Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Travel
  3. News

Experience Denali like never before with exclusive fly-in wilderness travel

Personalized trips from AdventureSmith Explorations start at $6,765 per person.

courtesy of AdventureSmith Explorations
courtesy of AdventureSmith Explorations courtesy of AdventureSmith Explorations / AdventureSmith Explorations

Every year, only 10% of travelers hoping to experience the vast expanse of Denali National Park make it beyond the park’s entrance. With the indefinite closure of the road due to the Pretty Rocks Landslide, access to the park’s deeper reaches has become even more limited. But for those seeking a unique adventure, AdventureSmith Explorations offers exclusive fly-in wilderness travel options that take you straight into the heart of Denali, far beyond the crowded entrances and into the untouched wilds of Alaska’s iconic landscape.

An experience unlike anything else

courtesy of AdventureSmith Explorations
courtesy of AdventureSmith Explorations

For an unforgettable adventure, the 8-9 day Denali Backcountry Explorer tour offers a truly unique way to explore Alaska’s wilderness. Upon arrival, you’ll access your remote backcountry lodge via helicopter or fixed-wing airplane, taking in aerial views that may include a fly-by of Denali and the stunning Alaska Range. You can choose between two incredible lodging options: the Denali Backcountry Lodge, a cozy riverside retreat with cedar cabins, or the historic Kantishna Roadhouse, whose charming cabins date back to the early 1900s.

Recommended Videos

Todd Smith, founder and president of AdventureSmith Explorations, raves about Kantishna. “Staying in Kantishna is hands down the best way to visit and see Denali. The Kantishna lodges have adapted to the road closure by coordinating special flights in and out for 4-5 travelers at a time who want to experience the vastness of Denali National Park. The benefit of this shift in transportation means lodge guests now enjoy even fewer crowds and have a bird’s eye view of glaciers, mountains, and tundra during the 35- to 55-minute flight on both ends of their trip.”

Once settled, your adventure begins. Hike through alpine meadows and tundra, try your hand at dog sledding, or experience the thrill of gold panning. There’s also mountain biking, guided backcountry hikes, and ample opportunities for wildlife viewing.

After 3-4 days immersed in the wild heart of Denali, you’ll return to Anchorage by either the Alaska Railroad or a scenic flight. On the train, enjoy luxury dome cars that offer panoramic views of lush Alaska lands, with meals available for purchase and a knowledgeable conductor pointing out key landmarks. If you choose to fly, you’ll soar over Mt. Denali, North America’s tallest peak at 20,322 feet, with a bird’s-eye view of the landscape below.

Booking your experience

courtesy of AdventureSmith Explorations
courtesy of AdventureSmith Explorations

This all-inclusive tour covers transfers, hotels, and activities and can be customized to suit your travel preferences. Starting at $6,765 per person, you can book your Denali adventure directly on the AdventureSmith Explorations website.

Amanda Teague
Amanda, an accomplished freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio, is a dedicated explorer of both the world and the written word…
The Obelisks of Rome: A pointed walking tour  
Take a walk into history with these fascinating Roman landmarks
City, Architecture, Building

When you walk around Rome, no matter which way you turn, you are likely to see the sky pierced by an obelisk. It is a defining part of the Roman skyline. But they don’t really belong here. Rome is a city that has never been shy about borrowing greatness. Few monuments illustrate that better than its obelisks. While these towering stone needles feel quintessentially Roman today, they began life in ancient Egypt, most carved along the Nile. While there, they were associated with the sun god and served as symbols of divine favor and royal power. Today, Rome boasts thirteen ancient obelisks, more than anywhere else in the world, including Egypt itself. 

Their journey to Rome began after Augustus conquered Egypt following the defeat of Antony and Cleopatra in 30 BCE. Bringing obelisks to the capital was more than an exercise in decorating the city; it was a statement of conquest. Egypt's sacred monuments had become Roman trophies, proclaiming that a new empire now enjoyed the favor of the gods. Later emperors continued importing obelisks, scattering them across circuses, temples, and public spaces. 

Read more
Oregon’s Tualatin Valley is a wine festival hub with idyllic views just outside Portland
This city escape is perfect for lively gatherings and self-guided tasting trails
Plant, Tree, Fir, Mt Hood Forest Grove

The Pacific Northwest's wine scene gained international acclaim with hotspots like the Walla Walla Valley and Columbia Gorge, praised for their well-crafted bottles. But fewer have heard of the Tualatin Valley, a destination brimming with over 40 estate wineries. Nestled along the northwestern edge of the Willamette Valley, it offers the quickest access to wine country from downtown Portland. 

Tualatin Valley’s wine-laden hills and tasting rooms start a mere 20 to 30 minute drive from the city, yet they feel hours away. In record time, you’ll find yourself luxuriating on a breezy hillside with a glass of Pinot Noir in hand. You can stretch your legs, admire Mt. Hood’s majestic peak, and chat with other lucky escape artists who also discovered this special place.

Read more
The new luxury in Europe is access—And travelers are booking a year ahead
How luxury summer travelers are changing their plans this year
Ermoupoli, Greece

We're well into another busy summer for European travel. But this summer, travelers have discovered the hardest part of planning a trip isn't so much choosing where to go -- it’s securing access to sought-after accommodations and experiences once in destination. According to a recent summer travel trends report by Classic Vacations, the leading luxury travel advisor resource, Europe continues to lead summer bookings with strong demand across Italy, Greece, France, Spain, and Portugal.

Within these destinations, premium room categories and suites are increasingly booking 9–12 months in advance. Sought-after experiences such as hard-to-secure restaurant reservations, private transfers and guides, yacht charters, beach clubs, and iconic attractions are also filling months ahead of travel dates, creating a new reality where advance planning and local expertise are becoming increasingly essential.

Read more