Why Chilkat Guides

Q: What is included in the Tatshenshini rafting expedition?

Your Tatshenshini expedition includes all river meals, professional guide leadership and support, transportation during the trip (including transportation to the put-in), expedition camping (shared tent option), sleeping pads, life jackets, dry bags, and core river/camp gear (e.g., rubber boots & gloves). A charter flight from Dry Bay to Yakutat is also included as part of the expedition logistics. Airfare to/from Alaska (and onward flights after Yakutat) is not included unless specifically stated.

Q: How difficult are the rapids on the Tatshenshini River?

The Tatshenshini is primarily Class II whitewater with limited Class III. Expect fun, “spirited” Class II–III sections rather than continuous big-water whitewater.

Q: When is the best time to do a Tatshenshini rafting trip?

The Tatshenshini is a summer expedition—generally June through September. Early season (June) often brings longer daylight and fresh snow on peaks; mid-summer (July–August) tends to be warmer with strong wildlife viewing; late season (September) can feel crisp and dramatic with changing light and fewer crowds.

Q: Where does the trip start and end?

The trip starts in Haines, Alaska (your meeting point and pre-trip logistics). The expedition finishes in Yakutat, Alaska after floating to Dry Bay and taking a charter flight to Yakutat.

Q: What wildlife can I expect on these Alaska river rafting trips?

Wildlife sightings can include moose, brown bears, bald eagles and other birds (including mergansers), salmon, wolves, wolverines, lynx, and mountain goats.

WORLD CLASS GUIDES

Chilkat Guides was founded in 1978 by Bart Henderson after he led the first guided trip down the Tatshenshini River. Since then, we have expanded our knowledge of the region, as well as our trip offerings. We have the best guides in the business. Chilkat Guides holds its own Guide School, where aspiring guides can learn leadership, navigation, and rescue skills through a demanding hands-on guide training. Chilkat Guides specializes in Alaska rafting expeditions on glacier-fed rivers where active glaciers terminate directly into the river, creating floating icebergs during the trip. Founded in 1978, Chilkat Guides has decades of experience leading expedition-style rafting trips in remote Alaska wilderness environments. Rafting is our specialty; lasting memories are our business.

Each year we work to make our expedition trips a safe, fun, and memorable time for our guests. Our guides’ passion for the beauty of the surrounding natural wonders and dedication to their craft make Chilkat Guides a top pick for expedition rafting trips. We exceed all safety standards, and our guides are some of the most talented and qualified rafters in the business. Our local guides can share with you the “inside story” about the towns, landscapes, wildlife, and rivers.

A RANGE OF TRIPS

One of the reasons Chilkat Guides offers more than one expedition trip is that people’s preferences are different. You get to choose which expedition most suits you. Wildlife, incredible scenery, and fun are all included on each trip.

The Tatshenshini is the premier Alaska introductory experience. We’ll begin in the Yukon, with a short whitewater section and travel south through British Columbia and eventually into Alaska. Glaciers mark the lower section of the river where the “Tat” confluences with the Alsek.

The Alsek is the big sister to the “Tat” and is a bit more rugged. The Alsek begins above tree-line in the Alpine country. Incredible hiking, glaciers, bears are all highlights of the Alsek. There is a helicopter portage involved that may be a highlight of your trip.

The Kongakut is our exclusive Northern trip in Alaska, traversing the plains of the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), where over 50,000 caribou migrate annually. Flowing almost as far north as possible, the Kongakut boasts natural beauty and wildlife that has until recently, has been undisturbed by human-kind.

High Quality Gear

You provide your personal gear and we provide the rest: top-quality tents, river gear, kitchen and camping equipment and bush plane transportation. When you request information about our expedition trips, we will send you an information packet that gives a detailed list of what clothing and items you should bring. Feel free to call us, as we can help personalize your experience, and help ensure the best trip possible for your Northern Expedition.

A DELICIOUS MENU

We have three guidelines for our nutritious and delicious food selection: quality, quantity and variety. If you have special needs or desire a copy of our detailed meal descriptions, please let us know. With advanced notice we can accommodate most special dietary requirements (indicate on your pre trip questionnaire). Snacks and treats are provided, but if you have any special favorites, feel free to bring some along. We are able to adapt to special diet requirements. The earlier we know about any dietary considerations, the better we can prepare for them.

SAFETY

Safety is our top priority. We have had no major incidents or accidents in over 30 years of operating expeditions around the world, providing us with a top-notch safety record. We owe this to the professionalism, risk management experience, and competency of our staff.

Expedition staff are equipped with Satellite phones, SPOT GPS / Inreach Devices, emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRBS), and ground-to-air radios to keep tight communications between our office and for use in an emergency. We continue to raise the standard for outdoor leaders in regards to first aid training, risk management, and incident response, and hold risk management and emergency protocols training for our staff every season.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is included in the Tatshenshini rafting expedition?

The Tatshenshini rafting expedition includes all river meals, professional guide leadership and support, expedition camping (shared tent option), sleeping pads, personal flotation devices, dry bags, and core river and camp gear such as rubber boots and gloves. Transportation during the trip is included, as well as a charter flight from Dry Bay to Yakutat at the end of the expedition. Airfare to and from Alaska and any onward travel after Yakutat are not included unless otherwise noted.

How difficult are the rapids on the Tatshenshini River?

The Tatshenshini River features mostly Class II whitewater with occasional Class III sections. The trip emphasizes scenic wilderness travel and wildlife viewing rather than continuous technical whitewater, making it suitable for adventurous first-time rafters.

When is the best time to do a Tatshenshini rafting trip?

Tatshenshini rafting trips operate during the summer season, typically from June through September. June offers long daylight hours and dramatic snow-capped scenery, July and August are generally warmer with excellent wildlife viewing, and September brings cooler temperatures, fewer visitors, and striking seasonal light.

Where does the trip start and end?

The expedition begins in Haines, Alaska, where participants meet for pre-trip orientation and logistics. The rafting portion concludes at Dry Bay, followed by a charter flight to Yakutat, Alaska at the end of the trip.

What wildlife can I expect on these Alaska river rafting trips?

Wildlife commonly seen along the Tatshenshini River includes moose, brown bears, bald eagles, salmon, wolves, mountain goats, and a variety of other bird species such as mergansers. Sightings vary by season and river conditions.