Expedition Trips throughout Northern Canada

Our expedition trips are more catered. We have the luxury of being able to carry what we want on the river.

Tatshenshini/Alsek Trip

The river of Glaciers and Grizzlies

Rated as one of the top ten river trip in the world. The Tatshenshini is located in the largest preserve in the world which consists of Glacier Bay National Park, BC Tatshenshini Provincial Park, Kluane National Park and Yukon Game Preserve. This is the largest non-polar ice field in the world.

Carving its way through the St. Elias Range, the Tatshenshini has gained a reputation as one of the best rafting trips in the world.Our trips start at Dalton Post bordering Kluane National Park in the southwest Yukon.

The canyon run of the first day gradually gives way to widening panoramic views of the 15,000 foot-high-peaks and glacier-covered valleys. The long hours of daylight and the flexibility built into our trips allows time for side hikes or an extra day at iceberg-filled Alsek Lake. The scenery is simply overwhelming.

We do not follow a specific schedule, but prefer to run the trips catering to the speed of the group and preferences for hiking, photography or layover days.

Tatshenshini River Expedition

Day 1

We meet in Whitehorse and drive to Haines Junction, where we stop for lunch, after which we continue to Dalton Post, located in Kluane Game Sanctuary. The guides will prepare for the next day's start on the river and you will be able to explore this historic site.

Day 2-10

Put-in at Dalton Post and raft to Dry Bay, Alaska. The pace on the river is relaxed and the schedule varies from trip to trip depending on the mood of the group and the weather. Time is set aside for hiking and resting, usually at Goat Mountain, Sediment or Tat Creek, Walker Glacier or Alsek Lake.

The Tatshenshini starts as a narrow, swiftly flowing river, with most of the whitewater being concentrated in the first day of paddling. The upper section of the rapids are graded as III - IV, but soon the river enters the "Quiet Canyon" where the river widens in size and we begin to pass through remarkable valleys.

If you choose to participate in the hikes, you will see many different types of wild flowers and wildlife, including perhaps moose, grizzly bear, wolf and goats.

When you reach the confluence with the Alsek River, the river begins to braid into many channels. Numerous glaciers surround you. You float past peaks of up to 7,000 feet, including 15,300 foot Mt. Fairweather, accompanied by the thunderous sound of glacier ice calving into the river.

Day 11

Return to Whitehorse from the air strip at Dry Bay via charter aircraft. Arrival in Whitehorse scheduled for early afternoon.

Notes:

Due to weather considerations in Dry Bay, planes are sometimes delayed - we recommend that you purchase cancellation insurance for your flights out of Whitehorse.
Since you will be leaving and re-entering Canada, you must have a passport with you to present to the customs authorities.
Our price is less costly due to the fact that we are local and take direct bookings, so there is no need to pay booking agents!
We have been operating rafting trips on the Tatshenshini River since 1983. Our guides are professionals trained in the latest river rescue techniques as well as being certified in wilderness first aid.

11 Days | $3,600 per person*

Dates

June 19th to June 29th and July 3rd to July 13th

McNeil River: 6 days of pure fun!

The ideal northern wilderness river trip

Fishing on the McNeil River The McNeil starts at McNeil Lake in the St Cyr Range, which is located about 30 miles north east of Quiet Lake. The trip begins in moose pond country, an area with plenty of wildlife, great fishing, a panoramic view of the mountains and ideal hiking. We will encounter many moose, depending on how quietly we travel, it could be five or twenty-five.

At the end of the Moss Lake the river enters a busy 5 kms long grade II canyon, with sharp corners and beautiful canyon walls. Below the canyon the McNeil flows into the Nisutlin River, it doubles in size and slows down to a gentle pace until you enter the Nisutlin Canyon. There you are in for 5 kms of continuous grade III+ whitewater. This section is great fun; clear water, well defined chutes and wave trains and big eddies where you can pull over to stop and enjoy the scenery.

Moose Below the Nisutlin Canyon the river is fast moving but without the busy action of the upper section. The valley widens and you float through one of the highest moose populations in the Yukon.

The McNeil is a fly-in trip. We drive to Quiet Lake located on the South Canol Road and then use a float plane to get to the put-in. The take-out is located at the Nisutlin River Campground on the South Canol Road.

6 Days | $1,850 per person*

Dates

All summer long departures for a group of 4 or more, or June 22nd to June 28th
and August 4th to August 9th.

Alsek River Trip

The Wildest and Remote River Trip

The Alsek River flows southward from its source at the confluence of the Dezadeash and Kaskawulsh Rivers, through large glaciated valleys of the St. Elias Mountains. Rugged glacial valleys are home for wild populations of grizzly bear and mountain goat. Arctic plant life clings to the light glaciated soils. Sand dunes and glacial till provide a contrasting environment for the diverse and fragile vegetation found here.

Breathtaking vistas of large valley glaciers such as the Lowell and Fisher offer the river visitor glimpses of the heart of Kluane.

Our six-day trip ends at Turnback Canyon which was created by the immense Tweedsmuir glacier. You paddle through a gorge similar to that of the Grand Canyon with some large Grade IV rapids.

The four-day trip ends at Lowell Lake, thus avoiding the whitewater sections of the Alsek River.

4 Days | $2,600 per person* or 6 Days $3,000 Per Person*

Dates

To be announced

* Prices are subject to change without notice. 5% GST applicable to all prices.