Advanced Backpacking Course

We love using Airbnbs for the warm, communal vibe they create—it’s like a big sleepover before the adventure begins! Often, we’re lucky enough to have a sauna or hot tub to enjoy, too.

Unlike hotels, room assignments are a bit more free-form and first-come, first-served. Some folks may even opt for a cozy camping-style spot on the floor. There’s always plenty of space, and the shared energy sets a great tone for the trip ahead.

Please note: depending on group size and scheduling, we may stay in a different Airbnb than the one shown in the photos.

Backpacking in Alaska is no joke! We’ll be hiking 5-10 miles per day off trail across scree slopes, over mountain passes, and through the occasional but notorious thick Alaskan alder. For this course you should have a minimum of 7 backpacking trips of 4 nights or more, with at least one trip of 7 nights or more.

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.

The price includes accommodations on the first and last night in Fairbanks, all bush flights / car shuttles in and out of the mountains, all breakfasts and dinners (except for the final night), 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 instructors.

The price does not include travel to Fairbanks, transportation to the AirBnb at the start and end, travel insurance or rescue insurance (both recommended), or gratuity for your guides (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. The price also does not include the cost of lunches / snacks. On our trips lunches are really just extended snacking throughout the day.

We limit all our trips to 7 clients. If your trip has more than 6 people you will have 2 guides.

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!

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.

If arriving by plane you will want to fly in/out of Fairbanks International Airport. Please plan to arrive in Fairbanks no later than 4 pm on Day 1 and book your flights for no earlier than 11 pm on the final day (if flying out the night we return.) If flying out on Day 11, book your flights for whenever you want.

For the smoothest travel experience, we strongly recommend booking your flight home to depart at least 24 hours after the trip officially ends. Bush flights in Alaska are occasionally delayed due to weather or other logistical factors, and having that extra buffer helps ensure a relaxed, stress-free journey home.

Hotel check-in is available after 4:00 p.m. on Day 1.

We have people come on our trips by themselves all the time! There’s nothing like travel through remote wilderness to build community.

All IAG guides have at least five years of professional experience leading trips in some of the most remote places on Earth, along with wilderness medical training and advanced guiding certifications. They’re among the most experienced backcountry guides you’ll find anywhere. We keep our guide team intentionally small and experienced, with every trip led exclusively by veteran guides.

Jack, IAG’s owner, guides two or three trips each season, so you likely won’t have him as your guide. Your guides will introduce themselves in the group chat about two weeks before departure.

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.

If we cancel… we reserve the right to cancel a trip for internal reasons (low signups, guide illness/injury, logistics issues, etc.). If that happens, you’ll receive a full refund of everything you paid us.

Note: We aren’t responsible for additional costs you may have booked separately (flights, hotels, gear, etc.). When possible, we recommend refundable airfare.

If life cancels… Alaska is wild. Trips can be disrupted by things nobody controls: weather delays, wildfire smoke, natural disasters, aviation shutdowns, pandemics, or travel restrictions.

In those situations, refunds aren’t guaranteed — and itinerary changes may be required for safety or logistics.

That’s why we strongly recommend travel insurance that covers trip cancellation, interruption, and delays.

If You Cancel…

60+ days out

You can choose one:

• Refund minus a $500 admin fee.
  OR

• 100% credit toward a future Indigo Alpine Guides trip (valid for up to 2 years)

31–59 days out

• No refund, but you can keep 75% as trip credit (valid for up to 2 years)

Less than 30 days out

• No refund or credit

Fully Refundable Within 72 Hours

Book with confidence. If you change your mind, cancel within 72 hours for a full refund. No stress, no risk.

Interest-Free Payment Options

Reserve your spot now and spread payments out over time — 100% interest-free (when available).

We strongly recommend purchasing trip cancellation and rescue insurance, but neither is required.

For most IAG trips, we recommend Overwatch x Rescue for search, rescue, and medical evacuation coverage. For trips in Gates of the Arctic National Park and ANWR, we recommend Global Rescue.

Whatever coverage you choose, it’s your responsibility to understand your policy and make sure it covers the activities and locations included in your trip. We also recommend considering separate trip cancellation insurance to protect your trip costs if something unexpected prevents you from joining us. When you book we’ll send you a helpful doc with detailed recommendations. 

Nope, sorry :( This trip is for intermediate and advanced backpackers looking to challenge and grow their skills.

If you've never backpacked before, check out some of our other trips or we recommend starting on trail in the lower 48 to get your footing.