Nizina River (CL II+)
Trip Description
A classic Alaskan river trip, packraft style. Fly up the enormous Nizina River Valley, past cliffs higher than Yosemite, to the Nizina Lake. Set up camp near the dynamic lake, go for an afternoon paddle/ day hike and watch the icebergs dance during dinner. In the morning, get on the river and run some wilderness whitewater. The Nizina River has a big water feel. It’s cold, fast and rushes fully formed from the lake. Large features lead to a valley full of beautifully braided boating. Riverside hikes to massive waterfalls and floating beneath the Mile High Cliffs makes this trip that will live large in your mind. Spend another night riverside or float down to the take-out and a bush plane ride home.
As seen in Backpacker Magazine
Trip Options:
- Looking for a day trip? This section is a great fly-in/ fly-out day run though epic country. Get dropped at the lake, blow up your boat, paddle through the icebergs and ride the big river down the valley. Visit the waterfall, float beneath the cliffs and fly home for dinner.
- Don’t have paddling experience? You can fly into the incredible Nizina area and spend 1-4 days exploring without needing a background in whitewater.
- Want to make it a packraft traverse? For our fast and light adventurers, start with Skolai to Nizina backpacking point-to-point and link it with 1-2 down river days.
Duration: 1-3 days
Difficulty: A moderately challenging day of paddling for an intermediate packrafter.
Highlights:
- Bush plane drop-off and pick-up
- Iceberg filled glacier lake
- Running a big, wild Alaskan river
- Breathtaking waterfall side hikes
- Paddling beneath the Mile High Cliffs
Trip Details
Terrain Challenges May Include: Unstable and rocky hiking surfaces to the lake. Actively navigating your own packraft in a CL II+ river.
Who: Experienced boaters looking for a highly scenic and remote packrafting trip with great side hikes.
When:
- June and September/ Lower Water/ CL II+
- July-August/ High Water/ CL III
- Start time depends on flight availability, logistics and your preferences
Where: We will meet you at your lodging or at the footbridge ½ hour before your flight time and provide transportation to the airstrip.
Trip Includes
- Pre-trip planning
- Experienced, friendly, knowledgeable guides!
- Small guide to client ratios.
- Customizable itinerary.
- Airfare into the backcountry.
- Medical equipment, training and protocols to Wilderness First Responder Standards.
- SAT phone & Delorme InReach.
- Healthy, nutritious food customized to your tastes.
- Cooking gear and fuel.
- Backpacking pack (if needed)
- Sleeping bag/pad combo (if needed)
- Technical gear and equipment.
- Personal tent(s) and group cook tent.
- Leave No Trace and Bear Safety education/ ethics.
Trip Does Not Include:
- Guide Gratuity (recommended 10-20% of tour cost)
- Packrafting gear, if you are interested in renting gear check out our Packraft Rentals Page
- Personal clothing & gear. For further suggestions on gear you will want to bring from home (this might help you pack for your whole Alaskan vacation!) visit our Trip Planning Page for a gear list.
- Alcohol in the backcountry.
- Pre & Post trip lodging.
- Transportation to and from Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.
Nizina River (CL II+) Pricing
Client:Guide Ratio & Price
*Gear not included, see Packraft Rentals for rates.
Pricing per Number of Clients – 1 Day Trip
1:1 / $1,385 per person
2:1 / $965 per person
3:1 / $775 per person
4:1+ / $750 per person
Contact us for groups bigger than 4
Pricing per Number of Clients – 2 Day Trip
1:1 / $2,765 per person
2:1 / $1,755 per person
3:1 / $1,380 per person
4:1+ / $1,385 per person
Contact us for groups bigger than 4
Pricing per Number of Clients – 3 Day Trip
1:1 / $3,645 per person
2:1 / $2,255 per person
3:1 / $1,795 per person
4:1+ / $1,745 per person
Contact us for groups bigger than 4
$20/child discount for all children 12 and under on all private day hikes (issued at final payment)
$5/person discount for AK residents & Active Military and family. Valid with current I.D. (Issued at final payment)
Photo Gallery
Click to enlarge
Nizina River (CL II+) Pricing
Client:Guide Ratio & Price
*Gear not included, see Packraft Rentals for rates.
Pricing per Number of Clients – 1 Day Trip
1:1 / $1,385 per person
2:1 / $965 per person
3:1 / $775 per person
4:1+ / $750 per person
Contact us for groups bigger than 4
Pricing per Number of Clients – 2 Day Trip
1:1 / $2,765 per person
2:1 / $1,755 per person
3:1 / $1,380 per person
4:1+ / $1,385 per person
Contact us for groups bigger than 4
Pricing per Number of Clients – 3 Day Trip
1:1 / $3,645 per person
2:1 / $2,255 per person
3:1 / $1,795 per person
4:1+ / $1,745 per person
Contact us for groups bigger than 4
$20/child discount for all children 12 and under on all private day hikes (issued at final payment)
$5/person discount for AK residents & Active Military and family. Valid with current I.D. (Issued at final payment)
Trip Description
A classic Alaskan river trip, packraft style. Fly up the enormous Nizina River Valley, past cliffs higher than Yosemite, to the Nizina Lake. Set up camp near the dynamic lake, go for an afternoon paddle/ day hike and watch the icebergs dance during dinner. In the morning, get on the river and run some wilderness whitewater. The Nizina River has a big water feel. It’s cold, fast and rushes fully formed from the lake. Large features lead to a valley full of beautifully braided boating. Riverside hikes to massive waterfalls and floating beneath the Mile High Cliffs makes this trip that will live large in your mind. Spend another night riverside or float down to the take-out and a bush plane ride home.
As seen in Backpacker Magazine
Trip Options:
- Looking for a day trip? This section is a great fly-in/ fly-out day run though epic country. Get dropped at the lake, blow up your boat, paddle through the icebergs and ride the big river down the valley. Visit the waterfall, float beneath the cliffs and fly home for dinner.
- Don’t have paddling experience? You can fly into the incredible Nizina area and spend 1-4 days exploring without needing a background in whitewater.
- Want to make it a packraft traverse? For our fast and light adventurers, start with Skolai to Nizina backpacking point-to-point and link it with 1-2 down river days.
Duration: 1-3 days
Difficulty: A moderately challenging day of paddling for an intermediate packrafter.
Highlights:
- Bush plane drop-off and pick-up
- Iceberg filled glacier lake
- Running a big, wild Alaskan river
- Breathtaking waterfall side hikes
- Paddling beneath the Mile High Cliffs
Trip Details
Terrain Challenges May Include: Unstable and rocky hiking surfaces to the lake. Actively navigating your own packraft in a CL II+ river.
Who: Experienced boaters looking for a highly scenic and remote packrafting trip with great side hikes.
When:
- June and September/ Lower Water/ CL II+
- July-August/ High Water/ CL III
- Start time depends on flight availability, logistics and your preferences
Where: We will meet you at your lodging or at the footbridge ½ hour before your flight time and provide transportation to the airstrip.
Trip Includes
- Pre-trip planning
- Experienced, friendly, knowledgeable guides!
- Small guide to client ratios.
- Customizable itinerary.
- Airfare into the backcountry.
- Medical equipment, training and protocols to Wilderness First Responder Standards.
- SAT phone & Delorme InReach.
- Healthy, nutritious food customized to your tastes.
- Cooking gear and fuel.
- Backpacking pack (if needed)
- Sleeping bag/pad combo (if needed)
- Technical gear and equipment.
- Personal tent(s) and group cook tent.
- Leave No Trace and Bear Safety education/ ethics.
Trip Does Not Include:
- Guide Gratuity (recommended 10-20% of tour cost)
- Packrafting gear, if you are interested in renting gear check out our Packraft Rentals Page
- Personal clothing & gear. For further suggestions on gear you will want to bring from home (this might help you pack for your whole Alaskan vacation!) visit our Trip Planning Page for a gear list.
- Alcohol in the backcountry.
- Pre & Post trip lodging.
- Transportation to and from Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.
Nizina River (CL II+)
Photo Gallery
Click to enlarge, or use arrows to scroll.
