Aichilik River

DATES

June 17, 2020 - June 25, 2020

REGION

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

TRIP COST

$$$

calendar

DATES

June 17, 2020 - June 25, 2020
region

REGION

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
price

TRIP COST

$$$

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is one of our country’s greatest Wilderness icons. Yet, the Arctic Refuge is under greater risk of being opened up to oil drilling than ever before. Grizzly bears, wolves, wolverines, musk ox and thousands of caribou thrive as they have for thousands of years. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is a truly special place, home to Alaska Natives such the Gwich’in and Inupiaq people who rely on the natural bounty of the Arctic for their lives. Join Arctic Wild for an unforgettable rafting trip from the Brooks Range to the Arctic Ocean across the 1002 area of the Refuge to see why this place is worth fighting for.

TRIP DETAILS

Last updated: October 25, 2019

Itinerary

What follows is a general flow of events. Expect the unexpected and prepare to be flexible.

June 16

Meet with your guide(s) for a pre-trip meeting at 4 pm in at Arctic Wild headquarters in Fairbanks.

June 17

Fly north from Fairbanks across the mighty Yukon River and over the Arctic Circle. Land in the Athabascan Indian settlement of Arctic Village, pop. 120. Time allowing, tour the village before boarding our bush plane for the last leg into the wilderness. Once the plane goes, we are on our own in the immense and quiet landscape.

June 18 - 24

At any time during the week, we could see caribou, a grizzly bear or two, a wolf, or other arctic wildlife. On the 3 anticipated paddling days, we will be on the “go” for 6 to 8 hours. We won’t be in the rafts that whole time and will pull ashore several times each day for brief forays or to watch wildlife. At day’s end, we’ll choose a nice, dry, scenic camp. There will be free time for group and personal pursuits. Guides will lead informal natural history hikes, but you are also welcome to go off on your own.

We will plan two or three “layover days” and 3 full paddling days. Our first day hikes will be in the Brooks Range foothills. This area affords us great opportunities for gaining elevation, admiring wildflowers covering the slopes, and hopefully watching wildlife.

Our final layover will be on the arctic coast. Hiking along the beaches is excellent and a pretty good workout. Depending on sea ice conditions, we may be able to climb an icy “pressure ridge” formed by the frozen Arctic Ocean.

June 25

Await the arrival of our bush pilot, who will land on the beach. We will fly south across the breadth of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge back to Arctic Village where we will switch to a larger plane. Weather permitting we arrive back in Fairbanks for a late dinner.

Such a joy to spend days where time was meaningless.  A wonderful adventure and I would like to return next year for a longer, more challenging trip.

You mentioned to me in an email that you have terrific guides - you do indeed.  Dave is a superb guide. He is personable, knowledgeable about the Arctic, and has excellent group management skills. I appreciated the time he spent teaching me to read the map, which is not easy without trails.   He allowed Adrian and me to hike at our own pace and he encouraged all of us to explore the area surrounding our campsites. I know the others would concur in my praise.

- Sandra, California, USA

DETAILS

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Transportation from Fairbanks, food while in the wilderness, stoves, cooking & eating utensils, boats, paddles, life jackets, safety & repair gear and professional guide service. Select Rental Gear.

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

Lodging, non-camp meals, personal clothing and gear, fishing gear, and fishing license. Gratuity for guide(s).

WEATHER & BUGS

Temperatures vary dramatically in the Arctic. Temperatures range from the 20s to 80s even in a single day. Cold rains and snow are possible, but we get lots of warm sunny weather this time of the year. As we get closer to the Arctic Ocean temperatures will drop as will the insects. Right on the coast we will probably encounter strong winds and cold temperatures. Mosquitoes are likely to emerge during the trip. Traveling with insect repellent (DEET) and a headnet is always prudent in the arctic.

RECOMMENDED READING

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska Geographic; Being Caribou, Karsten Heuer; Arctic Dreams,Barry Lopez; Caribou & the Barren-Lands, George Calef; Fifty Years Below Zero, Charles Brown. More Alaska reading is available from our Bookstore.

"The wilderness was spectacular, the leadership perfect."
"I am just finishing my tenth trip with you guys. As always, the trip was more than I expected and I had a great time. See you next year!"
"Of all outfitters with whom we have worked (and that is quite a number), you were by far the most organized and responsive."
"That feeling of wide open wonder, the possibilities for nearly limitless wandering, and the image of those proud caribou...that will stay with me a long time"
"Our guide was an encyclopedia on legs. He was always willing and ready to teach, to talk, to listen, to do another hike, or to lie low in camp if we were beat. He truly gave us the trip we wanted!"
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Eileen - Canning River