Participants should be prepared for two weeks of wilderness camping which will require you to be in good health, reasonably physically fit and a confident swimmer. You should be able to portage personal and group gear for 2 km around Virginia Falls. Participants should be comfortable paddling tandem. Moving water experience is an asset. Once on the trip, our guides are excellent instructors and are able to assist you in developing your skills.
Start/Finish: Rabbitkettle Lake to Lindberg Landing
Length: 15 days (13 river days)
Distance: 375 km (235 miles)
Elevation Loss: 443 m (1440 ft)
Skill Level: Intermediate.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: Participants flying into Fort Nelson by commercial airline or driving to Blackstone Territorial Park can arrive on day 1 of the itinerary. Van shuttle to Blackstone Territorial Park.
Day 2: Charter flight to Rabbitkettle Lake or Gravel Bar. (weather permitting) This breathtaking flight takes us over the spectacular Nahanni ranges to Rabbitkettle Lake. The picturesque scenery provides a delightful venue for our first camp on the Nahanni River.
Days 3-6: Planned activities include an interpretive hike, guided by a Nahanni National Park warden, to explore Rabbitkettle Hot Springs and Tufa Mounds. We then begin down river canoing to Virginia Falls. On the Nahanni River our trip continues with a few days of easy paddling which provides a good opportunity for refining canoing skills. This section of the river is dominated by U -shaped valleys which were scoured out by advancing cordilleran glaciers thousands of years ago. We paddle 120 km (72 mi.) on the smooth flowing water to Virginia Falls where we arrive on day 6.
Day 7: Everyone will appreciate a rest day at Virginia Falls. At over 90 m (300 ft.) Virginia Falls is twice the height of Niagara, and is the spectacular centerpiece of Nahanni National Park. The options for these days are many - you can lounge in the group camp area, explore the Falls with your camera, or strike off on an invigorating hike to the grassy summit of Sunblood Mountain. Virginia Falls is a fascinating place to discover.
Day 8: Following our layover day, we complete the 2 km portage around the Falls and reload our canoes. For the following week we will immerse ourselves in the spectacular scenery of the lower Nahanni River. The lower Nahanni is canyon country and is often described as the Grand Canyon of the North. Beginning with Painted Canyon, so named because of its brightly colored walls, you will experience the thrill and excitement of this whitewater section. On this night we will camp in the vicinity of the confluence with the Flat River.
Day 9: Downstream we enter Third Canyon with its imposing 1200 m walls formed as the Nahanni has carved its way through the Funeral Range. We will camp in the shadow of the Gate; where the river has sliced a narrow chasm on the apex of a hairpin meander. An optional hike to the top of the Gate presents magnificent views of the river valley with imposing Pulpit Rock 460 m below.
Day 10: Today finds us completing the 35 km Third Canyon and continuing on through 2nd Canyon, (15 km) where the Nahanni has carved its route through the Headless Range and into Deadmen Valley. This valley is known for its legend and mystery made famous by the mysterious deaths of the McLeod Brothers. Here the vista is noticeably different, as the valley opens up, with distant views of the Tlgotsho Plateau. Deadmen Valley offers an abundance of exploratory options. The massive Prairie Creek alluvial fan provides excellent camping, hiking and wildlife observations.
Days 11-12: We start the morning with a run through the exhilarating waves of George's Riffle and on into First Canyon. The imposing walls of First Canyon reach heights of over 1400 m. Groups often drift the length of this magnificent 26 km canyon, immersed in its splendor. The canyon walls are dotted with hundreds of caves. Close to its exit we will camp for the night at Lafferty's Canyon, with good hiking opportunities for a layover on day 12.
Day 13: Following breakfast, it's down to Kraus' Hot Spring for a soothing dip in its 32 C plus waters. From here we bid farewell to the canyons and make our way to the Nahanni's Splits, a 70 km run through a maze of islands.
Day 14: We reach the confluence of the Nahanni and the Liard Rivers and arrive at the Native village of Nahanni Butte (Population approximately 100). Remote, yet surprisingly modern, a stroll into town provides insight into a culture entering the technological age. We will pick our river taxi here and make short work of the slow moving Liard River. Our ride will bring us to Lindberg's Bed and Breakfast with hot showers, delicious meals and the trip end celebration awaits. This night we will enjoy a bed in one of Lindberg's rustic log cabins.
Day 15: After breakfast we will begin the trip home, either with the shuttle van to Fort Nelson or with your own transportation.
Price Includes:
- Full information package
- Nahanni National Park Licensed lead guide
- 6:1 ratio of participants to guides
- Maximum group size is 14 including guides
- Charter flight to Rabbitkettle Lake
- Nutritious and hearty camp meals
- Beer/wine and liqueurs with some meals
- 17 and 16 ft. canoes with full spray covers
- All necessary kitchen and group camp equipment, including folding chairs and tables
- Deluxe Mountain Hardware free-standing tents
- A dry pack with shoulder straps large enough for all your personal items
- First aid and other safety equipment
- Farmer John/Jane wet suits for canoeists.
- River taxi from Nahanni Butte to Lindberg Landing
- Trip end celebration at Lindberg's Bed and Breakfast (includes hot showers, rustic log cabin accommodation, dinner, and breakfast, not to mention the Lindberg's famous Northern hospitality)
- Baggage charges and freight for rafts/canoes, group equipment and food
- Souvenir t-shirt, map booklet and NNP-R interpretive guide.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Excludes:
- Air or road transportation to and from Fort Nelson, BC
- Hotel accommodations or restaurant meals in Fort Nelson (we can make reservations for you if desired)
- Coverage for additional expenses incurred as a result of an emergency evacuation or delays
- Nahanni National Park Fee ($ 175).
Also see tour packages in:
Canada
Northwest Territories
British Columbia
Outdoor: Water Drifter
Canoeing/Kayaking/Rafting
Camping
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