We have refined our raft trips to a high degree of excellence, appealing to individuals seeking an enjoyable adventure holiday. Rafting the Nahanni is a soft adventure. No previous rafting or camping experience is required. We have hosted people who were looking forward to spending their first night in a tent - to seasoned River travelers. You should be prepared for 7 days of wilderness camping. This will require you to be in good health, reasonably physically fit and able to carry your pack around the 2 km portage at Virginia Falls. Our guides are able to assist if required.
On the River, your guide will use oars to maintain the rafts direction. This leaves you plenty of time for photography, looking for wildlife, or just being dazzled by the incredible features of the Nahanni landscape. In addition, an inflatable canoe or kayak is usually provided for those seeking more adventure. Ashore there are numerous walks available to gain a through perspective of the area.
Start/Finish: Virginia Falls to Blackstone Landing
Length: 9 days (7 river days)
Distance: 252 km (158 miles)
Elevation Loss: 382 m (1240 ft) River Class: 2/3
Skill Level:
- No experience required for rafting
- Intermediate for canoing.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: Our Virginia Falls raft and canoe trip participants are required to arrive in Fort Nelson or Blackstone Territorial Park on the first day to ensure readiness for an early morning charter flight. This will enable the guides to hold a pre-trip meeting.
Day 2: Charter flight to Virginia Falls (weather permitting). This breathtaking flight takes us over the Nahanni Range and four canyons to Virginia Falls. We will camp at the falls the first night and will have time to explore and take photographs from the many promontories overlooking the falls.
Day 3: After breakfast your guides will complete the portage of camp equipment. Participants are asked to portage their own pack 2 km to the "put in" below the falls. Most of this portage is on a board walk and down hill. Lunch is served on the cobble beach below the falls. Following a safety talk, we load the rafts and begin our descent. Leaving the roar of the falls behind us, we will ride high on the waves through the Painted Canyon. The excitement continues with our passage through Figure Eight Rapids. We will find our camp close to the mouth of the Flat River.
Days 4-7: Back on the river we float along the foreboding Funeral Range and enter Third Canyon (35 km) where the Nahanni cuts a passage just past Mary River. You will be awestruck as we float silently between the 1200 m canyon walls which rise skyward above the river. We will camp at The Gate in view of Pulpit Rock. A short hike to a lookout above The Gate affords a magnificent vista of the valley below. We continue on through Third and Second Canyon (15 km) into Deadmen Valley - known for its legends and mystery. This spectacular open valley offers numerous exploratory options.
Following an exciting run through George's Riffle, we drift between the sky-high walls of First Canyon which reach heights of over 1400 m. This 26 km canyon will lead us to the soothing waters of Kraus' Hot Spring. We then bid farewell to the canyons and make our way into the Splits - a maze of islands.
Day 8: Following breakfast, we will continue on to Native village of Nahanni Butte (population approximately 100). Remote yet surprisingly modern, a stroll into town provides insight into a culture far removed from most of North America. Following refreshments from the village store we will continue down stream to Blackstone Landing and (the) Lindberg's rustic bed and breakfast with a motorized river taxi. Hot showers, delicious meals, log cabin accommodation and the trip end celebration awaits.
Day 9: 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
- All necessary road transportation in the Fort Nelson area
- Charter flight to Virginia Falls
- Nutritious and hearty camp meals
- Beer/wine and liqueurs with some meals
- 16 or 21 ft. inflatable rafts with rowing frame
- 17 ft. canoes with full spray covers
- All necessary kitchen and group camp equipment, including folding chairs and tables
- Deluxe Sierra Designs 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 boat shuttle from Nahanni Butte to Blackstone Landing
- Trip end celebration at Lindberg’s Bed and Breakfast at Blackstone Landing (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, N.W.T.
- Hotel accommodations or restaurant meals in Fort Simpson (we can make reservations for you if desired)
- Coverage for additional expenses incurred as a result of an emergency evacuation or delays
- Return road transportation to Fort Nelson from Blackstone Landing at the end of the trip
- Nahanni National Park Fee ($ 175).
Also see tour packages in:
Canada
Northwest Territories
British Columbia
Outdoor: Water Drifter
Canoeing/Kayaking/Rafting
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