Flightseeing and paddling means an action-packed Alaska adventure
Heli Packrafting
Starting at $1299 per person
Packrafting is one of the most adventurous ways to experience Alaska. Our helicopter packrafting excursion offers all the fun of launching and floating the water, without the bushwhacking. This epic adventure is an experience you’ll never forget!
All Tours Begin in Palmer, Alaska
A beautiful 45-minute drive from Anchorage.
Need Transportation from Anchorage?
Outbound Heli offers round trip transportation from Anchorage, so give us a call and we’ll arrange it for you.
Half Day: 3.5 Hours
Full Day: 5.5 to 8 Hours
Summer Only
May 30 – August 31st
Moderate to Challenging
See tour descriptions below*
Highlights Of This Adventure
Fly over dramatic glacial terrain
then embark on a paddling adventure!
a Bucketlist Experience
Packrafting is a sport that fully embodies the adventurous spirit of Alaska, and happens to have been invented right here in the state to more fully access the state’s more remote mountains and waterways. While these single-person crafts have evolved over the years, they remain one of the most intimate modes of travel in Alaska’s backcountry.
Your day starts out with a helicopter flight over snow-capped mountain peaks, braided rivers, and glacier valleys. You’ll have an eagle-eye view of iceberg-filled lakes, plunging waterfalls, and the unique wilderness of Alaska!
After landing, your adventure guide will introduce you to the exciting world of packrafting! You will be outfitted with all necessary equipment and receive instruction on water safety and effective paddling techniques of your craft. Each person will then board their personal packraft and set off to explore the river!
While paddling keep an eye out for Dall sheep, spawning salmon, bears, and moose.
This helicopter and paddling adventure is an experience you’ll never forget!
Three excursions to choose from: Which will you pick?
Book Your Heli Packrafting:
Half Day Pack rafting – 3.5 hours
This scenic half day float is a perfect introduction to packrafting, and does not include any whitewater sections or technical paddling.
This excursion allows for approximately 30 minutes of flight time, with an eagle-eye view of glacier lakes, towering waterfalls and the snowy peaks of the Chugach Mountains.
Land along the river’s edge and let adventure guides introduce you to the world of packrafting! Guides will equip you with all the necessary equipment and instruct you on the basic paddling techniques, and then board your personal packraft and set off down the Knik River. As we float downstream, we’ll keep an eye out for Dall sheep, spawning salmon, bears, and moose. After three hours of paddling, we will arrive at the historic Knik River Bridge before a rendezvous with the Outbound shuttle vehicle and heading back to base camp.
Half-Day Packrafting Requirements:
Full Day Pack rafting – 5.5 hours
Join us for a guided packrafting trip down the Knik River and experience Alaska at its finest. This scenic full-day float is a perfect introduction to the sport for beginners and does not include any whitewater or technical paddling.
This excursion allows for 40 minutes of unforgettable flight time. You’ll have an eagle-eye view of glacial lakes, plunging waterfalls, and the snow-capped peaks of the Chugach Mountains.
Land on the shore of Knik Glacier’s iceberg-filled lake, where adventure guides will introduce you to packrafting and equip you with all the necessary equipment for a safe and fun experience. After a lesson in basic paddling techniques, climb into your raft and head down the Knik River. As we float downstream, watch for Dall sheep, spawning salmon, bears, and moose. After six hours of paddling, we’ll meet the Outbound Heli shuttle vehicle at the historic Knik River Bridge and return to base camp.
Full Day Packrafting Requirements:
Whitewater Packrafting – 8+ hours
A helicopter and whitewater-packrafting expedition is the most exciting adventure offered by Outbound Heli. Join us for an epic guided whitewater trip down a remote, glacier-fed canyon on this all-day trip! This adventure includes Class III whitewater, so all participants must possess some whitewater paddling experience.
Begin the day by flying over area glaciers and snow-capped mountain peaks of the Chugach Mountains. The helicopter travels to a remote destination that would have taken weeks to reach on foot, making the journey itself unforgettable!!
Land next to an iceberg-filled lake and prepare for a true Alaska whitewater experience, with Class III whitewater rapids flowing straight out of the lake. This run is fast and cold, but we’ll have plenty of opportunities to watch for bears, mountain goats, Dall sheep, and moose. After our run, we’ll get picked up by the helicopter and fly back to base camp.
Full Day Whitewater Packrafting Requirements:
What to bring on your packrafting adventure:
PROVIDED ON PACKRAFTING TRIPS:
ready to Book with Outbound Heli Adventures?
Important Details
The flight adventure of a lifetime
What Past Customers are saying
“The adventure of a lifetime”
“My husband and I used Outbound Heli for our glacier elopement and truly had the adventure of a lifetime. From our very first conversation to the final goodbyes after we returned from our tour, their team was incredibly attentive, personable, and didn’t overlook a single detail.
It was the most special day ever, and Outbound Heli played such a huge role in making it that way. We cannot recommend them enough!”
– kelley
“Exceeded every expectation”
“Our family had the absolute best experience with Outbound Heli! We were a group of 2 adults and 4 kids (ages 3–8), and it exceeded every expectation.
The entire experience was the perfect balance of informative and laid-back. We never felt rushed and truly got to soak in every moment. It was one of the most memorable experiences our family has ever had, and we’re so grateful to Cedric, Rigel, and the entire Outbound Heli team for giving us a once-in-a-lifetime adventure we’ll never forget.”
– stephanie
“Cannot recommend enough”
“I came to Alaska for work and added this on last minute. What a mistake it would have been to miss this…omg. Cannot recommend enough.
Christine was our pilot and wow! She’s simply amazing. Super knowledgeable, helpful, incredibly kind, patient.
The views are a can’t-miss, once-in-a-lifetime experience.
– Katlyn
some things we’re proud of
Images From Packrafting Adventures
Beautiful views & an unforgettable exhilarating experience
