rafting paddle
'Believe me, there is nothing- absolute nothing- half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats." - Wind in the Willows

Nahanni Canoeing


The Nahanni, a wilderness river of international recognition, is viewed by many as Canada's classic river trip. Its global significance and raw beauty has resulted in Nahanni being the first World Heritage Site honoured by UNESCO back in 1979.

   "One of Canada's 25 Trips of a Life Time"
     Explore Magazine - "Classic you must do."


Our journey on the Nahanni begins at the base of Virginia Falls. This magnificent cataract drops over 90m or twice the height of Niagara Falls. As we descend the Nahanni River, its tempo increases. A series of canyons, with some walls towering 1200m, offer unimaginable views, photo opportunities, and memories to last a lifetime. Locales, such as the Funeral and Headless Ranges in Deadmen’s Valley, have given rise to some of the north's best myths and legends. And just when you think that there couldn't be more that the Nahanni can offer, we will stop for a soak in the soothing 32°C waters of Kraus’ Hot Spring.

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Where the Nahanni meets the Liard River, it begins to slow as it meanders through a maze of gravel bars and islands. We will stop at Nahanni Butte for a tour of the historic native village located there, before ending our tour at Lindberg Landing.

The Nahanni offers great opportunities to observe wildlife as we navigate its corridor. Nahanni is home to Dall sheep, caribou, moose, bears, bald eagles and trumpeter swans.


Other Northern Adventures
Hike: Chilkoot Trail, Tuktut Nogait, Tombstone Range
Canoe: Pelly River, Teslin River, Wind River, Yukon River
Raft: Babine River, Tatshenshini River
Tour: Arctic Circle

nahanni

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nahanni

2010 D A T E S  and  C O S T


Origin: Fort Nelson, BC
Nahanni Canoeing Difficulty:Class 2/3

Virginia Falls 9 day Cost: Cdn: $3975 + $175 Nahanni Park Fees + 5% GST [Federal Tax]
Rabbitkettle Lake 15 day Cost: Cdn: $4725 + $175 Nahanni Park Fees + 5% GST [Federal Tax]

Click to Calculate Cost in your Currency


9 Days From Virginia Falls nahanni canoeing trip availability
June 19 - 27
 
July 3 -11
   
July 17 - 25
   
July 31 - Aug 8
   
Aug 14 -22
   

15 Days From Rabbitkettle Lake nahanni canoeing trip availability
June 27-July 11
 
 
July 11 - 25
   
July 25 - Aug. 8
   
Aug 8 - 22
   
Aug 22 - Sept 5
   

View 9 Day Nahanni Itinerary
View 15 Day Nahanni Itinerary
FAQ About River Canoeing
Questions? Email Us
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THE SEA TO SKY ADVANTAGE


NAHANNI RIVER 9 DAY ITINERARY

A complete itinerary along with maps, clothing and equipment list, will be issued upon registration.

Included:  Rafts, canoes, paddles, PFDs [life jacket], dry bags, wetsuits for canoeists, river boat shuttle from Nahanni Butte to Blackstone Landing, accommodation in Blackstone Landing at B&B, charter flight to Virginia Falls, camping fees, cooking gear, camp stoves, tents, meal preparations, meals/snacks/beverages on the expedition, tarps, major first aid supplies, emergency radio or satellite phone, and professional guides.

Excluded:  Air or road transportation to and from Fort Nelson, N.W.T.,hotel accommodations or restaurant meals in Fort Simpson, emergency evacuation or delays, return road transportation to Fort Nelson from Blackstone Landing, gratuities, and personal equipment.

Meals:  We will look after all meals while on the river. Our trip menu is well rounded, hearty and satisfying. The meals served and the time required to prepare them fit well into our daily routines. The fire and kitchen area usually become the social area for each campsite. We cook over wood fires with a pan and fire box and with propane stoves. We brings roll-o-tables and a stool for each person on the trip. Beer, wine and some liquors are supplied for a few of the meals. Our food is prepackaged meal by meal in plastic bags and then packed into canoe barrels, aluminum raft boxes and coolers. There is a significant amount of fresh food provided, especially for the first week. This allows us to provide some fresh meats, cheeses, lots of salads, vegetables and fruit. We baking with Dutch ovens for mail courses and desserts.

Day 0:  Arrival in Fort Nelson, BC

Day 1:  Van shuttle to Blackstone Landing.

Day 2:  Weather permitting, charter flight to Virginia Falls. We will camp at the falls the first night and will have time to explore and take photographs.

Day 3:  Following a safety talk, we load the rafts and begin our descent. Leaving the roar of the falls behind us, we will ride high on the waves through the Painted Canyon. The excitement continues with our passage through Figure Eight Rapids. We will find our camp close to the mouth of the Flat River.

Day 4-7:  We will canoe/float through the various canyons with high stone walls, open valleys, and scenic landscape that the Nahanni River has to offer. We will take short hikes to lookouts that present incredible scenic vistas. There will also be an opportunity to soak in the waters of Kraus' Hotsprings.

Day 8:  Following breakfast, we will continue on to Native village of Nahanni Butte. After a short visit we will continue downstream to Blackstone Landing.We will take out at Blackstone Landing and spend the evening in a rustic cabin at Lindberg’s Bed and Breakfast. We will celebrate our journey with showers, a bed, and wonderful meal.

Day 9:  After breakfast we will begin the trip home, either with the shuttle van to Fort Nelson or with your own transportation.

NAHANNI RIVER 15 DAY ITINERARY

A complete itinerary along with maps, clothing and equipment list, will be issued upon registration.

Included:  Rafts, canoes, paddles, PFDs [life jacket], dry bags, wetsuits for canoeists, river boat shuttle from Nahanni Butte to Blackstone Landing, accommodation in Blackstone Landing at B&B, charter flight to Virginia Falls, camping fees, cooking gear, camp stoves, tents, meal preparations, meals/snacks/beverages on the expedition, tarps, major first aid supplies, emergency radio or satellite phone, and professional guides.

Excluded:  Air or road transportation to and from Fort Nelson, N.W.T.,hotel accommodations or restaurant meals in Fort Simpson, emergency evacuation or delays, return road transportation to Fort Nelson from Blackstone Landing [cost $275 Cdn/US], gratuities, and personal equipment.

Meals:  We will look after all meals while on the river. Our trip menu is well rounded, hearty and satisfying. The meals served and the time required to prepare them fit well into our daily routines. The fire and kitchen area usually become the social area for each campsite. We cook over wood fires with a pan and fire box and with propane stoves. We brings roll-o-tables and a stool for each person on the trip. Beer, wine and some liquors are supplied for a few of the meals. Our food is prepackaged meal by meal in plastic bags and then packed into canoe barrels, aluminum raft boxes and coolers. There is a significant amount of fresh food provided, especially for the first week. This allows us to provide some fresh meats, cheeses, lots of salads, vegetables and fruit. We baking with Dutch ovens for mail courses and desserts.

Day 0:  Arrival in Fort Nelson, BC

Day 1:  Van shuttle to Blackstone Landing.

Day 2:  Charter flight to Rabbitkettle Lake over the spectacular Nahanni ranges. This will be our first camp on the Nahanni River.

Day 3-6:  We will take a hike with a Park Warden to Rabbit Kettle Hot Springs and Tufa Mounds. After the hike we will begin our journey to Virginia Falls. It is easy paddling and will give us time to practice the paddling technique for the swifter lower portion of the Nahanni.

Day 7:  Layover day at Virginia Falls. Good time to stretch the legs and do some photography from some great vantage points.

Day 8:  We will complete our portage around the Falls and reload our canoes. During the upcoming paddle we will explore the spectacular scenery of the lower Nahanni River. Beginning with Painted Canyon, so named because of it’s brightly coloured walls, you will experience the thrill of some whitewater.

Day 9:   We paddle through Third Canyon with its 1200 m canyon walls. An early camp will provide an option to hike to an imposing view of the river valley.

Day 10:   We finish paddling through Third Canyon and Second Canyon. The landscape changes as the valley opens and views of Tlgotsho Plateau appear in the distance.

Day 11:  After some early morning whitewater we enter First Canyon with its 1400m walls. A feature of this canyon are the many caves that dot its walls.

Day 12:  Folowing breakfast we head for Kraus' Hot Spring for a soothing dip. Back in our canoes we will leave the canyons behind and begin a 70 km run through a maze of islands.

Day 13:  We will reach the Liard River today and the native village of Nahanni Butte. We will have some time to visit.

Day 14:  Our final day of paddling. We will take out at Blackstone Landing and spend the evening in a rustic cabin at Lindberg’s Bed and Breakfast. We will celebrate our journey with showers, a bed, and wonderful meal.

Day 15:  After breakfast a van will return everyone to Fort Nelson to catch their flight home.


GENERAL

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BACKPACKING/HIKING EXPEDITIONS
Hiking Overview  |  Arctic Circle Tour | Canadian Rockies | Chilcotins | Chilkoot Trail | North Coast Trail Wilder West Coast Tombstones | Tuktut Nogait | West Coast Trail

BACKPACKING/HIKING EXPEDITIONS - PHOTO ESSAYS
Arctic Circle Tour | Canadian RockiesChilcotins - Wildflower Heaven |
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SEA KAYAKING EXPEDITIONS
Kayaking Overview | Georgian Bay | Nootka Sound | Orcas of Johnstone Strait | Pacific Otters of Nuchatlitz

SEA KAYAKING EXPEDITIONS - PHOTO ESSAYS
Georgian Bay Photo Essay  |  Nootka Sound | Orcas of Johnstone Strait Photo Essay  | Pacific Otters of Nuchatlitz

CANOEING EXPEDITIONS
Canoeing Overview |  Algonquin Park | Bowron Lakes | Nahanni River  | Pelly River | Teslin River | Wind River | Yukon River

CANOEING EXPEDITIONS - PHOTO ESSAYS
Algonquin Park  | Bowron Lakes  | Pelly River  | Teslin River  | Yukon River

RIVER RAFTING EXPEDITIONS
Raft Overview | Babine River | Nahanni River  | Tatshenshini River  | Tatshenshini River Photo Essay


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