Key Information: Tour Duration: 6
day(s) Group Size: 4
- 6
people Destination(s):Alaska Specialty Categories:Wildlife Viewing Season: June - August Airfare Included: Yes Tour Customizable: Yes Minimum Per Person Price: 2650 US Dollar (USD) Maximum Per Person Price: 2650 US Dollar (USD)
We begin in the northern foothills and wander in them for the first half of the trip before turning north to cross the last 10 miles of coastal plain to reach the shores of Demarcation Bay (or the end of the continent!). Always great for wildlife observation, you will not be disappointed by the subtle rolling terrain. Besides, you can tell you friends that you took a dip in the Arctic Ocean when you get home.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1:
Travel Day. Gathering in Fairbanks, we board a scheduled flight to Arctic Village a small Athabaskan village on the south flank of the Brooks Range. From here we will shuttle to the northern foothills in a small 3 passenger plane. Many people comment that this flight is one of the highlights of the trip. When the entire group is gathered by the Kongakut River, we will wander a short distance into the foothills set up camp and use the rest of the day for orientation.
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Day 2:
On this day we will move camp further in the foothills along a spine of mountains that has stunning views south to the high mountains and north to the ocean. We frequently see caribou and bears here. Half of this day will be used for day hiking and sight seeing.
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Day 3:
Today's hike will be slightly longer and set us up on the drainage we will hike out to the ocean. The hills near camp have archeological significance.
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Day 4:
This is the longest walking day of the trip. We will cross a majority of the 10 mile coastal plain. Though the opportunity of seeing large mammals always exists, the highlight here are unique Arctic birds. In year's past, we have seen gyrfalcons, all 3 jaegers, wagtails, wheatears and blue throats... all on the same day!
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Day 5:
An easy walk to the Demarcation Bay pick-up spot. The birds continue to be remarkable and change again as we near the coast. More waterfowl (loons, swans and eiders) and shorebirds. The Bay also has marine mammals that we see occasionally most commonly ringed seals. In the immediate area are 2 traditional use sites left abandoned by native hunters and herders of earlier times.
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Day 6:
Today the small plane is scheduled to pick us up. We will over fly our route and return to Arctic Village. You will certainly see the mountains in a different light after having spent the week on the ground. We plan to be back to Fairbanks by 6 pm.
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Notes:
Airfare is included in the tour price.
Group discounts available for groups of 4 and more people.
