Caribou Migration Packraft

Caribou Migration Packraft

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DATES

June 18, 2021 - June 24, 2021

REGION

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR)

TRIP COST

$5,700

calendar

DATES

June 18, 2021 - June 24, 2021
region

REGION

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR)
price

TRIP COST

$5,700

Start with two days of day hiking from a base camp at the northern edge of the Brooks Range. Then paddle your own packraft to the Arctic Ocean and stand on the sea ice! Join us this summer solstice for this unique Mountains-to-the-Sea packrafting adventure.

TRIP DETAILS

At this latitude the sun never sets in June. The vastness of the landscape and unending daylight can create a euphoric sense of possibility. Many of our packrafting trips include several days of backpacking. In contrast this trip combines a few days of day-hiking before we begin paddling, making it a great introduction to packrafting and to the Arctic.

Starting in the foothills of the Brooks Range, we take a few days to explore the mountain front. Climb a ridge for views of 9,000 ft peaks, or watch Dall sheep perched on the cliffs above the river. To the north the land falls away across the vast Coastal Plain toward the frozen Arctic Ocean.

After a couple days day-hiking and enjoying the area, we inflate our boats and let the river carry us to the sea.  As we head towards the coast, both the river and the sky grow larger. Eventually we leave the mountains behind and paddle across the an ocean of tundra, the famed Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Near the trip’s end we reach the Beaufort Sea and can paddle out to the sea ice!

Light and nimble packrafts allow us to paddle this small river and tread where few others go. Packrafts are lightweight one-person rafts propelled with a kayak paddle. Weighing in at around six pounds, they offer unparalleled freedom for wilderness explorers.  This Alaska packrafting trip will have its challenges, but there is ample time for day hikes and leisure.

Wildlife is of course unpredictable, but the area is home to the 200,000-strong Porcupine caribou herd and on many years they filter through the foothills and cross the Aichilik. Wolves and bears are common sights when caribou herds are in the area. Golden eagles, horned larks, and an Asian bird called a northern wheatear thrive even in the starkest of alpine areas. As you approach the coast, the wildlife and scenery changes and animals like arctic fox and muskoxen become more common.  The birding along the arctic coast is legendary.

Familiarity with river travel is a bonus but packrafting experience is not required. We will paddle around 50 miles of the Aichilik River. There is no white water on the route, but the Aichilik does require that you pay attention.

Packrafting was invented in Alaska and is a great way to enjoy the remote wilderness of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Packrafts are light, strong, and easy to learn.

Last updated: February 18, 2020

Itinerary

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

June 17

Meet your guide for a pre-trip meeting at 4 p.m. at the Arctic Wild headquarters in Fairbanks.

June 18

Fly 250 miles north from Fairbanks, across the Yukon River and the Arctic Circle to the Gwich’in Athabaskan village of Arctic Village. In Arctic Village we will meet our pilot for the beautiful flight over the Continental Divide past countless peaks and glaciers into the Aichilik River valley. After finding a suitable campsite, we will make camp, eat dinner and then take a hike under the midnight sun.

June 19 - 20

Dwarfed by peaks, we can explore all around our camp. The scenery is unbeatable and the hiking limitless. We’ll take two full days to base-camp and enjoy the northern edge of the northernmost mountains in Alaska.

 

June 21 - 22

Happy Solstice!  Today we begin our paddle to the Arctic Ocean.

As the river exits the mountains the sky broadens and the river braids into multiple channels. Once you get the knack of following your guide through the deepest water, you will make good time and can scan the banks for bear, wolf, and caribou. Traveling towards the coast the wildlife changes along with the scenery. Waterfowl collect on the gravel bars and arctic fox can be found denning on the sandy banks. To the south, the Brooks Range dominates the skyline.

June 23

Approaching the coast, the current slows and you enter one of the most wildlife rich portions of the Arctic Refuge. The Aichilik Delta is a birder’s paradise. After negotiating the delta, we paddle across the coastal lagoon to a barrier island in the Arctic Ocean. Most years there is sea ice still attached to the shore and we have an endless evening to explore this austere land of sky and ice. The sun won’t even come close to setting.

June 24

Pack your gear and begin listening for our airplane. When it arrives (weather permitting) we reluctantly load our gear and ourselves for the flight back through Arctic Village and on to Fairbanks, arriving in time for a late dinner. A shower is in order.

I genuinely feel, having traveled in South America, Australia, and Africa to remote villages and lodges, huts etc. that Alaska was the most foreign I have ever felt. And I am glad to have experienced it.
One of my biggest impressions is that I am so so very glad we had Arctic Wild as our outfitters. Michael Wald and his team were terrific and well prepared. I can’t say enough about the attention to detail and the experience of them and especially our guide Nancy Pfeiffer. I talked with other guides and with other groups. After each conversation, (trust me, they were lengthy chats as we were on a gravel runway sitting on our packs…) I thought how lucky we were to be with Nancy and Arctic Wild.

 

- Linda, Washington, USA

DETAILS

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Round-trip airfare from Fairbanks

Food while in the wilderness, stoves, cooking & eating utensils, water filter

Packraft, life jacket and paddle, safety & repair gear

Professional guide service

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

Non-camp lodging

Non-camp meals

Personal clothing and gear

Backpack, tent, waterproof bags, wading pants, and clothing

Gratuity for guide(s)

Select rental equipment is available through Arctic Wild

WEATHER & BUGS

Weather this time of year is typically dry and sunny, though we can get some powerful storms that can either rain or snow on us.  Precipitation is generally light, and it’s fairly easy to keep comfortably dry. You can expect temperatures to range from the 30s to the 70s.  Mosquitoes could be bothersome towards the end of the trip. DEET and a head net are essential.

RECOMMENDED READING

Alaska National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska Geographic

Midnight Wilderness by Debbie Miller

Being Caribou by Karsten Heuer

Information on Brooks Range Glaciers by Dr. Matt Nolan

Packrafting! by Roman Dial

More Alaska reading is available from our Bookstore

Ready for your adventure?
Find out what's next.

  1. Fill out the Reservation Request form
  2. We will contact you to discuss your trip
  3. Secure your trip with a deposit
  4. We will send you a detailed packing list
  5. Book your flights and accommodations
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"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
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