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“The vastness of the country and the sheer number and variety of wildlife were astonishing. It’s like no place I’ve ever been. This place tops the list; the best 18 days of my life!”
- Scott Hed, South Dakota

About the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR)
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, in the Northeast corner of Alaska, is a 19 million acre wilderness refuge stretching from the Beaufort Sea nearly to the Yukon River. The vastness and abundant wildlife, coupled with the dramatic scenery make it Alaska's most celebrated wilderness. Designated as wilderness in 1960, ANWR encompasses arctic tundra, boreal forests, wild rivers, the Brooks Range mountains, the coastal plain and awe inspiring Alaska glaciers. Inupiat Eskimo and Athabascan Indians call this undisturbed Alaska wilderness home. Birds migrate from all over the world to breed in the refuge. Nearly 180 bird species call ANWR home at least part of the year. There are 45 mammal species living in ANWR including polar bears, grizzly bears, Porcupine Caribou, musk ox, wolves, and Dall Sheep.
Geography
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is split by the continental divide. North of the divide in the Arctic watershed the land is vast treeless tundra. Rivers like the Hulahula, Kongakut and the Canning form in glacier carved peaks and flow from the Romanzof Mountains, through the foothills and across the beautiful coastal plain. Where the rivers join the Arctic Sea is a rich wetland home to shorebirds and waterfowl. The endless summer daylight and the expansive wilderness combine to create a sense of limitless possibility. On the south-side of the Arctic Refuge, rich greens of the boreal forest fill the valleys and limestone peaks of the Brooks Range tower above the clear waters of the Sheenjik, Coleen, and Wind rivers.
Wildlife
The Porcupine Caribou Herd migration has become an icon for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The 100,000 caribou herd migrates annually through the refuge. They calve on the famed coastal plain in the Jago Uplands and then migrate across the mountain front typically crossing the Kongakut river in late June. Grizzly bears, Alaska Polar bears, musk ox, Dall Sheep, Alaska Moose, Porcupine Caribou and even wolverine roam the refuge. ANWR is a magnificent Alaska birding destination. Some ANWR bird species include: Gyr and Peregrine falcons, Grey-headed chickadees, arctic warblers, Snow geese, Snowy Owls and wheatears.
Guided Trips Available in ANWR
Arctic Wild offers guided wilderness trips throughout the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. We offer rafting trips on most of the rivers in the refuge, backpacking adventures in the Brooks Range and base camp trips to watch caribou migrations, photograph coastal birds or just to revel in the scenery and excellent hiking. In addition to our scheduled trips listed below we also offer custom trips to better suit your interests and schedule.
2010 Trips to Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) |
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Itineraries |
Location |
Start |
End |
Days |
Price |
Type |
| Brooks Range Winter Wildlife | Philip Smith Mts. |
April 17 | April 24 | 8 | $3,900 | Basecamp |
| Calving Ground Basecamp | Jago Uplands
|
May 30 | June 5 | 7 | $4,500 | Basecamp |
| Kickback Backpack | Hulahula River
|
June 5 | June 10 | 6 | $2,700 | Backpack |
Hulahula River |
June 10 |
June 20 |
11 |
$4,000 |
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TBA |
June 20 |
June 27 |
8 |
$4,200 |
||
Kongakut River |
June 20 |
June 30 |
11 |
$4,300 |
||
| High Peaks Backpack | Romanzof Mountains |
July 13 | July 20 | 8 | $3,300 | Backpack |
Spring Creek |
Aug 17 |
Aug 22 |
6 |
$2,900 |
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Canning River
|
Aug 22 |
Sep 1 |
11 |
$4,400 |
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Don't see the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) trip for you? Contact us about a Custom trip. |
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Arctic Wild offers guided Arctic National Wildlife Refuge trips including ANWR backpacking trips, ANWR river rafting trips and ANWR Base Camp Trips.