Tatshenshini River Raft Trips

13 Day Tatshenshini River Expedition by Raft

From the Yukon through British Columbia and Alaska to the Gulf of Alaska and Pacific Ocean

Perhaps the wildest and most visually spectacular river in North America. The Tatshenshini flows through the heart of the largest bio-preserve in the world. Recently protected by the establishment of Tatshenshini Provincial Park, the river flows past tall mountains, vast glaciers and an iceberg dotted lake. Bald eagles abound, grizzlies feed on spawning salmon and if you are lucky, you may catch a glimpse of the rare blue glacier bear. This adventure is an international journey of unparalleled beauty. This is the region of the recent "Iceman" discovery mentioned in the Fall 1999 newsletter, "Northern Currents".

Originating in the southwest corner of the Yukon, the Tatshenshini runs south and west through British Columbia and then Alaska, meeting tidewater at Dry Bay on the Gulf of Alaska.

We join the river at Shaw She, a traditional home place of the Champagne Aishihik First Nation people. Almost immediately the river enters a narrow canyon and cascades through many exciting rapids before opening into a broad U-shaped valley surrounded by the Alsek and Carmine Ranges. Hiking opportunities in the rich coastal ranges can be well rewarded with sightings of goats, moose, and bald eagles. At the riverside grizzlies may be seen feeding on the spawning salmon.

Further down river the valley broadens at the confluence with the Alsek River. At Walker Glacier we will have the opportunity to explore the surface of 10,000 + year old ice. This is a region of the sharp Coast Range and vast glaciers.

Another day downstream brings us to Alsek Lake where we can watch numerous glaciers actively calving huge blocks of ice into the river in front of our rafts. Here also is Mount Fairweather, rising more than 15,300 feet and dominating the skyline.

We make out final camp within Glacier Bay National Park, a short distance from the ocean. In the early days the Tatshenshini served as a corridor for trade and travel between the coastal Tlingit and interior Athapaskan Indians. The first European expedition recorded did not occur until 1890 by a journalist for a New York illustrated weekly. With the establishment of Tatsheshini Provincial Park the river is now the heart of the largest bio-preserve in the world.

Even today the Tatshenshini offers an uncommon pristine wilderness experience, free for the most part from the evidence of man and his works. This adventure is truly an international journey of unparalleled beauty.

The following is a tentative itinerary and has been designed with much thought to capitalize on the most scenic and exciting parts of the river, while making time on other sections. Your guides will adjust the schedule to make the best use of river and weather conditions.

2010 Trip Dates:

* Please note that prices are in Canadian dollars, for currency converter please click here

Prices and dates subject to change