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Alaska & Yukon Tatshenshini River Rafting Tour

Wilderness Whitewater & Pristine Natural Beauty


Ready for one of the greatest river journeys on earth? Born among the chiseled snow-clad mountains of the Yukon, the Tatshenshini River flows with a casual grace past fields of wildflowers and sweeping glaciers on its relentless path to the sea. Explore this remote, rugged habitat of grizzly and black bear, mountain goat, moose, bald eagle, and osprey. Start the trip in lush forest and by the end, take in the breathtaking Ice Age scenery while rafting among icebergs. Join this epic adventure, on easy rapids navigated by expert guides and day hikes through dazzling wilderness, that gratifies the soul.

11 Days

From: $6,695

Ready for one of the greatest river journeys on earth? Born among the chiseled snow-clad mountains of the Yukon, the Tatshenshini River flows with a casual grace past fields of wildflowers and sweeping glaciers on its relentless path to the sea. Explore this remote, rugged habitat of grizzly and black bear, mountain goat, moose, bald eagle, and osprey. Start the trip in lush forest and by the end, take in the breathtaking Ice Age scenery while rafting among icebergs. Join this epic adventure, on easy rapids navigated by expert guides and day hikes through dazzling wilderness, that gratifies the soul.

MT Sobek operates under Special Use Permits and Concession Contracts granted by Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Tatshenshini-Alsek Park. We are an equal opportunity recreation service provider. All trips operate on a non-discriminatory basis.

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Raft Class II-III rapids over 132 miles down the river through a great wilderness frontier

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Enjoy up-close views of roaming wildlife, like grizzly bears, wolves, mountain goats, and moose

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Hike through fields of wildflowers, sweeping glaciers and through glacier valleys, and camp riverside

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Highlights


  • Raft Class II-III rapids over 132 miles down the river through a great wilderness frontier
  • Enjoy up-close views of roaming wildlife, like grizzly bears, wolves, mountain goats, and moose
  • Hike through fields of wildflowers, sweeping glaciers and through glacier valleys, and camp riverside

Alaska & Yukon Tatshenshini River Rafting

Start: Haines, Alaska  End: Yakutat, Alaska

Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.

Itinerary


  • Arrive in Haines, Alaska

    Day 1

    Arrive in Haines, Alaska by 3:30pm to have enough time to check in and be ready for the 5pm welcome meeting at the hotel. You'll meet your guides and fellow travelers, get oriented for the trip and walk to the warehouse nearby to pick up your gear and dry bags. Then, a celebratory dinner is shared prior to an early evening to get ready for the big adventure ahead!

    Accommodation: Hotel Halsingland

    Meals: Dinner

  • Travel to Dalton Post in Yukon Territory, Canada

    Day 2

    After breakfast, meet at the Halsingland Hotel lobby and board a van for a beautiful 3-hour drive up the Chilkat River Valley, across the border into British Columbia, and on to Dalton Post in Yukon Territory, Canada. After rigging bags into the rafts, you'll push off on the Tatshenshini River. Soon, plunge into the exhilarating Class III rapids of the Tatshenshini Gorge, the largest section of technical rapids on the trip. Upon emerging into calmer waters, make camp along the river.

    Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp-Tatshenshini, Alaska

    Activity: 4 hours/12 miles rafting Class II-III rapids

    Transportation: 3-hour private van transfer

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Raft Silver Creek to Sediment Creek

    Day 3

    The river slowly builds momentum over the next few days as you wind your way toward the beautiful Alsek and Noisy ranges. Stay observant in this meandering stretch of scenic forested river, where its prime country for moose, bear, and wolf; the beaches are often marked with the tracks of all three. Take the opportunity to layover in this corridor for two nights, allowing us more immersive hiking and wildlife viewing.

    Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp-Tatshenshini, Alaska

    Activity: 6 hours/22 miles rafting Class II-III rapids

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Spot Wildlife on Hikes

    Day 4

    Enjoy a mellow morning at camp before your choice of a short or long hike to a spectacular overlook through old cottonwood trees and aspen forests. If you're lucky, catch views of the animals ninhabiting these forests, making noise to alert them of your presence in this wild environment. If the weather holds, the full day will be spent hiking in this spectacular area on this layover day.

    Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp-Tatshenshini, Alaska

    Activity: 2-6 hours/2-4 miles hiking 650'-2,600' elevation gain & loss

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Raft Deeper into the Alsek Range

    Day 5

    Raft down the spectacular Tatshenshini River, winding deeper into the glaciers of the Alsek range. You'll feel the landscape change from densely-forested meandering river into steeper mountains with fast-moving braided river channels. You'll encounter Monkey Wrench Rapid, and many small creeks that contribute to tripling the water level of the river since you started this journey.

    Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp-Tatshenshini, Alaska

    Activity: 6 hours/15 miles rafting Class II-III rapids

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Continue Down the "Tat" to Towagh Creek

    Day 6

    Reach the point where the O'Connor River converges with the Tatshenini, intensifying its flow and generating a thrilling fast-moving current. After that exciting run, pull out at Henshi Creek on a massive delta and enjoy a well-deserved lunch. You navigate through a beautiful canyon in the afternoon to the outwash and eventually you reach Towagh Creek Camp.

    Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp-Tatshenshini, Alaska

    Activity: 6 hours/29 miles rafting Class II-III rapids

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Reach the Confluence with the Alsek River

    Day 7

    The mountains, river, and wildlife become more spectacular as the swift flowing river brings you closer to the majestic confluence with the Alsek River, a place many call "the center of the universe." The campsite vista spans the broad expanse of both river valleys, flanked by more than 20 different glaciers.

    Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp-Tatshenshini, Alaska

    Activity: 4 hours/15 miles rafting Class II rapids

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Experience the Dramatic Walker Glacier

    Day 8

    Below the confluence with the Alsek River, the scenery becomes even more dramatic and the river turns into a series of gravel braids in a 3-mile-wide valley. Rounding the corner at the end of a long straightaway, see the dramatic sight of the Walker Glacier. Its blue and white spires dominate the view for several hours. If conditions allow, take some time to watch the glacier, and maybe even float near its terminus.

    Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp-Tatshenshini, Alaska

    Activity: 5 hours/17 miles rafting Class II rapids

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Float the Alsek River & Hike

    Day 9

    The surrounding high peaks rise steeply from the banks to their thickly glaciated summits. This is Ice Age country, as literally dozens of large and small glaciers fill every vista around the tiny rafts. Leave the immense Novatak Glacier and float toward Alsek Lake, dominated by looming 15,320-foot Mount Fairweather. Spot many species of birds, including bald eagles, semi-palmated plovers, spotted sandpipers, northern phalaropes, American pipits, and more.

    Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp-Tatshenshini, Alaska

    Activity: 5 hours/16 miles rafting

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Reach Alsek Lake & Gateway Knob

    Day 10

    Pass through several different mountain ranges and finally enter Alsek Lake. Watch and listen as giant chunks of ice calve into the water from the 7-mile face of the Alsek glacier. The icebergs here are larger than those in Glacier Bay — some icebergs are 75-feet high. The guides row among ice floes sculpted into bizarre, fluted, ever-changing phantasmagoric shapes — a veritable "iceberg garden." With a little luck catch a glimpse of impressive Mount Fairweather, the tallest peak in Glacier Bay National Park, looming in front of the camp.

    Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp-Tatshenshini, Alaska

    Activity: 3 hours/14 miles rafting

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Depart from Dry Bay by Bush Plane

    Day 11

    After navigating through broken iceberg chunks, known as "bergy-bits" into the flat, forested plains beyond Alsek Lake, arrive at the Dry Bay outpost along the estuary of the Alsek River. Board a small aircraft for a spectacular charter flight to Yakutat.

    Activity: 3 hours/14 miles rafting

    Transportation: 1-hour charter flight

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Why Travel With Us?


  • 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.

  • This wild and remote 11-day rafting adventure is one of the few to meander through Tatshenshini's expansive landscape of valleys, glaciers, and mountains. Enjoy riverside camping and tasty meals, too.

  • Our Tatshenshini trip is led by the most capable and experienced guides on the river. These guides literally wrote the guidebook to the Tatshenshini River!

Dates & Prices


  • 2024
  • Go Private
  • Go Custom
  • Inclusions

2024

Scheduled Dates


The earlier you book, the more choice of available dates you’ll have and once you book, your price is guaranteed.

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Go Private

Go Private


Gather your favorite travel companions to share an MT Sobek adventure on an easy-to-book Private departure.

Call or email us to get the ball rolling.

*Private trips require a 25% non-refundable deposit.


Looking for a private family adventure?


This trip can accommodate guests with a
minimum age of 14.

Call for Private Trip Pricing

800-974-0300

Make Your Own Dates in These Months


Go Custom

Create Your Very Own Adventure


Dreaming of an adventure designed exclusively for you? With insider access and decades of experience, our travel experts create custom tailored adventures that are perfect for families, couples, and large groups. MT Sobek's custom adventures are designed to our exacting standards and led by our award-winning adventure guides.

When to start planning? Earlier is always better when designing a custom trip. More time allows for better availability of preferred accommodations, guides and your desired activities. Ideally, start the conversation with us at least 6 months before you want to travel. If you are looking for a custom trip that departs within three months, chances are greatly diminished in securing requested accommodations and the best guides.

*Custom trips require a 25% non-refundable deposit once an itinerary is agreed upon.

Start Planning

Inclusions

Price Includes


  • Expertise and services of our experienced adventure guides
  • All accommodations as noted in the itinerary
  • All breakfasts, almost all lunches and dinners as noted in the itinerary
  • Snacks and water between meals
  • Additional regional guides and experts on many trips
  • Comprehensive Trip Planner with detailed pre-trip information
  • Private guided tours at historic sites, museums, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the itinerary
  • Special events and other select attractions as mentioned in the itinerary
  • All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
  • Equipment and experienced guides for activities as described in the itinerary
  • Park and other entry fees (unless otherwise noted)
  • Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the itinerary
  • Select transfers as mentioned in the itinerary
  • Baggage transfers and porterage

Price Does Not Include


  • International airfare, airport taxes, and excess baggage fees
  • Alcoholic beverages (MT Sobek provides wine at select events)
  • Gratuities for MT Sobek guides and guide-drivers
  • Travel Protection Program
  • Personal expenses

Contact An Expert


800-974-0300

Need help picking your next adventure? Call us to answer your questions.

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 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 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.

Lynne W.

Lynne W.

Lynne began guiding in 1996 on the Kern River, California where she packed boats on mules into the Forks of the Kern in the Golden Trout Wilderness. She has since guided all over the West and internationally including the Middle Fork of the Salmon, the Futaleufu in Patagonia, the Zanskar in India, and the Grand Canyon. You can find her smiling big in any sort of river craft, such as whitewater kayaks, dories, duckies, rubber rafts, packrafts and pool toys. Her love of mountains and rivers has led to her involvement with conservation across the West. She founded the Cloud City Conservation Center in Leadville, Colorado.

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Activity Level


This trip is rated activity level 3. This is a moderate river rafting trip. You should be comfortable rafting up to 29 miles over the course of 6 hours per day for 8 days on class II - III rapids. We will also hike up to 6 hours, with 2,600' of elevation gain and loss. Hiking is optional! Previous river rafting experience is recommended, and you should be in good physical condition. Due to the remote nature of this trip, vehicle support is not available.
Learn more about activity levels here.

Activity Snapshot

Day 2

4 hours/12 miles rafting Class II-III rapids

Day 3

6 hours/22 miles rafting Class II-III rapids

Day 4

2-6 hours/2-4 miles hiking 650'-2,600' elevation gain & loss

Day 5

6 hours/15 miles rafting Class II-III rapids

Day 6

6 hours/29 miles rafting Class II-III rapids

Day 7

4 hours/15 miles rafting Class II rapids

Day 8

5 hours/17 miles rafting Class II rapids

Day 9

5 hours/16 miles rafting

Day 10

3 hours/14 miles rafting

Day 11

3 hours/14 miles rafting

Accommodations


After the first evening in a Victorian-era style hotel, MT Sobek riverside camps, with meals served around the campfire beneath the stars.

MT Sobek Camp-Tatshenshini, Alaska
MT Sobek Camp-Tatshenshini, Alaska

On each night of your Tatshenshini adventure you will enjoy camping in spectacular spots right next to the river, often with views of glaciers. Included in our expedition-style trip are three-person four-season tents for every two people, plus Therm-a-Rest pads and fresh sleeping bags. At lunch and dinner time you will enjoy gourmet meals carefully prepared by the guides.

Hotel Halsingland
Hotel Halsingland
Nestled between the jagged peaks of the Chilkat Mountains and the waters of the beautiful Lynn Fjord, the Hotel Halsingland offers an authentic historic experience in a setting of natural beauty. This unique hotel is located in Historic Fort Seward and is designed in Jeffersonian style architecture. Many rooms are adorned with original decorative Belgian tile fireplaces and claw foot tubs.

Weather


Enjoy long days, with potential rain & chilly winds near glaciers. Daytime 55°-65°F. Evenings 40°-55°F

 
Aug
Haines 
High
Low
Haines
63
50
Tatshenshini River 
High
Low
Tatshenshini River
65
47

Know Before You Book


Itinerary
The itinerary and dates may slightly vary, depending on river and weather conditions, group abilities and permit requirements.

FAQs


Who will meet me on arrival?

Your guides will meet you at the hotel at 5pm on Day 1.

Will I need a passport?

Because we are making a border crossing into Canada, you will need a passport as proof of nationality. Please check visa requirements for entering Canada if you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen.

What if I do not have a sleeping bag or tent that will withstand Alaska weather?

MT Sobek provides you with synthetic sleeping bags, sleeping pads and expedition tents at no extra cost. We also provide rain gear, dry suits, and boots.

Why does this trip end in Yakutat, Alaska and not in Haines, Alaska where the trip starts?

Ending the trip in Yakutat provides shorter transfers and travel times. Weather can delay returning back over the mountains to Haines. You will arrive in Yukatat in time for the late afternoon flight to Juneau.

How do I get my remaining luggage at the end of the trip?

A few days prior to the end of the trip, our river operations manager will transfer this luggage to the airport and ship it to Juneau, where your secured luggage will be waiting for you.

Are there bears on this river?

The Tatshenshini River does flow through the largest concentration of grizzly bears in North America.

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.
Are there any group savings?
Yes, we offer two ways to enjoy group savings on many adventures in North America, including this one. Either bring a group of 10 and receive 10% off per person or opt for an eleventh person to go for free! Call our expert Trip Consultants on 800-974-0300 to discuss group savings options.

Guest Reviews


"Nothing in my life has compared to my trips in Alaska, and the Tatshenshini did not disappoint. I know of no other trip that could showcase all of Alaska's topography and some much of its wildlife."

Daniel R.
MT Sobek Guest, Alaska & Yukon Tatshenshini River Rafting

"There are few destinations with the wide open majesty of the Tatshenshini River trip. This is wild country with incredibly few fellow travelers. Our three guides were priceless with their depth of experience, competence and good humor. At no time did we feel rushed and our guides were flexible as necessary when faced with changes in weather and environment that you face in remote Alaska. My wife and two daughters were anxious and felt this trip might be beyond their comfort level. Our guides, Clint, Scott and Casey, seriously helped all three feel safe and secure on the water and in camp with the depth of their knowledge. I am very pleased with this whole experience and would do it again."

Mark R.
MT Sobek Guest, Alaska & Yukon Tatshenshini River Rafting