Ivishak Hike and Packraft – Garapedian

Ivishak Hike and Packraft – Garapedian

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DATES

July 29, 2027 - August 05, 2027

REGION

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR)

TRIP COST

$13,200/ person

calendar

DATES

July 29, 2027 - August 05, 2027
region

REGION

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR)
price

TRIP COST

$13,200/ person

A week of hiking and paddling in the Brooks Range is hard to beat. And the clear waters and limestone peaks of the Ivishak are some of the most beautiful in the Arctic Refuge.

TRIP DETAILS

Near the western edge of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is a region of limestone peaks and canyons with verdant green grottos, waterfalls and long ridges piercing the clear sky. Some claim it is the prettiest part of the Brooks Range; few have ever seen it.

This trip starts in the headwaters of the Ivishak River where the craggy peaks crowd the green river bottoms and side canyons radiate in all directions. The place is seldom visited in summer and offers endless opportunities to hike and explore.

From the first of several multi-night camps, we have lots of time to climb into the high country. There are several moderate and ambitious peaks within a couple miles of the trip’s start. And lots of canyons with fun hiking nearby too.

When ready to move on, and after discussing river safety and practicing with our packrafts we set out on the Ivishak. There are numerous shallows and some tight corners on the first day and the paddling is busy and challenging. Depending on water levels there will almost certainly be places where we need to get out of the packrafts and drag over sand bars.

But as we negotiate the upper reaches, the river gains speed and size. It is swift on the corners one minute and at the next it spreads into half a dozen channels and meanders through a vast gravel plain. There are several sections of Class II rapids at normal water levels and plenty of spunky, fun, fast paddling. It is an ideal river for a packraft.

There are also stretches where the paddling is relaxed and we lean back and marvel at the twisted sedimentary rocks forming spires and cliffs above the river. From each camp there is excellent hiking deep into canyons or onto high ridges. The Ivishak is profoundly beautiful.

With about 50 miles to cover in 8 days there is lots of time to hike and explore. There is enough time for each camp to be a two-night camp with full days of hiking alternating with paddling days.

Wildlife is of course unpredictable, but the area is home to both the 200,000-strong Porcupine caribou herd and the 30,000 member Central Arctic herd. Bears are common sights and we occasionally see wolves in the area too. Dall sheep frequent the ridges–rams with heavy horns resting on the cliffs and big bands of ewes and lambs grazing on the high tundra. Golden eagles, horned larks, and an Asian bird called a northern wheatear thrive even in the starkest of alpine areas. As we leave the mountains the wildlife and scenery changes and animals like muskoxen become more common.

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 packrafting trip will have its challenges, but there is ample time for day hikes, fishing and leisure.

Boating experience is important for your enjoyment of this trip and for your safety. Packrafting experience is not strictly required but river experience is. At normal water levels there is little white water on the route, but the Ivishak does require that you pay attention. This is not an easy trip but is very rewarding.

Last updated: August 10, 2026

Itinerary

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

July 28

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

July 29

Fly 300 miles north from Fairbanks, across the Yukon River and the Arctic Circle to the headwaters of the Ivishak. After hiking to a suitable campsite closer to the river, we will make camp, settle in and then take a hike to survey the endless wilderness.

July 30

The first of many excellent day-hikes. The footing is good and the scenery unbeatable.

July 31

The headwaters of the Ivishak are small and braided and the first day of boating will require some work. Paddle hard to reach the deeper water, then hop out of the boat and walk it over a riffle. Then back into the packraft and bump along the rocks before gaining the best and deepest channel for a 1/2 mile before encountering the next shallows.

At low water we may have to hike our boats down river a few miles. At extremely low water we will start the trip at an alternate air strip 15 miles downriver and skip the shallowest parts.

August 1 - 4

We alternate paddling days and hiking days. The camping is epic with big dry tundra benches covered in the last flowers of the summer. And the hiking is as challenging or as mellow as you like. No matter where we go the scenery is unbelievable.

There are big sections of shallow braids and some fun Class II sections to splash through. On traveling days expect to spend 5 or 6 hours on the water, which leaves plenty of time for hiking, fishing and relaxing in this sublime landscape.

August 5

The horizon yawns in the north as we approach the northern edge of the Brooks Range. Sadly the trip is over. Pack-up and begin listening for our airplane. When it arrives (weather permitting) we reluctantly load our gear and shuttle back to Fairbanks, arriving in time for a late dinner. A shower is in order.

Michael listened to our descriptions of what we wanted in a trip and investigated the possibility of making that sort of trip happen. Unlike some other guide services, he was attuned to what we were saying and did not outright say he could not accommodate us because Arctic Wild only provided trips like X, Y, or Z. In my opinion, the major difference between Arctic Wild and the 4 other guide services I talked to was that Michael tried to design a trip meeting our trip objectives and wishes.

- Rochelle , Missouri, 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

Select camping equipment

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

Non-camp lodging

Non-camp meals

Backpack, waterproof bags, wading pants, Personal clothing and gear.

Gratuity for guide(s)

WEATHER & BUGS

Late July is high-summer in the Arctic. It could be warm and sunny. But it could also snow! That said you can expect milder temperatures on this trip than on other north-slope trips we offer both because of the time of year and because we won’t be on the Arctic Coast. Mosquitos may be an issue on the trip, but the Ivishak is very open and fairly dry so we don’t expect bad bugs there. Bring DEET and a head-net.

RECOMMENDED READING

Alaska National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska Geographic

Midnight Wilderness by Debbie Miller

Being Caribou by Karsten Heuer

The Packraft Handbook by Luc Mehl

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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