SOURCE TO SEA
RAFTING TRIP
Multi Day
- Rafting
The Grand-daddy of all Alaska rafting trips!
The Source to Sea Expedition is the most spectacular extended Alaska rafting trip out there! Float the two rivers that define Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and completely immerse yourself in the wilderness!
Bush flights into the remote backcountry get you deep into the mountainous interior of a completely undeveloped landscape, raw and wild. Here you can disconnect from the “real world” and take in the sights of this rarely traveled and impressive terrain. Make your way to the coast, exploring mountains and glaciers along the way!
As always, we provide delicious meals and incredible guides, and take care of all the logistics so you can experience the real Alaska on this river trip of a lifetime!
- See the more of Wrangell St. Elias National Park than on any other backcountry trip
- Extended river expedition for full wilderness immersion
- See countless mountains, waterfalls, icebergs, and calving glaciers
- Scenery changes daily as you float from the mountainous interior to the coast
- Eagles, bear, moose sea otters, seals and more!
- Daily hiking opportunities on unique Alaskan terrain
- Abundant and delicious meals prepared by your guides
Trip Details
Trip Length
15 days
Total Mileage
150mi
Whitewater
Class II-III
Launch
Nizina Glacier
Take out
Cordova, Alaska
Max Participants
12
Min Age
8 yrs old
Rates
4-6 Participants
$7,370/person
7-9 Participants
$6,260/person
10-12 Participants
$5,500/person
Group Trip Dates
We are not offering this trip in 2025, but reach out to us to learn more about our 2026 plans!
The “Alaska Factor”
There is a reason Alaska has such a rugged allure for the lower 48 and beyond: it is still wild! This raw and untamed landscape offers our clients the opportunity to authentically pioneer new territory and have real adventures. Part of embracing the “Alaska Factor” is understanding that things may not always go as planned and expecting the unexpected. Water levels might rise, snow might fall, glaciers may shift and move – the landscape is dynamic and unpredictable is what makes Alaska, Alaska!
All of our trips are customized as they unfold and your guide will fluidly make decisions based on weather, logistics, and group dynamics to maximize each day’s experience. There can be quite a bit of variation, but on each trip we promise a big slice of the real Alaska and authentic adventure!
DAY 0
Today you’ll meet your guides in McCarthy for Orientation and Gear Shakedown. They’ll review your itinerary, go over the menu, make sure that you are properly outfitted for the trip, and distribute/fit all the equipment you need.
Your guides will provide you with dry bags so you can repack your gear. Any luggage you don’t want on the river can be left at our headquarters and will meet you in Cordova at the end of your trip.
After making sure you are totally prepared for the adventure ahead, your guide will make sure to get you to your lodging that night and coordinate plans for tomorrow’s pick-up.
DAY 1
Early this morning we will board a tiny plane for our extended bush flight deep into the backcountry. Spilling from the flanks of the massive Mount Logan, the Chitina Glacier terminates in a fast-flowing river, the banks of which are your landing strip. High in the alpine, this is a spectacular landscape of high mountain peaks, impressive rock formations, and determined greenery.
You will spend today exploring this marvelous area on foot, getting a view of the pumping headwaters and meandering past a few crystal clear pools on your way. Your guides will prepare the first of many delicious meals this evening and you’ll enjoy your first Alaskan backcountry night!
DAY 2-7
Today the epic journey begins as you load your boats and set off on the silty Chitina waters. Starting each day with a delicious breakfast, you’ll spend about 3-7 hours in the boat, taking out for lunch and day hikes along the way.
On the first half of the trip, you’ll float your way through the heart of the Wrangells, practically floating the entirety of the Park, east to west. The rarely floated Upper Chitina River will give you access to unique landscapes, islands to explore and even a cozy backcountry sauna at Jake’s Bar on Day 4! On Day 5, you’ll float past the confluence with the Nizina River, noticing the volume of water increase significantly.
On Day 7 you’ll make your way towards the town of Chitina which sits right on the confluence of the Chitina and Copper Rivers. Here you’ll take out and your guides will shuttle you to a local lodge and cabins where you can enjoy a mid-trip shower and warm bed!
DAY 8-14
Take your time on the morning of Day 8 as we’ll put back on the Copper in the early afternoon. For the second half of the trip you’ll turn south and continue the historic river journey through the Chugach Mountains, cutting your way through the interior and heading toward the coast!
DAY 15
After a few hours of floating, we will end our river journey at “Flag Point”, where the Copper River Highway (Alaska-speak for gravel road) crosses the river. Here our van will be waiting. You will repack your personal items into your own luggage while your guides dismantle the boat’s other gear. After a final lunch together, we will drive 25 miles into the small fishing town of Cordova.
Tonight, lodging and dinner are included at the historic Orca Adventure Lodge. If time allows, we highly recommend spending a couple of extra days in Cordova to enjoy sea kayaking, hiking and exploration of this historic and remote town. The fishing here is legendary!
There are no roads connecting Cordova to the rest of the state. Commercial flights are available to Anchorage, bush flights to other Alaskan towns, and the Alaska Marine Highway ferry system has sailings from Cordova to Valdez and other Alaskan towns for a marvelous alternative to flying.
- Customized trip planning
- Logistics consultation*
- Orientation and a Gear Shakedown
- Your professional guide(s) – 3:1 ratio
- 25min scenic bush flight into the backcountry
- All the food on the trip – breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Group and personal rafting gear (PFDs, dry bags, boats, etc)
- Group camping gear (camp kitchen, groover, tents**)
- One night of lodging in Chitina
- Transportation from take out to the town of Cordova
*Upgrade to a Trip Package and have logistics included with your trip!
**You are welcome to bring your own 3-season tent if you prefer
What’s not included?
- Gratuities
- Personal camping and hiking gear
- Lodging in McCarthy or Cordova
- Transportation to McCarthy or from Cordova
Logistics
You’ll need to be in McCarthy the day before your trip begins for an Orientation and Gear Shakedown. Please account for a full day for travel to McCarthy and the next Alaskan destination. You’ll meet your guide, get fitted for equipment, take your dry bags and ensure you are fully prepared to head into the backcountry.
Mid-trip you will take out in the town of Chitina and stay at local lodging accommodations (included in trip cost) before continuing down the Copper River.
The trip ends in the remote town of Cordova. There is no road access to Cordova, however, you can travel to Anchorage or other Alaskan destinations from Cordova via commercial flights, bush planes, or the Alaska Marine Highway (ferry system).
Any luggage you don’t want to bring on the river with you can be stowed at our HQ and it will meet you in Cordova by the end of the float.
Many adventurers like to start the trip with a few days in McCarthy/Kennecott, accessing the interior or WSENP on foot, enjoying local hikes and activities and getting more historical context for the river trip. Check out our Transportation Page to learn how to get to and from McCarthy. Check out our Lodging Page for lodging recommendations in the area.
Trip Package
If you are planning your trip +2 months before your trip start date, upgrade to a Trip Package! A Trip Package will include transportation to/from McCarthy, local lodging, and any other local activities you’re interested in. We charge a non-refundable $50 Trip Package fee per person for this service.
This is a Moderate Rafting Trip 
Our Rafting Trips are scenic floats through incredible wilderness and on all of our trips you’ll hit Class II-III rapids. The glacial rivers we float run fast and cold so we take a conservative approach, allowing everyone to have a fun and splashy time while mitigating the risks the water presents to the boats and rafters. On Rafting Trips you can expect to go on a short hike or two each day, usually 1-3 mi total and up to ~200ft of elevation gain. Please keep in mind that there is no truly “easy” hiking terrain in the Wrangells and often the coolest places require a little extra effort to get to. There aren’t any trails where you’re headed, so most hikes will be up dry creek beds or along the brushy edges of the river. Longer and more challenging side hikes may be accessible, depending on the trip. You will be camping in the rugged wilderness with no manmade shelters, toilets, or really any type of development. No special physical training or camping experience is required . We recommend our rafting trips to anyone looking for a wilderness experience at a very comfortable pace, those wanting to spend quality time with their group, or those hoping to relax while still seeing a lot. Kids ages 8+ are welcome.
Get in touch!
Want to book a Private Trip or not sure if this is the right trip for you? Schedule a call with our Expedition Coordinator at a time that works well for you. She’ll help you narrow down which trip is best for you and answer any questions you have about our trips, the local area or surrounding logistics.
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FAQ
On Basecamp Trips we fly out into the wilderness and set up camp near the airstrip. From here we explore the area on a series of day hikes with lighter packs or paddles and return to the same camp every night.
Basecamp Trips are recommended for beginner campers, families with younger children, and those with injuries that may prevent them from carrying a heavy pack. We also recommend these trips for those looking for a more relaxing experience, though please note that all the terrain in the Wrangells is quite rugged so some level of athleticism is always required to get around the wilderness.
On Mini-Backpacking Trips we fly to a backcountry destination and strap on our heavy backpacks, taking a short hike to set up our first camp. Over several days, we will explore different areas on day-hikes, moving camp at least once again.
Mini-Backpacking Trips are perfect for those newer to camping and backpacking or those looking for a less physically strenuous backpacking experience in rugged Alaska. Great for kids 12 and up!
On Point-to-Point Backpacking Trips we take 4-8 days to get from backcountry destination A to backcountry destination B, moving camp every night, being completely self-sufficient, and carrying all our gear on our backs.
Our Backpacking Trips are different in difficulty as well as terrain and scenery and each presents a unique series of challenges. Alaska requires more and burlier gear which means heavier packs and the terrain and weather can be relentless – do not underestimate the challenges a trail-less wilderness presents! We do not offer any “easy” backpacking trips and do not recommend these trips for first-time or beginner backpackers.
On Rafting Trips we usually spend 2-6hrs on the river every day, stopping for lunch and short, scenic hikes before making a camp in the wilderness. Our rafting trips are scenic floats, allowing access to otherwise unattainable views and covering more miles than you ever could on foot, with some class II-III rapids in between. Rafting trips allow a slightly more “luxurious” wilderness experience than backpacking or basecamp hiking – easier on the legs, a more casual daily schedule with more time at camp, no backpack burden, more elaborate meals with fresher ingredients, etc.
We raft a few different rivers in the Wrangells and each has unique scenery and logistics, some involving bush flights and some ending way out on the coast! We recommend our rafting trips to anyone looking for a wilderness experience at a very comfortable pace, those wanting to spend quality time with their group, or those hoping to relax while still seeing a lot. Kids ages 8+ are welcome.
On Mountaineering Expeditions we access remote big-mountain terrain, usually landing on ski planes to climb and ski some of the tallest peaks in Alaska’s endless mountain kingdom! We offer small-group objective-based expeditions where the goal is to safely summit and descend a remote peak, play-style expeditions where we set up a basecamp to access some shorter but epic lines, and technical courses where the goal is to learn and practice mountaineering techniques and skills (see below). We climb and ski in a wilderness style – there are no fixed lines, no sherpas, no busy basecamp scenes and established camps, no weather stations, and usually no one on the mountain except our team. This is a different style of climbing and takes strong mental and physical fortitude as teams must be completely self-sustained. All mountaineering trips include Trip Packages with transportation and lodging logistics included (Anchorage to Anchorage).
Our mountaineering expeditions are recommended for those looking to access some of the most remote and wild mountain terrain on the planet. Each trip has a difficulty level, requires vetting and a mountaineering resume. Some trips require guide references.
On Technical Courses the goal is to learn technical skills and put them into practice on Alaska’s unique glaciated terrain. Our courses vary in length and can be highly customizable
Technical Courses are recommended for those wanting to focus on skill-building and excited to learn in an incredible outdoor classroom. All skill levels are welcome. We are not affiliated with any learning institution and these courses do not provide any type of certification. That said, we hope that what we teach you and your experience is memorable and transforms your mountain confidence and abilities!
We pride ourselves on cooking healthy and delicious meals even under the most adverse conditions! Your exact menu will depend on the trip, your guide, and the dietary preferences/restrictions you list in your Trip Application. No matter what kind of cook your guide is at home, all our guides are well-trained backcountry chefs and use time-tested recipes from our proprietary cookbook for their trips. We carry a plentiful and varied stock of ingredients and most meals are prepared from scratch (allowing for easy substitutions, additions or subtractions of ingredients). We onlyt use pre-packed freeze-dried meals on summit pushes on our mountaineering expeditions.
On our backpacking and basecamp trips, you can expect 3 meals a day, plus snacks of your choice. Breakfasts and dinners are usually hot meals and lunches are served cold. On mountaineering trips lunches consist of a variety of snacks as it can be hard to organize group meals while on a rope team.
We use a combination of fresh, dehydrated, and freeze-dried ingredients to make our delicious meals, however on longer backpacking and mountaineering trips your guides will use more freeze-dried foods than fresh foods to keep pack weights as low as possible. On our rafting trips, we cook full multi-course meals with fresh ingredients and enjoy hot and cold breakfasts, cold lunches and hot dinners.
Meals for most trips start with Lunch on the first day and end with Lunch on the last day. *
*If you are signed up for a Custom Trip Package with us, it may include more meals. Check with us if you’re not sure. Mountaineering trips also include meals in McCarthy before and after the backcountry expedition.
We understand that you may have luggage or things you don’t want to bring into the backcountry with you so we have a designated area at our headquarters where your guide will label and store your stuff while you’re out. This area is not locked, however, we have never had any issues with loss or damage. If you have a small item of great value that you are particularly nervous about, we may be able to store it in our office for you – just ask your guide.
On the Chitina River, Copper River, Source to Sea, or Custom Trips with different start and end points, any luggage you leave behind with us will be brought out to meet you at the end of the trip.
