Go deep into the icy wild on this active adventure
Alaska may be part of the USA, but it feels like another world. Discover incredible mountain ranges, diverse wildlife and shining glaciers on a nine-day Lonely Planet Experience in the coldest and iciest state of the USA. Go deep into the wild through the isolated Denali and Wrangell-St Elias national parks, then reunite with civilisation with stops in Anchorage and Valdez. Look out for moose, caribou and grizzly bears on an Alaskan safari and take a kayak trip past waterfalls and sea life. This active adventure takes you well off the beaten track, so escape from the world and explore the deep wilderness of Alaska.
A powerful partnership
Lonely Planet and Intrepid Travel share the same philosophy: we help curious people explore the world.
Drive across frozen plains and past massive peaks, walk across remote tundras to glacial rivers and canoe in the spectacular waters of Prince William Sound.
Go deep into the wild and experience unforgettable scenery on a camping adventure, staying closer than ever before to the mountains and glaciers.
Denali National Park is home to an abundance of native wildlife. Visit the park for a unique safari experience to see moose, caribou, grizzly bears, Dall sheep and wolves in their natural habitat.
Get close to sea otters, puffins and humpback whales on an optional kayaking trip in Valdez. You might even see bald eagles in the sky above!
See North America's biggest collection of glaciers and some of its tallest and most impressive mountains on your tour of the Wrangell-St Elias National Park.
This trip involves a partial camping experience, giving you access to more remote destinations at close proximity, and the joy of camping under the night skies and beside a campfire. This is a participatory trip – a fancy way of saying you’re not just along for the ride, but you are part of a team! Be prepared to roll up your sleeves and help out with camp activities like food prep and washing up. It’s all about giving your new travel mates a hand, and everyone knows there’s nothing worse than trying to put up a tent on your own!
That teamwork also extends to our optional food kitty of approximately USD 90 per week to cover the cost of meals. This means you don’t have to worry about stuff like where to get food or what exactly sales tax is, and actually helps keep your costs down. Instead of paying individually as you go, it means we can bulk purchase items and cook our own food – though there’s always the chance to use it for the occasional pizza night or s’mores by the campfire! The kitty is optional and for your convenience, so if you've got specific dietary requirements you can opt out to purchase (and cook) your own food.
This trip includes time spent travelling in a private vehicle with your group. Extra space can be tight, and roads in remote areas can be bumpy. It’s all part of the adventure and a great way to get to know your fellow travellers. Please read the itinerary carefully for travel time estimates.
While Alaska can experience warm summers, you should still be prepared for cold temperatures, especially at night. Warm clothing with you, including base layers, a warm hat, gloves and a thick (waterproof) coat, is essential. The summer months in Alaska also see very long daylight hours, with the sun not completely setting until after midnight so you might want to bring an eye mask to block out the light.
Mosquitoes are found across the USA, even in the colder regions. They can be a problem a lot of the time, especially in July. We recommended that you bring insect repellent that works for you.
The weather around Denali can be extreme at times. Be prepared for blizzards, ice cold winds and quick shifts in weather. It is Alaska after all!
Trip departures are unavailable.
There are currently no scheduled departures on our Explore Alaska trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.
1. This trip finishes on arrival into Anchorage in the afternoon on Day 9.
2. SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
A Single Supplement to have your own room is available on this trip however excludes night 4 (Maclaren River) where you will be in shared accommodation.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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