Thinking About Joining Us in 2026?
"You should never see Alaska as a young man, because every other place you ever go will somehow, never quite be the same."
— John Muir
Alaska backpacking isn’t just a bigger version of trips you’ve done before.
It asks different things of you — and it gives different things back. Before you decide whether this is right for you, we want to slow the moment down. Not to convince you. Just to offer a clearer sense of what actually shapes the experience out there.
If Alaska has found its way into your thoughts, it’s usually not random…
People don’t daydream about this place because they want another trip.
They do it because something in them is ready for scale. For quiet. For being a little less buffered from the world.
This page isn’t here to hype you up or push you toward a decision.
It’s here to help you sense whether one of our trips might actually be right for you — now, or soon.
A different relationship to challenge…
Alaska doesn’t ask you to conquer it.
It asks you to pay attention.
Some days are physically demanding. Others are deceptively gentle. What makes it powerful isn’t how hard you push, but how present you’re willing to be when plans change, weather rolls in, or the land invites you to slow down.
We run trips that hold challenge with care — not as a badge of honor, but as a way into depth.
Photos by Will Koeppen
Welcome video from Jack
Two ways of being in the landscape
We offer two primary styles of trips, because people meet challenge differently.
Backpacking trips
You move camp. You carry your world with you. You travel through terrain that has no interest in convenience. These trips tend to attract people who like effort, rhythm, and the feeling of earning their evenings.
Basecamp trips
You return to the same camp each night. You explore widely during the day, then come back to a place that slowly becomes familiar. These trips still involve real days and real terrain — just with more spaciousness built in.
Neither is “better.”
They’re simply different conversations with the land.
About difficulty (and why our trip grades matter)…
Alaska is rugged — that’s true.
But rugged doesn’t have to mean overwhelming.
We grade our trips carefully so you can choose something that stretches you without tipping into stress or self-doubt. The goal isn’t to see how much you can tolerate — it’s to create the conditions where the place can actually work on you.
When people choose trips that match where they’re at, something opens.
Confidence grows.
The experience deepens.
If you’re unsure, that’s not a problem. It’s usually the beginning of a good conversation.
Who you share the experience with matters more than most people expect
Remote places amplify everything.
Kindness. Humor. Patience.
So do impatience and ego — which is why we pay close attention to group size and tone.
Our trips tend to draw people who are curious, thoughtful, and okay with not having all the answers. People who want to be part of something shared, not just collect a personal achievement.
Out here, the group becomes part of the landscape.
The seasons (and the mood they carry)
Alaska changes quickly over the summer, and each window has its own feel.
Late June–early July is warmer, greener, and full of light that barely seems to end.
August and September are quieter, cooler, and often rich with wildlife and early fall color.
There isn’t a “best” time — just different atmospheres.
A word about bears
People often hesitate because of bears. That’s understandable.
They’re part of this ecosystem, and we treat that seriously — through training, protocols, camp systems, and conservative decision-making. For most guests, fear softens quickly once they see how we move through the land.
What often remains is respect — and a deeper sense of what it means to be a guest in a truly wild place.
Why Alaska tends to linger
John Muir once suggested people save Alaska for last, because once you experience wilderness at this scale, it changes how everything else feels.
We see that happen all the time.
People come back steadier.
Clearer.
More honest about what they want — and what they don’t.
It’s not dramatic.
It’s subtle.
And it stays with you.
A practical note
Alaska runs on short seasons and long lead times. Flights, permits, and logistics mean trips often fill many months in advance.
If 2026 is even a quiet maybe, it’s worth beginning the conversation sooner rather than later. And if our scheduled dates don’t align, we also offer custom trips, shaped around your timing and group.
If you’re still reading
That’s usually a sign.
Most people don’t land here because they’re bored.
They land here because something in them is ready for a different kind of experience — one that isn’t rushed, curated, or performative.
You don’t have to decide everything today.
You just have to listen to what’s tugging at you.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
“I have travelled the entire world, every continent, with dozens of high-end guide services and this was hands down the best trip of my life. The place worked it’s way into my soul. And Jack was the best guide i’ve ever had! It was hard, but so so worth it.”
“It’s impossible to explain how vast the place is. Every square mile would be it’s own national park if it were in the lower 48! I’m so grateful I got the chance to go here and so glad I chose IAG to go with.”
“Jack had me cracking up the entire time! Alaska is no joke. If you’re willing to put in the effort it’s absolutely worth it. And if you go you might as well laugh the entire time while you’re at it. I can’t recommend Indigo Alpine Guides or Gates of the Arctic highly enough.”
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Check out the FAQ’s below, or text or call us at 845-661-3008 to talk it through! Or send us an email. We love hearing from folks.
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Backpacking in Alaska is no joke! We’ll be hiking 4-7 miles per day off trail across scree slopes, over mountain passes, and through the occasional but notorious thick Alaskan alder. That being said, if you’ve backpacked a bit before and physically prepare before the trip, you’ll do great! If you’re an expert backpacker you’ll still find this to be a rewarding and at times challenging trip. Guests will be expected to practice excellent self-care, pack and unpack their own packs, setup and breakdown their own tents, and carry a portion of group equipment. All the challenges of off-trail backpacking are overwhelmingly worth it for the splendor, the views, and the deep knowing in your gut that you did something powerful and profound.
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The price includes accommodations on the first night in Fairbanks, all bush flights in and out, all ground transportation, all breakfasts and dinners in the field, all group supplies—cooking equipment, water treatment options, group shelters, bear canisters, toilet supplies, emergency communication devices, maps, GPS, first aid kit, National Park entrance fees, and the support of your experienced and trained guides.
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The price does not include travel to Fairbanks, transportation to the AirBnb, travel insurance or rescue insurance (both recommended), or gratuity for your guide (10-20% of the trip cost recommended). The price doesn’t include personal gear— backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, layers, rain gear, personal bowl, personal eating utensils, headlamp, and personal toiletries. If needed some of this gear can be rented for an additional fee. The price also does not include the cost of lunches / snacks. On our trips lunches are really just extended snacking throughout the day.
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Our trips in Gates of the Arctic have a max of 7 guests and 2 guides. If you trip has more than 6 guests you will have 2 guides.
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Meals will be delicious backcountry cuisine. We’ve spent a lot of years in the backcountry and we like to eat well! That being said, we also don't love heavy packs. Our meals strike a balance between dehydrated backpacker food and gourmet fresh — in that balance are delicious meals without crazy weight. We can accommodate most dietary restrictions. Please reach out with questions. We will supply all the breakfasts, dinners, and occasional desserts for the trip. We ask guests to pack their own lunch snacks. On our trips lunch is between when breakfast ends and dinner begins — snack away!
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Any expedition in Alaska requires flexibility, patience, and a big sense of adventure. We always try our best to follow our itineraries as written, but rarely do. That’s part of the fun of it! Alaska weather is always changing and shifting and we will always respectfully honor what the weather allows or doesn’t allow us to do. We get the incredible luxury of flying into these beautiful places, but with flying also comes a need to defer to the conditions. Sometimes flights may be delayed for a day or more as we wait for an appropriate weather window. Trip itineraries may also shift due to group skill, pilot availability, or any number of unforeseen circumstances. Please come with an open mind, a spirit of enthusiastic adventure, and a willingness to see where the trip takes you. We do not offer refunds or cover incurred costs when trips have to be rerouted or itineraries changed due to weather or other circumstances out of our control.
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If arriving by plane you will want to fly in/out of Fairbanks International Airport. Please plan to arrive in Fairbanks no later than 3 pm on Day 1 and book your flights for no earlier than 11 pm on the final day. You can check into your hotel after 3pm on day 1.
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We have people come on our trips by themselves all the time! There’s nothing like travel through remote wilderness to build community.
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Indigo Alpine Guide trips are run by the owner Jack and an awesome crew of guides from all over the country. All the people who work for IAG have over a decade of experience guiding trips in the most remote places on earth, have wilderness medical training and advanced guiding certifications. They are some of the best and most experienced guides you’ll find anywhere.
Our trips aren’t tours. We don’t march the same trail again and again. Your guide may not have done your exact route before — and that’s part of the adventure! We change routes from season to season, sometimes for practical reasons, sometimes just to keep things fresh. People are sometimes surprised by this, but it’s never a drawback — if anything, the journey feels more alive for everyone, including them.
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Deposit (non-refundable)
$1,000–$2,000 per person, depending on the trip.
Required to confirm your booking.
The deposit is refundable if you cancel within 72 hours of booking. After that, they are non-refundable.
Final payment due:
90 days prior to trip start date.
Cancellation by client:
>90 days before trip: Refund of all payments minus deposit.
61–90 days before trip: 50% refund of total trip cost.
60 days or fewer before trip: No refund.
Replacement option: If you are able to fill your spot by finding a new guest, 100% refund (minus deposit).
Cancellation by Indigo Alpine Guides:
Full refund of all payments including deposit, but we are not responsible for any additional expenses incurred (flights, hotels, etc.). We recommend booking refundable airfare when possible.
Trip delays / itinerary changes:
No refunds for weather delays, itinerary changes, or other factors outside our control.
Travel insurance:
Strongly recommended to protect your trip investment.
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We always encourage folks to purchase trip cancelation insurance in addition to the mandatory medical evacuation insurance. We require that you have at least $200,000 in medical evacuation insurance. Your insurance policy should cover hazardous sports and we recommend that your policy cover search and rescue. Since we cannot confirm each client’s policy individually, it is your responsibility to make sure your policy will cover you while you participate in your activities of choice on the expedition.
For US citizens, we recommend Global Rescue. You will have a choice of purchasing it with or without the cancellation coverage–so make sure to select the one that gives you the coverage that you need. Other commonly used companies include World Nomads and Squaremouth.
You are welcome to seek out other insurance options, as these are only recommendations. When selecting a policy, please make sure they insure all the activities you’ll be participating in (many don’t include roped climbing, skiing, mountaineering, etc).
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Backpacking in Alaska can be pretty tough. If you’re super athletic and up for adventure, coming out here for your first trip could work. But be prepared for a steep learning curve.
You’ll likely have a better time if you have at least 4-5 trips of any length under your belt before coming to Alaska. If you’re unsure, reach out!
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
Let us know. We’re always happy to chat.
