« Package Trips Overview

Water, Ice & Basecamp: Five Day Package

The full Wrangell-St Elias experience.

Trip Description

The Water, Ice and Backcountry package is designed to have the most variety and be the fullest experience that Wrangell-St. Elias has to offer. This package combines our two most exciting local day trips with a flight deep into the wilderness for a 3 day/ 2 night Backcountry adventure.

Customize your package from the trip options listed for each day. You will have the opportunity to choose your preferred trips during booking.

Glacier Day: Hike on a glacier! All of our glacier hikes start at our office in Kennicott, include a history tour through the Kennicott Millsite, interpretive nature hike on the Root Glacier Trail and exploration of the white ice of the Root Glacier. Click on the links below for a more detailed description of each hike.

Glacier Day Options:
Trip NameDifficulty &
Length of Trip Water, Ice & Basecamp: Five Day Package
Highlights
Half Day Glacier HikeEasy
4-5 hours
Hiking on a glacier! See blue pools, canyons, moulins and more!
Full Day Glacier HikeEasy to Moderate
7 - 8 hours
Everything the half-day has to offer, just more of it!
Ice Explorer Climb & HikeMedium to Hard
7 - 9 hours
The best of all worlds from Glacier Hiking & Ice Climbing. Great for families with mixed abilities and interests and for those who want it all.
Full day Ice ClimbMedium to Hard
7-9 hours
Ice climbing anywhere is extraordinary. Ice climbing on a glacier is out of this world.
Donoho Lakes HikeModerate
7-9 hours
Take the full day glacier hike and add an amazing waterfall and stunning alpine lakes.

Packraft Day: Packraft on a glacial lake! Paddle your own boat around icebergs, explore the glacier’s edge and take in 360 degree views. Packrafts are inflatable, one-person boats that fit in a light backpack. A uniquely Alaskan experience.

Packraft Day Options:
TripDifficulty &
Length of Trip Water, Ice & Basecamp: Five Day Package
Highlights
Glacier Lake PackraftEasy
4 - 5 hours
Paddle your own boat in the stunning setting of a glacial lake.
Hike and PackraftMedium
6 - 8 hours
Hike in, gear up, and explore areas only accessible by packrafts.

Backcountry Days:  Fly-in and camp in the wilderness! Start with a scenic bush plane flight through the Wrangells to one of our incredible backcountry locations. Enjoy three days and two nights of world-class hiking, amazing camping and great food. Our Backcountry Trips are a once in a lifetime experience.

Choose Basecamping or a Backpacking Loop from the destinations below.

Backcountry Options:
TripDifficulty &
Length of Trip Water, Ice & Basecamp: Five Day Package
PriceHighlights
Root GlacierEasy - Hard
2-3 days
$Hike in from KWG’s office and explore our unbelievable backyard. Cross glaciers, hike in the alpine, camp with views of icefalls.
The FosseEasy - Hard
3-6 days
$$Fly over Alaska valley glaciers. Hike through wildflower-filled alpine to an iceberg filled lake and views of 16,390 ft Mt. Blackburn.
NizinaEasy - Medium
3-6 days
$$Impressive flight next to the Mile High Cliffs. Mountain and valley views, glacial lake with floating/calving icebergs, dynamic geology.
NikolaiEasy - Hard
3-6 days
$$An impressive flight to a dramatic location. Hike world class ridges with incredible wildflowers, dynamic geology and expansive views.
Fan GlacierEasy - Hard
3-6 days
$$$A long flight gets you away from the crowds. Excellent hiking to views of hanging glaciers, huge vistas and unique kettle pools.
SkolaiEasy - Medium
3-6 days
$$Fly through the heart of the Wrangells to an epic alpine pass at 6,000ft. Hike to waterfalls, hanging glaciers, lakes and big views.
Wrangell PlateauEasy - Medium
3-5 days
$$$A scenic flight to the enchanting alpine below Mt Wrangell, 14,163 ft. Hike to stunning views of waterfalls, glaciers and high peaks.
IcebergEasy - Hard
3-6 days
$$$Fly through a large portion of the park. Hike to emerald alpine lakes in a valley surrounded by jagged peaks in an impressive landscape.
Hidden GemsEasy - Hard
3-8 days
$$$$These are special trips to places seldom seen. Trips and locations custom tailored to personalized itinerary and logistics.
All Packages Include:

  • The same private guide for the entire package
  • Made to order lunches
  • Round-trip transportation from your local lodging to where we begin each trip.

Duration: 5 days
Difficulty: Easy-Hard Water, Ice & Basecamp: Five Day Package

Highlights:

  • Ease of booking and customizable options
  • Building a relationship with the same guide
  • Bush plane flight to an amazing wilderness camping destination
  • Seeing glacial formations: waterfalls, crevasses, blue pools, moulins
  • Use packrafts to explore a unique, otherwise inaccessible landscape
Trip Details

Terrain Challenges: Uneven trail surfaces, loose rocks, short and steep gain/loss of elevation and walking in crampons on uneven glacial surfaces. Need to actively paddle your own packraft with a kayak paddle, in cold, glacial fed water.

Who: Anyone looking for 2 day trips plus a 3 day backcountry adventure!

When:  June-September
Flight times depend on air service availability.

Where:  Our Glacier Hikes leave from our office in Kennicott and our Packrafting Trip leaves from the Footbridge in McCarthy. The Backcountry Trip leaves from the McCarthy Airstrip.

Trip Includes
  • Pre-trip planning.
  • Experienced, friendly, knowledgeable guides!
  • Round-trip, local transportation to where we begin our trip.
  • Small guide to client ratios.
  • Customizable itinerary.
  • Airfare into the backcountry.
  • Medical equipment, training and protocols to Wilderness First Responder Standards.
  • SAT phone & Delorme InReach.
  • Emergency camping gear (in the rare instance the plane cannot pick us up, do to weather conditions, we are prepared to spend the night in the backcountry)
  • Technical gear and equipment.
  • Day packs (if needed)
  • Leave No Trace and Bear Safety education/ ethics.

Trip Does Not Include

  • Guide Gratuity (recommended 10-20% of tour cost)
  • Personal clothing & gear. For further suggestions on gear you will want to bring from home (this might help you pack for your whole Alaskan vacation!) visit our Trip Planning Page for a gear list.
  • Pre & Post trip lodging.
  • Transportation to and from Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.
Five Day Custom Package Pricing

Client:Guide Ratio & Price (Price Includes Flight Cost)

Fosse
1:1 / $4,750 per person
2:1 / $2,900 per person
3:1 / $2,390 per person
4:1 / $2,185 per person

Nizina
1:1 / $5,310 per person
2:1 / $3,355 per person
3:1 / $2,815 per person
4:1 / $2,640 per person

Skolai
1:1 / $5,230 per person
2:1 / $3,260 per person
3:1 / $2,710 per person
4:1 / $2,545 per person

Fan
1:1 / $5,360 per person
2:1 / $3,355 per person
3:1 / $2,800 per person
4:1 / $2,640 per person

Iceberg
1:1 / $5,360 per person
2:1 / $3,365 per person
3:1 / $2,805 per person
4:1 / $2,650 per person

Wrangell Plateau
1:1 / $5,570 per person
2:1 / $3,515 per person
3:1 / $2,940 per person
4:1 / $2,800 per person

Nikolai
1:1 / $4,750 per person
2:1 / $2,900 per person
3:1 / $2,390 per person
4:1 / $2,185 per person

Hidden Gems
1:1 / $7,020 per person
2:1 / $4,600 per person
3:1 / $3,905 per person
4:1 / $3,510 per person

$100/child discount for all children 12 and under on all private day hikes (issued at final payment)
$50/person discount for AK residents & Active Military and family. Valid with current I.D. (Issued at final payment)

Group Package Trip Pricing

All inclusive group trip includes local lodging, roundtrip transportation to McCarthy-Kennicott and backcountry airfare from McCarthy.

July 27–Aug 2, 2025 • 5 Total Spots
Pricing per Person – 5 Day Trip
$3,670

Photo Gallery

Click to enlarge

Five Day Custom Package Pricing

Client:Guide Ratio & Price (Price Includes Flight Cost)

Fosse
1:1 / $4,750 per person
2:1 / $2,900 per person
3:1 / $2,390 per person
4:1 / $2,185 per person

Nizina
1:1 / $5,310 per person
2:1 / $3,355 per person
3:1 / $2,815 per person
4:1 / $2,640 per person

Skolai
1:1 / $5,230 per person
2:1 / $3,260 per person
3:1 / $2,710 per person
4:1 / $2,545 per person

Fan
1:1 / $5,360 per person
2:1 / $3,355 per person
3:1 / $2,800 per person
4:1 / $2,640 per person

Iceberg
1:1 / $5,360 per person
2:1 / $3,365 per person
3:1 / $2,805 per person
4:1 / $2,650 per person

Wrangell Plateau
1:1 / $5,570 per person
2:1 / $3,515 per person
3:1 / $2,940 per person
4:1 / $2,800 per person

Nikolai
1:1 / $4,750 per person
2:1 / $2,900 per person
3:1 / $2,390 per person
4:1 / $2,185 per person

Hidden Gems
1:1 / $7,020 per person
2:1 / $4,600 per person
3:1 / $3,905 per person
4:1 / $3,510 per person

$100/child discount for all children 12 and under on all private day hikes (issued at final payment)
$50/person discount for AK residents & Active Military and family. Valid with current I.D. (Issued at final payment)

Group Package Trip Pricing

All inclusive group trip includes local lodging, roundtrip transportation to McCarthy-Kennicott and backcountry airfare from McCarthy.

July 27–Aug 2, 2025 • 5 Total Spots
Pricing per Person – 5 Day Trip
$3,670

Trip Description

The Water, Ice and Backcountry package is designed to have the most variety and be the fullest experience that Wrangell-St. Elias has to offer. This package combines our two most exciting local day trips with a flight deep into the wilderness for a 3 day/ 2 night Backcountry adventure.

Customize your package from the trip options listed for each day. You will have the opportunity to choose your preferred trips during booking.

Glacier Day: Hike on a glacier! All of our glacier hikes start at our office in Kennicott, include a history tour through the Kennicott Millsite, interpretive nature hike on the Root Glacier Trail and exploration of the white ice of the Root Glacier. Click on the links below for a more detailed description of each hike.

Glacier Day Options:
Trip NameDifficulty &
Length of Trip Water, Ice & Basecamp: Five Day Package
Highlights
Half Day Glacier HikeEasy
4-5 hours
Hiking on a glacier! See blue pools, canyons, moulins and more!
Full Day Glacier HikeEasy to Moderate
7 - 8 hours
Everything the half-day has to offer, just more of it!
Ice Explorer Climb & HikeMedium to Hard
7 - 9 hours
The best of all worlds from Glacier Hiking & Ice Climbing. Great for families with mixed abilities and interests and for those who want it all.
Full day Ice ClimbMedium to Hard
7-9 hours
Ice climbing anywhere is extraordinary. Ice climbing on a glacier is out of this world.
Donoho Lakes HikeModerate
7-9 hours
Take the full day glacier hike and add an amazing waterfall and stunning alpine lakes.

Packraft Day: Packraft on a glacial lake! Paddle your own boat around icebergs, explore the glacier’s edge and take in 360 degree views. Packrafts are inflatable, one-person boats that fit in a light backpack. A uniquely Alaskan experience.

Packraft Day Options:
TripDifficulty &
Length of Trip Water, Ice & Basecamp: Five Day Package
Highlights
Glacier Lake PackraftEasy
4 - 5 hours
Paddle your own boat in the stunning setting of a glacial lake.
Hike and PackraftMedium
6 - 8 hours
Hike in, gear up, and explore areas only accessible by packrafts.

Backcountry Days:  Fly-in and camp in the wilderness! Start with a scenic bush plane flight through the Wrangells to one of our incredible backcountry locations. Enjoy three days and two nights of world-class hiking, amazing camping and great food. Our Backcountry Trips are a once in a lifetime experience.

Choose Basecamping or a Backpacking Loop from the destinations below.

Backcountry Options:
TripDifficulty &
Length of Trip Water, Ice & Basecamp: Five Day Package
PriceHighlights
Root GlacierEasy - Hard
2-3 days
$Hike in from KWG’s office and explore our unbelievable backyard. Cross glaciers, hike in the alpine, camp with views of icefalls.
The FosseEasy - Hard
3-6 days
$$Fly over Alaska valley glaciers. Hike through wildflower-filled alpine to an iceberg filled lake and views of 16,390 ft Mt. Blackburn.
NizinaEasy - Medium
3-6 days
$$Impressive flight next to the Mile High Cliffs. Mountain and valley views, glacial lake with floating/calving icebergs, dynamic geology.
NikolaiEasy - Hard
3-6 days
$$An impressive flight to a dramatic location. Hike world class ridges with incredible wildflowers, dynamic geology and expansive views.
Fan GlacierEasy - Hard
3-6 days
$$$A long flight gets you away from the crowds. Excellent hiking to views of hanging glaciers, huge vistas and unique kettle pools.
SkolaiEasy - Medium
3-6 days
$$Fly through the heart of the Wrangells to an epic alpine pass at 6,000ft. Hike to waterfalls, hanging glaciers, lakes and big views.
Wrangell PlateauEasy - Medium
3-5 days
$$$A scenic flight to the enchanting alpine below Mt Wrangell, 14,163 ft. Hike to stunning views of waterfalls, glaciers and high peaks.
IcebergEasy - Hard
3-6 days
$$$Fly through a large portion of the park. Hike to emerald alpine lakes in a valley surrounded by jagged peaks in an impressive landscape.
Hidden GemsEasy - Hard
3-8 days
$$$$These are special trips to places seldom seen. Trips and locations custom tailored to personalized itinerary and logistics.
All Packages Include:

  • The same private guide for the entire package
  • Made to order lunches
  • Round-trip transportation from your local lodging to where we begin each trip.

Duration: 5 days
Difficulty: Easy-Hard Water, Ice & Basecamp: Five Day Package

Highlights:

  • Ease of booking and customizable options
  • Building a relationship with the same guide
  • Bush plane flight to an amazing wilderness camping destination
  • Seeing glacial formations: waterfalls, crevasses, blue pools, moulins
  • Use packrafts to explore a unique, otherwise inaccessible landscape
Trip Details

Terrain Challenges: Uneven trail surfaces, loose rocks, short and steep gain/loss of elevation and walking in crampons on uneven glacial surfaces. Need to actively paddle your own packraft with a kayak paddle, in cold, glacial fed water.

Who: Anyone looking for 2 day trips plus a 3 day backcountry adventure!

When:  June-September
Flight times depend on air service availability.

Where:  Our Glacier Hikes leave from our office in Kennicott and our Packrafting Trip leaves from the Footbridge in McCarthy. The Backcountry Trip leaves from the McCarthy Airstrip.

Trip Includes
  • Pre-trip planning.
  • Experienced, friendly, knowledgeable guides!
  • Round-trip, local transportation to where we begin our trip.
  • Small guide to client ratios.
  • Customizable itinerary.
  • Airfare into the backcountry.
  • Medical equipment, training and protocols to Wilderness First Responder Standards.
  • SAT phone & Delorme InReach.
  • Emergency camping gear (in the rare instance the plane cannot pick us up, do to weather conditions, we are prepared to spend the night in the backcountry)
  • Technical gear and equipment.
  • Day packs (if needed)
  • Leave No Trace and Bear Safety education/ ethics.

Trip Does Not Include

  • Guide Gratuity (recommended 10-20% of tour cost)
  • Personal clothing & gear. For further suggestions on gear you will want to bring from home (this might help you pack for your whole Alaskan vacation!) visit our Trip Planning Page for a gear list.
  • Pre & Post trip lodging.
  • Transportation to and from Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.

Water, Ice & Basecamp: Five Day Package
Photo Gallery

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