A FULL rainbow, WOW!! One of many beautiful scenes we canoeing on the Mackenzie River!

Package Brochure (English version)

Package Season: June 15 to August 30

Package Details:

Paddle one of the longest rivers in the world, the Mackenzie River! Leave the hustle and bustle of the modern world behind for a life changing northern Canada canoe, culture & wilderness adventure! Enjoy the wilderness of the “big river” while experiencing the culture of the local Indigenous people.

Highlights include scenic road trips from Yellowknife to small Indigenous communities, seeing wildlife, meeting local residents, learning Indigenous culture, flying into the Nahanni National Park and of course paddling on the same river Alexander Mackenzie canoed back in 1789 over 230yrs ago!

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 should be made 60 days before tour package date. Click here to book any of this exciting canoeing and wilderness packagesPackage Highlights*

• Canoeing and camping on the Mackenzie River
• Experience genuine Indigenous culture
• Learn the history of the river from our Elders
• Comfortable B&B/hotel accommodations
• Road trip on Mackenzie Highway and see wild buffalo
• All river breakfast, lunch, dinners & snacks provided
• Tour the world famous Nahanni Park (optional)
• North Star USB Memory Package (optional)
• North Star Adventure Souvenir Package (optional)
• Click here to reserve your seat now!

*Package Highlights will vary depending on which Package is chosen

Mackenzie River Canoe Expeditions

5 Day – Fort Providence to Jean Marie River
Starts At: $2649.00*/person (2 nights on the river)
All-inclusive: $2649.00*/person (2 nights on the river)

6 Day – Fort Simpson to Wrigley
Starts At: $4549.00*/person (7 nights on the river)
All-Inclusive: $4549.00*/person (7 nights on the river)

7 Day – Fort Providence to Fort Simpson
Starts At: $4549.00*/person (7 nights on the river)
All-Inclusive: $4769.00**/person (includes Nahanni tour)

12 Day – Fort Providence to Wrigley
Starts At: $4549.00*/person (7 nights on the river)
All-Inclusive: $3449.00*/person (6 nights on the river)

*based on 10 person booking; does not include GST
**based on 8 person booking: does not include GST

Package Itinerary: 7 Day Fort Providence to Fort Simpson Expedition

Day 1 – Welcome to Yellowknife!

Welcome to the Northwest Territories! After all guests arrive into Yellowknife we will meet for the orientation session for your trip, meet the other guests and your guides. The evening is yours to enjoy Yellowknife. Next morning we drive 524km to the small Indigenous community of Jean Marie River, where we start our Mackenzie River trip.

Day 2: Road trip from Yellowknife to Jean Marie River

After breakfast we will hit the road. Along the way we will see the world’s biggest wild buffalo, lunch in Fort Providence and see the Mackenzie River for the first time! A couple hours later we will arrive into the tiny Indigenous community of Jean Marie River, pop. 70. We will set up our camp and spend your first night on the shores of the Mackenzie River! Then it’s time for a delicious dinner of traditional foods and local Indigenous culture provided by the local Dene residents.

Day 3: We start paddling on the mighty Mackenzie River!

After breakfast, we will start canoeing the mighty Mackenzie River! We will paddle about 31kms heading north until we arrive at the traditional camping spot of Rabbitskin Creek where we will camp for the night. Enjoy a relaxing swim in the Mackenzie River, do a little fishing or just relax and let the muscles heal. Rabbitskin provides a spectacular view of the river, to the south and to the west. Enjoy this same wonderful view that Alexander Mackenzie would have seen 231 years ago! In late afternoon listen for a motorboat approaching, it will be local Dene Elders coming to spend the night with us! They will talk about the history of this region and tell us stories about the old days and more!

Day 4: We arrive into the village of Fort Simpson!

After 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 5: Fly into the world famous Nahanni National Park!

Today you will fly in a bush plane into the world famous Nahanni National Park! We will land and have lunch at the incredible, awe-inspiring 295ft Virginia Falls! Then a visit to beautiful Glacier Lake and finally land at and enjoy the oasis of the Mackenzie Mountain range, the breathtaking Little Doctor Lake! We will arrive back into Fort Simpson late afternoon just in time for dinner and then the rest of the evening is yours to enjoy the oldest community on the Mackenzie River!

Day 6: 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: 2-Man Canoe 6 Day Expeditions

MRCET 01: Jun 14 – Jun 19
MCRET 02: Jun 20 – Jun 25 (Indigenous Day in Jean Marie River!)
MRCET 03: Jun 26 – Jul 01
MRCET 04: Jul 02 – Jul 07
MRCET 05: Jul 08 – Jul 13
MRCET 06: Jul 12 – Jul 17
MRCET 07: Jul 16 – Jul 21
MRCET 08: Jul 20 – Jul 25
MRCET 09: Jul 26 – Jul 31
MRCET 10: Aug 01 – Aug 06
MRCET 11: Aug 07 – Aug 12
MRCET 12: Aug 13 – Aug 18
MRCET 13: Aug 19 – Aug 24

Price starts: $3,599.00*+GST/person

*based on 8 person booking; does not include hotel or in town meals

Package Itinerary: Voyageur 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: Day 3 of paddling the mighty Mackenzie River

After a wonderful relaxing evening, we are back on the river, soon the river will start to narrow for faster water, we will start making better time now. Today you will learn about Sir Alexander Mackenzie, and his journey down this river back in 1789 as well as George Simpson, the Hudson Bay Governor. It’s been a tough 3 days so far, today we will pull ashore earlier, set up camp, enjoy another delicious meal and rest and heal.

Day 5: Day 4 of paddling the mighty Mackenzie River

After another relaxing night, we’re back on the river. The river starts to narrow again, making for faster water and again making better time. Enjoy the scenery, the same scenery Alexander Mackenzie and his men would have seen. We will hear more stories about Mackenzie and Simpson, about their hardships and successes. Arriving into Browning Point, set up camp and after dinner we will take a little walk to see what remains this old community, established in the 1920’s, a once popular stopping point for past river travellers.

Day 6: Day 5 of paddling the mighty Mackenzie River

An an early breakfast, we’re back on the river again, in fast water, enjoying the nice scenery of the the Dehcho. Today will be a shorter day of 25kms, giving you more time to relax and let the muscles heal a bit. Mid afternoon, we will arrive into “Eshtonah”, a traditional camp site used by the local Indigenous peoples for hundreds of years, we will set up camp and enjoy another relaxing evening. Tonight you will hear stories about our Indigenous culture from your Indigenous guides.

Day 7: Arrive traditional community of Jean Marie River

After a relaxing evening at the traditional campsite of Ehstonah, we’re back on the river enjoying the warm sunshine and the faster water. Today we may stop at a traditional camp where the owner may still be there, she lives there alone and has for many years. If she is there it will be a real treat to visit with her. Later in the afternoon we arrive into the small Indigenous community of Jean Marie River. Set up our tents and then enjoy a warm, delicious traditional dinner prepared by the community as well as some traditional activities put on by the local residents of Jean Marie River!

Day 8: Last night on the mighty Mackenzie River!

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 Creek. 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! A relaxing last evening on the river.

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:

8 Day All-Inclusive: $3,569.00*/person (6 days on the river)
10 Day All-Inclusive: $4,539.00*/person (8 days on the river)
12 Day All-Inclusive: $6,049.00*/person (8 days + Nahanni tour)

*based on 16 person booking

Package Dates: Voyageur Canoe Expeditions

MRCEV 01: Jun 15 – Jun 25 (Indigenous Day in Fort Simpson)
MCREV 02: Jun 24 – Jul 04
MRCEV 03: Jul 03- Jul 13
MRCEV 04: Jul 12 – Jul 22
MRCEV 05: Jul 21 – Jul 31
MRCEV 06: Jul 30 – Aug 09
MRCEV 07: Aug 08 – Aug 18
MRCEV 08: Aug 17 – Aug 27

Price starts: $2,489.00*+GST/person

*based on 16 person booking, does not include hotel or in town meals

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

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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: 8 guests per booking; Maximum: 18 guests per booking