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Hike Alaska: Valdez and Wrangell St Elias

From glacier hikes to old abandoned mining towns, this trip has a little bit of everything. Fall deeper into the wilds of Alaska on this seven-day tour that really gets you out into the varied landscapes of the “Land of the Midnight Sun”. Enjoy a more active pace and set out on hikes that will have you walking on glaciers and witnessing incredible mountain scenery in no time.

On Sale
7 DaysAnchorage to Anchorage
Valid on May 5 2026Trip Code: NUVM
From $1825.17 USDIncluding taxes and fees

Is this tour for me?

Travel Style: Active

Hiking, trekking, biking, rafting, and kayaking adventures all over the world, made for outdoor types.

Service Level: Camping

Camping most nights with some hotel/hostel stays to start and throughout; affordable public and private transport.

Physical Grading: 4 - Demanding

Some high-altitude hikes or more strenuous activities, but accessible to most healthy travellers.

Trip Type: Small Group

Group trips average 12 travellers per departure, depending on the adventure. The maximum is usually no more than 16, but some can be smaller or bigger, depending on the trip. Check individual trips for details.

Age requirements: 12+

All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Check Your Visa Requirements

Before booking, use our handy entry requirements tool so you know which documents you need to enter and travel through the countries on your trip.

Hike Alaska: Valdez and Wrangell St Elias - Itinerary

Trip Start: AnchorageTrip End: Anchorage

DAY 1

Anchorage/Valdez

After a brief welcome meeting with your CEO, travel to the Matanuska Recreation Site where you will be able to view the glacier along the interpretive nature trail. After a picnic lunch the group will continue travelling onward to Valdez where you will have the opportunity to walk and visit the Worthington Glacier. In the evening, have dinner as a group around the fire.

Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group:
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

Private Vehicle:
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle between Anchorage and the Matanuska Recreation Site.

Matanuska Glacier Recreation Site:
This site which is easily accessible from the Glenn Highway Scenic Byway offers wonderful views of the Matanuska Glacier. As a 300 acre recreation site it offers glacier viewing from the parking lot that extends along the interpretive nature trail.

Private Vehicle:
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle between the glacier recreation site to Valdez. The stretch of 200 or so miles between Valdez and Matanuska Glacier Recreation Site takes around 4 hours to complete. There will be stops at viewpoints along the way for photo ops and to stretch those legs. Rest assured you will be travelling along some of the most beautiful sections of roads in the world.

Worthington Glacier Visit:
Spend some time exploring this glacier located in the Chugach Mountains near Thompson Pass—the snowiest place in Alaska. Worthington Glacier is one of the most accessible glaciers in Alaska, passing within a few feet of the parking lot with a viewing shelter right off the Richardson Highway. Like most of Alaska’s glaciers, this valley glacier has been steadily retreating for the last 150 years, but not as dramatically as many others. The upper basin sits at 5,500 feet and collects about 28 feet of snow each year.

Valdez KOA Journey:
Valdez KOA Journey

Hike Alaska: Valdez and Wrangell St Elias - Itinerary

Trip Start: AnchorageTrip End: Anchorage
DAY 1
Anchorage/Valdez

DAY 1

Anchorage/Valdez

After a brief welcome meeting with your CEO, travel to the Matanuska Recreation Site where you will be able to view the glacier along the interpretive nature trail. After a picnic lunch the group will continue travelling onward to Valdez where you will have the opportunity to walk and visit the Worthington Glacier. In the evening, have dinner as a group around the fire.

Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group:
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

Private Vehicle:
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle between Anchorage and the Matanuska Recreation Site.

Matanuska Glacier Recreation Site:
This site which is easily accessible from the Glenn Highway Scenic Byway offers wonderful views of the Matanuska Glacier. As a 300 acre recreation site it offers glacier viewing from the parking lot that extends along the interpretive nature trail.

Private Vehicle:
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle between the glacier recreation site to Valdez. The stretch of 200 or so miles between Valdez and Matanuska Glacier Recreation Site takes around 4 hours to complete. There will be stops at viewpoints along the way for photo ops and to stretch those legs. Rest assured you will be travelling along some of the most beautiful sections of roads in the world.

Worthington Glacier Visit:
Spend some time exploring this glacier located in the Chugach Mountains near Thompson Pass—the snowiest place in Alaska. Worthington Glacier is one of the most accessible glaciers in Alaska, passing within a few feet of the parking lot with a viewing shelter right off the Richardson Highway. Like most of Alaska’s glaciers, this valley glacier has been steadily retreating for the last 150 years, but not as dramatically as many others. The upper basin sits at 5,500 feet and collects about 28 feet of snow each year.

Valdez KOA Journey:
Valdez KOA Journey

DAY 2
Valdez
+
DAY 3
Valdez/McCarthy
+
DAY 4
McCarthy
+
DAY 5
McCarthy
+
DAY 6
McCarthy/Glennallen
+
DAY 7
Glennallen/Anchorage
+

What’s Included

  • Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
  • Visit to Matanuska Recreation Site
  • Worthington Glacier hike
  • Glacier Lake guided hiking and kayaking trip
  • Stop at Liberty Falls Recreation Site
  • Wrangell-St
  • Elias National Park visit
  • Bonanza Mine trail hike
  • Free time in McCarthy for optional activities
  • Copper Visitor Center trip
  • National Park entrance fees
  • All transport between destination and to/from included activities.
Accommodations
  • Participation camping (5nts), Rustic Lodge (1nt).
Meals
  • 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners
Transportation
  • Private vehicle and hiking.
Staff & experts
  • CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout.

Hike Alaska: Valdez and Wrangell St Elias Departure Dates

All Years

StartEndingAvailabilityPrices from
Mon, Jun 15 2026Sun, Jun 21 2026Open (4)$1,825.17 USD
(price includes taxes and fees)
Mon, Jun 22 2026Sun, Jun 28 2026Open (1)$1,825.17 USD
(price includes taxes and fees)
Mon, Jul 06 2026Sun, Jul 12 2026Open (7)$1,949.67 USD
(price includes taxes and fees)
Mon, Jul 13 2026Sun, Jul 19 2026Open (10)$1,949.67 USD
(price includes taxes and fees)
Mon, Jul 20 2026Sun, Jul 26 2026Open (7)$1,949.67 USD
(price includes taxes and fees)
Mon, Aug 03 2026Sun, Aug 09 2026Open (8)$1,949.67 USD
(price includes taxes and fees)
Mon, Aug 10 2026Sun, Aug 16 2026Open (12)$1,949.67 USD
(price includes taxes and fees)
Mon, Aug 17 2026Sun, Aug 23 2026Open (11)$1,949.67 USD
(price includes taxes and fees)
Mon, Jun 21 2027Sun, Jun 27 2027Open (12)$2,199 USD
(price includes taxes and fees)
Mon, Jul 05 2027Sun, Jul 11 2027Open (12)$2,349 USD
(price includes taxes and fees)

USEFUL INFO

Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group. Visit to Matanuska Recreation Site. Worthington Glacier hike. Glacier Lake guided hiking and kayaking trip. Stop at Liberty Falls Recreation Site. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park visit. Bonanza Mine trail hike. Free time in McCarthy for optional activities. Copper Visitor Center trip. National Park entrance fees. All transport between destination and to/from included activities.

Hike along the Worthington Glacier, Fall in love with the scenery in Valdez, Get on the water with a guided kayaking excursion on Glacier Lake, Explore at leisure in McCarthy, Walk the Bonanza Mine trail in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Camp under the stars

The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.

VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you view a final copy of your Trip Details a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.

While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.

Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.

1. WALKS AND HIKES
All walks and hikes proposed by our CEO will be a moderate level. You may choose to participate or not, but exploring our national parks on foot is part of our way of travelling. It’s a healthy way to discover North America’s beauty and landscape.

2. LEGAL DRINKING AGE
Please note that the legal drinking age in the United States is 21. Many bars and clubs will ask for ID at the door, therefore listening to live music in certain bars or spending a night out is not possible when you are under the legal age, even if you don't plan on consuming alcohol. Drinking laws are strictly enforced and our CEOs are unable to help those under age obtain alcohol of any kind. In Alaska, ID is often checked, even for the elderly, and in many places every single customer making an alcohol purchase must show identification (either US government-issued ID or passport if not from the States).

While this should not stop those under legal drinking age from booking a tour, it is important to note that if a traveller is under-age there are certain optional nighttime activities that they may not legally be able to participate in. When trying to book the right trip, we recommend that travellers under legal drinking age take this into consideration.

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