Nahanni Canyons from Virginia Falls - 12 Days
Whitewater Rafting in Canada with Canadian River Expeditions / Nahanni River Expeditions
Highlights
- Visit the world’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Nahanni River
- Experience majestic Virginia Falls, nearly twice the height of Niagara Falls
- Hard-working, well-trained, and knowledgeable wilderness and whitewater guides
Full Description
This Nahanni River adventure allows you to experience the Nahanni's "Grand Canyons" and many of the features for which this historic river is renowned. Our Nahanni River twelve day trip covers the same distance as our seven day trip but allows more time for additional hiking and exploring as well as savoring the beauty of the Nahanni Valley area because... why rush if you don't have to?
On our Nahanni River rafting and canoeing trips, we travel over eleven river days down 240 km (150 miles) of the Nahanni from Virginia Falls to Blackstone Landing. Over this course, the Nahanni descends with an elevation drop of 396 m (1,300 ft) or almost 9 feet per mile.
Craft Description: Raft - Raft on all trips, On certain selected trips you may opt for 2-Person Canoe, or Voyageur canoe combination (please check prerequisites).
Prerequisites: Rafting : None, beginners welcome. Canoeing: Class III whitewater experience
Includes:
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner as noted in the itinerary
- Top-quality tents, river gear or sea kayaks
- Kitchen and camping equipment
- Bush plane transportation
Excludes:
- Personal items such as sleeping bag, clothing, etc.
- River footwear, rain jacket and pants (available for rent)
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: Majestic Mountain & Canyon Flight
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, meet friendlier and less harried service personnel and generally begin to immerse yourself in the wilderness experience that is about to unfold.
Your trip leader will meet you at the airport (if you arrive prior, please make your way to your accommodation). After loading our supplies and 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. Past participants have stepped off the plane declaring that "if the trip finished now, I would have my moneys worth!"
Please note-that 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 our selves camped in Ft. Simpson or on the shores of the Nahanni. (D)
Day 2: Virginia Falls
This is a day for exploring and photographing the area around Virginia Falls, nearly twice the height of Niagara. The vast expanse of the Falls captivates photographers and hikers with a tireless display of powerful drama. Keen and fit hikers may undertake an all-day expedition to the top of Sunblood Mountain for an excellent view of the surrounding area. Others can enjoy exploring the expansive area overlooking the brink of the falls. (B/L/D)
Day 3: Painted Canyon
We will make the final portage around the falls. The trail is downhill and well defined. You need 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. The final challenge for the day will be Figure 8 Rapids (Hell's Gate). Camp is finally made for the evening below Wrigley Creek. (B/L/D)
Day 4: The Gate
We drift past the confluence of the Flat River and then enter Third Canyon, the walls of which loom 1200 m above our heads. This 20 km canyon is created by the river slicing through the mixed strata of shales, sandstones and limestones of the Funeral Range. We camp halfway through this canyon near The Gate, a 100 m wide gorge where the walls tower 460 m above us. (B/L/D)
Day 5: Big Bend
In the morning we do a short hike to the top of The Gate and are awarded a magnificent view of Third Canyon and Pulpit Rock. After lunch it's back in the canoes and on through Third Canyon to camp at Big Bend. (B/L/D)
Day 6: Deadman Valley
On through Second Canyon and into Deadmen Valley, where we will stop for a spectacular 2-hour walk up a dry creek bed for an overview of this immense region. After drifting by Headless Creek, we continue on to Sheaf Creek. Here R. M. Patterson and his partner Gordon Mathews wintered in 1928. We will camp for the night at Dead Man Valley. (B/L/D)
Day 7: Prairie Creek
This may be selected by the trip guide as a lay-over day. If so you can spend a relaxing day around camp or exploring the massive alluvial fan of Prairie Creek. For birders it is the nesting grounds for upland sand pipers, common nighthawks, white winged crossbills, chipping and savanna sparrows. Fishermen will find both bull trout and Arctic grayling inhabiting the pools and eddies of the creek. (B/L/D)
Day 8: Into the Canyon Kingdom
We start the day with a short hike up Dry Canyon, followed by the big waves of George's Riffle. These rapids are at the western entrance to First Canyon. We will camp near its end at Lafferty Creek. (B/L/D)
Day 9: Lafferty Canyon
We spend the day hiking up Lafferty Creek canyon to view some of the hundreds of caves in the area. (B/L/D)
Day 10: Kraus Hotsprings
After the waves of Lafferty's Riffle, we take a quick dip in Kraus' Hotsprings before bidding farewell to the canyons and entering the braided channels of The Splits. 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 "story book" setting. (B/L/D)
Day 11: Nahanni Butte and Great Dene Wall
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 the Sub-Arctic Cafe for a final farewell meal and good-bye to your guides (accommodation and meal not included). (B/L/D)
Day 12: Homeward Bound
After a relaxing morning and time to look around the Village of Fort Simpson, you will board your homeward plane with a load of fond memories and a relaxed and renewed spirit! (B)
About The Operator:
Canadian River Expeditions / Nahanni River Expeditions
Headquarters:
Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
With over 30 unique canoeing, rafting, hiking and kayaking adventure travel trips-from 5 to 21 days-on 20 northern rivers, Nahanni River Adventures and Canadian River Expeditions have been the leaders in river adventure for northern Canada and Alaska since 1972.
An Alaska and Canada adventure vacation with Nahanni River Adventures and Canadian River Expeditions is much more than the typical river trip. Our Alaskan and Canadian wilderness expeditions are adventure travel explorations of entire regions, using the river as a conduit to travel through the land, taking time to hike, explore, learn and savor the beauty of these last wild places in North America.
A Unique Destination
We believe we offer you the opportunity to not only embrace adventure in a unique destination, but on a river trip which is truly of the highest quality in every respect, honed from our years of experience in the adventure travel business. We deliver our trips with an authenticity which mirrors the last natural, unspoiled wilderness we travel through in North America.
If you haven't rafted, canoed or kayaked in Alaska and northern Canada, seen the Northern Lights or paddled under a midnight sun, then put this on your list of "must do" trips in your lifetime. Northern Canada and Alaska are North America's last great wilderness rivaling Africa in its inspiring collage of nature, wildlife, ecosystems and adventure. With migrating herds of caribou and birds, waterfalls twice the height of Niagara and Canada's deepest river canyons, hotsprings and glaciers, a rich history of Klondike pioneers and a thriving First Nation culture, this is a vibrant world which will fascinate you.
An Experienced Leader
At Nahanni River Adventures and Canadian River Expeditions, we helped pioneer the sport of whitewater padding in the early seventies. From the iconic Nahanni River to the high Arctics' Soper, from Alaska to Nunavut, we know all of our 20 rivers well-from their campsites to their eddies to their rapids to their wildlife, geology and history. We have in depth knowledge guiding multi-day wilderness trips from contingency planning to operational logistics to how to bake cinnamon buns for breakfast over a camp fire. We make it a point to stay on the cutting edge of land and water use legislation to ensure that our river gear and equipment is of the highest quality and our guide skills incorporate the latest in whitewater safety standards. We have taken over 10,000 paddlers downriver since 1972 and our guest repeat rate of over 40% speaks for itself.
While others have left the business, we decided to stay the course ... it's that important to us. In 2006, we merged the two leading outfitters in the North, Nahanni River Adventures and Canadian River Expeditions and we continue our strong involvement at the national level to preserve our great northern rivers and further environmental protection of this important wilderness resource. Our memberships in the Wilderness Tourism Association of the Yukon (WTAY), Yukon Wild, Nahanni River Outfitters Association, Alsek Tatshenshini Outfitters Association, Tourism Association of Canada, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Association and participation in the Canadian Tourism Commission is testament to our longstanding commitment to protecting the environment in Northern Canada and Alaska.
Extraordinary Guides
We believe extraordinary guests should have extraordinary guides. We handpick our guides all of whom are unique individuals, empowered and encouraged to share their tremendous local knowledge with you. Their deep experience living, learning and teaching about regional geology, wildlife and history is matched only by their passion for adventure, technical whitewater skills and leadership acumen. We ensure a guest to guide ratio of four (maximum) on our trips so that you get lots of time to get to know these fun, friendly and fascinating folks!
A Premium Experience
You expect more on your adventure-and so do we. We give you ultimate choice-20 rivers and 30+ unique itineraries so that you can take on as much adventure or as much relaxation, as you like. The small groups on our trips accommodate much more personalized service and our attention to detail begins long before our rivers start running in the spring. We work with you closely to plan your holiday so that you get maximum adventure during your precious vacation time off. From the comfortable tents we use at night to your own private river bag for your personal gear, from fresh fish, baked goods, fruit and produce to that delicious lasagna accompanied by a fine red wine at dinner, our trips deliver quality every step of the way.
Authentically Us
We are heartened that being "green" is so in vogue ... although frankly, we've been green since 1972! Our longstanding commitment to the environment is one of our most important values and one which we are exceedingly proud of. You might hear talk of "ecotourism"...at Nahanni River Adventures and Canadian River Expeditions, you will find the very definition of this - in practice. We decided many years ago to make the environment a priority and have been an active political advocate in support of this objective. We donate hundreds of hours to environmental causes every year.