7 Day Nahanni Canyons Canoe or Raft Trip Itinerary: Virginia Falls to Nahanni Butte
Trip Details
We follow a 7-day route, travelling over 240 kilometres (150 miles) from Virginia Falls to Nahanni Butte. Over this course, the Nahanni River drops 396 metres (1300 feet), or almost 9 feet per mile.
For those with limited holiday time, this adventure allows you to experience the Nahanni’s Grand Canyons and many of the features for which the river is renowned.
Imagine the “land of the midnight sun”, a country of diverse land forms and new delights to the eye every day. Imagine rivers that flow through these lands in a sinuous manner, serving as a conveyer to move you from one delightful experience to the next. You will be accompanied by your knowledgeable guides who share their love for the area and with them you unfold the mysteries and experience the beauty of the north. You will wake up each morning in your well equipped camp, not knowing specifically what will happen but knowing it will be memorable and will inspire stories to tell your friends for years to come.
A Nahanni River Experience is truly the trip of a lifetime. The following 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 new departure regulation system of the Park, which works to ensure that all river travelers have the same wilderness experience.
Craft Type
Raft on all trips,
2-Person White Water Canoe: Please note that there is a $250.00 flight surcharge per person for a 2-Person Canoe if you are opting to canoe instead of rafting (we bring one inflatable canoe per group at no extra charge).
Explanation of Craft
2 Person Canoe – the traditional 16′ and 17′ canoe. Previous canoe experience is an asset. Physical fitness and comfort on moving water are important.
Raft – the safe and stable expedition raft is ideal for those who desire their hands free to photograph or to travel in a more relaxed fashion. The guide manoeuvres with oars and paddling is completely optional. Those who wish to be active will find ample opportunity to paddle.
Route Summary
Virginia Falls to Blackstone Landing, 7 river days:
approximately 240 km (150 miles) with an elevation drop of 396 m (1,300 ft)
Rendezvous Point
South Nahanni Airways, Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories
Participant Prerequisite
Raft – Beginners, (click for more info)
Canoe = Class III Whitewater (click for more info)
Intermediate paddler who is comfortable on class III whitewater. A willingness to learn and a fitness level suited to paddling from 3 to 7 hours per day. If unsure of your ability please call with any questions: 1-866-383-9453 or 416-746-7427.
A Word About River Ratings:
Physical requirements for river trips are generally modest, but can vary depending on the nature of the rapids (on some rivers, portages are necessary at times). Rivers are ranked according to the difficulty of their most severe rapids, and we’ve indicated the class of rapids for each river trip throughout the site.
Class 1: Easy flat water and mild waves. Some maneuvering may be required to navigate around log jams or sweepers.
Class 2: Standing waves up to 3′.
Class 3: Moderate waves and narrower channels due to obstructions such as rocks or gravel bars. Quick and accurate river reading is required with instinctive maneuvers orchestrated with a paddling partner.
Class 4: Expert whitewater canoeist (4 is considered to be the top extreme of canoe capability). Difficult, with narrow channels obstructed by rocks, steep and narrow drops.
Class 5: Possibility of overturning a raft. We always use caution and judicious safety measures and portage around anything that looks doubtful.
Our river guides are the best in the business and you can feel confident in their hands.
Expeditions Include
Guides, boats, local air charter & ground transportation as described in the itinerary, high quality: tents, paddles, lifejackets, waterproof pack and all meals while on the river.
Expeditions Do Not Include
Transportation to meeting point listed, personal clothing, sleeping bag and pad, guides gratuities, hotel accommodation and meals when off of the river or the $200 Park fee or GST (5 % Goods and Services Tax).
The following 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 new departure regulation system of the Park which works to ensure that all river travelers have the same wilderness experience.
DAY 1 – MAJESTIC MOUNTAIN & CANYON FLIGHT
This is the first date listed for the trip.
Your journey north from your home will be a refreshing departure. You will fly over the largest expanse of wilderness in the world with stunning views on cloudless days, pass through quieter and friendlier airports, and generally begin to immerse yourself in the wilderness experience that is about to unfold.
Your trip leader will meet you to transfer you to the float plane base (if you arrive prior, please make your way to your accommodation).
There will be a chance for last-minute questions concerning clothing, gear, packing, and other details. You will also have time to transfer your gear into our river bags. You can leave unrequired items at our base/warehouse.
After loading our gear into the aircraft we begin one of the major highlights of the adventure – the upriver flight. Flying over the majestic Nahanni Range and Ram Plateau, a visually stunning panorama unfolds in front of our eyes. 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 supper in camp at Virginia Falls (Náįlįcho), your guides will provide a further briefing with the techniques for living comfortably along the river. A short hike and last look at the stunning scenery before bed will remind you that you are in one of the most scenic places on the planet!
DAY 2 – VIRGINIA FALLS (NÁĮLĮCHO)
We will make the final portage around the falls. The trail is downhill and well-defined. You need to carry only what is comfortable for you. Everyone pitches in to carry what they can and we take as long as we need to complete the task. It is impossible to spend too much time at Virginia Falls! We will assemble the boats and, after a late shore lunch and briefing, we will embark in the late afternoon, on an exhilarating run through Painted Canyon, also known as Fourth Canyon. Camp is finally made for the evening below Wrigley Creek.
DAY 3 – CANYONS AND CHASMS
We drift past the confluence of the Flat River (Tu Naka Dé) and enter Third Canyon, the walls of which loom 1,200 metres above the river. We camp halfway through this canyon near The Gate (Tthetaehtłu ́ah). Those who wish may hike to the top of the canyon for a panoramic vista.
DAY 4 – DEADMEN VALLEY (DAHAEHTTH・Į)
Paddling through the Big Bend and Second Canyon and past Headless Creek we will find ourselves camped in the vicinity of Deadmen Valley (Dahaehtth’į). The view includes the Tlogotsho Plateau (Tł’ogotsho) and Prairie Creek (Tło Dehé) Canyon. It was here, on the shores of Headless Creek, that the bodies of the Mcleod brothers were found in 1905 and the legend of the Headless Valley was born. Downriver at Sheaf Creek, R. M. Patterson and his partner, Gordon Mathews, wintered over in 1928. Patterson later wrote Dangerous River, one of the most eloquent accounts of the early days on the river. Around the campfire, we will read from his book.
DAY 5 – CANYON KINGDOM
We start the day by challenging the big waves of George’s Riffle and enter First Canyon (Ala Tthe Zhíhgojʔa), the deepest of all the canyons. Camp will be made at Lafferty’s Riffle. You may choose to join a hike into Lafferty’s Canyon.
DAY 6 – KRAUS’ HOTSPRINGS (TUŁETSĘĘ)
After the waves of Lafferty’s Riffle, we take a quick dip in Kraus’ Hotsprings (Tułetsęę) before bidding farewell to the canyons and entering the braided channels of The Splits (Ndutah). 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.
DAY 7 – THE GREAT DENE WALL, VILLAGE OF NAHANNI BUTTE (TTHENÁÁGÓ) & LIARD RIVER FLIGHT
Stopping in the village we will have an opportunity to see this traditional community. Here we board a charter plane for our flight down the Liard Valley back to Fort Simpson. You will need to book accommodation for this final night in Fort Simpson. The group can meet for dinner at a restaurant in town for a final farewell meal and goodbye to your guides.
DAY 8 – HOMEWARD BOUND
This is the last date listed for your trip.
After a relaxing morning and time to look around the village of Fort Simpson (Lįįdłįį Ku ́e), 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 travelers 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 any event, we will have supper and find ourselves camped in Ft. Simpson or on the shores of the Nahanni. If we are required to overnight in Fort Simpson you are welcome to camp or take a hotel room. Please note that hotel costs and meals while in Fort Simpson are not included in the trip fee. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks are included from the pre-trip meeting until the final river meal. Any other meals off the river are your responsibility.
Please Note: Prices and Itineraries are subject to change with notice on the main web page. Once a booking is in place no price increases will be applied.
Booking and Payment: The booking requires a 30% deposit by Visa or Master Card with the balance due 60 days prior to trip departure.