Day 2: Charter flight to Moose Ponds. (weather permitting) Our flight takes us north over the Nahanni valley providing a breathtaking view of the canyons, Virginia Falls, the Ragged Range and the upper river all the way to our destination at the base of Mount Wilson. The picturesque ponds provide a delightful venue for our first camp on the Nahanni River.
Day 3: Provides an opportunity to explore the alpine country of the continental divide between the Yukon and Northwest Territories. This land is rich in wildlife such as moose, caribou and trumpeter swans. An optional hike up Mount Wilson may be planned.
Day 4-6: Leaving the Moose Ponds, we join the Nahanni flowing as a stream; just over a canoe length in width. Over the next 40 km the Nahanni swells to a formidable river, tumbling through the boulder strewn "Rock Gardens". This stretch offers some of the best whitewater canoeing in the country.
Day 7-9: Paddling on, the down river view is blocked by the massif of the Ragged Range. Popular stops are the Island Lakes, Moore's cabin and Moore's Hot Spring. Paddling through "The Gap" we pass the east flank of the soaring Vampire Peaks and on towards the Nahanni National Park boundary and Rabbitkettle Lake.
Day 10-13: Rabbitkettle Lake offers picturesque scenery and warmer waters for swimming. Planned activities include an interpretive hike, guided by a Nahanni National Park warden, to explore Rabbitkettle Hot Springs and Tufa Mounds. After the hike begins the down river canoeing to Virginia Falls. On the Nahanni River our trip continues with a few days of easy paddling. This section of the river is dominated by U -shaped valleys which were scoured out by advancing cordilleran glaciers thousands of years ago. We paddle 120 km (72 mi.) on the smooth flowing water to Virginia Falls where we arrive on day 13.
Day 14: Everyone will appreciate a rest day at Virginia Falls. At over 90 m (300 ft.) Virginia Falls is twice the height of Niagara, and is the spectacular centerpiece of Nahanni National Park. The options for these days are many - you can lounge in the group camp area, explore the falls with your camera, or strike off on an invigorating hike to the grassy summit of Sunblood Mountain. Virginia Falls is a fascinating place to discover.
Day 15: Following our layover day, we complete the 1.25 km portage around the Falls and reload our canoes. For the following week we will immerse ourselves in the spectacular scenery of the lower Nahanni River. The lower Nahanni is canyon country and is often described as the 'Grand Canyon of the North'. Beginning with Painted Canyon, so named because of it's brightly coloured walls, you will experience the thrill and excitement of this whitewater section. On this night we will camp in the vicinity of the confluence with the Flat River.
Day 16: Downstream we enter Third Canyon with its imposing 1200 m walls formed as the Nahanni has carved its way through the Funeral Range. We will camp in the shadow of the Gate; where the river has sliced a narrow chasm on the apex of a hairpin meander. An optional hike to the top of the Gate presents magnificent views of the river valley with imposing Pulpit Rock 460 m below.
» Continue to 17-22 Day Itinerary
Trip Itinerary
