Key Information: Tour Duration: 10
day(s) Group Size: 4
- 6
people Destination(s):Alaska Specialty Categories:Canoeing/Kayaking/Rafting Season: August Airfare Included: Yes Tour Customizable: Yes Minimum Per Person Price: 4065 US Dollar (USD) Maximum Per Person Price: 4065 US Dollar (USD)
The Aichilik has long been one of my favorite valleys in the Refuge. Unfortunately access has been limited in the spring to remediate impact at the landing strips. It has been years since we have done a trip here and we have decided to reintroduce a classic outing later in the year once the landing strip has dried up and hardened. The upper end of the trip has wonderful side hikes and a solid and varied resident wildlife population. Breaking out past the foothills we will float the lower river across the coastal plain to the lagoon system of the Arctic Ocean. This habitat has a unique subset of animals and birds to discover as well as a haunting beauty of the Caribbean blue Arctic Ocean. If you become too confused the water temperature will remind you where you are. The evenings will be powerful displays of prolonged sunsets and only slightly dim until the sun reemerges from the northern horizon. We will use inflatable canoes to better navigate the braided channels of this intimate shallow stream.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1:
We gather at the small plane airport in Fairbanks in the morning for the trip north. After a 1 1/2 hour flight we will arrive in Arctic Village, a small Athabaskan village on the south flank of the Brooks Range. From here, we will shuttle into the put-in via the small 3 passenger air taxi service. Many agree that this 45 minute flight is one of the highlights of the trip, hovering just over this huge country with a bird's eye view of wildlife. Once on the ground we will use the rest of the day to establish a base camp and orient to the Arctic.
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Day 2:
This is normally a day hike day. Nowhere else on the trip are the high mountains as close to camp. We will spend the day hiking and looking over a vast portion of the upper river.
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Day 3:
First 1/2 day of floating. The river is braided in this section and requires some team work to negotiate. This upper valley the narrowest section of the trip with magnificent mountain views. Day hiking in the afternoon.
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Day 4:
Another day similar to day 2.
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Day 5:
Another combination day. We float through a small canyon and our hike has the possibility of seeing the Arctic Ocean.
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Day 6:
We have reached the northern face of the foothills. Today is a day hiking day with superb views of both the Ocean and the high mountains.
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Day 7:
Paddling out through the coastal plain. More paddling, less hiking.
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Day 8:
Very much like the day before.
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Day 9:
Last day , we should be by the Arctic Coast and there are many new elements to explore, marine mammals and lots of waterfowl.
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Day 10:
Scheduled pick-up by the bush pilot. We will return to either Arctic Village to the south or Kaktovik to the west. From these locations we will catch a scheduled flight returning to Fairbanks in late afternoon.
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