Indigo Alpine Guides

Explore Alaska in a truly immersive way: On a rugged summertime hiking, backpacking, and camping trip into the Alaskan wilderness. Go with Indigo Alpine Guides and you’ll get the chance to unplug completely as expert guides lead you through some of the most beautiful scenery on the planet.

Why We Love Indigo Alpine Guides

Founded in 2017 by seasoned guide Jack Bynum, Indigo Alpine Guides offers intimate, high-caliber backcountry adventures that blend challenge, camaraderie, and awe-inspiring landscapes. Jack’s journey into the wilderness began early—growing up in New York’s Hudson Valley, he found his passion for climbing at the Gunks, one of the world’s premier climbing destinations. His first visit to Alaska at age 12 left a lasting impression, drawing him back at 18 to guide sea kayaking and backpacking trips. With a career spanning wilderness therapy, education, and month-long expeditions with NOLS, Jack created Indigo Alpine Guides to focus on small-group experiences that are both professional and personal. Indigo’s tight-knit team fosters a culture of adventure and resilience, where every trip is raw, real, and unforgettable. Expect expert guidance, serious preparation, and plenty of laughter as you push your limits in Alaska’s wildest places.

What Is It Like?

Groups of 6-8 adventurous travelers will head into the backcountry, often in national parks, and see Alaska at its rawest and most beautiful. These hardy expeditions are not for everyone: Beginners with a high level of fitness are welcome, but having completed at least a few backpacking trips is recommended.

Bring your own backpack, clothing, and snacks; Indigo Alpine Guides provides the rest, including tents and 2 meals each day. The dehydrated backpacker food comes with a gourmet twist that makes meals fun and filling while keeping backpacks light.

Backpacking Trips

Denali Whale’s Tail

Explore Alaska’s most popular destination, Denali, in a completely unique way on this 8-day trip: by hiking and backpacking through an area known as the Whale’s Tail. Fly in and set off into the backcountry, where you’ll see sights like the Ruth Gorge, the Alaska Range, and lots of glaciers. Keep an eye out for wildlife and the alpenglow over Denali. 8 Days | July 15–22, 2025 and July 23–30, 2025 | $4,850 per person

Gates of the Arctic Oolah Traverse

Head north! On this 9-day trip, you’ll fly from Fairbanks to Coldfoot, to witness the profoundly wild landscape above the Arctic Circle. Hike the open tundra: Above the treeline, you’ll have views for miles as you look for bears and caribou. 9 Days | June 22–30, 2025 and June 23–July 1, 2025 (women only) | July 2–10, 2025 | $4,950 per person

Lake Clark National Park Telequana High Route

Hike for 8 days through classic Alaskan wilderness. You’ll follow the Telequana High Route to Turquoise Lake and then on to the serenity of Twin Lakes. 8 Days | custom dates

Wrangell-St. Elias Traverse

This very challenging 9-day trip, designed for more advanced backpackers, begins with a flight from Anchorage and includes a rugged but rewarding exploration of the gorgeous park. 9 Days | August 5–14, 2025 and August 16–25, 2025 | $6,450

Basecamp Trips

Gates of the Arctic and Kobuk Sand Dunes Basecamp

This 9-day adventure takes you into Kobuk and Gates of the Arctic national parks, where you’ll see a big swath of the Brooks Range all at once. Contrast the craggy beauty of the mountains with the mesmerizing sand dunes in Kobuk, where you’ll feel like you’re walking on the moon. 9 Days | June 9–17, 2025 and September 1–9, 2025. $7,450 per person

Wrangell-St. Elias Basecamp

Fly from Anchorage to this stunning park for a 10-day trip full of geological diversity. Witness the majesty of Alaska in Skolai Pass—a massive valley with huge glaciers and beautiful wildflower prairies, where you’ll be surrounded by babbling brooks, mossy cascades, glaciated peaks, and volcanoes. Then explore Foss Glacier, where you’ll walk out on the river of ancient ice and get up close to its wondrous features. 10 Days | August 4–13, 2025 and August 15–24, 2025 | $6,950 per person

Backpacking Courses & Custom Trips

Advanced Backpacking Course

You’ll head to the Talkeetna Mountains for this 11-day adventure; one of the two excursions will be all women, the other all queer. Get out and experience the wilderness as you hone your skills in off-route navigation, whiteout navigation, meal planning, route planning, and more. 11 Days | June 9–19, 2025 (women only) and June 10–20, 2025 (queer only) | $4,450 per person

Custom Trips

The company is always happy to talk about unique trips designed just for you and your group of 4 or more. Custom