Drum Lake Cultural Experience

After an early breakfast we start our 650km road trip to Fort Simpson! Along the way we will see the world’s biggest wild buffalo and have lunch in Fort Providence and then take a short drive into the community for some cool photos. Afterwards, we’re back on the road to our destination of Fort Simpson (pop. 1500). Upon arrival, we’ll set up our tents in the local campground and prepare a delicious bbq meal. After dinner we will go over tomorrow’s plan for our first day on the river. 

After an early breakfast, and after a brief orientation to the day’s plans and last minute safety check, we’re on the Mackenzie River! Depending on the time we will have a shore lunch. Enjoy your first day canoeing and paddling on the mighty Mackenzie River! We’re either have a shore lunch or we will ”raft” up the canoes together and have lunch as we float down the river. After about 6hrs on the river, we reach our first overnight camping spot and set up camp and then it’s dinner time. Our Indigenous guides will share stories about our Culture. What a great way to spend the day, canoeing and camping on the longest river in Canada!

The next 3 days and nights we continue our canoe journey following in the footsteps of our ancestors and that of Sir Alexander Mackenzie, who paddled this same route over 230 years ago!  Early morning breakfasts, stopping at stops here and there along the way, “raft” the canoes together for a relaxing lunch floating on the river, take some time to yourself and reflect on your journey then sit around the campfire to share stories, and listen to our Indigenous guides talk about life on the land today and in the old days. 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!

After another relaxing evening on the river, and another delicious breakfast, our North Star vehicles   will arrive shortly after lunch to pick up the group.  After a late breakfast (you get to sleep in on this morning!), we pack up all the canoe and camping gear and wait for the vehicles to arrive. Then once loaded, we’re back on the road to Fort Simpson where we will spend a relaxing last night at the campgrounds. We will have a traditional cookout meal with a local Indigenous family  with delicious foods. 

After an early hearty breakfast, we hit the road back to Yellowknife. Crossing the Dehcho Bridge over the Mackenzie River, the same River you just spent the last 6 days on! We’ll the world’s biggest buffalo one last time as we arrive into Yellowknife late afternoon, we will check you into your hotel and we will all meet for a delicious, well deserved wrap up dinner. We will all reminisce about your last 6 days, canoeing and camping on the Mackenzie River and learning more about our Indigenous culture and your Indigenous roots, you did it!!  Thank you for choosing North Star Adventures!