Escape from the cruise crowds with this Private Haines Excursion and admire the stunning scenery of the Chilkat Valley. Upon arrival in Haines, you will meet your professional expert river rafting and floating cruise excursion guide at the pier and enjoy a 45-minute drive on the Haines Highway as it follows along the river. The drive is incredibly scenic: on one side, you have glacier-clad mountains acting as skyscrapers, and splashes of colorful wildflowers line the road. On the other side are winding channels along the river that provide habitat for moose, bears, and trumpeter swans. In 2009, the highway became a National Scenic Byway.
Once you arrive at the river in the heart of the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, your guide will provide rafting life jackets to gear you up and your Haines shore excursion guide will give a brief safety talk before you board your 7-passengers private raft (also called float) and leave civilization behind you. Within moments, you are immersed in the Alaskan wilderness, as you drift along on the silent river currents.
This is a scenic float trip (no whitewater) and you do not have to paddle. Sit back and be awestruck as you drift through the home of the largest bald eagle congregation in the world. Thousands of bald eagles travel here to feed on salmon in the fall and winter. In the summer months, a healthy resident population of bald eagles lives along the river. As your river float excursion guide nudges the raft along, they will explain the intricate balance of nature that makes this a unique and special place. Have your camera and binoculars within reach at all times.
You'll have the opportunity to make a stop along the wild river bank to get out of the raft for a nature walk. Your private guide will point out tracks and other signs of wildlife. Keep an eye out for other wildlife besides eagles. Although wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed, it is not unusual to see moose, otters, brown and black bears, and even wolves, who call the preserve their home.
You will spend approximately one and one-half hours rafting/floating the river based on the current flow. After the rafting of your excursion, you'll enjoy a scenic ride on your way back to town, and have your camera ready since there is always a chance of seeing wildlife.
For group excursion pricing and availability, please click on the links below:
Haines Chilkoot Lake Nature and Wildlife Viewing Excursion (S1922)
Haines Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve River Floating Excursion (S1925)
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