Raft & Hike in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
From its headwaters in the Brooks Range, the Hulahula River flows through rolling tundra and a breathtaking canyon before spilling onto the vast coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. This lush wildflower-dotted landscape is home to an outstanding variety of wildlife, including Dall sheep, musk oxen, grizzlies, and coastal birds. Experience the wonders of this swift-flowing river as you raft almost 100 miles on thrilling Class III-IV whitewater — perfect for paddling enthusiasts — and enjoy hiking and camping in pure Arctic wilderness.
From its headwaters in the Brooks Range, the Hulahula River flows through rolling tundra and a breathtaking canyon before spilling onto the vast coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. This lush wildflower-dotted landscape is home to an outstanding variety of wildlife, including Dall sheep, musk oxen, grizzlies, and coastal birds. Experience the wonders of this swift-flowing river as you raft almost 100 miles on thrilling Class III-IV whitewater — perfect for paddling enthusiasts — and enjoy hiking and camping in pure Arctic wilderness.
MT Sobek proudly supports the Alaska Conservation Foundation, the only public foundation dedicated to preserving Alaska's wildlands, wildlife, and cultural heritage. ACF envisions a thriving, diverse, and sustainable Alaska—protected forever for future generations of adventurers and conservationists alike.
Feel the expansive solitude while rafting, hiking and camping in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
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Head to the skies on spectacular bush flights across the wilderness of Northern Alaska
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Float through the wildlife-rich Arctic coastal plains in the company of expert river guides
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[HighlightText] => MT Sobek proudly supports the Alaska Conservation Foundation, the only public foundation dedicated to preserving Alaska's wildlands, wildlife, and cultural heritage. ACF envisions a thriving, diverse, and sustainable Alaska—protected forever for future generations of adventurers and conservationists alike.
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Highlights
Feel the expansive solitude while rafting, hiking and camping in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Head to the skies on spectacular bush flights across the wilderness of Northern Alaska
Float through the wildlife-rich Arctic coastal plains in the company of expert river guides
Arrive in Fairbanks, Alaska to check-in for your pre-trip meeting and welcome dinner. Meet the group and have all your questions answered by the guides prior to departing the next day. It'll be an early night to prepare for tomorrow's adventure.
Accommodation: Bridgewater Hotel, Fairbanks
Meals: Dinner
Travel to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Day 2
Rise to embark on a spectacular 300-mile bush plane flight over the Yukon River Flats to Arctic Village. Here switch to a smaller plane and continue north over the Brooks Range and to the upper Hulahula River, located in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) — a land of majestic mountains and rolling tundra. The plane will land on a small gravel bar near the river's headwaters — the site of the first camp.
Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp-Hulahula River
Transportation: 5-hour scenic bush flight
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Launch Down the Hulahula River
Day 3
On the first full day on the river, take time to become acquainted with the pace of this legendary river and the expansive tundra landscape that flanks its banks deep within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Make camp along the riverside and enjoy the sounds of the wilderness and the babbling river.
Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp-Hulahula River
Activity: 4 hours/16 miles rafting
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Raft Below Towering Peaks
Day 4
The scenery is breathtaking as the river flows between the highest peaks in the Brooks Range — Mount Ishto, Chamberlain, and Michelson — all towering at 9,000 feet above sea level. Pull into camp for the night and enjoy a delicious meal prepared by the guides. You'll understand why food tastes so much better in the wilderness after an adventurous day.
Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp-Hulahula River
Activity: 5 hours/18 miles rafting on Class II rapids
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hike Up Esetuk Creek
Day 5
After a relaxed breakfast, grab your daypack for a day of hiking alongside Esetuk Creek, where you'll see the first evidence of glacial runoff, as the waters run grey and cloudy with glacial silt from the Brooks Range above you. See the flora and fauna start to change as you explore this landscape by foot today.
Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp-Hulahula River
Activity: 4 hours/4-6 miles hiking with 1,000' elevation gain & loss
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Raft "The Gorge"
Day 6
Make your way through the journey's swiftest and rockiest stretch of the river. Under the helm of expert guides, navigate this dynamic section with three distinct unnamed rapids. Then take a short walk through the tundra, taking in superb views of the rapids and the Kikiktat Mountains in the distance.
Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp-Hulahula River
Activity: 4 hours/11 miles rafting; 2 hour/2 miles hiking with 400' elevation gain & loss
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Navigate the Boulder Gardens
Day 7
As you proceed down the river, notice the gradient continue to become steeper as you leave the mountains. That speeds up the river momentum — and provides for a scenic day as you move through the vast Arctic landscape, over and around boulders that make for fun rapids.
Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp-Hulahula River
Activity: 5 hours/14 miles rafting on Class II rapids
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hike the Foothills of the Brooks Range
Day 8
Enjoy nthe summertime sun, which has barely dimmed overnight, for a bright and leisurely morning. With a packed lunch, set out on a hike that captures a majestic view of the Brooks Range unnamed mountains and dazzling landscape descending into the horizon. Look hard enough and you may just see the ocean.
Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp-Hulahula River
Activity: 4 hours/4-6 miles hiking with 1,200' elevation gain & loss
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Descend into the Coastal Plains
Day 9
Keep your eyes wide open for the abundant wildlife that roams this spectacular open landscape. The vastness and lack of large brush assist in making this region prime for wildlife spotting, featuring species such as herds of porcupine caribou, grizzly bears, Dall sheep, and possibly musk ox.
Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp-Hulahula River
Activity: 5 hours/15 miles rafting on Class II rapids
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Spend the Day Unwinding by the River
Day 10
Relax into one of your few remaining days in the depths of the Alaskan wilderness. Stay in camp for reading, wildlife spotting, or other leisurely activities. There will be optional group hiking, with lengths and distances depending on the weather.
Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp-Hulahula River
Activity: Optional 4 hours/4-6 miles hiking with 1,200' elevation gain & loss
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Float through Open Fields
Day 11
Today, discover the Arctic coastal plain - low relief tundra comprised of alluvial channels, estuaries, and innumerable lakes where unparalleled grand vistas stretch for miles. The mellow river lends way to a day filled with world-famous birding, fishing for Arctic char or grayling, and paddling.
Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp-Hulahula River
Activity: 6 hours/13 miles rafting
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Reach the Beaufort Sea
Day 12
The sounds of ocean birds and the smell of salt water indicate you've almost reached the Beaufort Sea. Once again you will be stunned by the vastly changing landscape. This evening, watch the floating ice packs on the horizon from your riverside camp.
Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp-Hulahula River
Activity: 5 hours/12 miles rafting
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Return to Fairbanks by Bush Plane
Day 13
This morning, break camp and await the arrival of your bush planes for the flight to Kaktovik, home of the Inupiat people. Next, you will board your included flight back to Fairbanks. After checking in to your accommodations, gather for a celebratory farewell dinner together with your guide.
Accommodation: Bridgewater Hotel, Fairbanks
Transportation: 3-hour bush flight
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Depart from Fairbanks
Day 14
Enjoy the provided breakfast at your hotel before making your own way to the airport for your homebound flight.
MT Sobek has been a pioneer in Alaska adventure travel since 1972, always placing a strong emphasis on responsible travel practices that support local communities and protect the natural environment. We are one of only a few companies who operate on Alaska's Arctic Rivers.
With nearly 24-hours of daylight a day, this trip offers endless opportunities to soak in the vastness of this remote landscape and the potential to see musk ox, bears, and thousands of migrating caribou.
Our spectacular 14-day Hulahula trip is led by the most capable and experienced guides on the river. Our crew has over 100 combined years of experience on Alaska rivers.
Itinerary The itinerary and dates may slightly vary, depending on river and weather conditions, group abilities, and permit requirements.
Dietary Restrictions Due to the remote nature of the areas visited on this trip, dietary restrictions are more difficult to accommodate due to limited resources. Please contact a member of our Trip Consultant team to inquire about your dietary restriction.
Dates & Prices
Your Guides
The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.
Kevin M.
Kevin —a.k.a. "Thirsty"—has been guiding since he was 17 years old and has been an integral part of MT Sobek's Arctic rivers program for decades. His laid-back manner puts everyone at ease, and he has a wealth of knowledge about Arctic rivers. Although he normally spends his winter months in Colorado's Telluride ski area, he has climbed Denali three times, reaching the summit in 2000. Thirsty is a legend in the MT Sobek circle and endears himself to travelers with his expertise, calm demeanor, and sense of humor.
Clint F.
Clint is a true explorer and has been guiding trips from the Arctic to Latin America for 20 years. Well known for being calm, conscious, and curious, Clint is always up for an adventure-and is seldom at a loss for words. MT Sobek guests can count on him to entertain in front of some of the most beautiful backdrops in North America. He has an exquisite ability to combine wilderness meals and a keen eye for the unseen. Clint's group characterize his leadership as positive, cohesive, and feeling at ease in the wild.
Mandela V.
Mandela was raised on a nature reserve at the southernmost point of South Africa, and in the mountains and open plains of Montana. Over her 15-year career as a full-time professional river guide, she has led trips in Montana, Idaho, New Zealand, Morocco, the Grand Canyon and Southern Africa. Mandela also works for the National Wildlife Federation to bring awareness to wildlife conservation, protect public lands, and drive clean water acts. Through films, creative storytelling, and her podcast “The Trail Less Traveled,” Mandela brings the many wonders of the outdoors to life.
Arrive in Fairbanks, Alaska to check-in for your pre-trip meeting and welcome dinner. Meet the group and have all your questions answered by the guides prior to departing the next day. It\'ll be an early night to prepare for tomorrow\'s adventure.
Rise to embark on a spectacular 300-mile bush plane flight over the Yukon River Flats to Arctic Village. Here switch to a smaller plane and continue north over the Brooks Range and to the upper Hulahula River, located in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) — a land of majestic mountains and rolling tundra. The plane will land on a small gravel bar near the river\'s headwaters — the site of the first camp.
On the first full day on the river, take time to become acquainted with the pace of this legendary river and the expansive tundra landscape that flanks its banks deep within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Make camp along the riverside and enjoy the sounds of the wilderness and the babbling river.
The scenery is breathtaking as the river flows between the highest peaks in the Brooks Range — Mount Ishto, Chamberlain, and Michelson — all towering at 9,000 feet above sea level. Pull into camp for the night and enjoy a delicious meal prepared by the guides. You\'ll understand why food tastes so much better in the wilderness after an adventurous day.
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Make your way through the journey\'s swiftest and rockiest stretch of the river. Under the helm of expert guides, navigate this dynamic section with three distinct unnamed rapids. Then take a short walk through the tundra, taking in superb views of the rapids and the Kikiktat Mountains in the distance.
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Today, discover the Arctic coastal plain - low relief tundra comprised of alluvial channels, estuaries, and innumerable lakes where unparalleled grand vistas stretch for miles. The mellow river lends way to a day filled with world-famous birding, fishing for Arctic char or grayling, and paddling.
The sounds of ocean birds and the smell of salt water indicate you\'ve almost reached the Beaufort Sea. Once again you will be stunned by the vastly changing landscape. This evening, watch the floating ice packs on the horizon from your riverside camp.
This morning, break camp and await the arrival of your bush planes for the flight to Kaktovik, home of the Inupiat people. Next, you will board your included flight back to Fairbanks. After checking in to your accommodations, gather for a celebratory farewell dinner together with your guide.
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[ActivityHighlight] => This is a moderate to strenuous river rafting trip. You should be comfortable rafting up to 18 miles over the course of 4 hours per day for 7 days on class II - IV rapids. Previous river rafting experience is recommended, and you should be in good physical condition. There will be shorter (1-3 miles) and longer (4-5 miles) hiking options, possibly on rocky terrain or in areas with dense vegetation. Due to the remote nature of this trip, no vehicle support is available during our activities.
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Activity Level
This trip is rated activity level 4. This is a moderate to strenuous river rafting trip. You should be comfortable rafting up to 18 miles over the course of 4 hours per day for 7 days on class II - IV rapids. Previous river rafting experience is recommended, and you should be in good physical condition. There will be shorter (1-3 miles) and longer (4-5 miles) hiking options, possibly on rocky terrain or in areas with dense vegetation. Due to the remote nature of this trip, no vehicle support is available during our activities. Learn more about activity levels here.
Activity Snapshot
Day 3
4 hours/16 miles rafting
Day 4
5 hours/18 miles rafting on Class II rapids
Day 5
4 hours/4-6 miles hiking with 1,000' elevation gain & loss
Day 6
4 hours/11 miles rafting; 2 hour/2 miles hiking with 400' elevation gain & loss
Day 7
5 hours/14 miles rafting on Class II rapids
Day 8
4 hours/4-6 miles hiking with 1,200' elevation gain & loss
Day 9
5 hours/15 miles rafting on Class II rapids
Day 10
Optional 4 hours/4-6 miles hiking with 1,200' elevation gain & loss
Day 11
6 hours/13 miles rafting
Day 12
5 hours/12 miles rafting
*Mileage and elevation change information is approximate and may vary slightly depending on trail conditions, weather, and route adjustments, and the guide’s discretion.
Accommodations
A comfortable downtown hotel in Fairbanks and an MT Sobek riverside camp, with meals served beneath Alaska's midnight sun as it dips toward the horizon.
Your riverside camping experience includes nightly camps on the banks of the Hulahula River. Included in our expedition-style trip are three-person four-season tents for every two-people outfitted with Thermarest pads and freshly laundered sleeping bags. All camping spots are on spectacular sites right next to the river. At lunch and dinner time you'll enjoy gourmet meals served by your guides.
The Bridgewater Hotel is a seasonal accommodation centrally located in downtown Fairbanks. Guests consistently give positive reviews to the "bountiful" breakfast buffet, which offers an array of delicious hot and cold options. The sights, sounds, and attractions of town are within walking distance, and guests can begin sightseeing just a few steps outside of the front door. This boutique hotel is quaintly furnished and offers comfortable rooms, making it a pleasurable stop on an MT Sobek traveler's adventure through Alaska.
Weather
Expect daytime temperatures between 60°F-80°F, and nighttime temperatures between 40°F-50°F. Variable weather is always possible with frequent light rain.
Jun
Arctic National Wildlife
High
Low
Arctic National Wildlife
69
48
Fairbanks
High
Low
Fairbanks
72
49
FAQs
Who will meet me on arrival?
Your MT Sobek guides will greet you at your Fairbanks, AK hotel on Day 1. Settle in with a welcome dinner and trip orientation.
What flights are included in this trip?
All internal airfare is included, which includes roundtrip charter bush planes from Fairbanks to Arctic Village, to the river put-in. And then river take-out to Kaktovik and back to Fairbanks.
What level of participation with camp should I expect on this trip?
Guides will provide lessons on how to set-up tents the first night so that you can set-up your own each night thereafter. The guides will always assist, and you're always welcome to help with camp chores.
What kind of personal gear is provided?
We provide all camping equipment, including 4-season expedition style 3-person tents, 15-degree sleeping bags and Therm-a-Rest pads. We also provide life vests, dry bags, Helly Hansen rain pants and jacket and rubber boots.
How bad are the mosquitos?
June is ahead of the mosquito season, so we do not recommend that you bring a bug net and/or bug jacket.
Will I see wildlife on this trip?
While we cannot guarantee anything, this river is legendarily known to have abundant wildlife viewing opportunities and exceptional birding with its prime breeding habitat where the mountains meet the sea.
Do I need river experience for this trip?
Some rafting experience is highly recommended, as this is a very remote adventure with potentially variable weather. You should come prepared for 11-nights wilderness camping with minimal amenities.
What is the hiking like on this trip?
While this trip is primarily focused on rafting, it also offers incredible hiking opportunities! We'll have both shorter, relaxed hikes (1-3 miles) and more challenging options (4-5 miles) that can include up to 1,500 feet of elevation gain. Most of our hikes are off-trail or along game trails, so the terrain will be varied. You'll encounter sandy paths, rocky stretches, and dense vegetation with birch, alder, and willow trees. At higher elevations, the tundra becomes rocky, while lower areas are spongy and may have standing water. Glacier moraines feature everything from fine sand to large boulders.
What is the minimum age for this trip?
The standard minimum age for this trip is 18, but check out our private trip options for families and groups with younger guests.
