John Muir once said, “The rivers flow not past, but through us.”
MT Sobek’s Hula Hula River Rafting Adventure, high in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, is a true wilderness experience in a place where only a lucky few have wandered. Starting with an 8-hour bush flight from Fairbanks to the Hula Hula River’s remote headwaters in the Brooks Range, rafters journey for 13 days through a land of raw and timeless beauty—traveling almost 100 miles to the vast coastal plain.
This June, you can experience the wonder of this landscape for yourself on our special Summer Solstice departure (June 21—July 3, 2022)!
On the River
Spend your days rafting class I-III white-water beside rolling tundra, marveling at nature awakening after the long, dark winter. As much a wildlife safari as it is a rafting trip, marvel at the spectacle of hundreds of migrating caribou, grizzly bears, porcupine, Dal sheep, and dozens of bird species. This is a Level 4 adventure and rafters should be able to raft up to 18 miles, over the course of 4 hours, on Class II – IV rapids. Previous river rafting experience is recommended, and you should be in good physical condition.
What to Expect
With just 7-8 travelers and two of MT Sobek’s most legendary river guides, enjoy the camaraderie of the experience, camping on riverbanks and taking guided hikes together to explore deeper into the refuge. The “Hula Hula,” named by two whalers from Hawaii in honor of their traditional dance, is a fitting name for this Arctic river—so alive as it moves from headwaters in the Brooks Range to the bright Beaufort Sea.
At Camp
Our camps are not only scenic, but comfortable, with 3-person, 4-season tents shared by 2 people, with fresh, warm sleeping bags provided along with Thermarest pads and dry bags. Meals prepared by our guides are plentiful and delicious. A participatory adventure, everyone pitches in to help set up camp each afternoon after the rafting is done for the day.
Expert Guides
With the closest town more than 300 miles away, you’ll be relying on our legendary expert guides Clint Fries and Sara Sweeney to lead you on this incredible river journey. With decades of experience between them and a true passion for the Hula Hula you’ll be in safe hands the whole way.
What Guests Say
A traveler on last year’s Hula Hula expedition said it best, ‘experiencing Alaska is a must if you care about our planet – and experiencing the Hula Hula will fill you with the awe, the power and the infinite beauty of the natural world in a way few other landscapes can match. You’ll have the best river guides ever, a true wilderness expedition experience, and the best food for your body and your soul. Take this trip!’
How to Book
To book one of the few remaining spaces on our Summer Solstice, June 21-July 3, 2022 departure, please click here for full day-by-day trip details, dates, and pricing.