Hiking the Great Land of Alaska

This is a hiking trip with some hikes taking up to 8 hours over rocky terrain, so a good level of fitness is a must. Be sure to bring appropriate gear for this trip, including good walking boots, rain gear, warm clothing and sun protection for hikes, including sunglasses.

This tour covers a lot of ground, allowing you to experience a diverse range of Alaskan landscapes in a short time. We carefully choose our hikes for their exceptional experiences, and we kayak in Homer as it's best explored from the water, offering an unparalleled view of Alaska's wilderness and wildlife.

This is a camping trip where you are expected to pitch in with setting up tents and helping out with cooking and washing up.

We will offer an optional food kitty of about USD 30 per day which covers meal costs. By pooling together, we can buy in bulk and cook our own meals, keeping costs lower—though there’s always room for the occasional pizza night! If you have dietary preferences, you can opt out and handle your own meals

Alaska is big. Travel times between some destinations can be long. You'll be spending a fair amount of time in a van with other travellers, so conditions may feel a little cramped. This allows you to see some stunning scenery and is all part of the adventure - you might even make some long-term friends.

This trip is a brand-new addition to our offerings this year, bringing fresh, exciting experiences to our range.

1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm on Day 1 in Anchorage. Please see Joining Point Hotel listed in the Essential Trip Information for this itinerary.

2. On the last day you are expected to arrive back in Anchorage around 3pm and dropped off at the same location as the joining point. There is no accommodation included on the last day in Anchorage, however we can request any additional nights should you need them.

3. A single supplement is available for this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

4. We are not able to book airport shuttle service for North America trips. North America has convenient taxi and rideshare options from all airports, as well as public transport systems in major hub cities. Please check the joining and finishing point instructions listed in the Essential Trip Information.

We will provide tents, basic sleeping mats, camp kitchen essentials, camp chairs and campfire supplies.

All luggage is carried in trailers or inside the vehicle so please don't bring more than one medium sized bag, backpack or suitcase (20kg/44lb maximum) per person. Your suitcase/rucksack may get some rough handling, so make sure it's a tough one. A small daypack with your water bottle and camera may be carried with you inside the vehicle.

If traveling in shoulder season (April, May, September, October), please be prepared with extra cold weather clothing as temperatures can dip below freezing at night. Even during summer months it can get quite cold overnight, especially in desert and mountainous areas.

ESSENTIAL:
 Sleeping bag. Please bring one from home or you can purchase one before your trip starts. On some trips we are able to provide a sleeping bag rental - please check the Important Notes section of the trip to see if this option is available. Otherwise, sleeping bags can easily be bought in the US and Canada at big stores like Walmart and Target or at sports and camping supply stores like Mountain Warehouse in Canada or REI in the US. As we offer trips throughout the year and travel in diverse climate zones, we recommend you carefully consider the weather and choose an appropriate sleeping bag. Please bear in mind that nights can be very cold even in the warmer months. We can experience temperatures as low as -5C and even snow. If you choose to purchase a sleeping bag during your trip, please consider donating it to a secondhand shop or homeless shelter before you return home.
 Quick-dry towel
 Travel Pillow
 Sun protection - hat, sunscreen, sunglasses
 Light jacket, fleece and base layers. No matter the season, you should be prepared for changing temperatures and weather conditions.
 Wind and waterproof jacket
 Breathable, non-cotton hiking t-shirts
 Long hiking pants or zip-offs
 Nylon hiking shorts
 Water bottle or bladder: you will need water during activities and it’s best to avoid buying unnecessary plastic. We recommend 2-3 litres of capacity
 Closed-in hiking shoes with a good grip, ankle support and waterproof membrane that are comfortable to walk for an entire day
Comfortable shoes for shorter walks or evenings spent around the campsite
Torch/flashlight/headtorch
 Personal travel documents which may include a passport, visa, driver's license, travel insurance, flight tickets and your Essential Trip Information. Photocopies of these documents stored separately from the originals will be handy. While not valid, a photocopy of your identification makes it much easier to obtain replacements if necessary.

RECOMMENDED:
 Cell phone, camera with spare batteries, charger, and power/plug adaptor (Types A & B are used in North America. Voltage is 120V). Some of our vans have USB-2 style charging ports inside.
 Insect repellent (insects are present intermittently all over the USA and Canada depending on recent rainfall.)
 Personal trekking/hiking poles (Pack these in your checked baggage. Trekking poles are not permitted in your carryon luggage on flights to or within the USA and Canada)
 Gaiters and/or waterproof pants – recommended for wet or snowy conditions
A cotton bandana or scarf. Can be wetted and worn around the neck to facilitate evaporative cooling in dry and hot conditions, used as sun or dust protection, or used to protect your neck and head from cold
 A simple plastic bag/waterproof toiletry bag (that can hang on a nail on the back of a door) will be useful to keep your clothes dry inside basic camp shower structures.
 Travel eco-friendly wipes/hand sanitizer
 Swimwear
 Shower shoes – rubber sandals to be worn while in camp showers
 Personal medical kit. Your guide will carry a large kit but we recommend you carry items such as mild pain killers, electrolytes, anti-diarrhoeal, antibacterial gel, wet wipes, blister patches/moleskin, bandaids/plasters etc.

OPTIONAL:
 Sleeping bag liner
 Thermarest. While we provide a basic camping mattress for each client, some travellers find they like the extra comfort of a double layer.
 Lip balm and extra moisturizer if traveling to arid desert areas.
 Ear plugs to guard against a snoring tent-mate
 A good book, a journal or headphones to listen to music with.

If you need some further tips for packing, you can always check out our essential checklist for hiking/trekking trips here:

https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/trekkies-packing-guide/

We recommend that you undertake regular aerobic exercise in the weeks before you travel, particularly if you are not in the habit of regular exercise. Walking, jogging, swimming or riding a bike are all good ways to increase your aerobic fitness, which will allow you to enjoy the trip to its fullest.

Many of the National Parks that we visit have hiking opportunities where walks of up to 4 hours can be an option for you. There are often easier options. Throughout the trip there are more adventurous optional activities that require some consideration regarding your physical abilities to complete the activity.

Springhill Suites by Marriott Anchorage Midtown, 3401 A Street, Anchorage, 99503, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Phone: +1 9075623247

Located near Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, our hotel is right in the center of the hustle and bustle of the city. With downtown just north of the hotel you are not too far away from restaurants and shops. All rooms have a microwave, mini-refrigerator, hairdryer and coffee maker as well as a separate living room and spacious bedroom. All rooms have complimentary Wi-Fi. A hot breakfast buffet is available each morning in the hotel breakfast area. There is also an indoor pool onsite.

Alternate Joining Point

The hotel has a complimentary airport transfer which is on request. Upon arrival call the hotel to advise them of your arrival +1 (907) 562-3247. Alternatively a taxi will cost $10 USD one way (approximately).

Springhill Suites by Marriott Anchorage Midtown, 3401 A Street, Anchorage, 99503, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Phone: +1 9075623247

Located near Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, our hotel is right in the center of the hustle and bustle of the city. With downtown just north of the hotel you are not too far away from restaurants and shops. All rooms have a microwave, mini-refrigerator, hairdryer and coffee maker as well as a separate living room and spacious bedroom. All rooms have complimentary Wi-Fi. A hot breakfast buffet is available each morning in the hotel breakfast area. There is also an indoor pool onsite.

Alternate Finish Point

The hotel has a complimentary airport transfer which is on request. Upon arrival call the hotel to advise them of your arrival +1 (907) 562-3247. Alternatively a taxi will cost $10 USD one way (approximately).

Breakfasts included: 

Lunches included: 

Dinners included: 

CAMPING
On our camping trips in North America, we operate an optional kitty, where travellers are encouraged to contribute to a central fund which is used to buy groceries which then supply meals to the entire group. More details of the estimated costs and exclusions can be found in the Money Matters section.

Buying and cooking the food, washing up, etc are shared amongst everyone on the trip. Teams of two people will carry out the camp duties on a rotating basis. On camping nights, we usually cook our evening meals together on our own stove, or barbecue food over the camp fire. We usually prepare salads, grill meats and cook pasta, rice and vegetables. For breakfast we usually buy milk, coffee, tea, cereals, bread, jam, butter etc.

Travellers with special dietary requirements may prefer to opt out of the kitty, purchasing and preparing food that is suitable to their individual needs. Our leaders are experienced with adapting to dietary restrictions so please speak with them before opting out if you have concerns about suitability for your needs.

Since most food is shipped to Alaska from outside, you may find the cost of groceries as well as restaurant meals expensive.  Our leaders are experienced with giving restaurant recommendations based on a variety of budgets, but you should plan to spend about 30% more on food than you would elsewhere in the USA.

WEATHER IN ALASKA
Alaska's weather can be highly variable, so it's essential to be prepared for rapid changes in conditions. Alaska is famous for its “midnight sun” during the summer when there can be up to 20 hours of daylight so you may want to bring a sleep mask. Don’t be fooled by the northerly latitude – the sun can be quite strong so bring sun protection. You will almost certainly experience rain during your trip so come prepared with appropriate clothing and footwear.

Coastal Areas:
Coastal areas, such as Anchorage and Seward, experience a maritime climate with milder temperatures and more precipitation than interior areas. It is not uncommon to experience a wide range of weather conditions from bright sunshine to cold wind and rain on the same day. Summers (June-August) have long daylight hours (16-19 hours) and high temperatures ranging from about 15°C to 21°C (59°F to 70°F) and average lows from 9°C to 13°C (48°F to 55°F). Fall (September-October) has cooler temperatures and beautiful fall foliage. Fall highs average 10°C to 5°C (50°F to 41°F) and lows average 3°C to -3°C (37°F to 26°F).

Interior Alaska:
Inland areas, like Talkeetna and Denali National Park, have a subarctic climate with warm summers, frigid winters and drier conditions, however they can experience periods of rain during the summer. Mosquitoes can be abundant during summer, so pack insect repellent. Daylight hours are especially long during the summer months in interior Alaska (18-20 hours). In Denali National Park average summer high temperatures are in the 60s to the low 70s Fahrenheit (around 15°C to 24°C) and average low temperatures are 40s to the mid-50s Fahrenheit (around 7°C to 13°C). In the fall, temperatures can drop more than in coastal areas. Average highs in September and October are 28°F to 50°F (-2°C to 10°C) and average lows are 16°F to 38°F (-9°C to 3°C).

USA NATIONAL HOLIDAYS
The following national holidays are observed in the US, which can affect our itinerary as traffic can be extreme, and shops, restaurants and attractions can be closed:

New Year's Day (01 January)
Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday of January)
Washington's Birthday (third Monday of February)
Memorial Day (last Monday of May)
Independence Day (4 July)
Labor Day (first Monday in September)
Columbus Day (second Monday of October)
Veterans Day (11 November)
Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday of November)
Christmas Day (25 December)

While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with our local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.
We recognise that there may be times when your local partner may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask to speak to their direct manager.
You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still travelling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time.

For general contact details please use the following page: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/contact-us

POLICE AND AMBULANCE
In case of an emergency, local authorities can be contacted by calling 911 – this is the toll free phone number for the police, fire department and the ambulance in the USA and Canada. In case of doubt, call the operator on 0.

For general enquiries or questions about your booking, please contact your agent or adventure specialist, or visit us at www.intrepidtravel.com/contact-us

In case of a genuine crisis or emergency, you can reach our local operator on the number below.

+1 435-231-9696

NORTH AMERICA CAMPING
The campsites that we use are selected for either their scenic beauty, their convenient location to places of interest and/or the facilities available. We aim to offer you a selection of different types of campsites.

If you've never camped before - no problem! We provide a complete set of camping and cooking equipment. This includes roomy easy-to-pitch tents, which are shared by only two people and are equipped with thin foam rubber sleping mats and vinyl floors. Your leader will show you how to pitch a tent on the first day. On many trips we also spend a few nights in reasonably priced hotels/motels/hostels (as per the itinerary).

Remember that sleeping bags and a pillow are not provided. Check out the Packing section for more information.

You'll find the necessary facilities - toilets and in most cases showers, washing machines and dryers - at our campsites. The showers at some campsites may require a payment (usually no more than US$1-$3 for a quick shower). This is payable locally and is a contribution towards the cost of a limited water supply. Rarely, a campsite may only have cold water available for showers.

In all campsites there are strict quiet hours when no loud noise is allowed, typically from 10pm to 7am. This means that all music, singing and noisy group gatherings must stop. We request that all our travellers respect these campsite rules.

For trips where there are lodges/cabins used, couples travelling together may be separated when our rooming arrangements are based on single gender, however in some accommodations the group will be in mixed gender rooms.

Our high-quality camping equipment (including tents) can be affected by bad weather conditions. This can result in some wet and cold conditions inside the tent. Your spirit of adventure and flexibility will help make your adventure trip an exciting and unforgettable experience. On nights where the group is camping, and weather conditions are extreme (such as snow or heavy rain), there may be an opportunity for the group (if everyone agrees) to stay at an alternative location such as a nearby hostel or hotel. When this is the case the upgrade is at your own expense.

AIRPORT TRANSFERS IN THE USA & CANADA
We recommend taxis and rideshare services like Lyft and Uber when traveling to and from hotels in the USA and Canada. These services are widely available across North America, offering convenient and accessible transportation options. Private transfers in North America incur high costs and present an increased risk of missed connections due to their fixed schedules. In contrast, taxis and rideshares offer both cost-effectiveness and flexibility, ensuring a smoother journey. With transparent pricing, GPS tracking, and on-demand availability, we believe that taxis and rideshare apps not only offer a reliable alternative to private transfers but also provide a secure, trustworthy, and budget-friendly transportation option for our customers.

NORTH AMERICA VEHICLES
Our large fleet of 15-passenger vans are fully equipped with air-conditioning system, V8 engines and any camping or cooking equipment needed for your trip. Most have cloth-upholstered seats and carpeted interior with radio or CD players. Your luggage is typically transported in a trailer which is towed behind the van.

The vans are regularly serviced by a well-established network of maintenance and service facilities throughout the continent. However, unforeseen maintenance problems can still occur while on the road and we appreciate the patience of our travellers as we make necessary repairs as quickly as possible.

While your group will have a van for all included activities on the trip, the services of the van and leader may not be available for your use during free time, or after you have arrived for the day. If you need a special trip into town you may need to arrange transport or a taxi.