Canoeing
Journey through some of the world's most spectacular geography. Your time on the river each day will vary, leaving plenty of time for other pursuits such as hiking, fishing, and photography.
Food
You can expect to eat as well or better than you do at home. You’ll be fed meal after meal of impossibly fresh food – pork tenderloin, tabouli, cheesecake, cinnamon rolls – all prepared with a portable camp kitchen and open fire.
River Camping
Camping on the river is one of the great joys of expedition rafting and canoeing. You’ll be miles away from crowded campgrounds—and the soothing sounds of the nearby river will lull you to sleep under the stars every night.
Wildlife
The North is rich with some of the most abundant and diverse plant and wildlife anywhere in the world. Our guides will do their best to point out animal “signs” such as tracks, scat, bear scratching posts, etc. as they come across them.
Overview
This 10 day canoe adventure begins with two nights of camping and a full day of exploration at Virginia Falls. Experience rarely explored viewpoints or take in the spectacular view from the summit of Sunblood Mountain. Your friendly and engaging guides ensure one on one canoe instruction before we begin our exploration of some of the Nahanni’s most spectacular landscapes and the traditional territory of the Naha Dene.
Drifting down river from Virginia Falls you become immersed in the ‘grand canyons’ of the Nahanni, Canada’s deepest canyon system. Our schedule has been refined over decades of service and hundreds of trips to provide a wilderness experience like no other. We’ll have time for two nights at the best campsites with additional hiking opportunities. On the river your guides will share their wealth of knowledge of the Nahanni’s history and point out wildlife. Each evening revel in the magic of the North as you soak in the scenery while your guides prepare and serve gourmet meals. This true wilderness adventure is the perfect introduction to expedition canoe travel and is sure to make memories that will last a lifetime.
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1 | Arrival Whitehorse, YT
You might opt to arrive one day earlier to spend time discovering all that Whitehorse has to offer. If you arrive on this date ensure you arrive by 12pm to attend a pre-departure meeting at 1pm where you will repack into your river bags.
There will be a chance for last minute questions concerning clothing, gear, packing and other details. After the meeting you will depart Whitehorse via charter flight to Inconnu Lodge on McEvoy Lake.
Dinner will be provided with expansive views of the lake and you will enjoy an evening getting to know your Trip Leader and your river companions.
We will enjoy one last night sleeping under a roof in the cosy cabins at Inconnu Lodge.
Day 2 | Majestic Mountain Flight
After breakfast at Inconnu Lodge (included) we begin one of the major highlights of the adventure– the flight into the South Nahanni watershed. You will fly over the majestic Vampire Peaks and the Ragged Range, home to the world renowned Cirque of the Unclimables and the highest peaks in the NWT. You want to be sure to have your camera on your lap! Past participants have stepped off the plane declaring that “if the trip finished now, I would have my money’s worth!”
Following lunch in camp at Virginia Falls, your guides will provide further briefing with the techniques for living comfortably along the river. The afternoon will be spent enjoying the stunning scenery around Virginia Falls.
After a delicious supper you’ll crawl into bed knowing that you are in one of the most scenic places on the planet!
Day 3 | Virginia Falls (NÁĮLĮCHO)
This is a day for exploring and photographing the area around Virginia Falls, nearly twice the height of Niagara. The vast expanse of the falls captivates photographers and hikers with a tireless display of powerful drama.
Time permitting, keen and fit hikers may undertake an all-day expedition to the top of Sunblood Mountain for an excellent view of the surrounding area. Others can enjoy exploring the expansive area overlooking the brink of the falls.
Your guides will lead a canoe skills session where everyone will receive one-on-one canoe instruction.
Day 4 | Painted Canyon
After breakfast your guides will complete the portage of camp equipment. Participants are asked to portage their own pack 2 km to the “put in” below the Falls. Most of this portage is on a board walk and down hill. Lunch is served on the cobble beach below the Falls.
Following a safety talk, we load the rafts/canoes and begin our descent. Leaving the roar of the Falls behind us, we will ride high on the waves through the Painted Canyon (Fourth Canyon). The excitement continues with our passage through Figure Eight Rapids. We will find our camp close to the mouth of the Flat River. Throughout your journey, our knowledgeable guides will be sharing cultural and ecological interpretation, allowing you to immerse yourself in the Nahanni culture.
Day 4 | The Gate & Pulpit Rock
We drift past the confluence of the Flat River and then enter Third Canyon, the walls of which loom 1,200 metre above our heads. This 40-kilometre canyon is created by the river slicing through the mixed strata of shales, sandstones and limestones of the Funeral Range.
We camp halfway through this canyon near The Gate, a 100 metre-wide gorge where the walls tower 460 metre above us. At the end of the day, you can sit back and enjoy the scenery in the comforts that are the hallmark of our journeys.
Day 5 | Deadmen Valley (DAHAEHTTH’Į)
In the morning we do a short hike to the top of The Gate and are awarded a magnificent view of Third Canyon and Pulpit Rock. We then move on through Second Canyon and to the top of Deadmen Valley-know for its legends and mystery. This spectacular open valley offers numerous camping and exploratory options.
Day 6 | Into the Canyon Kingdom
After drifting by Headless Creek, we continue on to Sheaf Creek. Here R.M. Patterson and his partner Gordon Matthews wintered in 1928. We will then scout the rapids of George’s Riffle. These big waves are at the western entrance to First Canyon. Following an exciting run through George’s Riffle, we drift between the sky-high walls of First Canyon which reach heights of over 1400 m. This 26 km canyon will lead us to Lafferty’s Canyon, a side canyon which joins the Nahanni on its east side.
Day 7 | Lafferty Canyon
We often take a second layover here and spend the day exploring chasms and pools which dot the canyons floor.
Day 8 | Kraus' Hotsprings (TUŁETSĘĘ)
After the waves of Lafferty’s Riffle, we take a quick dip in Kraus’ Hot Springs before bidding farewell to the canyons and entering the braided channels of The Splits. Here a broad valley is revealed and the surrounding mountains, ridge piled upon ridge, form a dramatic contrast to the enclosure of the canyons. Lush boreal forest bordered by steep ridges form a “storybook” setting and provide a sanctuary to moose and bison.
Day 9| Great Dene Wall & Nahanni Butte (TTHENÁÁGÓ)
Stopping in the village we will have an opportunity to see this traditional community (population approx. 120). We will then board an awaiting aircraft for a flight down the Liard river to Fort Simpson. This flight allows you to maximise your time in the Nahanni’s canyons, another way we ensure the best value for your expedition. You will need to book accommodation for this final night in Fort Simpson. The group can meet for dinner (not included) at a restaurant in town for a final farewell meal and goodbye to your guides.
Day 10 | End of Adventure
After a relaxing morning you will be transported to the Fort Simpson airport. From there you will board your homeward plane with a load of fond memories and a relaxed and renewed spirit.
PLEASE NOTE:
The above is a tentative agenda and has been designed with much thought to capitalize on the most scenic and exciting parts of the river while making time on other sections. Your guides will adjust the schedule to make the best use of river and weather conditions. We adhere to the departure regulation system of the Park which works to ensure that all river travellers have the same wilderness experience. Under certain conditions (weather, forest fire, plane availability and upriver conditions), it may be necessary to make our upriver flight soon after arrival. On the other hand, we have occasionally found ourselves waiting for safe flying conditions. In the event of a delay, we will enjoy the stunning scenery of McEvoy Lake and the comforts of Inconnu Lodge until we are able to safely depart for the river.
Meals and snacks are included from arrival at Inconnu Lodge until lunch on the final river day.
Gallery
All images courtesy of © Nahanni River Adventures
