STYLE
🌶️🌶️ Medium | Rugged and wild, but within reach. These trips are for strong hikers looking for a real taste of off-trail Alaska—without going full sufferfest.
THE WILD
Gates of the Arctic National Park | The ancestral and unceded lands of the Iñupiat, Koyukon, Kuuvaan KaNianikiq, and Denendeh.
JOURNEY
Days: 8 | Group: 5 - 7
Gates of the Arctic National Park & The Brooks Range is one of the most profoundly remote places on earth…
and we’re dropping straight into its heart. These peaks and valleys hold a kind of raw, unfiltered beauty that defies description. The ridgelines roll like an ocean of stone, the tundra glows with subtle color, and the silence itself feels alive. Words fall short of the place’s magnitude — you really have to stand there to understand. It’s like experiencing the world as its been for millions of years before humans arrived.
Over 8 days…
We’ll chart our own path through vast, glacial-carved valleys — hiking across varied Alaskan tundra, fording rivers, sometimes walking over lingering sheets of aufeis, and camping in open meadows while keeping an eye out for caribou. You won’t find much bushwhacking on this route, but the soft, spongy tundra and the sheer remoteness make the journey feel full-on.
We offer both intermediate and advanced versions of this trip. They explore the same general region but follow routes suited to each group’s experience. For the advanced trip, you should be at least an experienced Lower-48 on-trail backpacker.
MOMENT BY MOMENT, DAY BY DAY
DAY 1
DAY 1
WELCOME TO FAIRBANKS
Welcome to Fairbanks, the “Golden Heart City,” set between the mighty Alaska Range to the south and the winding Chena River at its center.
Depending on your trip, we’ll kick things off either in a spacious shared Airbnb or at a local hotel — in both cases, your first night’s lodging is included in the trip cost. We’ll gather at 4:30 pm to get to know each other, talk through the adventure ahead, share our goals for the trip, and go over gear.
DAY 2
DAY 2
In the morning we’ll share a hearty breakfast before shuttling to the airport for the first of two flights into the Arctic. Depending on the trip, we’ll head first to Bettles or Coldfoot — small, storied outposts on the edge of the Brooks Range, each with its own character and history. From there, we’ll either switch to a floatplane or take a 2 hour car shuttle up the Dalton highway. Either way we’ll be in the middle of a vast wilderness by evening.
DAY 3 - 7
DAY 3 - 7
We’ll spend the next six days wandering high alpine meadows, climbing small peaks, spotting caribou & bear (from a safe distance), watching the persistent alpenglow of the far-north dance across endless mountains, laughing around camp, eating delicious well-earned meals, and connecting in the deep way wilderness makes possible. There are no trails in Alaska and few people set foot out here at all. Be ready for true adventure and true remoteness.
DAY 8
DAY 8
THIS MOMENT IS ALWAYS BITTERSWEET
When you wake to the final morning in the backcountry relishing the memories, the deep sense of connection to a world that moves slower but also excited for your restaurant meal and hot shower. We’ll take some time this morning to soak in the quiet and reflect on how we want to return to the busier world — what we want to bring with us and what we’d rather leave behind.
The floatplane, car, or scheduled charter flight will pick us up early this morning, and we’ll bid farewell to the wild we’ve come to call home as we head back to Fairbanks. After returning, everyone can head to their accommodations to clean up and rest before gathering at one of Fairbanks’ iconic restaurants for a final celebratory dinner.
NOTE
The Alaska Factor
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.
WHERE WE SLEEP
“There was a mountain shaped like a pyramid. Each day, I sat before it. Each day, something happened. Changing light from the changing weather animated the geometry of the slope. A bear walked by. Cotton grass swayed in the breeze. Down feathers tumbled across the tundra. Morning frost melted quickly. The mountain was a glorious indifference, a repeating grace, a geologic fortress that softened in the shadows.”
Riverside AirBnb
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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.
Backcountry Camping
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Backcountry camping can be cozy and comfy.
We like to bring some creature comforts like dessert and umbrellas and our favorite coffee press for the mornings. And the best part is opening your tent door to the pinks, purples, and oranges shining on snow capped peaks (or feel super cozy in your tent when it’s raining outside).
And you’ll have the most exquisite bathroom views you’ve ever had in your life.
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.”
BOOK BROOKS RANGE BACKPACKING
5,450 Per Person | 1000 deposit to hold your spot
2027 Dates
July 1 – 8, 2027 (Advanced)
August 5 – 12, 2027 (Intermediate)
Want a custom trip?
Looking for different dates or a private adventure? We’d love to build something just for you.
Reach Out
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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Intermediate Trip
Alaska backpacking is no joke! We’ll travel 4–7 miles per day, mostly off trail, across scree slopes, mountain passes, tundra, river crossings, and the occasional patch of notorious Alaskan alder.
You should have completed at least a couple of backpacking trips within the past 10 years and arrive physically prepared for the trip. Guests are expected to practice good self-care, pack and unpack their own packs, set up and break down their own tents, and carry a share of group gear.
You don’t need to be an expert—you just need some backpacking experience, solid fitness, and a willingness to embrace the challenge.
Advanced Trip
Our advanced trips are designed for experienced backpackers ready for long, demanding days in remote Alaskan wilderness. We’ll typically cover 5–10 miles per day off trail, navigating scree, mountain passes, river crossings, rough terrain, and thick brush.
You should have completed at least 7 backpacking trips of 5 nights or longer within the past 10 years. Guests should be comfortable managing themselves in the backcountry, packing and unpacking their own packs, setting up and breaking down camp, and carrying a share of group gear.
Even very experienced backpackers will find these trips challenging at times—and that’s part of what makes them so rewarding.
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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 hotel, extra room expenses (i.e. room service), 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 4pm on day 1!
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. -
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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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.
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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.
OR100% 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).
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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.
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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.
