Northern Epics Hiking and Survival

Welcome to Northern Epics!

If you're researching the best things to do in Denali National Park, you've probably realized that most options involve seeing the wilderness through the window of a crowded tour bus. At Northern Epics, we believe in doing things differently. We operate highly immersive hiking, walking, and survival tours in and around Denali National Park. Our goal is to get you off the pavement, out of the crowds, and connected with the Alaskan landscape.

Whether you're a seasoned world traveler or enjoying a once-in-a-lifetime Alaskan cruise package, our tours are built to fit seamlessly into your schedule. We know that traveling on a structured group or cruise itinerary means your free time is precious. To make exploring completely stress-free, we offer complimentary round-trip transportation directly from your local lodge or hotel.

The Northern Epics Experiment: Who We Are

Northern Epics isn't your average tour operator; we like to call our company an experiment. Founded in 2023, we started with a core belief: if we truly do right by our employees and our customers, profits will follow. We're a locally owned business striving to treat our guests and guides like family. And we don't mean that in a corporate marketing way—we mean the kind of family you call if you get a flat tire.

Because protecting the land we operate on is deeply important to us, all our guides are Leave No Trace certified. We also proudly donate 5% of our net profits directly to conservation in the areas where we guide. When you book with us, you're actively helping protect Alaska's wild spaces.

Why Explore Denali With Us?

After guiding over 9,000 guests, we've seen one constant: travelers who truly understand the ecosystem appreciate their vacation so much more. Here's what makes our approach to the wilderness unique:

• Small, Personal Groups: We strictly limit our tours to a maximum of 8 to 10 people, with an average group size of just six. You'll never feel rushed, and you'll always have one-on-one time to ask your guide questions.

• World-Class Safety & Expertise: We handpick our guides and train them extensively in local ecology, geology, and history. Every single guide holds a Wilderness First Responder certification and carries GPS and SOS devices on all tours, meaning you can explore the backcountry with complete peace of mind.

• A Five-Sense Connection: Our tours are designed to teach you how the ecosystem connects, utilizing all five senses. You'll listen to your guide explain the permafrost, smell the earthy boreal forest, and sink your fingers into the thick moss. In fact, walking on the tundra feels like stepping on a one-foot-thick memory foam mattress!

Find Your Perfect Tour

We know our guests come with different mobility levels and goals. It's our job to narrow in on what actually impacts your vacation. We offer a variety of experiences tailored to you:

1. The 3-Hour Naturalist Walking Tour

• Difficulty: Easy.

• Best For: Slower walkers and those wanting to learn without breaking a sweat.

• What to Expect: A 1 to 3-mile leisurely walk through the forest with frequent teaching stops to learn about edible plants, berries, the exotic sub-arctic ecosystem, and so much more.

2. The 4-Hour Wilderness Wonders Hike

• Difficulty: Moderate.

• Best For: Guests wanting to step off the beaten path. While there isn't much elevation gain or distance (up to 300 feet and 2-4 miles), this tour is off-trail. You don't need to be an athlete to do this tour, but if you have serious mobility or balance issues, it may not be best for you.

• What to Expect: This is our guides' favorite tour. You'll embark on an off-trail exploration just outside the national park, getting a truly unique, intimate perspective on the wilderness. This is true adventure, with every tour being different than the last. Oh, and did I mention? Your guide is also an expert naturalist!

3. The 5-Hour Denali Survival Tour

• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate.

• Best For: Those looking for an interactive, educational experience—or fans of survival shows.

• What to Expect: As the only survival tour in Alaska, you'll spend time hiking and learning real primitive survival skills from an expert survivalist—without having to actually rough it. Learn how to make fire with sticks and string, build a shelter, and much more.

4. The 5-Hour Into the Mountains Hike

• Difficulty: Strenuous.

• Best For: Fit hikers who want to get their blood pumping.

• What to Expect: A 4 to 6-mile trek up a steep ridgeline featuring 1,500 to 3,000 feet of elevation gain and jaw-dropping views of the Nenana River valley and the Alaska Range.

Go Beyond the Bus and Experience the Real Alaska

When compiling a list of the top things to do in Denali, you'll undoubtedly find plenty of recommendations for beautiful bus rides and flightseeing. While those are wonderful, they keep a barrier between you and the environment.

True exploration happens on the ground. We teach you how the glaciers carved these sweeping valleys and how the local flora and fauna survive the extreme winters. Getting to sample the edible plants and berries of Denali is a big part of what makes our tours great. It offers a new way to connect to the sub-arctic ecosystem.

Zero-Risk Booking: The Best Guarantee in Alaska

We know travel plans change, especially when coordinating large multi-day trips. That's why we offer the best cancellation policy and guarantee in Alaska.

• Our Zero-Risk Cancellation Policy: Millions of dollars are lost by travelers who have to cancel last minute. With us, you can cancel for a full refund anytime up until your guide arrives. Whether your flight is delayed or you simply get sick, you won't lose your money.

• Ultimate Confidence Guarantee: We take on all the risk so that you don't have to. If you don't absolutely love your tour for any reason, just give us a call. We'll give you a full refund AND $100 toward your next tour in Alaska—even if it isn't with us.

  Important note: These policies are only available if you book directly through www.northernepics.com.

We're here to see if it's possible to redefine the guiding industry by caring for our guests the right way. If you're ready for an unforgettable addition to your Alaska itinerary, we invite you to join our experiment. Take a look at our availability and book your Denali adventure today!