The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, largest and farthest north refuge in the U.S., contains the complete spectrum of arctic habitats, from boreal forests, glacier-carved valleys, glaciated peaks, crystal-clear rivers to the vast rolling coastal plain, and the barrier islands of the Beaufort Sea. In its 19-million acres, the Brooks Range rises dramatically, just 10 to 40 miles from the Arctic Ocean. We see wildlife populations in their natural setting - musk oxen, wolves, grizzly bears, polar bears, wolverines, Dall sheep, moose, arctic foxes, and the 129,000-strong Porcupine caribou herd.
“The setting of the campsite was magical - with the North Slope plain just out of reach beyond the lakes. The best single experience may have been to watch and photograph the large bands of caribou.” B. Eldred, California
SPRING CARIBOU MIGRATION HIKING, PHOTOGRAPHY AND NATURAL HISTORY
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge- 8 days, including 2 nights inn lodging
In early June, the tundra bursts with life, as wildflowers bloom and birds wing in from 5 continents to nest. Observe the great Porcupine caribou herd close up, as the animals flow like a geological force across the land, hooves etching trails as far as the eye can see. In spring, the animals are shedding their winter coats, and reveling in this time of mosquito-free living. Landing near the confluence of rivers and streams in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, we set up a base camp from which to explore. Our tiny tents blend into the landscape, and we take long hikes in the hills and valleys, hoping for encounters with caribou, wolves, grizzly bears, and foxes.
This expedition offers great flexibility in terms of interests you’d like to pursue, and even our exact destination. We’ll visit a small Gwich ‘in village enroute to the Arctic Refuge, then fly by small bush plane to a remote location along the migration route for the caribou. Surrounded by magnificent scenery, you set the pace for your enjoyment.
FALL CARIBOU MIGRATION PHOTOGRAPHY AND NATURAL HISTORY
Gates of the Arctic National Park
Trip Length: 7 days
When autumn arrives in the Arctic, the land transforms into a kaleidoscope of red, gold, orange, purple, and green. Photographers can hardly sleep this time of the year, as there is so much to focus the lens upon. The macro lens is busy on the tiny details of tundra, while the telephoto focuses on wildlife moving conspicuously through the landscape - caribou, having shed their velvet, migrate southward, moose go into rut, grizzly forage on plump ground squirrels and blueberries, Dall sheep move in scattered groups over precipitous crags.
Our fall basecamp comes at a time when the Western Arctic caribou herd, stately in their thick coats, have fattened up for the long winter. “Night” has just begun to return to the north, and on clear nights, we may see the aurora borealis dance across the sky. With the help of a competent bush pilot, we place ourselves along the southward migration route of the herd, and we experience firsthand the pulse of life in the north. With luck, we see bands of caribou stream through the valleys. The terrain offers unlimited opportunities for hiking. Surrounded by magnificent scenery, you set the pace for your enjoyment, whether it be hiking, photography, wildlife observation, or simply enjoying the peace and silence of a truly wild place. This expedition takes us to the Frontier settlement of Bettles, above the Arctic Circle.
Your Itinerary
Day 1:
Trip participants meet in the early morning at the small airport in Fairbanks, where we pack all our gear onto a small commercial plane and fly 100 miles north, over the Steese and White Mountains and the Yukon River to Arctic Village, a small Gwich'in settlement (100 people) situated on the banks of the Chandalar River on the 1.8 million-acreVenetie Indian Indian Reserve. Arctic Village is 118 miles northeast of the Arctic Circle on the southern border of the Arctic Refuge. The village offers an educational cultural experience. We'll meet our bush pilot here. By afternoon , we fly over the Brooks Range, an adventure in itself; miles and miles of mountains rise below us as we fly over the Continental Divide towards the Arctic Ocean. By afternoon, we should be deep in the heart of the Arctic Refuge.
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Day 2:
Days 2-4 or 2-6: Each day we'll establish a rhythm of eating, hiking, relaxing. You set the pace for your enjoyment. If we're lucky, bands of caribou will be our constant companions, as they migrate across the tundra.
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Day 3:
Hiking and photography.
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Day 4:
Hiking and photography
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Day 5:
Hiking and photography
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Day 6:
Hiking and photography.
From our camp, we're picked up by our bush pilot and flown back to Arctic Village. Then we catch a small commercial flight back to Fairbanks.
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Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
June 14-20, 2009 (7 days) $3395 from Fairbanks (M) Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (mountains and foothills) (Two nights accommodations in Fairbanks included in trip price)
June 18-25, 2009 (8 days) $3495 from Fairbanks (M) Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (foothills and coastal plain) (Two nights accommodations in Fairbanks included in trip price)
June 23-30, 2009 (8 days) $3550 from Fairbanks (M) Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (coastal plain and Demarcation Bay)(Two nights accommodations in Fairbanks included in trip price)
Fall Caribou Migration Hiking and Natural History
August 18-24, 2009
Rating: Easy; day hiking from a basecamp.
We cater to special diets.
* All transportation beyond Fairbanks
* All meals in the field
* Group cooking, camping, medical and safety equipment (We bring such items as a kitchen shelter, emergency radio, bear repellent spray, water filter and first aid kit)
* Services of Trip Leaders
Also see tour packages in:
USA
Alaska
Nature & Wildlife
Wildlife Viewing
Hiking & Trekking
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