Package Brochure (English version)

Package Season: June 27 to September 20

Package Details:

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 wilderness of the “Dehcho” region while also experiencing the genuine culture of the local Indigenous people.

What makes our canoe expeditions different from other NWT canoe adventures is we incorporate elements of our Indigenous culture on each day of the expedition! Also, we have a support boat that accompanies our canoe groups from start to end. The support boat provides a safety service, bear monitor service, carry extra cargo and of course are captained by our Indigenous guides who are knowledge keepers of the land and are happy to share stories about the land, about life in the old days and about our culture.

If you’re wanting to do a paddling expedition in the wilderness of northern Canada and experience genuine Indigenous culture at the same time then this canoeing Adventure is for you! We offer a number of different options for you to choose from. Bookings must be made 60 days before tour package date. Click here to book any of this exciting canoeing and wilderness packages.

Package Highlights:

• Indigenous guides & genuine Indigenous cultur
• Experience life in Indigenous communities
• Storytelling with Dene Elders
• Comfortable hotel accommodations in Yellowknife (optional)
• Comfortable B&B accommodations in Indigenous communities
• Experience our 24hr daylight phenomenon!
• Experience awesome amazing Aurora Borealis!
• Scenic road trip on Mackenzie Highway to and from Yellowknife
• Northern wildlife and North American game bird viewing
• Amazing photography opportunities!
• All river meals and snacks provided
• Everything provided, just bring friends and family
• Flight into world famous Nahanni National Park (optional)
• Click here to reserve your seat now!

*Package highlights vary depending on which Package is chosen

Mackenzie River Canoe Expeditions

MRCE01: 9-10 Day Fort Providence to Fort Simpson (285kms)
Culture Option: $4995.00/person (7-8 nights on the river)
Canoe Only Option: $3995.00/person (7-8 nights on the river)

MRCE02: 15-16 Day – Fort Providence to Wrigley (518kms)
Culture Option: $8995.00/person (12 nights on the river)

Canoe Only Option: $6995.00/person (12 nights on the river)

MRCE03: 8-9 Day – Fort Simpson to Wrigley (238km)
Culture Option: $5995.00/person (7 nights on the river)

Canoe Only Option: $4495.00/person (7 nights on the river)

MRCE04: 13-14 Day – Fort Simpson to Tulita (491kms)
Culture Option: $10,995.00/person (11 nights on the river)

MRCE05: 9-10 Day – Wrigley to Tulita (253kms)
Culture Option: $7995.00/person (8 nights on the river)

Canoe Only Option: $6349.00/person (8 nights on the river)

MRCE06: 15-16 Day – Wrigley to Fort Good Hope (525kms)
Culture Option: $10,995.00/person (12 nights on the river)

MRCE07: 9-10 Day – Tulita to Fort Good Hope (272kms)
Culture Option: $7749.00/person (8 nights on the river)

Canoe Only Option: $6249.00/person (8 nights on the river)

MRCE08: 9-10 Day – Women’s Only Culture Canoe Package (238kms)
Culture Option: $5995.00/person (7 nights on the river)

Minimum 6 persons; maximum 20 person booking; does not include GST

Package Itinerary: MRCE01 Fort Providence to Fort Simpson

Day 1 – Welcome to Yellowknife!

Welcome to the Northwest Territories! After all guests arrive into Yellowknife we will meet for a brief introduction, meet the other guests and your guides and then we are on the road to your Expedition’s starting point, a 300km road trip to Fort Providence. Along the way we will see the world’s biggest wild Wood Buffalo, we arrive into Fort Providence around 5-6pm. We’ll check into the hotel and after dinner we will do formal introductions and host a comprehensive orientation of your trip.

Day 2: Canoeing on the Mackenzie River!

After a hearty breakfast, we head down to the docks to unload the canoes and gear. We will do a last minute check of the canoes and the gear, hold a safety meeting and then we start our 270km (162mi) journey on the Mackenzie River! Local residents and community leaders will come down to see us off. After a traditional prayer ceremony, we are on the river! We will arrive at our first camping spot mid-afternoon where we will set up our tents and our camp. A relatively easy first day, to give everyone the chance to become familiar with canoeing and the river. Your guides will prepare a delicious dinner of traditional foods. After dinner, our support boat and local Dene Elder will tell us stories about the old days. A good sleep is needed tonight in order to be ready to tackle the “Big Monster” tomorrow.

Day 3: Tough test crossing Mills Lake

After an early breakfast, we are ready to tackle the “Big Monster” known as Mills Lake, the widest part of the entire 1700km Mackenzie River! The current is slow here and so will be the paddling, this will be a good workout. After Mills Lake we arrive at our 2nd campsite, Axe Point. Arriving around mid-afternoon, we will set up our tents and our camp, while your guides prepare a delicious dinner of traditional foods. After dinner, our support and Dene guide Elder will talk about this the history of this region and tell us more stories about the old days and more!

Day 4-6: Canoeing and camping on the mighty Mackenzie River!

The next 3 days and nights we continue our canoe journey following in the footsteps of Sir Alexander Mackenzie and his men who canoed this same river over 230 years ago! What you are seeing with each passing kilometre is exactly what Alexander Mackenzie would have seen back in 1789! During these 3 days we come to where the river starts to narrow and the current gets faster! Early morning breakfasts, lunch on river when all the canoes are  together and then a delicious dinner meal on the shore and some time to relax, take some time to yourself and reflect on your journey then sit around the campfire to share stories, enjoy your soothing chamomile tea and then crawl into your tent for a good night’s sleep out under the stars on the shores of the mighty Mackenzie River!

Day 7: We arrive into the tiny village of Jean Marie River!

After 3 days of canoeing and camping on the river we arrive into the small Indigenous community of Jean Marie River. Arriving mid afternoon, we will set up our tents, our little camp and then explore th tiny community of population 77. After walking around the community, meeting residents and community leaders it’s back to our camp on the shore for a delicious traditional dinner and then enjoy enjoy a relaxing evening in this wonderful Indigenous community.

Day 8: Last night on the Mackenzie River at Rabbitskin

After a hearty breakfast and thanking the kind residents, we paddle 31kms in a northernly direction until we arrive at the traditional camping spot of Rabbitskin River. At Rabbitskin, we will take some time to go swimming (weather permitting), do a little fishing and just relax, let the muscles heal a bit and of course check our canoes and gear. Rabbitskin has a spectacular view of the river, to the south and to the west, take in this wonderful view, the same view that Alexander Mackenzie would see 231 years ago!

Day 9: We reach our destination, Fort Simpson!

A relaxing last evening on the river. a wonderful relaxing evening, we are back on the river for another 34kms to our destination of Fort Simpson, first established as a fur trading post over 200yrs ago by the Hudson Bay Company, you made it! After checking into your hotel or B&B, enjoy an informative tour of this historic riverside community. Then for dinner enjoy a cookout meal at a local resident’s home, meet some of the local Indigenous people and hear more stories and learn more about our culture or go for a leisurely walk around this scenic community.

Day 10: A relaxing road trip back to Yellowknife!

After breakfast, it’s road trip time! Sit back and enjoy the scenery of Canada’s north in our comfortable air conditioned tour vans on our way back to Yellowknife. Reminisce with the other guests about your trip along the way. After a few hours, we cross the Dehcho Bridge that spans the Mackenzie River, your river! On the other side we will stop for lunch and a quick visit into the picturesque community of Fort Providence. Soon we arrive back into Yellowknife, check into your hotel or B&B and enjoy a delicious wrap up dinner to reminisce some more. Thank you for choosing North Star Adventures!

Package Dates: 2021

MRCE01: Starts June 27
MCRE02: Starts June 27
MRCE03: Starts July 03
MRCE04: Starts July 03
MRCE05: Starts July 13
MRCE06: Starts July 13
MRCE07: Starts July 23

Price starts: $3995.00*+GST/person

*min: 6 person; max: 20 persons

Package Itinerary: MRCE09 – Voyageur Canoe 10 Day Expedition

Day 1 – Welcome to Yellowknife!

Welcome to the Northwest Territories! Our staff will greet you at the airport and bring you to your hotel or B&B. After all guests arrive into Yellowknife we will provide a thorough orientation session for your Package, meet other guests and meet your guides. The evening is yours to enjoy. Next morning we drive 300km to the small Indigenous community of Fort Providence, where we start our Mackenzie River trip.

Day 2: Road trip and canoeing on the Mackenzie River!

After an early breakfast we start our road trip to Fort Providence, along the way we will see the world’s biggest wild buffalo. After lunch in Fort Providence, you will meet all the river guides and go thru your trip orientation. Then we start our Mackenzie River journey! After 5-6hrs on the Dehcho we arrive to our first camp site where we will set up our camp, enjoy a traditional foods dinner, hear stories about Indigenous culture and spend your first night on the shores of the Mackenzie River!

Day 3:  Day 2 of paddling the mighty Mackenzie River

After an early breakfast, we are back on the river paddling across the tough Mills Lake leg of the river, a wide expanse of the river with slow moving water, this will be a tough test. Soon after Mills Lake we arrive at our 2nd campsite, Axe Handle Point. Set up our tents, while your guides prepare a delicious dinner of traditional foods. After dinner, Dene Elders from Fort Providence will join us for the night! They will talk about this the history of this region and tell us more stories about the old days and more!

Day 4-6: Canoeing and camping on the mighty Mackenzie River!

The next 3 days and nights we continue our canoe journey following in the footsteps of Sir Alexander Mackenzie and his men who canoed this same river over 230 years ago! What you are seeing with each passing kilometre is exactly what Alexander Mackenzie would have seen back in 1789! During these 3 days we come to where the river starts to narrow and the current starts to faster! Early morning breakfasts, lunch on river as all the canoes are tethered together and then a delicious dinner meal on the shore and some time to relax, take some time to yourself and reflect on your journey then sit around the campfire to share stories, enjoy your soothing chamomile tea and then crawl into your tent for a good night’s sleep out under the stars on the shores of the mighty Mackenzie River!

Day 7: We arrive into the tiny village of Jean Marie River!

After 3 days of canoeing and camping on the river we arrive into the small Indigenous community of Jean Marie River. Arriving mid afternoon, we will set up our tents, our little camp and then explore th tiny community of population 77. After walking around the community, meeting residents and community leaders it’s back to our camp on the shore for a delicious traditional dinner and then enjoy enjoy a relaxing evening in this wonderful Indigenous community.

Day 8: Last night on the Mackenzie River at Rabbitskin

After a hearty breakfast and thanking the kind residents, we paddle 31kms in a northernly direction until we arrive at the traditional camping spot of Rabbitskin River. At Rabbitskin, we will take some time to go swimming (weather permitting), do a little fishing and just relax, let the muscles heal a bit and of course check our canoes and gear. Rabbitskin has a spectacular view of the river, to the south and to the west, take in this wonderful view, the same view that Alexander Mackenzie would see 231 years ago!

Day 9: Arrive Fort Simpson, you made it!

After breakfast, it’s back on the river for the last 34kms of your 260kms Mackenzie River journey! Soon Fort Simpson, a fur trading community established over 200yrs ago will come into view, what an exciting and exhilarating feeling!! It’s been an amazing, incredible and challenging 8 days on the Mackenzie River. Now you get rewarded with a delicious meal, hot shower, comfortable bed and deserved restful sleep in the local hotel. This evening you will enjoy a cookout at local resident’s home and hear more stories about our culture or you can go for a leisurely walk around this scenic community, the oldest community on the Mackenzie River, established by George Simpson almost 200yrs in 1822!

Day 10: 620km road trip back to Yellowknife!

After an early hearty breakfast, we hit the road back to Yellowknife. Arriving in late afternoon, we will check you into your hotel and then all meet for a delicious, well deserved wrap up dinner. We will all reminisce about your last 8 days, an incredible personal achievement, not many in the world have done this, you did!!  Thank you for choosing North Star Adventures!

Voyageur Canoe Price Options:

10 Day All-Inclusive: $3,995.00/person (7 nights on the river)

Package Dates: Voyageur Canoe Expeditions

MRCE09: Starts June 25

Note: Dates can be flexible, please contact office for more information

Photo Gallery

Terms & Conditions:

1. Prices based on 2 person to 1 room booking. Prices may vary based on persons per room.
2. Prices subject to change without notice due to fluctuations in fuel, hotel, airline and/or tour partner prices.
3. Dates subject to change without notice due to inclement weather or airline and/or tour partners changes.
4. Please review our Payment & Cancellation Policy before booking.
5. Does not include Guide tips. Feel free to tip your Guide directly.
6. Minimum: 6 guests per booking; Maximum: 20 guests per booking