John Hall's Alaska, an Alaska-focused tour operator, will return to Kantishna next year.
The company announced its plan to reintroduce Kantishna, a remote settlement in Denali National Park, on its 2027 solstice season itineraries. Only 550 guests will venture to this part of the park throughout the entire summer, as the 92-mile Denali Park Road is slated to reopen next year.
Kantishna has been inaccessible due to the Pretty Rocks Landslide on Denali Park Road, which has caused problems on the roadway since at least the 1960s.
CEO Elizabeth Hall said the reintroduction of Kantishna to itineraries is "incredibly meaningful."
"Being able to take our guests once again beyond where most visitors go restores a truly special experience that is central to our company's foundation and truly defines who we are," she said. "John Hall Sr. shaped this company around a founding principle: Do one thing and do it better than anyone else. For us, that means showcasing the authentic Alaska, traveling to the places that stay with you long after you've come home."
2027 itineraries
The operator will offer four itineraries next year with one scheduled for aurora season, which runs in February and March.
The 11-day aurora program is designed to celebrate the natural wonder in the skies and is focused on the annual Iditarod sled dog race. Guests will receive exclusive access to race events and fly to a remote village checkpoint.
John Hall's will operate three trips from June to September.
The Grand Slam Alaska itinerary brings travelers through the state, making for what the company describes as "one of the most inclusive tour experiences offered." The trip includes two evenings in Kantishna, learning about indigenous heritage and cruising the Prince William Sound.
The brand's 11-day Untamed Alaska tour travels across the state via plane, boat and motorcoach. The trip features two evenings in Kantishna, three days around Mount Denali and a 90-mile adventure through remote wilderness in search of wildlife viewing.
Lastly, John Hall's Alaska will offer a 14-day schedule focused on the state's national parks, six of which travelers will visit to experience the wilderness, including searching for brown bears at Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park and spending two nights in both Wrangell-St. Elias and Denali national parks.