PADDLES & PEAKS BACKCOUNTRY EXPEDITION
Explore Alaska’s Untamed Wilderness Through Packrafting and Mountain Discovery
Explore Alaska’s Untamed Wilderness Through Packrafting and Mountain Discovery
Welcome to the adventure of a lifetime! Picture this: an 8-day expedition that seamlessly blends the best of two iconic Alaskan experiences into one unforgettable journey. Brace yourself for a unique combination of adrenaline-pumping packrafting and awe-inspiring mountain exploration, all in the heart of Alaska’s pristine wilderness. Let’s dive into the details of this extraordinary expedition.
Paddles & Peaks
From: $5,997 per person
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- Cancellation up to 60 days in advance
- Trusted Brand with 5-star reviews
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ACT FAST: Limited Availability! This exclusive tour only departs once per year and spots fill up quickly. Secure your adventure now before it’s too late!
Details
Price
$5,997 per person, plus land fees and tax
Duration
8 Days / 7 Nights
Meeting/End Location
45495 Citabria Street, Nikiski, AK 99611
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Max Group Size
8 guests / tour
*Minimum capacity has been met – only a few spots left!
Ages
Minimum age requirement of 16 years old
Tour Location
The Alaska Range – Glacier Packrafting Zone
Kenai Mountains – Mountain Base Camp Zone
Highlights
- 🏔️ Exclusive Annual Expedition: Join our once-a-year journey deep into Alaska’s wilderness for an unforgettable adventure.
- 🚣♂️ Thrilling Packrafting & Mountain Discovery: Experience the best of Alaska with adrenaline-pumping packrafting and awe-inspiring mountain exploration.
- ⏳ Limited Availability, Maximum Adventure: Act fast to secure your spot on this intimate tour, where small groups ensure big experiences in Alaska’s untouched backcountry.
Difficulty
- This tour is rated as Strenuous
What’s Included
- Accommodations – 7 nights tent accommodations
- Professional Guide
- Round-trip bush flights during the trip (four flights total)
- Expedition-grade tents
- Sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and pillow
- Large gathering group tent for meals and hanging out
- Glacier hiking equipment – helmet, harness, crampons, trekking poles
- Packrafting equipment – packraft, paddle, drysuit, river boots, helmet, PFD
- All meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Cooking equipment, eating utensils, food bowl, and hot drink mug
- Beverages – water, tea, coffee, hot cocoa, apple cider, lemonade
- Water filtration equipment and storage
- Guides prepare and cook all meals
- Packing list
What’s Not Included
- Gratuities for your guide
- Travel Protection (e.g., Travel Insurance)
Important Notes
- Please arrive 60 minutes early to check-in and get set up
- There are no bathrooms in the backcountry, so bathroom breaks are done nature-style
- You must be able to walk on uneven, soft, rocky, steep, and slippery terrain for up to 5+ miles per day
- Under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult
What to Bring
- Bring snacks, and a water bottle (water will be refilled at camp)
- Backpacking Backpack (phase 1): 80-110 liters (rental packs available at checkout)
- Base Camp Backpack (phase 2): 30-40 liters (rental packs available at checkout)
- Waterproof rain jacket & rain pants required
- Bring layers, dress for current weather conditions
- Camera, sunglasses, sunscreen, and any personal items
- Cash or Venmo for guide & pilot gratuities (recommended)
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellation up to 60 days in advance
- Tours run rain or shine
Important…
While we do accept last-minute bookings, our tours regularly sell out. To get your preferred choice and to avoid missing out, we highly recommend booking as soon as possible.
Overview
🏞️ Welcome to the Adventure of a Lifetime!
Itinerary
DAY 1:
- 7:00am check-in and get set up at our Kenai flight office
- A light breakfast is provided
- 10:00am approx 30-45 minute bush plane flight to the backcountry
- Backpacking to our camp location – approx 4-5 miles from the drop-off point
- Lunch in the tundra or at camp
- Set up camp and get situated
- Hiking and exploring, get familiar with packrafts and gear
- Base camp dinner and revelry
- After dinner hike or mountain games
DAY 2:
- Coffee is up at 6:15am
- Breakfast in the gathering tent 7-8am
- Paddling orientation, and exploring the iceberg-filled glacier lakes all day
- Lunch on the shore or at base camp
- Base camp dinner and revelry
- After dinner hike or mountain games
DAY 3:
- Coffee is up at 6:15am
- Breakfast in the gathering tent 7-8am
- Take down camp, and haul gear to the glacier lake
- More iceberg lake paddling before entering the river
- Packrafting the glacial river approx 10 miles to our next camp (Class I-II+)
- Set up camp and get situated
- Camp dinner and revelry
- After dinner hike or camp fire
DAY 4:
*MORNING*
- Coffee is up at 6:15am
- Quick breakfast in the gathering tent
- Take down camp, and load packrafts for a short paddle down the river
- Pack up the rafts and hike to the pick-up zone
- Bush plane flight back to Kenai, approx 30-45 minutes
*AFTERNOON*
- Transition from our packrafting journey to our mountain base camp phase
- We will repack our gear into smaller packs
- We recommend stowing dry gear/clothing at our flight office to take to the mountain base camp
- Pizza lunch in the hangar
- Floatplane flight to the mountain zone, approx 30-45 minutes
- Unload the aircraft, set up camp, and get situated
- Base camp dinner and revelry
- After dinner hike to get acquainted with the area
DAY 5:
- Coffee is up at 6:15am
- Breakfast in the gathering tent 7-8am
- Hiking and exploring all day with lunch in the tundra or at base camp
- Daily activities – Alpine ridge hiking, glacier hiking, ice climbing, peak bagging
- Hike back to base camp for dinner and revelry
- After dinner hike or mountain games
DAY 6:
- Coffee is up at 6:15am
- Breakfast in the gathering tent 7-8am
- Hiking and exploring all day with lunch in the tundra or at base camp
- Daily activities – Alpine ridge hiking, glacier hiking, ice climbing, peak bagging
- Hike back to base camp for dinner and revelry
- After dinner hike or mountain games
DAY 7:
- Coffee is up at 6:15am
- Breakfast in the gathering tent 7-8am
- Hiking and exploring all day with lunch in the tundra or at base camp
- Daily activities – Alpine ridge hiking, glacier hiking, ice climbing, peak bagging
- Hike back to base camp for dinner and revelry
- After dinner hike or mountain games
DAY 8:
- Coffee is up at 6:15am
- Breakfast in the gathering tent 7-8am
- Morning and early afternoon hiking and exploring with lunch in the tundra or at base camp
- Take camp down, and pack up gear
- Afternoon floatplane flight back to the mainland
*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.
Why Kenai Backcountry Adventures
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How To Find Us
Kenai Backcountry Adventures | Flight Office
45495 Citabria Street,
Nikiski, AK 99611
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