Caribou – Tan Custom

Caribou – Tan Custom

DATES

July 06, 2016 - July 10, 2016

REGION

Western Brooks Range

TRIP COST

$8,800/ person. (Party of 3)

calendar

DATES

July 06, 2016 - July 10, 2016
region

REGION

Western Brooks Range
price

TRIP COST

$8,800/ person. (Party of 3)

Each and every summer the Western Arctic Caribou Herd congregates in northern Alaska for one of the world’s most inspiring wildlife migrations. By early July, the herd swells to nearly 200,000 animals and we often see thousands and even tens of thousands of caribou climbing tundra ridges and swimming icy rivers. It is a thrilling experience to watch a valley fill with caribou. The sound of 60,000 caribou walking through your camp cannot be described.

TRIP DETAILS

Last updated: September 27, 2016

Itinerary

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

July 5

Meet with your guide for a pre-trip meeting at 8 pm in Kotzebue Alaska. Lodging at Nulagvik Hotel.

 

July 6

We fly from Kotzebue north into the great wilderness of the Arctic searching for caribou. With luck we can find big groups from the air and can land in their path. If we can’t find them this day we will land in the mountains where the hiking is good and hope they come to us.

July 7

We spend our time exploring the area looking for caribou and other wildlife. Your guide will lead hikes in hopes we can place ourselves in a hidden location in the path of the caribou. There will be times when no caribou are present, but there is no end to the beauty of the arctic.

 

July 8

If the caribou have already passed though our area, or if our prediction of where they would be was slightly off; we will fly our camp to a new location (weather permitting).

 

July 9

Another full day to enjoy the solitude and beauty of North America’s greatest wilderness. More hiking and wildlife watching is the order of the day.

 

July 10

We say our last goodbyes and meet our bush pilot for our flight back to Kotzebue in time for your flights to Anchorage this evening.

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 beyond Kotzebue, food while in the wilderness, stoves, cooking & eating utensils, water filter, safety & repair gear and professional guide service. An equipment list is provided upon registration. Select rental equipment is available through Arctic Wild and is included in the trip price. One night’s lodging at Nulagivk Hotel July 5th is also included.

 

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

Non-camp lodging (except July 5th), non-camp meals, personal clothing and gear, fishing gear, and fishing license. Gratuity for guide(s).

WEATHER & BUGS

Temperatures vary from the 70’s to below freezing. Snow is possible; rain is likely. However, this time of the year we generally have lots of sunny weather. There will be bugs, so bring a mosquito head net and a bottle of DEET repellent just in case.

RECOMMENDED READING

Seasons of Life and Land,Shubanker Banjeeri; Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska Geographic; Being Caribou, Karsten Heuer; Arctic Dreams, Barry Lopez; Midnight Wilderness,Debbie Miller; Fifty Years Below Zero Charles Brown; Caribou & the Barren-Lands, George Calef. You may also find this link of interest- Porcupine Herd Movements Animation. 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