The Nahanni River is the most iconic river in Canada’s North. Flowing 550 Km in total, it snakes past the tallest peaks in the Mackenzie Mountains then plunges almost 100 m over Virginia Falls. Surrounded by a National Park in 1974 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978, the Nahanni’s incredible scenery, indigenous history and legendary whitewater paddling have made this Canada’s canoeing mecca. This 14 day expedition begins 125km upstream of Virginia Falls at Rabbitkettle Lake and provides an opportunity to experience almost everything that Nahanni National Park and the river have to offer including views of the Cirque of the Unclimbables, the Rabbitkettle tufamounds and the incredible canyons of the Nahanni River.
Your journey begins in the bustling city of Whitehorse, the capital of the Yukon, where you will meet CNA Staff, and the rest of your group for a quick orientation, before heading off on a beautiful drive along the fabled Alaska Highway to the small but quaint town of Watson Lake, where you will camp for the night. The next morning the journey begins by taking a spectacular flight over the Mackenzie Mountains & Ragged Range- the tallest mountains in the NWT- into the heart of Nahanni National Park . It is an absolute highlight of the trip! Upon arrival, the glacial blue water of Rabbitkettle Lake is framed by nameless valleys stretching off over the horizon. The thought that you are truly in the wilderness now becomes very real.
After setting up camp and enjoying the incredible view, a Nahanni Parks Staff will lead a hike to Rabbitkettle Tufa Mounds. This geological marvel is a terraced limestone feature created by the hot spring here over thousands of years. The next day, we complete a short portage to the river and set off on our journey downstream! Over the next 12 days, you will have the opportunity to see best of what Nahanni has to offer, from the towering Virginia Falls, to the deepest canyons in Canada, to hidden hotsprings and the big skies and braided channels of the lower river. Our certified and professional guides will make every effort to make this experience the trip of a lifetime. This trip has whitewater up to class 3, and therefore is not recommended for beginner paddlers unfamiliar with whitewater. However, if you are an adventurous spirit and a quick learner, we can certainly accommodate you- as there are 4 days of flatwater paddling to learn strokes and technique before the more difficult lower river starts. Contact us for more info!
Nahanni River / Broken Skull Webinar
