Hiking the Gates of the Arctic Oolah Traverse

4.67
$4,950.00

Overview

Most people experience Alaska from the comfort of a cruise ship, snapping photos of glaciers from afar and checking it off their bucket list. But my guess is you’re not like most people. If you're reading this, you're seeking something deeper.

Twice a year, you can set off on a 9-day adventure specifically crafted for true wilderness seekers. The Oolah Traverse is a journey through one of the last truly wild places on Earth—Gates of the Arctic National Park. From vast open tundra to low mountain passes and scrambly summits, this adventure takes you deep into the Brooks Range.

This isn’t just another hike—it's a rare opportunity to experience untouched wilderness and witness the raw beauty of the Arctic landscape.


Exclusive Discount for Adventure Fix readers.

Use the coupon ADVENTUREFIX at checkout, and get 10% off this trip.


At a Glance
  • Dates: June & July
  • Duration: 9 days
  • Accommodation: Camping
  • Difficulty: Intermediate

Upcoming Trips

Upcoming Trips
<span style="color: #000000;"><b>2025</b></span>
<BR>
June 22nd - 30th <BR>
June 23rd - July 1st (Women Only Trip) <BR>
<s>July 2nd - 10th</s> <b>sold out</b>

Gallery

What's Unique About This Adventure?

Highlights
<p style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.75; padding-bottom: 28px; margin-bottom: 0; color: #51526e !important;"><span style="color: #333333;">Here’s what makes this adventure exceptional:</span></p>

<span style="color: #000000;"><b>Unmatched Solitude</b></span>
<BR><BR>
No roads, no trails, and no crowds—just you and the wild.

<BR><BR>

<span style="color: #000000;"><b>Epic Scenery</b></span>
<BR><BR>
Endless tundra, rugged peaks, and serene river crossings unlike anywhere else.

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<span style="color: #000000;"><b>Wildlife Encounters</b></span>
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Caribou, arctic foxes, and lots of other animals call this remote paradise home. <BR><BR>

What's Included

What's Included
<li>Accommodations on the first night in Fairbanks</li>
<li>All bush flights in and out</li>
<li>All ground transportation</li>
<li>All breakfasts and dinner</li>
<li>All group supplies—cooking equipment, water treatment options, group shelters, bear canisters, toilet supplies, emergency communication devices, maps, GPS, first aid kit</li>
<li>National Park entrance fees</li>
<li>Services of experienced and trained guides</li>

What's Not Included

What's Not Included
<li>Travel to Fairbanks</li>
<li>Transportation to the hotel in Fairbanks</li>
<li>Extra room expenses (i.e. room service)</li>
<li>Travel insurance or rescue insurance (both recommended)</li>
<li>Gratuity for your guide</li>
<li>Personal gear— backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, layers, rain gear, personal bowl, personal eating utensils, headlamp, and personal toiletries</li>
<li>Lunches. On our trips lunches are really just extended snacking throughout the day.</li>

Location

Itinerary

DAY 1 - Welcome to Fairbanks

Welcome to Fairbanks, the "Golden Heart City,” nestled between the mighty Alaska Range to the south and the picturesque Chena River flowing through the center.

Check into your hotel between 3 and 5 today. We’ll meet at 5:30 to get to know each other, talk about our upcoming adventure, share goals for the trip, go over gear, and share a great meal.

DAY 2 - Fly into the Wilderness

In the morning we’ll have a beautiful breakfast before shuttling back to the airport for our first of two flights into the Arctic. Depending on the year, we head either to Bettles or Coldfoot, two small arctic towns each with their own character and unique history. From there we’ll change to a float plane for a flight you’ll never forget.

If you’ve never flown in a bush plane you’re missing out on one of the greatest experiences in life, really. There’s nothing quite like seeing Alaska from the sky — breezing over tundra; spotting moose and grizzly; floating through massive glacial gorges with mile high walls of granite; watching the sun glint off rivers braided like lungs; seeing the tallest mountain in North America at eye level — It's a trip to remember.

DAY 3 to 8 - Exploring Time

We’ll spend the next six days wandering high alpine meadows, climbing small peaks, spotting caribou & bear (from a safe distance), watching the persistent alpenglow of the far-north dance across endless mountains, laughing around camp, eating delicious well-earned meals, and connecting in the deep way wilderness makes possible.

There are no trails in Alaska and few people set foot out here at all.

DAY 9 - Heading Back

When you wake to the final morning in the backcountry relishing the memories, the deep sense of connection to a world that moves slower but also excited for your restaurant meal and hot shower. We’ll take some time this morning to soak in the quiet and reflect on how we want to return to the busier world — what we want to bring with us and what we’d rather leave behind.

The float plane will pick us up early this morning and we’ll bid farewell to the wild we’ve come to call home and back to Fairbanks where we’ll say our goodbyes.

Meet Your Guide

Company
This tour is offered by <b>Indigo Alpine Guides</b>.
<BR><BR>

We’ve decided to stay small. Today, most expeditions and trips are guided by the founder Jack. For expeditions requiring more than one guide or where different skill sets are required (arctic ship navigation for instance!) we hire from a select group of professionals who we call friends.

We don’t aspire to be a behomoth company — we focus on custom trips, with superb logistics, to places of overwhelming beauty. Every expedition we guide is an “expedition of a lifetime” for our clients.

In 2025, Indigo Alpine Guides moved it’s entire operation to Alaska and focused in on guided the coolest backpacking trips the state had to offer.

Rates, Share and Sole Use Policy

Rates, Share and Sole Use Policy
<b>Rates</b>
<BR><BR>
The price of the tour is $4,950.00 USD per person for the 2025 departures. <BR>
Use the coupon code <b>ADVENTUREFIX</b> to get 10% OFF.
<BR><BR>

Payment Terms

Deposits
A deposit of $1,500 is required to secure your booking and may be paid by major credit card. The remaining balance is due 120 days before the tour starts.
Final Payments
Balances are due 120 days prior to departure. Balances may be paid by credit card.

Cancellations

Cancellations
All requests for cancellation must be received in writing to Indigo Alpine Guides.
<BR><BR>

You may cancel up to 120 days before the scheduled travel date and receive a full refund minus a $300 per-person service fee. If you cancel between 120 and 60 days of travel, there is a 50% cancellation fee. Within 60 days of travel, there is a 100% cancellation fee. We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance.

Booking Terms

Booking Terms
This trip is operated by Indigo Alpine Guides and you travel under <a href="https://www.indigoalpineguides.com/terms-and-conditions" target="_blank"><u>their terms and conditions</u></a>.

Reviews

Write a Review
4.7
3 reviews
  • Jona R.

    I have travelled the entire world, every continent, with dozens of high-end guide services and this was hands down the best trip of my life. The place worked it’s way into my soul. And Jack was the best guide i’ve ever had! It was hard, but so so worth it.

  • Sammy T.

    It’s impossible to explain how vast the place is. Every square mile would be it’s own national park if it were in the lower 48! I’m so grateful I got the chance to go here and so glad I chose IAG to go with.

  • Marian E.

    Jack had me cracking up the entire time! Alaska is no joke. If you’re willing to put in the effort it’s absolutely worth it. And if you go you might as well laugh the entire time while you’re at it. I can’t recommend Indigo Alpine Guides or Gates of the Arctic highly enough.

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Hiking | Alaska, USA

Hiking the Gates of the Arctic Oolah Traverse

Listing Image

Season:

June & July

Difficulty:

Intermediate

Duration:

9 Days


From $4,950.00 USD