Tatshenshini River Raft Trips

13 Day Tatshenshini River Raft Expedition 255-kilometers (160 miles)

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

Tatshenshini 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.

Alderman F. Puerto Rico

Patrik M., Switzerland

Tatshenshini River Raft Trips 2024-25

Trip Highlights

• Flows through the world’s largest non-polar ice cap with some of the world’s most active glaciers (see it while you still can).
• Rafters are able to float in a stunning, iceberg-filled lake
• Part of the world’s largest bio-preserve.
• Bald eagles and grizzlies abound.
• World’s tallest coast range mountain – Mount Fairweather – also BC’s tallest.
• Flows through the Yukon, British Columbia, Alaska, Glacier Bay National Park, Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park, to it’s denouement at the Gulf of Alaska.
• Great hiking with abundant wildlife and wildflowers.
• Location of the oldest human remains found in a glacier in North America.
• Became well known in the late 1980s after a controversial, proposed copper mine and road in the heart of the region were stopped.
• 11 river days (plus 2 travel days)

Trip Details

The expedition starts and ends in Whitehorse

We raft from the Klukshu River, a Coast Range river at Dalton Post to Dry Bay, at the Gulf of Alaska along a 255-kilometer (160 mile) route with an elevation drop of 550 metres (1800 feet).

At the fish packing plant in Dry Bay we’ll be picked up by a small plane (probably a Hawker Sidley) and flown back to Whitehorse. Be sure to have your passport with you for the U.S. and Canadian customs.

On the rare occasion, we get weathered in at Dry Bay. In that event, in order to keep on schedule, we require a shuttle flight to Yakutat, Alaska.

Pre- and post-trip accommodation is your responsibility – the cost is not included in the trip fee.

Prerequisites: None – beginners are welcome and paddling is optional most of the time since the guides navigate using oars. Experienced paddlers and beginners alike are welcome to participate by paddling anytime, however.

2024 Trip Dates:  June 7-19  June 21-July 3  July 5-17  July 19-31  August 2-14

2025 Trip Dates:  June 21-July 3  July 5-17  July 19-31  August 2-14

Trip Fee: $9395.00 CAD pp Discounts available for booking 2 or more. Please call

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(Prices are subject 5% GST sales tax and $164.80 CAD Park Fee)

The trip dates do sell out so please book early to get the trip dates you want.

Booking and Payment: Credit Cards. The booking requires a 30% deposit by Visa or Master Card with the balance due 180 days prior to trip departure