5-DAY ALASKA PACKRAFTING INSTRUCTION COURSE

Get ready for a fully-immersive, all-inclusive ALASKA PACKRAFTING COURSE!

“Learn how to packraft in Alaska while you test your skills on multiple rivers!” 

A customized, small group packrafting instruction course led by highly-experienced Alaska packrafting guides. Journey your way down epic Alaska rivers while you learn packrafting from some of the best paddlers in Alaska. Your course is complete with 4 full days of packrafting instruction AND packrafting. This is an immersive, hands-on course where you will learn by doing; no boring classroom time here! This course is perfect for those without packrafting experience, and for those with some packrafting experience looking to take their skills to the next level.

Highlights

• Learn to Packraft in Alaska on epic rivers
• Amazing scenery and views
• Abundance and variety of wildlife
• Professional guides and seasoned paddlers
• Take your packrafting to the next level

What To Expect

Your trip begins in Seward with a pre-trip orientation meeting. We’ll begin each day with a safety briefing, instruction session, and get in our boats for on-the-river learning.

Each day brings a new set of challenges and learning opportunities. We’re looking to progress your skill-level exponentially throughout each day so you can paddle rivers that present various obstacles and challenges and have you do so with confidence. There will be some moderate hiking involved, and your days will be long, full days.

After 3 days of exponential skill progression, the last day will consist of a river session on one of the most scenic rivers in this part of Alaska, complete with an exhilarating run through a canyon. There will be high-degrees of challenges, and technical river sections. To wrap up the day you’ll pack your raft up and hike out from the river providing the true packrafting experience and the basic reason these rafts were created.

DAY 1: SEWARD – ARRIVAL & PRE-TRIP MEETING
Plan to fly into Anchorage International Airport (ANC); 1) rent a car and drive to Seward, AK, approximately 2.5 hour drive, or 2) take the Alaska Railroad from Anchorage to Seward and a KBA guide will pick you up, and drop you off at the included accommodations. We’ll have a group meeting at our office in Seward this afternoon for a meet and greet, gear check, and to discuss the course objectives.
Snacks and beverages provided at the meeting
Lodging included: Accommodations in Seward

DAY 2:  KENAI PENINSULA
This day is devoted to packrafting instruction and running a Class I/II+ sections on the Kenai River. The focus will be on building the skills and techniques necessary for the  larger river sections we’re building you up to paddling. This may include multiple runs on the river and spending time portaging in and out to re-run certain sections of the river to focus on learning new skills, techniques, and overall progression.
Meals included: Lunch
Lodging included: Accommodations in Seward

DAY 3: KENAI PENINSULA
Today your packrafting skills will be put to the test on a section of the fast moving Class II+ Kenai River. This is a great river to put your skills in action. The packrafting instruction will continue and will focus on specific skills, and overall progression of the curriculum. We’ll include more advanced drills and techniques as the day progresses. You will essentially be running a few rapid sections over and over while getting your packrafting techniques dialed-in. The obstacles and challenges are complex, and stoke level will be increased! Riverside lunch.
Meals included: Lunch
Lodging included: Accommodations in Seward

DAY 4: KENAI PENINSULA
Today your packrafting skills will be tested on a glacial river near Seward, or we may be back on the Kenai River. Either way, today will be challenging, and rewarding. The rapids are Class II-III, with highly technical aspects to negotiate. This will be a build-up session from you what you’ve learned the previous days, while also adding on additional skills and techniques to prepare you for Day 5.
Meals included: Lunch
Lodging included: Accommodations in Seward

DAY 5: KENAI PENINSULA
Today your packrafting experience will be elevated on one of the most scenic rivers in the state; today’s session your final exam! The section of the Kenai River you will be paddling is a fast moving Class II/III+ river (IV depending on water levels). Today will be a very full day comprised of a long river section (20+ mile), and a modest hike at the end (2+ miles). There are several really fun wave train sections and a nice long canyon section with several technical aspects. There are several great spots to stop for photos and sightseeing as well. The packrafting instruction curriculum will continue and will focus on specific skills. The obstacles and challenges will be highly complex, and the stoke level will increase even more! At the end of the float we’ll hike about 2 miles out to the road.
Meals included: Lunch

OPTIONS & ADD-ONS
Add extensions and other adventures to your packrafting trip. This is the perfect way to utilize the skills and techniques you’ve just learned from your course!

• Kenai Packraft Traverse
• Fly-In Alaska Packrafting Day Trip
  • Add an overnight options to this trip!
• Custom Multi-Day Alaska Packrafting Adventures

*The progression of your course are highly-dependent on your retention of the instructed skills. Your course will only move on to the next river, or river stage if your Instructor approves.

**PLEASE NOTE: The conditions on all of the above rivers may vary substantially based on recent/current weather. This may result in a change of the itinerary.**

*The accompanying itinerary is the schedule we intend to follow. However, this is Alaska, and our trips may deviate as written on this page or in any documentation we publish. This can be as a result of weather conditions, group preference, safety considerations, or unforeseeable circumstances. Therefore expect the unexpected, and prepare to be flexible. 

LOGISTICS & FAQ

What is the best way to get to the trip start location?
Plan to fly into Anchorage International Airport (ANC); 1) rent a car and drive to Seward, AK, approximately 2.5 hours drive, or 2) take the Alaska Railroad from Anchorage to Seward, and a KBA guide will pick you up, and drop you off at the included accommodations.

What are the accommodations like?
Accommodations are double occupancy lodging on night 1 through night 4. Single supplements available.

Can solo travelers get their own room? Is there an optional or forced supplement, and how much is it?
As a solo traveler, a single supplement of $800 per person that applies to accommodations on the day 1 – 4.

Are there places to eat dinner in Seward?
There are multitude of places for dinner. We’re happy to provide suggestions.

How much extra money should people budget?
Kenai Backcountry Adventures recommends that you bring $500 cash for gratuities, in-town spending money, some meals, souvenirs, additional meals, etc.

What should people bring? Do you have a packing list?
A detailed backpacking gear list will be provided with your booking confirmation. Or you can view the GEAR LIST now (select “Packrafting Course”).

Is travel insurance required?
Travel insurance is recommended for this trip. Review our Travel Insurance page for more info.

Additional frequently asked questions and answers:

Are bears and other wildlife going to be a problem?
Bears are virtually everywhere in Alaska, and therefore one should anticipate and be prepared for a possible encounter or sighting of a bear. Moose are a common sighting on the Kenai Peninsula but generally they keep their distance. Kenai Backcountry Adventures takes wildlife safety very seriously and therefore take precautions to keep you safe in the wilderness. In addition, you will learn the necessary safety procedures regarding Alaska wildlife in your pre-backcountry safety orientation.

Will there be bugs?
The most common nuisance bugs are mosquitoes and no-see-ums. However, based on the time of year and current weather conditions insects may or may not present an issue. Come prepared with insect repellant and a high quality head net.

What will the weather be like?
Weather in this part of Alaska is highly variable and unpredictable. It could be in the 70s or 80s one day and in the 50s and raining the next (or in the same day!). We may encounter snow at higher elevations. High winds or fog can be frequent and may impede travel at times.

Contingency
It’s best to plan a buffer day at the end of the trip in the event of a weather delay departing the backcountry on the last day, however if you must make flight arrangements to depart Alaska on the last day of the itinerary, please make your flight departure for after 10:00pm.