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 or 12 | Group: 5 - 7
The Brooks Range is one of earth’s last truly wild places…
and we get the chance to really explore it.
We’ll travel on foot through broad tundra valleys, climb airy ridgelines that stretch to the horizon, and watch the Arctic light shift across peaks carved by wind and ice. This is a landscape that defies description — too vast, too alive to be captured in a photo. You simply have to stand in it.
And the experience is about more than the land itself. We’ll share the journey as a crew of queer adventurers — finding connection in wild places, laughing around camp, and soaking up the wonder of one of the most extraordinary mountain ranges on earth.
Same mountains. Two adventures to choose from.
We’re offering this trip in two flavors:
The first is a big, bold traverse of the eastern Brooks Range — hiking 70 miles all the way from the Dalton Highway to Anaktuvuk Pass. If you’re up for a serious challenge and have the time — 10 days in the mountains plus 2 in town — this one’s your epic.
The second is a shorter 8-day adventure — 6 days in the mountains and 2 in town — still an incredible journey, but a good bit lighter on time and effort.
Either way, we’ll roam wide Arctic valleys, cross rivers still crusted with late-season ice, walk for miles across soft tundra, and make camp in open meadows while keeping an eye out for caribou. There’s a charge to being above the Arctic Circle — a kind of wild, humming energy — that you can only understand by being there.
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 anytime between 3 and 5pm. We’ll meet at 5:30 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
8 Day Trip: In the morning after breakfast (provided) we’ll shuttle to the airport and hop on our charter flight to Anaktuvuk. From Anaktuvuk, we’ll set off into the mountains to start our loop. Our route is created as we explore, changing and shifting depending on our desires.
12 Day Trip: We’ll have an early morning wake up to catch our shuttle driving up the Dalton Highway. It’s a long 8 - 10 hour drive, but incredibly scenic and one of the cooler road trips in America. In the early evening the shuttle will drop us off and we’ll head away from the highway to make out first camp.
DAY 3 - 6
DAY 3 - 6
We’ll spend the next 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.
DAY 7
DAY 7
For the 8 day trip this will be your last day in the field. And the feeling is 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.
We’ll cover some final ground to return to the village of Anaktuvuk. In the afternoon, we’ll catch a flight back to Fairbanks, return to our shared AirBnb and have a celebratory meal in town. The trip is officially over after dinner, though you’re of course welcome and encouraged to spend the night in the AirBnb.
DAY 8 - 12
DAY 8 - 12 (Long trip only)
These final days, you’ll start to feel the rhythm of each day settle in. We’ll make our way through some of the sweetest parts of the traverse before finding our way in Anaktuvuk Pass feeling incredibly accomplished. Surely there will be a stop by the local grocery store before catching the plane back to Fairbanks and our shared AirBnb on the evening of Day 11. Day 12 we’ll have breakfast in the Airbnb and then say our goodbyes.
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
“What queerness offers is a chance to realize that it is within all of our nature to nurture and within all our capacity to heal. The earth is so forgiving, the earth is always waiting for us to heal.”
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
““With anti-LGBTQ bills on the rise, it felt particularly important to connect with queer community on this trip. We reminded each other how strong and resilient we all are and continuously uplifted each other. It’s beautiful to return to the ‘real world’ with a new sense of self-love and confidence after such a physically and mentally challenging week in the outdoors surrounded by immense beauty.””
“That trip is one I’ll never forget. The beauty, the people, the hilarious giggling, and the real learning. I actually feel like I could go make my own trip happen now. Thank you soo much for making this happen and creating affinity spaces for learning!”
“Jack is a superstar. 12/10 would recommend. As a queer/trans person, I am often super nervous about going to new locations with new people — but he made sure that I was fully seen as a human.
Also, not only is Jack a total badass pro and really knowledgable outdoors person, but he’s also totally willing to meet people where they’re at.”
BOOK QUEER GUIDED BACKPACKING
$2,950 or $3,950 | 500 or 750 deposit to hold your spot
2027 Dates
Aug 3 – 14, 2027 12 days
Aug 15 – 22, 2027 8 days
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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Backpacking in Alaska is no joke! We’ll be hiking 4-7 miles per day off trail (7-11 for the 12 day trip) 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 and last 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. 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 you're flying, please book your flights into and out of Fairbanks International Airport. Plan to arrive in Fairbanks no later than 3:00 p.m. on Day 1, and schedule your departure flight for no earlier than 11:00 p.m. on the final day.
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.
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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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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.
