One louder. For when 5 boots just isn’t enough.
Expect whatever level you think might best fit you to be one level LOWER on our scale. Hiking here in Alaska is generally a step or three above what you’ll find in the Lower 48 states.
If you consider yourself up for an intermediate level hike, for example, assume that a trip rated intermediate here will probably be a bit tougher than you’re expecting; not impossible, but harder than you think. Intermediate level trips don’t mean you won’t be challenged, won’t struggle at times, and won’t have any easy sections either. On any trip you’ll probably find some easy sections, some harder, and some are challenging.
Backpacking in Chugach Mountains, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
Also, understand that all these rating are so completely subjective that they’re not entirely all together practical. They’re a VERY loose idea of how the trips might compare to one another, for some people.
Lastly, understand that even a trip we might rate as “intermediate” (3-4 hiking boots) may still have some difficulty at times. Weather changes things. There may be a tough steep climb on the route that takes a few hours.
Scheduled Dates
2026
Jul 29 – Aug 6, 2026
Price
$3,300
A short but sweet backpacking trip through the Wrangell Mountains. Hike on Kennicott Glacier, up Hidden Valley and camp in the amazing alpine terrain we call Oz.
On a scale of 1 – 5, five being the most challenging, four hiking boots is toward the tougher end of the course.
1 boot = basecamp/dayhike easy 2 boots = easier backpacking trip 3 boots = intermediate level trip 4 boots = intermediate to advanced backpacking 5 boots = ask yourself are you really ready for this?
11 boots = One louder. For when 5 boots just isn’t enough.
Expect whatever level you think might best fit you to be one level LOWER on our scale. Hiking here in Alaska is generally a step or three above what you’ll find in the Lower 48 states. We might call something intermediate-advanced, and it may well be the toughest trip you’ve ever done in your life. Just understand that these metrics aren’t perfect.
You’ll find some good, easier walking, but also encounter sidehill or moraine and talus, or dense brush such as alder or willow.
The challenges aren’t generally so much in the distance we cover, or the elevation gain and loss. Most backpackers are surprised just how far we do NOT go on a backpacking trip in Alaska. The challenges are in the terrain you’re walking over, and how well you adapt to those. Some people do great walking on boulders, and other people struggle to the very last stone. I can’t tell you how well you’ll do on a specific route, but we’ll do our best to work with you to match you with a trip that fits your experience and backpacking level.
Most people will call these trips tough. They just haven’t done the 5 hiking boot trips.
Backpacking across glacial moraine, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
Intermediate
On a scale of 1 – 5, five being the most challenging, three hiking boots is smack in the middle.
1 boot = basecamp/dayhike easy 2 boots = easier backpacking trip 3 boots = intermediate level trip 4 boots = intermediate to advanced backpacking 5 boots = ask yourself are you really ready for this?
11 boots = One louder. For when 5 boots just isn’t enough.
Expect whatever level you think might best fit you to be one level LOWER on our scale. Hiking here in Alaska is generally a step or three above what you’ll find in the Lower 48 states.
If you consider yourself up for an intermediate level hike, for example, assume that a trip rated intermediate here will probably be a bit tougher than you’re expecting; not impossible, but harder than you think. Intermediate level trips don’t mean you won’t be challenged, won’t struggle at times, and won’t have any easy sections either. On any trip you’ll probably find some easy sections, some harder, and some are challenging.
Backpacking in Chugach Mountains, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
Also, understand that all these rating are so completely subjective that they’re not entirely all together practical. They’re a VERY loose idea of how the trips might compare to one another, for some people.
Lastly, understand that even a trip we might rate as “intermediate” (3-4 hiking boots) may still have some difficulty at times. Weather changes things. There may be a tough steep climb on the route that takes a few hours.
Strenuous
On a scale of 1 – 5, five being the most challenging, five hiking boots is right up there.
1 boot = basecamp/dayhike easy 2 boots = easier backpacking trip 3 boots = intermediate level trip 4 boots = intermediate to advanced backpacking 5 boots = ask yourself are you really ready for this?
11 boots = One louder. For when 5 boots just isn’t enough.
Expect whatever level you think might best fit you to be one level LOWER on our scale. Hiking here in Alaska is generally a step or three above what you’ll find in the Lower 48 states.
Expect it to be tougher than you think it will. At least in part, anyway. Some sections will inevitably be easier. Some will make you feel it.
How do we get down from here? Tough backpacking in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.
One of the best hikers I’ve walked with, Ben, said it perfectly one day, as we traversed a step sidehill on the Southern Traverse. “Man, Alaska just beats you up, doesn’t it?”
And he’s right. It does. Don’t be fooled by the low mileages and the lower elevations. The catch is the difficulty of traversing rugged country with no trails. However much you think that might impact you, double it.
You need to be athletic, well balanced, in good shape, and an experienced backpacker for this kind of trip. If you’re not that .. well, don’t say you weren’t well warned.
Price
$3,500
Trips designed from the ground up by our guides. Typically targeted solid to experienced backpackers and paddlers who understand what they're in for. Locations and routes vary year to year.
Had an amazing time in the Brooks Range this summer. Our guide Trevor was terrific and helped make the trip less intimidating and more enjoyable. There’s no feeling quite like the one you get after struggling up a pass and being rewarded with a view of a brand new pristine drainage valley.
Sensational hiking and packrafting in fantastic scenery, I LOVED this trip with Expeditions Alaska. They worked real hard to make the trip come together in challenging conditions and it was awesome. The gear they provided was very high quality, the food excellent, and having such a small group.
Truly the trip of a lifetime. I hope to do many more trips with Expeditions Alaska. All the details were taken care of with courtesy and professionalism. Our guide Rhane is highly-skilled, extraordinarily likable, a top-notch backcountry cook. Have Expeditions Alaska provide your food!
Christie working for her turns in the off-season. Ad adventurous soul with a feel for open spaces.
Christie Conway | Lead Guide
“You can wake up to frost on your tent and be hiking in a t-shirt by noon. Snow one day, 80 degrees the next. That’s Alaska”.
Few people bring their entire self to their work like Christie does. Feeding a crew in the backcountry or navigating the mountains, Christie loves this place as much as any of us. 5 seasons guiding with Expeditions Alaska.
Guides chatting about guide stuff on the Copper River, pre-season training course.
Our Guides
“Ridgelines, river beds, and well-drained tundra make for good walking. There’s a lot to see and different animals and plants in different aspects, even very close to each other”.
During our pre-season training trip, the guides share stories as freely as they share their expertise. The strength of this little company is our crew. 100%.
Our Alaska guide training trip is one of the best in the state. And it shows.
David Capo | Lead Guide
“The training trip at the beginning of the year was incredibly helpful, not just from a technical skills point but also from a ‘ramping up for the season’ standpoint”.
One of our newer Alaska guides David does a wonderful job for us. He’s meticulous, together and supremely capable.
