RESERVATIONS We arrange our vacations from June into October on a first come first served basis for groups of friends, couples and families. Group sizes vary from 4 to 9 guests. We have 1 guide per boat. Trips are normally 6 to 8 days. Trips 10 days or longer can be arranged, 6 days is our shortest trip. Individuals are accommodated within our existing groups.

Early reservations are advised. Please call our TOLL FREE number 1-800-825-8196 for space availability and more details. Your phone call will hold your reservations for 14 days. A 50% deposit per person is required after that. Final payment is required 60 days prior to your trips departure.

We make airline reservations for you from Fairbanks to the river and back afterward to Fairbanks.

Brooks range trips originate in Fairbanks
Spend the night before the trip in Fairbanks. Try to Arrive sometime around 3 PM the day before the trip. We will discuss hotels in Faibanks after your booking
Take your hotel's free shuttle service from the airport. We will meet at the hotel and give you your gear.
Have a good breakfast the morning your trip departs. We travel a long way the first day.

On the River
Moveable Camps We have complete moveable camps. Our large kitchen tents are comfortable and the site of food preparation and relaxation.

Sleeping Tents We provide Northface tents for your sleeping comfort. They are roomy 3 person expedition, mountain climbing tents used on Mt. McKinley and are extremely water & wind proof. You stay dry and warm in them. 2 people share a tent.

Meals We serve fresh meats and vegetables cooked in dutch ovens on gas stoves and over fires. Sumptuous meals like char broiled steak, spaghetti, fresh broiled salmon, turkey and mexican food are served family style for dinner. Breakfasts offer a variety of things: pancakes, hot cereal, fresh fish, bacon, eggs, coffee and juice. Lunches are sandwiches, chips, and candy. We serve hors d’oeuvres before dinner. We also serve heart healthy meals. Please make special requests 1 month ahead of time to Sharon.

Our Guides are ORVIS ENDORSED. Guides are there to help you get the most out of your vacation. They do the cooking and camp chores. Our oarsmen have experience on white-water as well as calm rivers. Ouzel guides are very knowledgeable and experienced outdoorsman.

Hiking is fantastic in the Arctic. We tailor these hikes for individual needs. You feel like you can see forever. While hiking we see many animals, tons of different species of birds and a huge variety of wild flowers and arctic plants. Photographic opportunities are second to none.

Solitude. This quiet way of traveling offers more opportunities for relaxing and seeing wildlife in it's natural surroundings. Our trips take you on a journey through the most wild and beautiful country in Alaska!

The experience shared by a group of people on an adventure through remote, breath taking wilderness is something that you will remember forever. Many of our guests rejoin their new found friends on other vacations with Ouzel. 70% of our guests each year have been with us previously.

Rafts Our SOTAR rafts are American made in 14 and 16 foot lengths. SOTAR rafts are the best professional quality river rafts. These comfortable rafts are oar powered by our experienced guides. We use aluminum boat boxes rowing frames and large ice chests. You fish from these oar powered rafts with skilled oarsmen drifting you through beautiful holding waters and scenery.

Communications We go out into very remote wilderness on our trips. We cannot be reached by phones anywhere. In case of emergency we carry hand held aviation radios and a satelite phone. We can talk to overflying airplanes to ask for help if needed.

Waterproof Gear Bags We provide waterproof camera bags and waterproof bags for your personal gear. We also provide sleeping bags, pillows and self-inflating sleeping pads. Some people prefer to bring their own; others don’t want to carry extras on the airlines.

Waders or Hip Boots This is really a matter of personal choice. Orvis Gortex waders work well anytime of year. Hip boots are still nice when it’s really hot in July or late June. Neoprene waders work very well when it’s colder. Wading wet works well too, when it’s warm.

Sleeping Tents We provide Northface tents for your sleeping comfort. They are roomy 3 person expedition, mountain climbing tents used on Mt. McKinley and are extremely water & wind proof. You stay dry and warm in them. 2 people share a tent.

Areas of Operation We operate our vacations on Alaska’s various rivers. Some are on State or Federal land. Here are some of the places we are licensed: Aniakchak National Park & Preserve, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Chugach National Forest, Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve, Katmai National Park & Preserve, Togiak National Wildlife Refuge, Wrangle St. Elias National Park & Preserve, Lake Clark National Park & Preserve.

The Last Day Most people spend the night of the last day of the trip in Anchorage. A lot of our trips don’t return to Anchorage until 7pm or later. It’s better to get a good night’s rest and fly home early the next morning.

Disclaimer Ouzel Expeditions will not be responsible for additional meals, lodging or other expenses due to delayed flights, weather or other delays. We will not be responsible for natural acts such as but not limited to: weather, storms, rain, floods or salmon run timing. We reserve the right to change the trips itineraries and to change the river at our discretion.

Cancellation Policy A complete refund (minus $100 per person service charge) will be given if written notice is received by us more than 60 days prior to your trip’s departure, or you can apply your deposit to a future expedition. 60 days or less prior to your trip’s departure no refunds or credits will be given. After trips completion no refunds or credits will be given for any reason. Trip Insurance from Travel Guard International is available and we encourage you to buy it. We can fill out their policy for you and take your credit card information over the phone and send it in.

Give us a call on our toll free number 1-800-825-8196 and we'll send you a free video of our trips!