6-Day “Heart of the Nahanni River”

Looking to experience the wonders of the Nahanni, But pressed for time? This expedition takes you to the heart of Nahanni National Park where you will paddle past dazzling mountain ranges, experience the Tufa Mounds at Rabbitkettle Lake and finish the trip at Náįlįcho (Virginia Falls). 6 days allows for some time to hike and explore the surrounding landscape, finding what secrets the Nahanni may hold up its hidden valleys. This stretch of the Nahanni is calm and relaxing, and ending your journey at thundering Virginia Falls and experiencing their magic without having to make the 1.5km portage around them and face the class 2-3 rapids downstream make this a perfect trip for people of all skill levels to join a wilderness experience like nowhere else on earth.

Flatwater Upper Nahanni

Dream of paddling the Nahanni River, but worried about the whitewater? This 11-day itinerary offers a fantastic “stress free” version of the Nahanni River experience. Paddle from the breathtakingly beautiful “Honeymoon Lake” through the rugged Ragged Range, the tallest mountains in the NWT, all the way to Virginia Falls. This section of the Nahanni features gentle current with only a handful of manageable class 2 rapids to navigate. Put your feet up and relax as the Nahanni River pulls you along through a spectacular montane wilderness like almost nowhere else on earth.

Keele River

Without a doubt, paddling the Keele River is a world-class adventure. A Canadian Signature Experience, its turquoise waters wind their way 310 km through the towering Mackenzie Mountains and some of the most remote and pristine wilderness left on the planet. The river is fast but fun and friendly, with exciting but manageable whitewater and no portages. Jaw-dropping spectacular scenery, superb fly-fishing, hiking opportunities and excellent wildlife viewing make this trip one of our favorite mountain rivers, and our most popular expedition. The Keele River is suitable for novice to intermediate paddlers, but more skilled paddlers will still have lots to enjoy!

14-Day Nahanni Classic

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.

Mountain River

With six stunning canyons, the Mountain River is considered the most coveted whitewater canoe trip in Canada by seasoned river-guides. Its remote setting and lightning fast water with jaw-dropping mountain scenery will thrill you right to the confluence with the Mackenzie River. The canyons are defined by vaulted sheer cliff walls guarded by mysterious “gates” and challenging white-water suitable for intermediate or advanced canoeists.

10 Day Scenic Nahanni Rafting

The South Nahanni River is a Canadian Icon. Flowing through its namesake Nahanni National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the river plunges almost 100 meters over Majestic Virginia Falls before carving its way through 4 incredible canyons filled to the brim with adventure. Enjoy the ride downstream relaxing in a raft, while one of our certified and experienced guides expertly pilots you down the mighty Nahanni.  There is no paddling experience necessary, as Rafts provide an extremely stable platform for your adventure downriver and allow for first timers and experienced paddlers alike to enjoy an experience together without stress and to truly feel the wilderness around them. Please note that the earlier season trips tend to have higher water and bigger whitewater- and therefore bigger splashes- than later season raft trips.

12-Day Broken Skull River

A tributary of the fabled Nahanni River, the Broken Skull River takes everything that has made the Nahanni River famous and ups the ante again. Beautiful mountain scenery, pristine wilderness, fun whitewater, steaming hot springs, ancient tufa mounds and stunning canyons.

Upper Horton River

The Horton River is the most northerly flowing river in mainland Canada. Its source at Horton Lake is located 80 miles north of Great Bear Lake in an area surrounded by vast rolling tundra plains. The Upper Horton is perfect for novice, intermediate or vintage canoeists with smooth steady current, crystal clear water and a few easy rapids for extra fun. The river’s most outstanding features are the ancient cliffs with towering eagle nests and the many opportunities to see falcons, eagles, caribou, wolves, muskoxen and grizzly bears. The Upper Horton also has superb lake trout, arctic char and grayling fishing. Can be combined with the Lower Horton River for an epic 25 day adventure!

Yukon River

Relaxed paddling on smooth current from Pelly Farm to Dawson City on the Pelly and Yukon Rivers takes us through a remarkable region full of the lore of the Klondike Goldrush captured so perfectly in the poetic words by Robert Service and the yarns of Jack London. This time of year offers summery night skies and perhaps our first glimpse of the magical and elusive Aurora Borealis. Novice, intermediate or vintage paddlers can step back through time on this historic, wilderness adventure capped off by a final paddle into Dawson City – our favourite frontier town!

Coppermine River

A Canadian Heritage River, the Coppermine is steeped in ancient history of the early Copper Inuit and the more recent history and lore of explorers George Douglas, Samuel Hearn and John Franklin. The Coppermine flows northwesterly from the central territories through stunted taiga forest, rolling tundra plateaus and rugged granite cliffs at Rocky Defile. The historic Sandstone, Muskox and Escape Rapids are big volume rapids demanding both caution and expertise by intermediate or advanced canoeists.

11 Day Nahanni Canyons Adventure

The South Nahanni River is a Canadian Icon. Flowing through its namesake Nahanni National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the river plunges almost 100 meters over majestic Virginia Falls before carving its way through 4 incredible canyons filled to the brim with adventure. Towering canyon walls soar as you canoe through this incredible untouched landscape. This trip, beginning at Virginia Falls, is perfect for those who want to revel and explore all of the hidden secrets of the Nahanni River’s canyons at a slower pace than our 14 day expedition, which is also 100km longer starting at Rabbitkettle Lake.

Lower Horton River

The Horton River is the most northerly flowing river in mainland Canada. The floatplane lands at Whaleman River which is located exactly at the half-way point of this 600km long river. Some members of the Upper Horton group may join at this point to paddle to the coast. The open tundra is dotted with dwarfed black spruce trees. Three limestone canyons with technical whitewater present a challenge to intermediate canoeists.  Advanced Canoeists will also enjoy the thrills of the whitewater in the canyons. Herds of muskoxen and caribou are often seen in this region along with arctic wolf-packs and lone grizzly bears. Can be combined with the Upper Horton River trip.

Snake River*

The Snake is a pristine tributary of the Yukon’s Peel River watershed flowing due north along the Northwest Territories border on the Continental Divide. This classic northern river boasts abundant wildlife, alpine hiking, magnificent scenery and miles of challenging but fun, runnable rapids ideal for intermediate canoeists.

Natla River

The breathtaking flight through the Mackenzie Mountains to O’Grady Lake sets the stage for an awesome whitewater adventure on the Natla River, a major tributary of the Keele River. The surrounding peaks are shrouded with hanging glaciers – these ranges offer challenging climbs for hiking enthusiasts. As you exit O’Grady Lake, the Natla picks up speed and offers intermediate or advanced canoeists challenging rapids with tight lines and technical rock-gardens.

Upper Anderson River

Are your ready to explore and experience a pristine and untouched wilderness landscape? The Upper Anderson offers a fantastic whitewater tundra experience unlike any other. Flowing deep into the barren lands of the NWT, the Anderson River creates an arctic oasis that is teeming with life. Opportunities to see Caribou, Muskoxen and a vast array of bird life abound; not to mention the world class fishing for Inconnu,  Whitefish, Lake Trout and Arctic Grayling.

Iceland Circumnavigation 2023

Jaw-dropping scenery, mind-blowing volcanic geology, and fantastic wildlife sightings await in Iceland. Join hosts Lin Ward and Beth Grant and our Canoe North Adventures group on this popular Adventure Canada small-vessel cruise in the summer of 2023. We have qualified for a 5% discount off the brochure price so get in touch with us for more information! Limited Availability!

Greenland & Wild Labrador 2024

Join us on this amazing Adventure Canada small-vessel cruise from Sondre Stromfjord in Greenland all the way to St. John’s, NL.  We hosted a group in 2018 and it was unforgettable! 15% Early Booking Bonus until May 31, 2023. Free single supplements available!

Banner Image by Dennis Minty

Journey to the Circle – Antarctica 2024

To set foot on the continent of Antarctica is a rare privilege only a few can claim. Join Canoe North Adventures hosts Lin Ward and Al Pace on this Adventure Canada small-vessel cruise. More details coming soon!

No-obligation preregistrations are now being accepted.

Custom Trips

Over the years Canoe North has provided many personalized expeditions for Families, Camps, Independent Schools, Corporate Groups and Close Friends. Our world-class Outfitting Centre and Lodge provides Canoe North groups a unique advantage and home base for pre-trip preparations and training.