The Kongakut River is located in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge - the last great prehistoric wilderness in North America. Flowing out of the mountains across to the sea is the Kongakut River, an artery of life through the heart of the Refuge. The wilderness tour is perfect to watch the spring migration of the Porcupine Caribou Herd. Enjoy hiking under the midnight sun, an experience of the Arctic in its most pristine environment. This land is a hikers dream with its open rolling hills and wild flowers.

Our excursion begins in Fairbanks with a 300-mile bush-flight over Alaska's Brooks Range. We land in the Kongakut's upper mountain-rimmed valley and float the upper 45 miles of the river, winding our way down braided channels and through incised canyons, pausing to hike up long ridges with spectacular views of the peaks and green valleys. In the foothills, we ascend a dramatic domed mountain for a view of the coastal plain and the Arctic Ocean just a dozen miles distant.  

The Brooks Range stretches for 600 miles across northern Alaska from east to west like a necklace across the breast of the Arctic. To the north of these mountains the Arctic Coastal Plain opens and slopes gently to the Beaufort Sea. It is a vast sweep of treeless tundra and rolling hills. It is an expanse so vast it redefines the concept of wilderness.

Each year the Porcupine Caribou Herd make their migration througth the Kongakut River valley to their birthing grounds on the Coastal Plain. Thousands of animals gather in June in the greatest congregation of wildlife in North America. The tundra is covered with wildflowers, the air alive with bird song, the light never-ending. We regularly see grizzly bears, wolves, wolverines, foxes, Dall sheep, and musk ox, roaming freely. Here lives and breaths a pristine wilderness on a scale that can only be understood by direct experience. In the Arctic region the sun does not set but plays along the horizon for hours, creating a quality of light that is uniquely clear and soft. Our June trips near summer solstice give us our best Arctic conditions and a chance to see the vast Porcupine Caribou migration in full splendor. Due to the long daylight hours we can travel in a leisurely pace.

The Kongakut river rafting adventure features both hiking and rafting excursions. The paddling through the breathtaking mountain and valley scenery will be done in inflatable rafts. No prior paddling experience is required. The Kongakut River is a swift, braided, generally clearwater stream, with a short section of whitewater. The rafts allow us to travel from mountains to coast and find the greatest places for hiking and watching wildlife. Throughout our tour you have the choice to go on short walks and long hikes or simply relax at the camp or even try your luck fishing for Artic Char.