Firth River Rafting 12-Day Expedition

This trip is a beginner-friendly raft trip. The guides navigate with oars & paddling by participants is optional for those who want more activity! All beginners can raft any river.

The safe and stable expedition raft is ideal for those who desire their hands free to photograph or travel in a more relaxed fashion. The guide manoeuvres the raft with oars and paddling is completely optional.

COMMERCIAL AIRLINES You are welcome to make flight reservations through your own agent or, contact our office to be put in touch with a travel agent with specialized knowledge of the North! Book your flights so you arrive on the first date listed for your expedition and depart on the last date listed. You may wish to allow a layover day before or following your trip. This allows for breathing space and a more favourable transition back to “civilization.” Please note that our trip prices do not cover hotel costs.

PRIVATE AIRCRAFT Whitehorse, Yellowknife, Inuvik, and Fort Simpson have federal airports with paved runways. All fuels are generally available.

PRIVATE VEHICLE

Fort Simpson – Fort Simpson is accessible by both the Mackenzie and Alaska highways. The most direct route from Edmonton (and often the most reliable) is the Mackenzie. Both offer reasonable gravel once in the NWT and require two days to drive from Edmonton comfortably. Upon arrival; our office will provide you with directions on meeting your guides and where to park your vehicle. Schedule your time to arrive early and allow time for tending to last-minute details in Fort Simpson.

Yellowknife – Accessible via the Mackenzie Highway, Yellowknife is at the “end of the road.” The highway is paved most of the distance. The population is roughly 20,000 and has most services associated with a larger center.

Whitehorse – Whitehorse may be reached via the Alaska Highway in a 24-hour drive from Edmonton. The road is paved and an innovative “loop” journey can be created by using one of the Alaska ferries for one leg of your trip.

Inuvik – This is an ambitious but spectacular drive. Continuing north from Whitehorse, and just prior to reaching Dawson City, you will come upon the Dempster Highway. The pavement ends at this junction and vehicles should carry two spare tires beyond this point. The drive from Whitehorse to Inuvik is approximately 20 hours.

Typically we enjoy good weather on the Firth, with clear skies and temperatures ranging from 10 to 30 °C (50 to 86°F). But this is the Arctic, and weather changes can see temperatures plunge to near freezing. Rainfall and snow may occur.

Pack ice on the Beaufort Sea can create ice fog that can affect flying conditions. Come prepared to be flexible and to encounter all kinds of weather.

Think: Banff, Whistler or Boulder summer conditions. Weather conditions in northern environments range widely between extremes.

The only fact you can bet on is that it can change rapidly. This means that although we may enjoy fine weather we must also be prepared for changes. On any given day you may experience sunny, hot, dry weather that is interrupted by periods of rain or, on rare occasions, even snow. In general, the weather is moderate with average temperatures of 16°C (62°F) in July, and 14°C (56°F) in August. When packing, please be prepared for heatwaves and cold spells. For tundra river journeys, please refer to the specific notes in the itinerary regarding weather.

Remember, as mere mortals your guides have no control over the weather. The best we can do as guides and outfitters is suggest proper clothing, we have done this in the equipment list. Please call us if you require any clarifications.

Days are often breezy on the Firth, which keeps the mosquitoes at bay. In the Arctic a bug jacket is mandatory in the event of calm days. We bring screened dining and toilet tents.

Mosquito populations vary according to temperature, rainfall and wind. Generally, we are able to camp in places that have few or none of the pesky critters; however, on occasion, try as we might, we may be unable to avoid them. Be prepared with mosquito repellent and a head net or, better yet, a “bug jacket.” Bug jackets or bug shirts are an absolute necessity on any of our tundra trips. If you cannot locate one please call us for assistance.

If fishing is high on your list of priorities, the Firth River is a great choice - famous for Arctic char. Dolly Varden, Char and Arctic Grayling are all abundant on the Firth. These species are wary and, although fishing can be well-rewarded, it does require patience and persistence. Small spinners seem to yield best results for grayling and Dolly Varden, while medium to large lures yield better results for char and lake trout. Some guests try their hand at fly fishing. A medium to heavy weight fly rod and line is required. If you plan to fish, you need to purchase a National Parks fishing licence in advance from the Parks Canada office in Inuvik. Speak to our office to learn more about what gear to bring. Licenses are available at our rendezvous locations. Your guides can provide details.

The 24-hour daylight allows for lots of hiking on most days. The trip generally includes two layover days for full days of hiking for those who wish.

We have structured our expeditions to allow lots of time to hike and explore the area we are travelling through. Travel time on the river can be anywhere from a short, two-hour day to an occasional seven-hour day, depending on the distance to the next campsite. Your guides will make frequent shore stops throughout the day. Many trips have one or more layover days where we stay put and enjoy camping for two nights at one spot. We like to get our groups on the river fairly early each day, usually by about 10am, to allow plenty of time to watch wildlife, enjoy a short hike or for photography.

Exploring your new camp area is also something to look forward to. Spending time around a campfire, fishing, or enjoying the midnight sun (early season) amongst countless other activities might occupy your time. Except for short forays within camp’s vicinity, travelling alone out of the camp’s site is discouraged for safety reasons. Early risers may keep themselves busy by seeking out panoramic photographs or pursuing other personal interests.

Getting up, preparing and eating breakfast, making plans for the day, striking camp and loading the boats is a process that usually takes about three hours. If the camp is a ‘two-nighter,’ things are tidied up and we enjoy the highlights of that particular spot. You are welcome to participate with any in-camp chores but it is an option, not a requirement (remember this is your holiday and we are the ones doing the work for you).

We take care in making our logistical arrangements. In spite of this, an event may arise that causes a deviation in scheduled plans. When this occurs we have to remind ourselves that safe wilderness travel by plane, canoe, raft and occasionally even by vehicle is very dependent on prevailing conditions. If these conditions are such that we cannot proceed safely, the only alternative is to sit tight and wait. Fortunately, such circumstances are very rare, but if they do present themselves, we appreciate your patience and cooperation.

Although we are travelling on a wilderness river, we may encounter other visitors. We do our best to avoid this, but at points of significant interest, it is likely we will see other groups. Once away from these places it becomes easier to maintain our solitude.

We strongly recommend trip cancelation / interruption and medical evacuation insurance. We would be happy to put you in touch with a local agent that can help you find the right package. Please check to ensure your medical insurance will cover you away from home and includes evacuation coverage outside of your home region. If you plan to use a credit card policy or another policy, please check details to ensure it will cover your needs, some do not.

“Is it required and how much?” An awkward question when on the river. Hopefully this will lend some clarity: Most guests tip their guides. If you feel your guides have been especially helpful and instrumental in increasing the enjoyment of your journey, and have gone out of their way to make you feel comfortable, you may wish to leave a tip at trip’s end to show your appreciation.

Consider $40 per day, per person as a starting point (“Example: 12 Day Alsek Expedition – $40 x 12 days = $480 per person to be split amongst the guide team.”) The best way to tip your guides is to tip in cash in person or via E-transfer directly to the guides. Alternately, tips can be sent through the office.

River travel demands attention to thorough waterproofing of your gear. We will provide you with a large, waterproof “river bag” (115L or 30 gal.) and a smaller waterproof bag (20L or 5 gal.) to be used as a “day bag” for quick access to items you may need during the day. Upon arrival you can transfer your personal gear into these from your travel suitcase or duffel bag.

To organize items inside the large waterproof bag we recommend using Ziplock bags, lightweight cloth bags or stuff sacks.

If you have a valuable camera, we strongly recommend you bring a waterproof camera bag or case that can be found at your local camera store (one of the recommended types is made by “Pelican” which may be rented from us).

The importance of good rain pants and hooded jacket cannot be over-emphasized. We provide hooded rain jackets and pants to guests on all our raft journeys. If you’d like to bring your own, consider rain gear made of a coated, waterproof fabric for protection (eg. Helly Hansen, Wet Skins, sailing suit). If you have a Gortex or lighter rain gear you may wish to pack it for hikes and use our rain gear in the case of very wet weather or while on the rafts. We suggest all guests bring the pants and jacket we provide to ensure they are warm and dry. Any questions on rain gear can be answered by our office or by your guides at the pre-trip meeting.

Bring warm fleece, polypropylene or wool clothing to wear underneath your rain suit. These fabrics continue to insulate even when wet. Cotton and denim are a liability in wet environments - leave your jeans at home. Throw in some wool or fleece mitts with nylon covers, or rubber gloves with a light glove inside, also consider neoprene gloves and a wool hat, just for good measure. You may not actually use any of this on the trip but “better safe than sorry”.

In fair weather, a pair of shorts or lightweight synthetic long pants will work well. Long-sleeved t-shirts will provide protection from the sun in hot weather. Check the What to Bring list (below) for further details and please call with any questions. Layering of clothing will give you the greatest comfort for a wide range of conditions. It is best to use several layers of shirts, jackets and an outer shell rather than one heavy layer, which will be too hot most of the time. With the layer system you can add or remove layers according to the day and you’ll have something dry in reserve.

In any given summer, we usually hear the following equipment feedback: • From guests on a good weather trip: “Why did you tell us to bring along all the warm clothing we didn’t use?” • From guests who followed our list on a trip with some cold weather: “Thanks for having us prepared by giving us such detailed instructions on what to bring!” • From guests who did not follow our list on a trip with some cold weather: “I was cold!”

Having said all this, please don’t let the equipment list put you off. Whether you end up using all or half of the gear on your list, your river journey will be the trip of a lifetime! Remember – except for a few t-shirts and briefs, do not bring cotton!

River travel means water underfoot. A standard pair of knee-high rubber boots (sometimes referred to as “wellingtons,” “ditch boots” or “irrigation boots”) are recommended (minimum 10” high) for raft expeditions (and for canoeists on the tundra or those who are experienced with them). Rubber boots may be rented from us.

Wear these with a felt insole (we are referring to the “footstep shape” insole, not the type that completely line the boot up to the rim because the latter will take days to dry if wet) and a combination of polypropylene and wool/fleece socks and your feet should stay comfortably warm. Carry a spare set of insoles and socks, and in the case you “overstep” your boots, they can be used to replace the wet ones. If you make your insoles out of closed cell (ensolite) foam, they will not absorb water and will dry very quickly should they get wet.

For the tandem canoe trips or rafters who are familiar with them we suggest neoprene socks paired with a secure water sandal (Keens, Chacos, Tevas) or running shoe. It is important that the footwear you will wear in the water has a good sole, is well attached to your feet and will support you while walking over slippery rocks. Surf style ‘booties’ do not provide adequate protection or traction for walking on wet rocks. Sport sandals alone will not provide the warmth you need; remember: the water is cold, especially in the far north. For hiking and camp wear, bring light hiking boots. Be sure they are broken in before the trip to minimize chances of blisters. Important criteria includes: ankle support and sufficient height to keep out bits of debris.

We recommend a sleeping bag with synthetic fill rated to 0°C/32°F. An older bag loses its loft with time and may be five degrees less effective. An inflated sleeping pad underneath works best. A luxury sleeping bag and pad can be rented for $130/person + GST or $50 + GST for the pad only. There is also a double-wide sleeping bag system with luxury sleeping pads for couples, it can be rented for $260. This can relieve your luggage burden on the airlines. If you wish to rent, you can request these via an online form you will receive in January or at the time of booking if you book after January. Some individuals consider a ‘chamber pot’ for convenience at night. A wide-mouthed container works well, but be sure it has a screw-top lid. Double-wide couple’s bag available.

Use the maximum allowable carry- on baggage space to ensure you have essentials such as medication, toothbrush, underwear and any other hard-to-replace items in case your bags are lost. Wear your hiking boots! Try to keep your bags under 40 pounds. If you have back problems, you can request an additional pack for the river to lessen the weight of individual packs. City clothes and valuables may be left at our rendezvous location, but for peace of mind we recommend you leave all but essential valuables at home.

Despite remote wilderness locations, you can expect to eat very well. Our menu includes high-quality meat and cheese, bountiful salads, and fresh fruit and vegetables at almost every meal. We can happily accommodate dietary preferences such as gluten free, vegan, vegetarian and many allergies. If you have concerns about our menu please contact our office for more information. Packing for our expeditions begins months in advance so we do require advanced notice. Comfortable stools are provided for seating around the fire at breakfast and dinner.

We are not permitted to provide alcohol within our trip packages. But we will send you a list of spirits which may be conveniently ordered through us from local liquor stores. These items will be ready for you upon arrival. You are also welcome to bring a beverage of your choice from home (please Transfer them to plastic bottles).

Photographic Tips Most participants want to return home with the best possible photographic record of their trip. Be sure to bring an extra memory card and battery. You will not regret the small additional cost. Here are some helpful ideas:

Carrying your camera - The #1 rule: water destroys cameras instantly! The waterproof day bag that we provide should protect your camera on raft expeditions. A strong Ziplock bag provides extra insurance inside. Better yet or for two-person canoe expeditions, we recommend you invest in a waterproof case like those from Pelican (we rent these for your convenience). These cases provide the best protection possible for your valuable equipment.

Composition hints: • Before and after shots of yourself are fun • On the aircraft, keep your camera within reach • Don’t forget shots of packing and the departure at the start of the trip • You can add interest by varying the light conditions. Set your exposure for the lighter portion of the shot • Sequences with long, medium and close-up are fun and will tell a story • Portray the immensity of canyons and mountains by using people and boats for scale • Be sure to have some pictures of yourself by trading your camera with other people • To avoid squints, photograph faces in the shade • Look for significant detail shots such as cooking, flowers, your boat...etc. • Rule of thumb - light is best in morning and evening; rapids look best in sunlight • Reflections in pools can make beautiful compositions • Be sure to have a parting shot of the group; perhaps with one of the aircraft

A. CAMPING GEAR

• Sleeping bag – good to 0oC/32oF
• Sleeping pad (standard 1-inch) – therm-a-rest or light air mattress are best

B. PERSONAL CLOTHING

• T-shirts – three
• Underwear/Briefs
• Long-sleeved shirts – wool or synthetic
• Sweater – polypro, fleece or wool
• Warm jacket – think puffy jacket, ski jacket etc. (two extra-thick fleece sweaters and windbreaker could substitute)
• Windshell – should be big enough to go over sweaters
• Rain jacket (hooded) & pants – VERY IMPORTANT - must be waterproof and good quality – a poncho is NOT acceptable (see Comments on Gear – Foul Weather Clothing), rubberized rain jacket and pants are provided on all Raft based journeys
• Shorts - we suggest nylon ‘quick dry’ variety
• Long pants – ‘quick dry’ nylon, synthetic blend or wool
• One pair of warm fleece or wool pants
• Long underwear (not optional:
• Two pairs of tops and bottoms, polypro is best (avoid cotton). There are various weights: light, medium or expedition. Pick what is most comfortable for you, keeping in mind that you can layer your clothing
• Socks – several pair of wool are best
• Hat – that can be tied on and with a brim that can protect you from the sun & rain (this is the land of the midnight sun!)
• Toque (wool hat)
• Neck tube/Buff
• Swimsuit

C. OTHER

• Running shoes, sport sandals, or equivalent – for camp wear
• Hiking boots – lightweight
• Rubber boots with insoles in the bottom – for wearing in raft (see Comments on Gear – Footwear) *if you are renting our boots bring two pairs of felt insoles
• Water shoes – for two-person canoe expeditions (see Comments on Gear – Footwear)
• Glasses, contacts (spares), sunglasses – string or strap to tie on
• Personal toiletry items – soap, towel, shaving gear, toothbrush, skin cream (to avoid severe drying of hands) etc. Consider a camp towel or baby-wipes for hygiene (we do provide an excellent hand-washing system in camp)
• Gloves or mitts – for cold days (a must on the Tat/Alsek or any of our tundra trips!). Also consider neoprene gloves.
• Bandana or hanky
• Sunscreen lotion – with effective sun block – remember: land of the midnight sun!
• Day pack – capable of holding rain gear, lunch, camera, etc. on hikes
• Personal medications – bring it “carry-on.” Consider bringing two sets, giving one to the Trip Leader for safe keeping
• Insect repellent & bug jacket – we strongly suggest you bring a bug jacket (lightweight and pack easily)
• Heavy duty garbage bags/Trash bag – as insurance to keep your things dry in your waterproof bag.
• Water bottle – for day hikes (must be one litre or greater)
• Knife, matches &/or lighter (in a waterproof container), compass if you wish, light cord for clothes line
• Rubber dish gloves – for cold water protection if necessary with thin fleece gloves underneath
• Minor first aid items – band- aids, pain relievers (we carry large expedition first aid kits)
• Passport (Tatshenshini & Alsek trips only) & travel visa – your responsibility to determine if a visa is required (visa not required for Canadian and U.S. citizens)
• Ziplock bags –to pack clothing into
• Headlight/Flashlight

D. OPTIONAL

• Camera, spare battery (can be bought online), extra memory card, USB phone charger (if using phone as a camera), waterproof box (for protection, highly recommended)
• Fishing rod & equipment (collapsible please)
• Reading &/or writing materials (we bring a “library” with some field guides and trip-specific literature)
• Binoculars – a must for wildlife watching
• A favourite alcoholic beverage – in a shatterproof container e.g. Nalgene bottle
• Helmet (mandatory for whitewater canoe trips; you can use ours)
• Trekking poles/Collapsible walking stick(s) – an excellent asset for your knees & balance while hiking. Use them like ski poles
• Small collapsible wash bucket – handy for a “sponge bath” or doing laundry
• Small musical instrument
• Hot Paws - for hands or feet
• Wide mouth container - for when nature calls while in the tent

E. SPECIFIC TRIPS

• Wetsuit or dry suit - wetsuits or drysuits are required for canoe guests on the Nahanni, Broken Skull, Coppermine, Wind, Snake and Horton. Wetsuits are provided free of charge to canoe guests and to raft guests requesting an inflatable kayak or pack raft. Drysuits are included free of charge on Alsek and some Tatshenshini expeditions. We have drysuits available for rent for canoe guests on the Broken Skull, Moose Ponds and Mountain river expeditions.

F. CANOE TRIPS ONLY

• Locking carabiners - two or three
• Paddle – only if you prefer to use your own
• PFD – only if you prefer to use your own * If you are bringing either of the last three items please inform us prior to June

Welcome to the Land of the Midnight Sun; a country of diverse landforms, abundant and diverse vegetation and new delights to the eye, every day. Flowing across these lands are the rivers, the veins of the Earth, lifelines to the ecosystems they support. Imagine paddling through these majestic landscapes as a humble visitor and hiking to awe-inspiring viewpoints, to be rewarded each day with delicious, high quality meals freshly prepared by our guides.

You will be accompanied by your knowledgeable guides who share their passion for the area, and with them you unfold the mysteries and experience the beauty of the North. You will wake up each morning to the smell of freshly brewed coffee, safe in the knowledge that the adventures of the day to come will provide you with stories to inspire your friends and family for years to come.

You may be one who prefers to be challenged physically or you may be looking for a peaceful natural retreat experience – we can help you find a trip option to meet your desires. You can be certain that our goal is to begin working together with you now to plan a holiday that will meet and exceed your expectations in as many ways as possible and be one of those “trips of a lifetime” that we all dream of. Our years of experience tell us that you will return home refreshed, revitalized and already planning your next adventure!

International visitors to Canada will need a passport to enter, with at least 6 months from the end of your visit to the expiry date. You will need to renew your passport if it does not meet this requirement.

Visitors who are not US citizens or permanent residents will also need to apply for an eTA (electronic Travel Authorization). You can find out more about the eTA process here: 

Please carry your passport on you; do not pack it in your checked-in luggage. 

Please note, our Tatshenshini and Alsek River expeditions cross the US-Canada border, so guests will need to bring their passports and apply for an ESTA visa for entry to the US if you are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents!

We often have solo travellers join our group and we do not charge a single supplement. You will be provided with a private tent at no additional charge. If you would like to canoe, but don’t have a partner, we will pair you up with someone suitable, either a guide or another solo paddler.

The majority of people who come with us are from North America, but it is not uncommon to have folks join us from further afield . We have welcomed guests from most countries in Europe as well as South Africa, Australia and Asia. Most share the common goal of a strong interest in the outdoors and nature and enjoy meeting and making new friends.

They come alone, in couples, as a family or in groups of friends. They range from 8 to over 80 years of age. On our regular trips we keep our guide to guest ratio 1:4 and we always provide a minimum of two guides. Another example of our commitment to providing this highest quality of experience to our guests.

Custom trips may have a lower ratio at an additional cost. The number of participants on any expedition is governed by the parks we travel through. It ranges from 12 to 20 guests plus guides. Feel free to inquire about the number of guests on your trip or discuss any concerns you may have with our Expedition Planning Team.

Our detailed, well organized itineraries and our experienced guides ensure the daily flow will feel seamless.

We believe in showing you all aspects of the areas we are travelling in and not just “the river banks”. To achieve this we have scheduled all our adventures to allow plenty of time for hiking, exploring, photography or just relaxing. We try to include as much hiking as possible – these range from short 1 or 2 hour walks from our canoes or rafts to all day hikes from the camp. With a minimum of two guides along and often three or four, we are able to offer different options to suit every pace and endurance level including skipping the hikes to relax in camp. 

Participation is entirely up to you – you can lead the group, go only part way, go for a short stroll or choose to relax in camp and read a book. All participants are required to fill out a medical form for their own health and safety. We require a doctor’s note for guests who are over 80 years old.

A good general level of fitness is recommended; the trip will be much more enjoyable if you are in good physical condition. Most hiking will not be overly strenuous but we will be walking up and down hills, often on unstable ground such as narrow trails with rocks or scree. We recommend regular exercise prior to the trip such as walking, swimming, or participating in a fitness program.

Attitude tends to be the main criterion. If you are capable of walking over rocky, uneven ground, if your bad back is manageable and if your doctor tells you that you should go and enjoy yourself, then you will likely manage OK. Please contact us with any questions you may have about this. We can also connect you with one of our previous participants for a third opin

There is one guide per raft, typically 3 to 5 rafts per expedition and the guides do the rowing. Paddles are typically available though paddling is optional and there may be times when paddling is not an option.