High peaks, glaciers, expansive vistas, and Class II-III whitewater beckon. From the mountains to the Arctic Ocean, paddle across treeless tundra where caribou, muskoxen, arctic wolves and Dall sheep roam. The midnight sun creates an explosion of life in the far north -- wildflowers bloom, thousands of birds nest, and the Porcupine caribou herd migrates across the land like wildebeast move across Africa's Serengeti.
Hike and explore with 24 hours of daylight, climb mountains, explore glaciers, watch grizzly bears, and become a part of a magnificent northern wilderness.
The Hulahula River crosses the northern coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Your Itinerary
Day 1:
We meet for dinner the night before our trip. Then on Day 1, we meet in Fairbanks at our charter air company. Fly from Fairbanks to Arctic Village, above the Arctic Circle.
Fly by small bushplane to the Upper Hulahula River. Camp and evening hike to look for Dall sheep, and explore a pingo.
(L) (D)
Day 2:
Assemble boats and load gear. Down the river! Paddle rafting through the upper reaches of the river. Evening hike.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 3:
Layover day to climb a ridgetop or to contemplate the silence of this vast land.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 4:
On the river. Paddle through whitewater and steep walls of river ice, known as aufeis.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 5:
Layover day. Hiking, nature study, wildlife observation.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 6:
On the river. We keep our eyes peeled for muskoxen and wolves, as we buck through splashy rapids, and carefully wind through the numerous split channels of the river.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 7:
Layover day. More great hiking.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 8:
We paddle through a Class III canyon with steep walls and a boulder-filled channel. We are leaving the high glaciated peaks of the Brooks Range behind, as we move through the treeless foothills and out to the Arctic coastal plain.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 9:
Continue paddling across the coastal plain towards the Arctic Ocean, known in this region as the Beaufort Sea. Here, we are likely to see caribou and raptors like golden eagles and rough-legged hawks.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 10:
Layover day or paddling.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 11:
Pick-up on a gravel bar near the sea. We fly over the ice-choked ocean back over the plain, foothills and mountains, crossing the Continental Divide and countless peaks in the Brooks Range, until we arrive back in Arctic Village.
Take an afternoon flight back to Fairbanks.
(B) (L)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Scheduled trip for 2007
June 11-21
June 21-July 1
Price includes airfare from Fairbanks, all meals, guide services, all group equipment, including rafts, life jackets, paddles, and safety equipment. Participants provide their own personal gear.
Special diets accommodated. Our speciality is organic and natural foods meals.
Also see tour packages in:
USA
Alaska
Wildlife Viewing
Hiking & Trekking
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