Alaska Hiking Plus – Wrangell-St. Elias
Member Savings
Sign in to see which companies give additional
savings to Travelstride Members (it’s free)
Overview
Highlights
- Explore the landscapes of Wrangell-St.Elias, America’s largest national park
- Strap on your crampons and take a hike on massive Root Glacier
- Spend three days hiking in the spectacular Wrangell-St. Elias backcountry
- Discover the fun of packrafting on one of the park’s glacier-fed lakes
- All flights within the trip itself are included as noted on the itinerary below
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Activities
Trip includes
- Professional guide leadership
- 7 nights lodging/camping accommodations as noted on itinerary
- All meals from lunch on Day 1 through lunch on Day 8 except for dinner on Day 6
- All ground transfers as noted on the daily itinerary
- 3 internal flights as noted on daily itinerary
- Sleeping bag
- Crampons for glacier hike
- Tents and group camping gear, packraft and related gear for Day 7
- Park entrance/permit fees
Itinerary
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Flying time to McCarthy: 2 hours.
Our trip begins today in Anchorage, Alaska, where we meet at 8:30am at our host hotel. From the hotel, we transfer to Merrill Field for our scenic two-hour flight over the Chugach Mountains to the...
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Hiking: 7-9 miles (4 miles on dirt trail, 3-5 miles on ice) with approx. 300’ of elevation gain/loss.
After breakfast, we pick up our crampons in preparation for our day out on the incredible white ice of the Root Glaci...
Flying time: 45 minutes; hiking: 2-4 miles over varied terrain.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Comprised of over 13 million acres of pristine wilderness and containing some of the highest mountain peaks in North America, Wrangell-St. Elias is the lar...
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Hiking: 4-6 miles daily over varied terrain with elevation gains/losses of up to 1,500’.
Waking up in a 13-million-acre wilderness playground affords us many activity options during the next two days. With our guides le...
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Flying time: approx. 45 minutes; hiking: 2-4 miles over varied terrain.
We break camp this morning before setting out on a final hike. By now we’ve become accustomed to hiking on tundra and navigating through the Alaskan bush b...
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Hiking: 3 miles with minimal elevation gain/loss; packrafting: 4-5 hours.
Today’s amphibious adventure is good fun for novice and experienced paddlers alike. With our one-person boats and paddling gear loaded in our pac...
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
After an 8am breakfast, we begin the scenic eight-hour drive back to Anchorage, stopping for a picnic lunch and at numerous panoramic viewpoints along the way. On a clear day, four of the park’s giant volcanic peaks, Mount Sanford (16...
Want a tailor-made trip instead?
Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:
- You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
- Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with REI Adventures.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
REI Adventures Reviews & Ratings
Other REI Adventures Reviews
The heart of Alaska - hiking, and more
The entire trip was well researched, conceived and executed. The schedule, order of activities, pace, and diversity yielded a quality mix of physical activity, Alask...
Great Hiking experience in the Rockies!
Traveling all the way from Sweden we were looking for a way to hike out in the wilderness with a group and we found this great trip. It takes you out in the amazing ...
Fantastic Trip
This trip was A+ from the get go. Our guides (Jeannie and Chris) were organized and had great rapport building skills so the first impression was super. Our fellow t...
Tour Operator
At REI, we love to get outside and play, and we know first-hand the importance of quality outdoor gear. We stand behind all our products with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, and we design our own line of award-winning REI brand gear and clothing. Whether you're new to outdoor adventure or a seasoned pro, we gladly share our enthusiasm for our products—and the trails, slopes and waterways where we play.
Each year, REI donates millions of dollars to support conservation efforts nationwide and sends dedicated teams of volunteers—members, customers and REI employees—to build trails, clean up beaches, restore local habitats and more. Through responsible business practices across the company, we strive to reduce our environmental footprint.
What began as a group of 23 mountain climbing buddies is now the nation's largest consumer cooperative. But no matter how large we grow, our roots remain firmly planted in the outdoors. Our passion for outdoor adventure is clear, whether you visit any of our stores across the country, phone us, or interact with us online.
By staying true to our roots, we've earned a place on Fortune magazine's list of the "100 Best Companies to Work For" every year since the rankings began in 1998. We work hard to earn our reputation for quality and integrity every day. Our core purpose guides everything we do: we all work to inspire, educate and outfit for a lifetime of outdoor adventure and stewardship.
Why has REI offered adventure travel trips for more than 25 years? To get people outdoors! It's really that simple. For us, getting people outdoors is our mission, our goal, and our passion. And it's been that way for over 75 years! So whether you dream of cycling the winding roads of Zion National Park, exploring the unique flora and fauna of the Galapagos Islands, trekking through the Himalayas, or joining us for a close-to-home weekend getaway, we're here to help you live that dream. With more than 150 different trips on every continent, you're sure to land on the trip of a lifetime, every time you travel with us.
REI Style Defined
Fantastic Travel Companions:
One of the best parts of travel is who you meet along the journey. With an REI Adventures trip, you have a head start because you're traveling with fellow REI members who more than likely share your values and your passion to explore the world around you. Not only will you make connections with local people across the globe, you'll be traveling with new friends that you'll want to keep for life.
Active Trips that Explore the World:
We can take you to all the places you've always wanted to go, to do the activities you love. You will be immersed in the natural beauty and culture of a place. And we do it in the REI way, welcoming those serendipitous travel moments that can't be planned and ultimately result in your best stories and memories from a trip. Chance encounters with wildlife, conversations with local residents, camaraderie with active like-minded travelers—these are the hallmarks of an REI Adventures trip.
Guides Worth Following:
Travel with us and you'll get to know a place like the back of your hand. You'll plunge into a region with access only a resident guide can offer. Our guides are musicians and scientist, Sherpas and chefs, each one passionate about the outdoors. Follow our guides away from the beaten path and you'll discover the unexpected. There's a world of truth and beauty waiting out there that's not found in any guidebook.
Friendly, Knowledgeable Staff:
Every REI Adventures journey begins with one of our travel-savvy staff. When you call, you'll get first-hand knowledge about your trip. Not only can REI tell you what to bring and how to prepare for your adventure—we do know a thing or two about gear—we'll also share our own passion for the destination and the activities you'll be doing. You can trust our knowledge and attention to detail to make your trip the best you've ever taken.
About Travelstride
Find your perfect trip
Save time
Save money
Travel confidently
Logistics
What's excluded
- Roundtrip airfare from your hometown to Anchorage
- Airport transfers
- Dinner on Day 6
- Guide gratuities for lead and assistant guide
- Items of a personal nature such as laundry and internet fees
- Alcoholic beverages
- Other services not clearly noted in the Included section above
Accommodation
A refundable deposit of $400 is required at time of booking to secure space. Full payment is required 60 days before departure date.
If you decide to cancel your trip, the following fees apply and are due when we receive notice of your cancellation:
91+ days prior to departure = $0
61 to 90 days = $400
31 to 60 days prior to departure = 50% of the total trip cost is non-refundable
0 to 30 days prior to departure = 100% of the trip cost is non-refundable
If you instead transfer to another trip, the following fees are due at the time of the request:
61+ days prior to departure = $0
31 to 60 days = $400
0 to 30 days prior to departure = 100% of the trip cost is non-refundable
6 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches and 5 Dinners
This trip is rated as Moderate plus [3-4]. It is not necessary to be an expert hiker to participate but you should feel comfortable spending 4-6 hours hiking on most days and arrive at the beginning of the trip in as good a shape as possible. Much of our hiking takes place off trail on spongy tundra (and glacial ice on Day 2). Daily elevation gains/losses vary but generally won't exceed 1,500'. Hikes may also involve short stretches of exposed, narrow trail, loose scree, and some river crossings. Our glacier hike and packraft excursions are suitable for novices.
To maximize your enjoyment of the trip and avoid sore muscles, we suggest beginning a regular exercise regimen at least 3 months prior to departure. Recommended exercises include hiking, jogging, paddling, and/or swimming. The better shape you are in, the more fun you will have. Get out on those hills if possible!
- Hiking
- Rafting
- Camping
Become a member
- Save up to $700 per person
- Access members-only specials
- Personalize trip recommendations