Intro to Primitive Survival - 4 Hour Hiking and Survival Workshop

Overview

Available languages

English

4 hours

Mobile ticket

This is one of the only fully off-trail activities in Denali, and it's the ONLY survival focused activity offered in the Denali area. It is lead by an expert survivalist guide who has survived off the land for weeks on end. If "Into the Wild" is part of what brought you to Alaska, this is the best way to get an idea of what Chris McCandless's life was really like in the Denali backcountry. Eat the edible plants that he ate and learn the not-so-edible ones he ate that resulted in his demise.

OH! And we donate 5% of our net profits to conservation in the areas we guide. That means you're helping Denali by taking this tour!

Additional Info

Service animals allowed

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

This tour involves hiking, so if you are not capable of hiking a mile or two this tour may not be for you.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Rain Jackets

Binoculars

Trekking Poles

Your guide will have snacks available, but if you want a full meal you'll have to bring your own.

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

What To Expect

Get ready for a one-of-a-kind experience. Ours is the first and only survival tour in Alaska. Your expert survivalist guide will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the woods just outside of Denali National Park. They'll lead you into the forest, pointing out edible plants and berries along the way. When the guide decides you're at a good spot, they'll stop walking and start teaching you real survival skills. These skills have been used for countless generations by both the indigenous Athabaskan peoples and the pioneers and survivalists who came to test themselves in this rugged land. You'll learn how to choose a good place for a shelter and what to do in the first 5 days of a survival situation. Your guide will show you how to start a fire with nothing but a shoelace. You'll work together to build a shelter that's warm enough to sleep in -without a pad or bag. Expect to come away with a deeper understanding and appreciation for Denali and the wilderness as a whole. You've travelled thousands of miles to get here. Don't limit your vacation to what's on the surface.

Options

Intro to Primitive Survival - 4 Hour Hiking and Survival Workshop

Pickup included

Reviews

5.00

18 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Informative, fun survival hike with Jade!!
Getaway37572,
Sep 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
My husband Rudy and I went on this survival and hiking workshop today! We loved it! Jade was great, and his survival knowledge amazing! Jade was very informative, personable and friendly! If you want to learn some survival skills including edible wild plants, we highly recommend this trip with Jade!!
Insightful Survival Crashcourse
429lilyanam,
Sep 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
So good I had to go with these guys twice! I was lucky enough to go out again with my guide Jade. Jade taught me a new ideology on basic survival skills. Jade allows you to wander along at your own pace and takes the time to ensure you're truly getting the skills he's teaching you. I'm TOTALLY ready to go win "Alone" now. Also enjoyed our lil side quest, hunting for spruce milk caps!
Great time and tons of cool info. Jade was super cool and very knowledgeable. Bonus points for the dad jokes.
Aidan K,
Aug 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had a great time and learned tons of cool info. Jade was super cool and very knowledgeable. Bonus points for the dad jokes.
A good smattering of intro info!
LaReita B,
Aug 19, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Be sure to have good hiking boots, warm socks and rain jacket. They provide hiking poles if needed (which i needed for my knees). Loved learning more about the edible berries (and eating them), and especially what mushrooms NOT to eat! The debris hut shelter would have been fun to completely build out - but that would have taken the whole time. Jade was fun and engaging and helped our 11 year old with bow drill fire. Lots of info in a short amount of time. A good Intro to Primitive Survival!
Survival tour is awesome
J8364NKbrandonm,
Aug 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This was a great way to end our trip. There are tons of motorized activities in Denali. This was an awesome alternative, human powered option. We did the wilderness survival option. Jade did a thorough job teaching. I have been camping, backpacking and in Boy Scouts for a while and he taught us many new things. I highly recommend this tour if you are looking to learn!
Amazing Denali Experience with Jade – Highly Recommend!
tessb69,
Jul 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I had such a great time on the Northern Epics Survival Tour—this wasn’t just a hike, it was a full-on hands-on adventure, and Jade made it incredible. He’s super knowledgeable, clearly passionate about the wilderness, and made everything feel exciting and approachable. We went off-trail through the tundra, learned how to build a shelter, start a fire, and even identify edible plants and some not so edible.
Jade the Great
X2280XGchrisb,
Jul 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Jade was a super friendly, down to earth guide. He was very knowledgeable and full of interesting stories. I enjoyed eating the edible berries and learning about the animals and plants that inhabit the area. Thanks, Jade!
Well worth it, best time! Great guide!
Venture26408527861,
Jul 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
My husband and I had an amazing time learning all about the edible plants, wildlife, and basic survival skills on this tour with Jade! Jade was very knowledgable, personable, and enthusiastic about the area. He sees ALL the berries! We would HIGHLY recommend him and taking this tour!
Learning practice and a whole lot of fun
jwsykora,
Jul 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Jade had great information and energy. My boys were enthralled and learned a lot. The interactive elements were engaging and insightful.
Great trip for 9-12 year old boys!
swartzaj,
Jul 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Jade was awesome! Our three boys remarked that this has been their favorite part of our trip to-date. Highly recommend!!