STYLE
🌶️🌶️ Spicier. 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
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge | The ancestral and unceded lands of the Iñupiat, Gwich’in, and Koyukon Athabascan peoples.
JOURNEY
Days: 10 | Group: 5 - 7
Minimum Age: 18
A slow pilgrimage across a living landscape — shaped by ice, wind, and time, and still home to the caribou who have followed the same paths for tens of thousands of years.
We’ll carry everything we need. We’ll drink from glacial rivers. We’ll sleep beneath sky that never dims. Some days we’ll follow the tracks of migrating herds. Other days we’ll climb into silence.
This land reminds you that you're part of something vast, something fragile, something worth protecting.
Over 9 days…
We’ll walk across a land that still remembers how to be wild.
We’ll move through broad valleys carved by ice and time, crossing rivers laced with the last of winter’s ice, and making camp where the tundra opens like a breath. The walking is gentle — by Alaska standards. No dense bush, no steep alpine passes. Just long, quiet miles under an endless sky.
But don’t mistake ease for softness. This is still the Arctic. Still a place that demands presence. Weather shifts fast. Rivers swell. And the silence has weight.
There’s something that happens to you up here — above the Arctic Circle — something you can’t name but you’ll feel in your bones.
Photos by Will Koeppen
MOMENT BY MOMENT, DAY BY DAY
DAY 1
DAY 1
WELCOME TO FAIRBANKS
Welcome to Fairbanks, the "Golden Heart City,” nestled between the mighty Alaska Range to the south and the picturesque Chena River flowing through the center.
Check into our shared AirBnb after 4 today. We’ll meet at 6 to get to know each other, talk about our upcoming adventure, share goals for the trip, go over gear, and share a great meal.
DAY 2
DAY 2
In the morning we’ll have a breakfast before shuttling back to the airport for our first of two flights into the Arctic. Depending on the year, we head either to Coldfoot or Arctic Village, two small arctic towns each with their own character and unique history. From there we’ll change to a smaller bush plane for a flight you’ll never forget.
Our skilled pilots will put us gently down on in the refuge where we’ll unload gear and settle into our new camp for the evening. The pilots will fly off, leaving us in the bewildering silence and the awe of remoteness.
DAY 3 - 8
DAY 3 - 8
We’ll spend six days moving through wide-open tundra, tracing caribou trails across river valleys and low mountain passes, watching for bears on distant ridgelines, and soaking in the long golden light that never quite fades this far north. We’ll share quiet moments and deep belly laughs, cook hearty meals over camp stoves, and settle into the rhythm only true wilderness can offer.
We might see caribou — we might not. Their movements are ancient, unpredictable, and never guaranteed. If crossing paths with the herd is your dream, the spring trip offers your best chance.
There are no trails out here — just animal paths, shifting weather, and the steady beat of your own footsteps.
— So come ready. This is the real Arctic. And it doesn’t hold back.
DAY 9
DAY 9
THE FINAL MORNING ALWAYS COMES TOO SOON
You’ll wake to the stillness one last time — the hush of the tundra, the soft light spilling across the open valley, the quiet ache of leaving something sacred behind. There’s a sweetness to it, and a sting.
Before we return to planes and phones and the fast-moving world, we’ll take time to sit with what the land gave us. What we want to carry home. And what we’re ready to let go of.
A bush plane will arrive to lift us from the silence, and we’ll fly back toward Fairbanks — hearts full, boots dirty, changed in ways we might not have words for just yet.
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
“The coastal plain is not a barren wasteland. It is our sacred place. We call it Iizhik Gwats’an Gwandaii Goodlit — ‘The Sacred Place Where Life Begins.’”
Fairbanks 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 desert 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 INTO THE REFUGE
7,850 Per Person | 2500 deposit to hold your spot
2025 Dates
June 25 – July 3, 2025
2026 Dates
June 28 – July 6, 2026
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, 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 5 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 most often run by the owner Jack Bynum and his closest and most trusted friends. 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.
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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.
