“This is EPIC ALASKA, experience the untouched, raw beauty of Alaskan backcountry with floatplane and helicopter access.”
Embark on The most EPIC Backpacking Adventure in Alaska! Your journey begins in Anchorage with a road trip to our floatplane base on the Kenai Peninsula. You’ll fly in a genuine Alaska floatplane all the way across Cook Inlet to the Alaska Range. After about 30 minutes of flightseeing stoke you’ll touch down in one of the most beautiful mountain lakes we have ever seen. The lake is nestled high in the mountains surrounded by tundra and craggy peaks, and this will be your home base for the next few days. Each day brings new exploration and adventure as we hike to several different locations and return to our basecamp each evening.
Ready for part 2 of your EPIC ALASKA adventure?!? After a few days of amazing basecamp hiking, our helicopter will land on the edge of the lake and take us deeper into the rugged Alaska Range. The exhilarating helicopter flight is the only way to get to our next adventure playground located in the most scenic, glaciated, mountain environment in this part of Alaska. This place, like the previous, is absolutely breathtaking! From the Heli LZ, you’ll spend several days backpacking amongst towering mountains and massive ice field glaciers going even further into the mountains. Exploring pure, untouched Alaska, ascending mountain peaks, and camping alongside alpine lakes will be the daily agenda.
This is a great trip for new or seasoned backpackers seeking a challenging adventure in Alaska with a real immersive backcountry experience. This trip is complete with floatplane AND helicopter flights to and from the backcountry.
TRIP SPECS
- Season: June – September
- Duration: 10 Days
- Distance: 50+ Miles
- Exertion: Level 3
- Begins / Ends: Anchorage, AK
- Minimum: 4 guests required to confirm trip
EPIC ALASKA
$ CALL
Per Person*
TRIP DETAILS & ITINERARY
DAY 1: ANCHORAGE – ARRIVAL
Today is arrival day. Guests that are arriving this day will be greeted at Anchorage International Airport by KBA guides and transported to the included lodging accommodations in Anchorage. The day can be spent exploring the many exciting attractions within Anchorage. This afternoon we’ll have a gear check and safety orientation, followed by a group dinner at a local brewery.
Meals included: Welcome dinner in Anchorage
Accommodation: Hotel or B&B in Anchorage
DAY 2: ANCHORAGE TO KENAI PENINSULA – FLOATPLANE FLIGHT TO ALASKA RANGE – BASECAMP HIKING
After breakfast at the hotel or B&B, the group will take a road trip to our floatplane base on the Kenai Peninsula. You’ll fly in a genuine Alaska floatplane all the way across Cook Inlet to the Alaska Range. After about 30 minutes of flightseeing stoke you’ll touch down in one of the most beautiful mountain lakes we have ever seen. The lake is nestled high in the mountains surrounded by tundra and craggy peaks, and this will be your home base for the next few days. After we’ve set up our basecamp, we’ll hike around the area for you to get a feel for your surroundings. A delicious backcountry dinner will be served this evening, followed by more hiking and exploration.
All meals included
Distance: 3-5 miles
Accommodation: Tent
DAY 3 to 5: ALASKA RANGE – BASECAMP HIKING
Basecamp hiking for the next 3 days with an endless amount of mountain features to explore and climb around on. Each day brings new exploration and adventure as we hike to several different locations and return to our mountain lake basecamp each evening.
All meals included
Distance: 5-8 miles, daily average
Accommodation: Tent
DAY 6: ALASKA RANGE – HELICOPTER FLIGHT – BACKPACKING
After a hearty breakfast and taking down our basecamp, our helicopter will land on the edge of the lake and take us even deeper into the rugged Alaska Range. The exhilarating helicopter flight is the only way to get to our next adventure playground located in the most scenic, glaciated, mountain environment in this part of Alaska. We’ll make camp next to a glacial lake perched on a ridge up above a massive glacier. The rest of the day will be spent hiking around the area.
All meals included
Distance: 5-8 miles
Accommodation: Tent
DAY 7 to 9: ALASKA RANGE – BACKPACKING
You’ll spend the next 3 days backpacking amongst towering mountains and massive ice field glaciers going even further into the mountains. Exploring pure, untouched Alaska, ascending mountain peaks, and camping alongside alpine lakes will be the daily agenda.
All meals included
Distance: 5-8 miles, daily average
Accommodation: Tent
DAY 10: ALASKA RANGE TO ANCHORAGE – HELICOPTER AND FLOATPLANE FLIGHTS
After a morning of exploring and trekking to the pick-up spot we’ll await the arrival of our helicopter. The helicopter flight is exhilarating and you’ll get a bird’s eye view of the massive landscape you called home for the past 9 days. This will really put your accomplishment into perspective. You’ll get an epic Heli flight to a subalpine lake to meet our floatplane for a flight back to the Kenai Peninsula. Once back at the floatplane base, the group will will make the beautiful drive back to Anchorage arriving in Anchorage around 8pm. Your KBA guides will drop you off at the Anchorage International Airport, or Anchorage hotels if you are remaining in Alaska. If you are returning home this evening, please schedule your return flight for after 10:00pm.
Meals included: Breakfast & lunch
*The accompanying itinerary is the schedule we intend to follow. However, this is Alaska, and our trips may deviate as written on this page or in any documentation we publish. This can be as a result of weather conditions, group preference, safety considerations, or unforeseeable circumstances. Therefore expect the unexpected, and prepare to be flexible.
- Accommodations: 1 night hotel or B&B, 8 nights tent camping
- Ground transportation to and from Anchorage on Day 2 and Day 8
- Outbound and inbound floatplane flights during trip
- Outbound and inbound helicopter flights during trip
- Meals as indicated in itinerary
- Complementary airport transfer
- Professional guide service
- Satellite phone, GPS, maps, location tracker
- Medical kits, and repair gear
- Expedition tents
- Trekking poles
- Cook tent, cooking equipment, eating utensils, water filters
- Guides prepare and cook all meals
- Airfare to and from Anchorage, AK
- Meals not included in itinerary
- Travel Insurance (required)
- Single supplement ($150)
- Personal gear (rain gear, clothing, sleeping bag & pad, backpack, etc.)
- Additional lodging nights due to weather delays
- Alcoholic beverages
- Gratuities
LOGISTICS & FAQ
What is the best way to get to the trip start location?
Plan to fly into Anchorage International Airport (ANC) on day 1. A complementary shuttle will be provided upon your arrival for airport transfers to your included Anchorage accommodations.
What are the accommodations like?
Accommodations are double occupancy hotel or B&B lodging on night 1. Double occupancy tent camping in the backcountry.
Can solo travelers get their own room? Is there an optional or forced supplement, and how much is it?
As a solo traveler, a single supplement of $150 per person that applies to tent camping Day 2 – 10, and hotel or B&B accommodations on the night 1.
What is the food like?
Proper nutrition in the backcountry is paramount for stamina and recovery. We create gourmet masterpieces from scratch that are healthy, filling, and delicious leaving your palate (and belly!) satisfied. Everything from cinnamon rolls and vanilla pancakes for breakfast, to spaghetti with meatballs for dinner, finished off with cheesecake for dessert.
How much extra money should people budget?
Kenai Backcountry Adventures recommends that you bring $500 cash for gratuities, in-town spending money, souvenirs, additional meals, etc.
What should people bring? Do you have a packing list?
A detailed backpacking gear list will be provided with your booking confirmation. Or you can view the GEAR LIST now (select “Backpacking Trips”).
Is travel insurance required?
Travel insurance is required for this trip. Review our Travel Insurance page for more info.
Additional frequently asked questions and answers:
Are bears and other wildlife going to be a problem?
Bears are virtually everywhere in Alaska, and therefore one should anticipate and be prepared for a possible encounter or sighting of a bear. Moose are a common sighting on the Kenai Peninsula but generally they keep their distance. Kenai Backcountry Adventures takes wildlife safety very seriously and therefore take precautions to keep you safe in the wilderness. In addition, you will learn the necessary safety procedures regarding Alaska wildlife in your pre-backcountry safety orientation.
Will there be bugs?
The most common nuisance bugs are mosquitoes and no-see-ums. However, based on the time of year and current weather conditions insects may or may not present an issue. Come prepared with insect repellant and a high quality head net.
What will the weather be like?
Weather in this part of Alaska is highly variable and unpredictable. It could be in the 70s or 80s one day and in the 50s and raining the next (or in the same day!). We may encounter snow at higher elevations. High winds or fog can be frequent and may impede travel at times.
Contingency
It’s best to plan a buffer day at the end of the trip in the event of a weather delay departing the backcountry on the last day, however if you must make flight arrangements to depart Anchorage on the last day of the itinerary, please make your flight departure for after 10:00pm.
