Denali Peak Sightseeing by Plane
Overview
Special Note(s): This tour is headset equipped, fully narrated and all seats are window seats on twin engine aircraft. Precise flight routes are dictated by current weather conditions. Anticipated flight routes will be discussed with passengers during a pre-flight briefing. Flight time is 60 - 70 minutes.
Inclusions
- All taxes, fees and handling charges
- Driver/guide
- Live commentary on board
- Headsets to hear the guide clearly
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
What to expect
Upon arrival at the airstrip, you will check in at our office and listen to a passenger map briefing to orient you to our location and the flight routes. Your pilot will escort you to one of our comfortable twin engine airplanes and provide a safety orientation to the aircraft before settling each passenger into a window seat. You will depart from the airstrip and in moments cross the Nenana River, the eastern boundary of the National Park. The exact flight route will depend on weather but here are some highlights you can expect:
• Comprehensive views of all the features of the Park that you would otherwise see on a Park bus tour
• Views of the Wickersham Wall, arguably the tallest vertical relief on any mountain in the world. This 14, 000 foot sheer wall of ice and snow is the best opportunity you’ll have to gain a stunning perspective of the towering size of Denali.
• Intimate views of the glaciers tumbling down Denali’s north side, including the Traleika, Brooks and the long-running Muldrow flowing from between the north and south summits at 17, 000 feet
• Ridge-hopping the dramatic Carpe and Karstens ridgelines, used by the first climbers to summit Denali
• Close views of the south side glaciers, including the deepest glacier (the Ruth), the longest glacier in the Alaska Range (the Kahiltna), the meandering Tokositna and the colorful Eldridge
• Views of the Great Gorge in the expansive Ruth Amphitheater, with its dramatic 5, 000 foot granite walls rising straight from glacial ice almost 4, 000 feet thick
• Views of Mount Foraker, Mount Russell, and Mount Hunter, the next 3 tallest mountains in the Alaska Range, rounding out the Denali Family
• Views of the most popular climbing routes and climbing camps at various altitudes (during climbing season)
While this flight focuses heavily on Denali and its immediate vicinity, you will also be able to experience all the striking signature features of the 6 million acres that comprise Denali National Park, including the vivid Polychrome Mountains, the Toklat river basin, and the colorful contrasts of Denali’s vast geological displays as you ascend along the spine of the Alaska Range. Prepare to be humbled by this vast, utterly unique and remote Alaskan landscape that is best seen by air in order to appreciate the sheer magnitude of its beauty.
After landing at our airstrip, you will have the opportunity to take pictures of the plane and with the pilot and discuss the flight before boarding the shuttle van to return to your hotel.
Additional information
- Infants must sit on laps
- Infant seats available
- Not wheelchair accessible
- The duration of transfers are approximate, the exact duration will depend on the time of day and traffic conditions
- Denali (Mt. McKinley) is 80 miles away from our airstrip. Weather conditions at the Mountain will often be different from those in our area. Please feel free to call for the current pilot’s reports but know that we do not make decisions based on weather until about an hour before flight time. We will always send a driver to pick-up locations with the most up-to date information at the allotted pick-up times. Exact route and specific sights are weather dependent but due to our airstrip's unique location, we are able to access either side of the Alaska Range when others cannot. We have the highest success rate of showing Denali to our guests of any tour option, anywhere.
- Most travelers can participate
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
Cancellation
We had perfect weather. Guide did a solid job of talking without talking too much. The updrafts were a bit of a challenge. I tolerate small planes well but was glad when we landed.
We had perfect weather. Guide did a solid job of talking without talking too much. The updrafts were a bit of a challenge. I tolerate small planes well but was glad when we landed.I was a bit skeptical (and potentially motion sick) but the flight was very much worth it. We saw all of Denali (the mountain) and much of the park. The pilot was very informative. My only suggestion would be for them to add a small timer in the planes that shows how much time is left in the tou...
I was a bit skeptical (and potentially motion sick) but the flight was very much worth it. We saw all of Denali (the mountain) and much of the park. The pilot was very informative. My only suggestion would be for them to add a small timer in the planes that shows how much time is left in the tour for those of us who struggle with bumpy flights.We were so close to the mountain you felt like you could reach out and touch it. We had the smoothest landing I’ve ever had on any type of aircraft. Excellent pilot!
We were so close to the mountain you felt like you could reach out and touch it. We had the smoothest landing I’ve ever had on any type of aircraft. Excellent pilot!What a view! We were so close to Denali, I thought I could reach out and touch it. My husband became airsick on the flight, so we use that as a warning to everyone: take Dramamine! You don't want to chance missing a second of this flight.
What a view! We were so close to Denali, I thought I could reach out and touch it. My husband became airsick on the flight, so we use that as a warning to everyone: take Dramamine! You don't want to chance missing a second of this flight.Bob loves his job and the mountains and he shares his passion with his passengers. We were concerned about the weather/views because it was cloudy when we left. But there’s no reason to worry - Bob makes sure that his passengers get an unforgettable view. An incredible experience.
Bob loves his job and the mountains and he shares his passion with his passengers. We were concerned about the weather/views because it was cloudy when we left. But there’s no reason to worry - Bob makes sure that his passengers get an unforgettable view. An incredible experience.AMAZING!!! The entire team at Denali Air made the last day of our honeymoon incredible. Special thanks to Abby, Dan and Bob! They took us out on a private flight, under grey sky conditions. Bob our pilot gave great insight and education about the geological wonders of the the Denali park on rou...
AMAZING!!! The entire team at Denali Air made the last day of our honeymoon incredible. Special thanks to Abby, Dan and Bob! They took us out on a private flight, under grey sky conditions. Bob our pilot gave great insight and education about the geological wonders of the the Denali park on route to the mountain. Unsure if we would get a chance to view the mountain, Bob picked his way around the mountain peaks, assuring us he would reveal everything the clouds would allow for. After a couple minutes of persevering he found a break in the clouds and got us so close to the summit we could see climbers on their approach! On the return flight he brought us right on top of the massive glaciers and showed us their splendor, and then dropped down even closer to look for Dall Sheep before taking us back! Take our word their is not a better flight seeing option in Denali!