A holiday can take many forms, but the ones that stay with you the longest are the ones you where you are actively part of the journey. At Canadian River Expeditions, we know that choosing to take an active vacation will lay the foundations to create memories to last a lifetime!
The benefits of active travel are many; from improvements to your physical health from increased activity, to enhanced mental health and emotional well-being. The chance to unplug and unwind from the noise and distractions of the modern world provides a chance to reconnect with yourself and the people and landscapes around you.
Active travel also offers the chance to escape the crowds and enjoy a truly authentic travel experience. You’re able to journey farther off the beaten track and immerse yourself in unexplored landscapes and cultures in novel ways. Paddling in particular is a joyous pursuit, offering both energising activity and meditative reflection. When you have the chance to travel with the rhythms of the river on your own terms, the journey becomes deeply personal – and entirely your own!
Northern Canada is the ideal destination for those seeking an active holiday infused with wild beauty and cultural learning. Whether you are exploring Inuit culture and ancient archaeological sites hiking through the Arctic, or paddling beneath the magnetic energy of the Midnight Sun on the Nahanni River, Canadian River Expeditions has the perfect trip for all adventure enthusiasts.
1. Packraft the Nahanni River
The Nahɂą Dehé or South Nahanni River is world renowned as the pinnacle of wilderness river expeditions. If you’re dreaming of experiencing the same halcyon freedom that Faille and Patterson did in the early 20th century, our 7 and 12 day raft expeditions are the perfect answer.
Packrafts have been taking the outdoor adventure industry by storm: modern, lightweight engineering combined with intuitive steering make them the ultimate adventure rig for novice paddlers and seasoned whitewater pros alike. We’ll also provide you with a wetsuit, helmet and paddle – no need to bring your own!
The best part about paddling your own packraft on one of our Nahanni River raft trips is how much you paddle it totally up to you! For those seeking an active adventure to get the blood pumping, packrafting makes the ideal complement to the world class hiking opportunities found in the Nahanni watershed.
If there are sections where you would prefer to sit back and soak up the breathtaking landscapes, or splashier sections you would rather ride in a larger boat, you are welcome to rejoin the main raft at any time. The packraft’s lightweight convenience allows us to roll it up or roll it out whenever you desire!
2. Discover the Amaranthine Beauty of the Canadian Tundra: Rafting and Hiking the Firth River
The barrenlands of the far North have long held court in our collective imaginations. The Arctic tundra however is anything but, instead being one of the most compelling landscapes that you can imagine.
Carving its way through the northern reaches of the Yukon, the Firth River flows from the rugged undulations of the British Mountains to the wild swells of the Arctic Ocean.
As North America’s oldest waterway, its Beringian course untouched by the last ice age, it holds a myriad of wonders. Our Firth River raft journeys dedicate plenty of time to discover this Arctic jewel on foot; above the treeline, adventurers can enjoy endless opportunities for hiking, photography and wildlife watching.
The Firth is known for the annual migration of the Porcupine Caribou herd; a phenomenon of 225 000 animals traverse the river en route to their summer calving rounds. Several past expeditions have been lucky enough to enjoy this incredible event. There is even the chance to walk the trails carved by the herd into the landscape over millennia!
Another highlight is a hike to Engigstciak, a paleo-Inuit archaeological site which provides clues into the life of some of the Arctic’s earliest inhabitants. Meaning “young mountain” in the Inuvialuktun dialect, Engigstciak is a testament to the timelessness of the history and wilderness of the region, offering a rare and authentic way to fully engage with the landscape you are travelling through.
3. Hike Through the Southern Yukon's Vast Wilderness
For those who love hiking but don’t want the weight of a heavy pack on their backs, our friends at Terre Boreale offer a wonderful 7 day hiking tour which allows you to soak up the diversity of landscapes the southern Yukon has to offer!
The tour takes you into the heart of Kluane National Park, a celebrated UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you will climb some of the Yukon’s most iconic peaks before heading east to explore the pristine beauty of the Southern Lakes region. Open to a range of fitness levels, hikes are planned according to guests’ abilities and desires.
4. Paddle and Hike through Canada's Seven Sacred Rivers of the Peel Watershed
The Wind is one of the seven sacred rivers of the Peel Watershed, a nexus of wild rivers and mountain ranges in the northeastern Yukon, home to the Na-cho Nyak Dun, the Tetlit Gwich’in, the Vuntut Gwitchin and the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in peoples. The Peel is one of Canada’s most celebrated wilderness areas, holding both cultural and ecological importance, and which recently came under protection after a decades-long campaign.
Now, the Peel sits at the heart of Canada’s newest national park proposal, an area covering over 3000 square kilometres which is to be comanaged by the Gwich’in Tribal Council and the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun. The Upper watersheds are all in consideration for Territorial Parks and cumulatively will stand as the most significant conservation achievement of the 21st century.
A stronghold for iconic northern species, the Peel offers an excellent opportunity for unique wildlife watching, photography and hiking opportunities, as well as world class paddling experiences.
The Wind is a fun but approachable river for any canoeist with intermediate moving water experience; fun, friendly whitewater combined with breathtaking alpine vistas and chances for intimate wildlife encounters make this a wilderness canoeist’s paradise.
5. Hike and Float Among the World’s Last Glaciers and Largest Non Polar Ice Cap!
Imagine soaring mountain peaks, capped with dustings of snow and sapphire glaciers defiantly clinging to their jagged granite crags.
Our Alsek and Tatshenshini River raft journeys offer the chance to view some of the world’s largest and last remaining glaciers, as well as hike the peaks at the edge of the St Elias ice fields, the largest non-polar ice cap on the planet!
Glacial views, thrilling whitewater and no shortage of eagles, mountain goats and grizzly bears to view – our Alsek and Tatshenshini raft journeys are the ideal destination for hikers, photographers and wildlife enthusiasts alike.
Journeying from the awe-inspiring, world renowned peaks of the Coast Mountains to the lush temperate rainforests and captivating coves of the Gulf of Alaska, adventurers will have the opportunity to lose themselves in the remote beauty of a forgotten corner of the world.
6. Kayak a True Wilderness Gem: The Mountain River
A personal favourite of owner and outfitter Joel Hibbard, the Mountain River is a little known but bonafide wilderness gem. Several watersheds over from any human industrial development, the Mountain boasts captivating canyons, world class fishing and awe-inspiring hikes to make even Cheryl Strayed jealous.
Our Mountain River canoe and raft expeditions offer the chance to luxuriate in a unique wilderness experience off the main river expedition menu. Inflatable kayaks and packrafts are available for those wanting a more active paddling trip, alongside the standard raft and canoe options.
7. Paddle Mainland Canada's Northernmost River: the Horton
For tundra dreamers yearning for an Arctic canoe expedition, the Horton River is a riverine reverie in wait. Our Horton River expeditions take you on a whimsical journey through the tundra, where you can find yourself hiking through the enigmatic Smoking Hills and paddling across glassy, glacial fed waters.
Open to those without prior whitewater paddling experience, the Horton River’s calm flows are the perfect expedition for those dreaming of an Arctic adventure without the rapids. Combined with world class photographic and wildlife viewing opportunities, the Horton is the perfect answer for an authentic tundra expedition.
8. Experience the Yukon's Raw Beauty on Horseback
For a unique and unforgettable trip into the Yukon wilderness, Caribou Wild Mountain Tours offer horseback tours ranging from day trips to multiday expeditions. Founder Deb Wild’s passion for the North and outdoor adventure are evident; an authentic backcountry experience and northern hospitality are two things you can count on.
