Retreat Overview

Yoga & Ayurveda regard water as the element that “holds & houses emotion.”  Recall the feelings of calm if you’ve ever sat beside a still lake or meditation pond… or being invigorated & excited hiking up to a raging waterfall… or paddling down a river that requires your full attention. Water is incredibly healing- spending time in, on, near or around it quiets the mind & connects us with the present moment.

This 4 day retreat combines time on water each day, learning or refining our packraft skills, daily yoga & meditation sessions with 2 nights of lakeside accommodation & an overnight wilderness river trip.

Part 1: Adventure by Day, Luxury by Night

Where we’re staying: Susitna Adventure Lodge, milepost 77 Denali Highway

August 8-10th (2 nights)

With its towering peaks, sprawling tundras, shimmering lakes, and  abundant wildlife, Alaska’s untamed wilderness beckons adventurers from across the globe.

Alaska offers a stunning array of experiences, but the private, all-inclusive,  Susitna Adventure Lodge stands out among the rest for its perfect blend of  authentic, outdoor Alaskan adventure by day and luxurious comfort by  night.

Nestled amongst two small lakes and surrounded by majestic mountain  peaks, the Susitna Adventure Lodge is an adventure haven located along  the rugged and scenic Denali Highway.

The Lodge is tailor-made for families and small groups craving private, unforgettable winter or summer adventures exploring the untamed beauty of the Alaska Range.

After a day of adventuring, the Lodge is a luxurious retreat complete with all the modern amenities.

The Susitna Adventure Lodge is also home to the sled dogs of Squid Acres Kennel, owned by veteran Iditarod and Yukon Quest mushers, Paige Drobny and Cody Strathe. Visits and hikes with the dogs are often the  guests favorite experience. Guests can even learn how to mush their own dog team.  (please inquire, this is an extra cost)

Discover a place deep in the heart of the Alaska Range that offers both a wild and wildly comfortable experience that you’ll treasure for a lifetime.

Part 2: Unplug & Experience Wild Alaska

Where we’re staying: Wilderness tent camping, Maclaren River milepost 34 Denali Highway

August 10-11th (1 night)

We’ll pack up & depart the Lodge after morning meditation on August 10th, driving an hour to the Maclaren River, where Jule’s buddy “Captain Zack” awaits with his motorized air boat.  We embark on a thrilling 1 hr scenic tour up the Maclaren river, bringing everything we need with us for a night in the wilderness: camping gear, food & packrafts for the following day's river journey.

After we say goodbye to Zack, we’ll set up camp- the day’s adventure awaits!  We have the option to hike up to the glacial lake, bringing packrafts & paddling among the icebergs, or going for an alternate hike.  That evening we’ll make our last meal as a community around a bonfire, before the sounds of the river’s current sing us to sleep.  Our last day together the REAL adventure awaits: we pack up our gear into the packrafts & paddle merrily merrily downstream back to the highway; approx 4 hours.

After de-issuing gear & saying our goodbyes, we'll namaste each other & depart ways...."until next time"

Alaska Packraft School Terms & Conditions

August 8th:

(Lunch on your own)

12-1pm: Arrive at Susitna Adventure Lodge on Denali Hwy.

1:30pm: Meet & Greet, group introduction & week outline

2-3pm: Yoga & Meditation

4-7pm: Intro to Packrafting & Gear (Lodge Lake)

7:30pm: Dinner

9:30pm: Evening breakwork & meditation

Friday, August 8th:

7:30-8:45am: Yoga & Meditation

9am: Breakfast

11am: Depart for the days class I/II packraft adventure on the Susitna River. A short hike leads us to our put-in. We'll navigate a low volume clear water creek before refining our boat control on the higher volume, fast & scenic Big Susitna River. We will have lunch at our put-in while reviewing river mechanics & moving water safety.

6-7pm: Return to lodge for dinner

9pm: Evening breathwork & meditation

Saturday, August 9th:

7-7:30am: Meditation

8am: Breakfast

8:30am: Check out of lodge & depart for MacLaren River wilderness overnight. It's about an hour drive to the MacLaren River Lodge, where we'll leave our vehicles overnight.

9:30/10:30am: Meet Captain Zack for our watertaxi at MacLaren River Lodge. After our scenic motor boat ride up towards the glacial lake, we'll set up our basecamp where the East Fork MacLaren meets the main MacLaren. After lunch, we'll hike 2-3 miles (with our packraft gear) up to the glacial & explore before floating 2 miles back to camp.

7pm: Dinner & fire on the river! Before bed, we'll do some gentle stretching & evening meditation.

Sunday August 10th:

7-7:30am: Yoga & Meditation (weather depending)

8am: Breakfast

After breakfast, we'll pack up camp & start our 13 mile class II packraft voyage down the MacLaren River. We'll paddle with only our day gear, as Captain Zack will shuttle our gear back to the MacLaren River Lodge. (lunch on the river)

4-5pm: Arrive back at MacLaren River lodge, de-issue packraft gear before departing.