• Thrilling rapids of Lions Head whitewater or mellow scenic float.
• Raft through a seldom run section of the Matanuska River.
• Enjoy riverside dining with 2 lunches, 1 dinner, and 1 breakfast provided
• Spectacular scenery in every direction.
• All camping equipment, gear and transportation provided.
• Relax next to a cozy campfire.
• Greater chance to spot wildlife!
• Great for families!

A POPULAR AND AFFORDABLE WILDERNESS RAFTING TRIP

Alaska offers some of the best wilderness rafting in the world and sometimes, you need more than a single day to experience it! This popular and affordable wilderness rafting trip is quick and easy and just over 1.5 days in duration. Stay one evening by the riverside with two half-days on the water.

There are two very different start options for this trip, depending on how much action and whitewater your group desires. The Matanuska River overnight raft trip starts at either our easy class II Glacier Float or the more intense class III -IV whitewater of the Lions Head section farther upstream. After the morning segment is complete, your group will have a guide-prepared lunch while the overnight gear is discussed, loaded, and rigged. Then your afternoon adventure continues on to your riverside campsite.

The Matanuska river is positioned between two of Alaska’s favorite mountain ranges, the Chugach and Talkeetna mountains. These towering monsters of rock pierce the sky as you drift through this ancient glacier path that once carved all the way to Anchorage. The Glacier ice has been splitting this alpine valley for thousands of years, leaving only the river floor behind as it receded back into its current location upstream. This valley faces east to west and collects incredible direct sunlight between the peaks of the Chugach mountains as the river travels on to the coast. Like all our multi-day trips, we provide all your camping gear! You will receive the best tent, sleeping bag, and ground pads for this environment. Feel free to bring your own equipment if preferred over ours. Explore and wander the endless river banks filled with tundra cotton, aspen trees and other wild flora and fauna. Enjoy a fresh-cooked dinner in front of the campfire and keep your eyes peeled for wildlife. The next day is leisurely, waking up revitalized to a cup of coffee and a hot breakfast. Afterwards relax with a float style cruise to the final take-out destination where lunch is then served. The take-out is roughly 12 miles downstream in the local town of Chickaloon, Alaska at the historical NOVA headquarters. This trip has easy access and transportation logistics making it very affordable and feasible. It’s a perfect trip for families and first timers! NOVA will provide you a complete itinerary, menu, and must-pack item list prior to trip check-in. We’ll bring you right back to your vehicle or have it shuttled for you after the final lunch on day two.

All whitewater and camping gear will be provided for you. NOVA will 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.

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:

Payment in full (excluding Glacier Park fee) is required at time of booking. Day trips receive a full refund for cancellations with 48 hours or more notice. If you cancel with 24-48 hours notice, you will receive a 50% refund. There is no refund for cancellations with less than 24 hours notice or no-shows. Multi-Day trips require a 7-day notice for a full refund. In the event NOVA cancels, you will receive a full refund of your payments. 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.

Local Alaskans with proof of State issued ID at tour check-in receive a 10% single discount off the individual tour price.

Make it a COMBO:  Book any two or more trips and enjoy a 10% discount on your entire adventure! Our popular Lions Head rafting and Matanuska Glacier Tour combo is a fantastic way to experience the best of both worlds in a single day.

Matanuska Overnighter 1.5 Days, RIVER TRIP UPDATES:

• NOVA is an advocate and steward for keeping wild places in Alaska wild. Please follow responsible travel and ‘leave no trace’ ethics when visiting these amazing places.
• NOVA tours operate regardless of most weather conditions, we go rain or shine in Alaska.
  Waterways and weather can sometimes be cold in Alaska. Please, dress appropriately or bring along some warm synthetic layers and socks for your tour comfort. Cotton layers are not preferred in cold environments or when wet.
• All standard river gear required for this tour is provided by NOVA including a pfd (personal floatation device), pair of water shoes, river helmet, and full dry-suit. The dry-suit is only a waterproof shell with no warm insulation, please bring your own warm comfortable layers for underneath the dry-suit. Once you are in the dry-suit restroom breaks are difficult to accommodate, please consider facilities pre-trip.