North Star Adventures Ltd is a 100% Indigenous owned and operated, Yellowknife based company. We have seen Yellowknife grow from a small town to today’s modern city of 20,000. We are also from the communities all across the North, having lived, played and worked there. We know Yellowknife, we know the North!

Overview

Paddle one of the longest rivers in the world, and the longest river in Canada, the Mackenzie River! Leave the hustle and bustle of the modern world behind for a life-changing northern Canada canoeing, camping, and genuine Indigenous cultural experience! Enjoy the people, places and pristine wilderness of the “Deh Cho” region while also experiencing the genuine culture of the local Indigenous people.
We will meet in Yellowknife and take the shuttle 300kms to our put in point at Fort Providence. Enjoy this scenic river community, next morning we are on the Mackenzie River! Next 4 nights we camp on the river, 5th night we overnight in the small Indigenous community of Jean Marie River. Another night on the river then we arrive into Fort Simpson! We will take a rest day here to let the muscles heal and for some of the group can take the optional tour of flying into the world famous Nahanni National Park! Back on the river next 5 nights on the river. Along the way you will start to see the Mackenzie Mountains at Camsell Bend and will accompany us all the way to our destination of Wrigley, a small Indigenous community of pop. 115. That same afternoon we shuttle back to Fort Simpson and then next morning, we are back on the shuttle for a relaxing 650km drive back to Yellowknife. Starts at $6995+GST/person, Culture Option $8995+GST/person
Starting at
$6995 CAD
Per Person

Trip Highlights

  • Indigenous guides & genuine Indigenous culture
  • Northern wildlife and North American game bird viewing
  • Amazing photography opportunities!
  • Everything provided, just bring friends and family
  • Jun, Jul-24hr daylight phenomenon! Mid of Aug to Sep-amazing Aurora!

North Star Adventures Ltd is a 100% Indigenous owned and operated, Yellowknife based company. We have seen Yellowknife grow from a small town to today’s modern city of 20,000. We are also from the communities all across the North, having lived, played and worked there. We know Yellowknife, we know the North!

Quick Facts

Paddlesport

  • Canoeing

Activity

  • Canoe Tripping

Experience/Service

  • Paddling Trip

Waterway

  • Rivers and Streams (no whitewater)

Destination

  • North America

Length

  • 15-16 Days

Accomodation

  • Wilderness Camping

Guided

  • Yes

Outfitted

  • Fully

Special Interest

  • Women
  • Photography
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Beginner
  • Intermediate
  • Advanced

Adventure Level

Easier Challenging

Itinerary

Meeting Place

Yellowknife Airport

Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

Day 1: We depart from Yellowknife to our put in destination of Fort Providence, 300km road trip Day 2-14: Canoeing, camping & Indigenous culture on the mighty Mackenzie River! Day 15: 650km road trip from Fort Simpson to Yellowknife Yellowknife!

Day 1:

After a good night’s rest we are on the road for a relaxing 300km drive to our put in point, Fort Providence. Along the way we will see the world’s biggest wild Wood Buffalo. We will arrive into Fort Providence just in time for a delicious local foods lunch. Meet the guides and enjoy the community.

Day 2:

After breakfast, we check canoes, gear and go over safety protocols. Then we put in and begin our 518km journey to Wrigley! It will be a relatively short first day on the river. We lunch at the culture camp and then to our first camping spot. Tomorrow morning we tackle the "Big Monster", Mills Lake.

Day 3:

Today will be a longer day, how long depends on how the weather is when we cross Mills Lake. Our destination is Ax Point, a traditional camping area about 80kms down river from Fort Providence. Upon arrival, set up camp, enjoy a delicious dinner, relax and recap the day.

Day 4:

After a good night's rest, back on the river, today we will shoot for 40kms today. The river is still wide here so the current is a little slower. Arriving at our camping spot, set up camp, have dinner, relax and enjoy the scenery and tranquility of camping on the shores of the Mackenzie River!

Day 5:

After a good night's rest, back on the river, paddling 30kms today. The river is still wide so the paddling we be slow. Arriving at a traditional camping spot, set up camp and have dinner. If we are lucky we can visit with an Elder who stays here in the summer months, she will tell us stories!

Day 6:

After a good night's rest, back on the river for a challenging 53kms today! The river narrows now so we begin to make better time. We arrive Jean Marie River (JMR) today. A tiny, picturesque Indigenous river community. The community will welcome us with a delicious traditional dinner!

Day 7:

After a wonderful stay in JMR, back on the river for a welcoming 31kms today. We will camp at another traditional spot. We will go swimming and do some fishing here, then enjoy the spectacular scenery from this location, a beautiful southernly and westerly view of the Mackenzie River!

Day 8:

After a good night's rest, it's back on the river, paddling 36kms to Fort Simpson today! The river's current is fast so we will make good time. After arriving, setting up camp and dinner, there will be an informative tour of the oldest community on the Mackenzie River!

Day 9:

Today is a rest day, time to let the muscles heal. For some members of the group, today you can choose our optional "Nahanni National Park" day tour, this is truly an amazing tour, the Nahanni is a world famous UNESCO Heritage site! For others, more time to enjoy the community and go golfing.

Day 10:

After a good rest and visit in Fort Simpson, we're back on the river, paddling almost 50kms today. The current is faster here so we will make good time. We will camp at another traditional camping spot. If we are lucky the local family will be here and will welcome tell us and tell many stories!

Day 11:

After a good night's rest, back on the river for an easy 36kms today. The river widens here so it will be a little slower. We will lunch at the river ferry crossing, after lunch back on the river and now you get your first views of the Mackenzie Mountain range off in the distance on your left!

Day 12:

After another relaxing night, it's back on the river for a longer 50kms day. Our destination is another traditional camp, this camp has an amazing view of the Mackenzie Mountain Range! We will spend a relaxing evening here, just taking in the spectacular Mackenzie River scenery!

Day 13:

After a relaxing night, it's back on the river for another tough day of 50kms day. Our destination is another traditional camp. There is a good chance members of the local family will be there. Another wonderful evening of storytelling and relaxation, on the shores of the Mackenzie River!

Day 14:

After a good visit and sleeping in a bit, we're back on the river for an easy 33kms day. Our destination, another traditional camp. Hopefully a local family is there to welcome us for another evening of delicious traditional local foods and storytelling! An easy day means more deserved sleep time!

Day 15:

After a good night's rest, we're back on the river for a 40kms day. After an epic 13 days on the mighty Mackenzie River, we reach our destination of Wrigley just after lunch where our transport team will be waiting. You made it!! Then a 2.5hr road trip to Fort Simpson for a relaxing evening.

Day 16:

After a much deserved good night's rest, it's back on the road 650kms to Yellowknife. Sit back and relax in our newer comfortable shuttle air conditioned vans, share stories, rest and look over photos and videos from the past 15 days! Dinner awaits you when we arrive Yellowknife! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Dates & Packages

15-16 Day – Fort Providence to Wrigley (518kms)

Canoeing, camping and genuine Indigenous culture on the mighty Mackenzie River! We are the only 100% Indigenous owned and operated canoeing company on the Mackenzie River. We know the people, places and history of the river. We are from the North, we know the North. Season start June 26, ends September 15. This year, 2021 is a special summer, it marks the 100th anniversary of the Treaty 11 signing, back in 1921! Communities along the river will be hosting community celebrations and you can be there as well!

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