Kokolik River Canoe Trip
Canoeing in Alaska with Arctic Wild
Highlights
- The best river in Alaska to see caribou
- Awesome wildlife encounters
- Fun paddling and great hiking in Alaska's most remote wilderness
Full Description
The Premiere Caribou Viewing and Wildlife Canoe Trip in Arctic Alaska
In the far northwest corner of Alaska near the Chukchi Sea is a seldom-traveled river called the Kokolik. We consider it the best canoeing river in Alaska.
For 4 years running our Kokolik trips have seen tens of thousands of caribou swimming the river. We also regularly see bears, wolves and even wolverines on this fantastically remote canoe trip. If your interest is wildlife, this is the trip for you.
Starting from its mountain headwaters, we will paddle north and west toward the ocean through range after range of sweeping ridges and steeply folded valleys. This is rich country and home to Alaska’s largest herd of caribou. At last count the Western Arctic Herd numbered more than 380,000 animals.
We have timed this trip in hopes of witnessing this magnificent herd move through the area after calving. Not only does this area support enormous numbers of caribou, but it also hosts a great diversity of other wildlife. Caribou herds are attended by an assortment of predators and scavengers, namely brown bears, wolves, and the fabled wolverine. Musk oxen can be seen feeding in the willows of the river terraces. The Utukok Uplands through which the river flows has the highest density of wolverines in the state.
Bird watching in the area can be spectacular. Asian bird species such as bluethroats and northern wheatears can be seen. Jaegers are ubiquitous and bristle-thighed curlews can be found on the rocky ridge lines. On our last foray to the Kokolik we saw golden eagles, gyrfalcons and rough-legged Hawks nesting along the river.
Hiking along the Kokolik is wonderful. There are seemingly endless ridges running perpendicular to the river where the footing is good and the views are unbelievable. While not a land of dramatic peak ascents and white water, this is a place of wildlife, beauty and long vistas. This is the best wildlife trip in arctic Alaska.
Includes:
- Transportation beyond Fairbanks.
- Outstanding guide service.
- Wholesome, delicious, and mostly-organic food while in the wilderness.
- Stoves, cooking & eating utensils.
- Repair and safety equipment such as firearm (guide will carry) and one "bear bomb" per guest.
- All boating gear, including boats and paddles.
- The use of one life jacket and one medium-sized dry bag per guest.
Excludes:
- Non-camp lodging.
- Non-camp meals.
- Personal clothing, backpack (if applicable), and footwear.
- Sleeping bag & sleeping pad.
- Three-season tent.
- Waterproof “Dry Bag” (carries as much as a backpack).
- Waterproof camera case.
- Fishing gear and fishing license.
- Gratuity for guide(s).
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: Pre-trip meeting in Fairbanks 4 pm
Day 2: Our trip begins with a flight over the Yukon River and north into the Brooks Range. After switching to a smaller airplane we fly through the mountains on and on watching the worlds largest terrestrial wilderness pass below us. We will land on a gravel island in the Kokolik River. After unloading the plane and pitching camp we will have nothing but time to explore this pristine area.
Day 3: Assemble the boats and head down river. The upper Kokolik valley hosts not only an abundance of wildlife, but an abundance of fossil life. Coal beds can be reached from the river and marine and terrestrial fossils abound. The river carves its way through the mountains, hugging first the east bank, and then the west. Gravel and sand bars fill the broad floodplain valley. We will only paddle 10 or so miles of this clear river on our first day. Our priority will be to make sure everyone feels safe and confident in the boats.
Day 4 - 10: We will mix paddling days with hiking days. We have some miles we must cover but the schedule allows ample time for exploration on foot and leisure time in camp. The river traverses first one mountain range and then another. We will have the opportunity to ascend some of these broad colorful ridges. As we travel north the river grows from a large creek to a meandering river. There are obstacles to avoid but for the most part we can devote our attention to scenery and wildlife. The river cuts through many small sub-ranges of the Brooks Range. In between each of these ranges are broad valleys where you feel as if you could be swallowed by the sky.
Day 11: At a gravel bar near Avingak Creek we will wait for our pilot and then fly back to Fairbanks. Shower!
About The Operator:
Arctic Wild
Headquarters:
Fairbanks, AK
Established:
January 1998
Arctic Wild is a wilderness guiding company based in Fairbanks, Alaska. We specialize in 1 to 3 week, fully guided and outfitted adventures in arctic Alaska. Our professional guides can take you to the most remote, beautiful and wildlife rich areas in Alaska. Our dedication to your enjoyment and learning is why people return year after year to enjoy the arctic with us. Groups are small, we travel quietly, and the focus is on the land and its inhabitants. Whether you join us for a basecamp trip, river rafting, canoeing or backpacking adventure, there is plenty of free time for you to explore, bird watch, photograph, fish or do whatever pleases you most. Our simple and efficient camps are comfortable, and wholesome camp meals are as filling as delicious. Our itineraries are as varied as our clients. Rigorous mountain expeditions, serene lake paddling, wildlife photography, whitewater rafting—we are always thinking of fun new trips and new ways to experience one of the largest wilderness areas on earth.
Arctic Wild is fortunate to have an astoundingly skilled, informed and passionate group of guides working with us. Some only work one trip a year while others have hiked and paddled with us all summer long for decades. Our guides' skills are born of both experience and solid training. In addition to completing our annual in-house training all of our lead guides carry a Wilderness First Responder medical certificate and many of them are have Swiftwater Rescue training as well. Some guides also work as biologists or mountaineers, professional conservationists, and educators. All of our guides have the experience and knowledge to make your trip safe, fun, and educational. Since 1998 Arctic Wild has been the leader in Natural History and adventure travel in northern Alaska.