• Pristine wilderness.
• Small plane flight-seeing.
• Thrilling and fast moving whitewater through a section called ‘Hotel Rocks’.
• Add a day of backcountry hiking to your Chickaloon.
• River adventure and make it a 3-day tour for just $400/person.

GET OFF THE BEATEN Path

Get off the beaten path with this action packed Alaskan epic adventure! As a fly-out / float-back format this rafting adventure is a one of a kind overnighter only found in Alaska! This bush plane access rafting tour offers amazing views on the way up above the clouds and then back down on the water. Pilots choose to fly over the mountain pass or if weather permits even fly directly up the river valley and get eyes on this beautiful section of water from the sky. The Chickaloon river is very diverse in character from high alpine channel braids of whitewater to boulder graden rapids, to tight canyon walls in the dense forest making for great hiking opportunities. The constant water gradient keeps things swift, interesting and fast paced on the river. Land on shore and enjoy lunch as guides prepare and rig the boats. Spend the evening in the presence of giants and castles. This river splits down the middle of an amazing alpine valley in the middle of the Talkeetna mountains. Offered as a 2 Day or 3 Day trip, NOVA is the only guide service that runs trips on this rarely-visited piece of the Alaska backcountry beauty.

This Alaska wilderness raft trip offers exciting small plane flight-seeing as you fly into the Chickaloon River put-in. Views abound of the river valley and the rugged Talkeetna Mountains. Once landed, lunch will be freshly prepared by your guides.

The rafting starts on a fun Class III segment with a couple of Class IV rapids followed by many miles of continuous fast water. At the end of day, your guide will set up camp and prepare dinner. You have time to relax or explore the area. Enjoy the evening as the night envelops with a cozy campfire and dinner. The next day starts with a leisurely breakfast before embarking on the busiest stretch of river.
This trip includes several mandatory stops to scout the most challenging sections such as “Hotel Rocks” and “Eight Mile Canyon”, then finishing with some lively Class III segments before hitting the confluence with the Matanuska River.

All whitewater and camping gear is provided for you. NOVA will also provide you a complete itinerary and Must-Pack item list prior to departure.

NOVA can accommodate most food requests or dietary preferences. Bring along personal beverages and snacks for the trip. Meal menus are flexible, open to suggestions and determined by budget levels and special requests. Contact our office for details.

Want to add additional days to your multi-day tour for a longer, more custom itinerary? NOVA may be able to accommodate extra days on the water. Contact the office for details.

We operate with two rafts minimum on this trip. This requires a party of four minimum to conduct a trip. Parties of less than four can submit dates of their choice for us to try and develop with others to join. We can create and build trips for small groups that stay in development, until additions book to fill the minimum or pay the entirety. Parties of less can submit dates of their choice for us to try and develop.

Water levels can dramatically change or alter the characteristics and nature of rivers and creeks in Alaska. Natural free flowing waterways are unpredictable and have ever evolving variables compared to dam release controlled waterways. Higher water levels usually result in an increase in difficulty, intensity and risk. Nova has implemented cut-off levels for operating tours as a safety standard for this highly respected section of water. Levels also force tour adjustments like boat sizes, equipment changes, group/load sizes in each boat, and even canceling. Proper weight and power distribution in the rafts is a major key to successful safe navigation. Guides are authorized to make these decisions based on monitoring usgs water level gauges prior to trips launch along with denial of participants from engaging in the activity at any time. Water levels, weather and other variables can also affect the duration of a tour by changing the volume and speed of the current. Our office staff will inform all reservations in advance about any forecasted water level changes that may jeopardize or cancel the tour. Full refunds are issued if cancellations occur and/or rescheduling for runnable levels on another upcoming date is made.

Please consider the fact that Nova Alaska Guides is a small company in remote Alaska with only 100 days in the year to make our living. It will simply be too late for us to fill the spaces that we have set aside for you. 

CANCELLATION POLICY: Day trip cancellations made at least 5 days in advance will receive a full deposit refund. Groups of 10+ need to provide a 14-day notice for a full deposit refund. Multi-Day trips require 30 days’ notice for a full deposit refund. In the event NOVA cancels, you will receive a full refund of your payments. Any absence of a booked tour that is operating or If cancellations are not made within the timeframes given Nova retains the deposit made. All Nova trips require a 50% deposit except for SIX MILE CREEK which due to high demand requires a 100% deposit. Unless Nova cancels your trip, for all cancellations by customers who booked using our online platform you will be required to cover the 1.9% booking fee cost.

Please arrive 15 minutes early to sign Nova's trip waiver. 

If you are late for your trip there is a chance we will have to leave without you. If so, we will do our best to reschedule your trip at no additional cost. If you are not interested in rescheduling then missing your trip is considered an absence, resulting in no refund.

This applies to but is not limited to unforeseen circumstances such as unexpected illness or emergencies. We pride ourselves on our professionalism, excellent customer service, and the best guided trips in Alaska. All we ask is that you show up on time for check-in.

Lastly, please make sure your party meets our trip limitations stated on our website. If anyone is outside these limitations, please email our office so we can evaluate the information provided since we know each person is their own unique individual. 

Thank you - Nova team

There are inherent risks associated with river travel and outdoor activities that everyone must accept and understand. Variable uneven terrain, sharp rocks, slippery rocks, and changing weather are common. Some safety hazards will always exist and are beyond human control such as water levels and erosion. Rivers and all moving waterways can be dangerous and deadly. Rescue in these environments and features is not only technical and difficult but in some cases not possible at all. Safety standards are in place for these reasons and must be followed. Guides manage risk by interpreting and recognizing hazards that average boaters and guests are unaware of. Many traveling on the mellow sections have a false sense of security because of the friendly inviting nature of the easy river. Whitewater with rapids on the Class system of III, IV or V sections deserve respect. Individuals traveling on rivers, creeks or streams without professional guides should possess the proper knowledge, experience, and equipment.

**All participants on all our tours must follow our guidelines, procedures and sign a waiver. Only parents or legal guardians may sign for youth minors. We do not allow infants on our tours. We do not allow pets on our tours.

You may preview or pre-sign our waiver document, by clicking here.

Make it a COMBO: Add a whitewater rafting trip and save 10% off the highest cost trip!. Add a Matanuska Glacier adventure and save 10% off the highest cost trip! **Glacier tours are in a different area of Alaska. Located 4 hours north of Sixmile Creek and 2 hours north of Anchorage at the Matanuska Glacier.

**Discounts only apply to clients participating on both trips

**Discounts applied at trip check-in with the balance due