About the Tatshenshini and Alsek Rivers

The Tatshenshini and Alsek Rivers have their headwaters in the extremely rugged regions of northwest British Columbia and Yukon.  Their corridors and tributaries connect a vast wilderness composed of adjoining parks and preserves in the United States and Canada that covers more than 60,000 miles.  This is the largest protected international ecological unit in the world.  It contains the largest non-polar ice fiend in the world, the highest coastal mountain range in the world, and the only completely protected large river drainage system in North America.  

You Have to See This Place to Believe It

In recognition of its extraordinary scenic and wildlife values, the Tatshenshini-Alsek wilderness area has been designated a World Heritage Site by the United Nations.  It is one of the “must see” places of the world, where pristine nature still exists to excite the imagination and nourish the spirit.

Traveling by river is the only way to see and experience the incredible biological and geographical diversity that exists within the Tatshenshini-Alsek wilderness area.  From the alder and open forests of the Yukon, through the steep mountain valleys of British Columbia, to the ice fields of Alaska’s Glacier Bay, the rivers sweep through landscapes on wondrous size and designs.

There are exciting rapids on both the Alsek and Tatshenshini Rivers.  We provide dry suits for the first day on the Tatshenshini, where the river is contained by a narrow, winding canyon and for Lava North Rapid on the Upper Alsek.  Most days the rivers are fast, but mellow.  Each day on the river is filled with exciting new sights, sounds, and sensations.

Camp on gravel beaches warmed by clusters of flaming fireweed and purple lupine.  Hike along rushing streams teaming with salmon.  Climb to high mountain valleys with magnificent views and vistas.  Camp at the base of glaciers and get an up close look at giant sera’s, deep crevasses, and sparkling basins of melted ice.  Bald eagles and arctic terns will be your faithful companions, and you may also see grizzly and black bears, moose, wolves, mountain goats, beaver, wolverines, foxes, porcupines, and other small birds and mammals.

One of the highlights of an Alaska rafting expedition on the Tatshenshini or Alsek river is spending a day at Alsek Lake, where house sized ice bergs calve off the faces of the Grand Plateau and Alsek Glaciers.  From a mile away, the cannon-blast retort of the breaking ice reverberates across the landscape.  The lake is filled with blue and white bergs of all shapes and sizes that eventually melt enough to float into the river and on to the sea.  Rowing through this wonderland of sculpted ice affords some amazing photographic opportunities.

By journey’s end, you will have many extraordinary moments to savor–perhaps the song of a wolf, or the sight of a mother bear and her cubs sauntering across a sandbar–the pink glow of the late night sun on a distant peak–carpets of blue and gold forget-me-nots—beautiful campsites and misty mornings–the aroma of fresh-made coffee and satisfying meals–the exhilarating sense of freedom that comes with floating down a wilderness river.

Getting There and Back

The evening before the trip we meet in Haines, Alaska at our warehouse located at 40 Totem Street.   The following morning we travel overland to the put-in location for the trip.  Both rafting expeditions end at Dry Bay, Alaska.  Participants fly in chartered planes to Yakutat, Alaska, and then by commercial airliner to Juneau.  All of the river trip-related transportation is included in the price.

“What a wonderful trip we had!  Wildlife, great weather, fine guests, fabulous and plenty of food!  I learned a lot about Haines, Geology, History, and Glaciers.  I was impressed with the complex and smooth logistics and attention to details and the equipment.”–Karla V.  Tatshenshini Rafting Trip