MRCE04: 16 Day Fort Simpson to Tulita

Today is option day for those that choose the day flightseeing tour into the world famous Nahanni National Park! You will fly into the Mackenzie Mountains, land at the 315ft Virginia Falls, have lunch, then it’s off to the impressive Cirque De Unclimbables at Glacier Lake and then to the oasis of the Mackenzie Mountains, Little Doctor Lake! For those not choosing this tour, the day is your to wander and get to the know the community of Fort Simpson, maybe play a round of golf on the Northwest Territories’ most beautiful golf course, the Seven Spruce Golf Course!

After a hearty breakfast, we head down to the docks to prepare for departure. We will do a last minute check of the canoes and the gear, hold a safety meeting and then we start our epic 491km journey to Tulita! Local residents and community leaders will come down to see us off. After a traditional prayer ceremony, we are on our way! We will arrive our first camping spot late afternoon, set up our tents and our camp. After dinner, our support boat and local Dene Elder will tell stories about the old days.

The next 4 days and nights we continue our journey, the very same journey Sir Alexander Mackenzie and his men did 232 years ago! On the 3rd day you will see the majestic Mackenzie Mountains on the left and will be in view for the rest of the trip! One of our camping spots we will be Mountain View, an incredible spot! Early morning breakfasts, lunch on river when we”raft” the canoes together and delicious dinner meals on the shore. Evenings are time to relax and reflect, gather around the campfire to share stories, enjoy your soothing chamomile tea, afterwards crawl into your tent for a good night’s sleep on the mighty Mackenzie River!

After 4 days of canoeing and camping on the river we arrive into the small Indigenous community of Wrigley. Arriving mid afternoon, we will set up our tents and then explore this tiny community of pop. 119. Walk around the community, meet local residents and community leaders.  A delicious traditional dinner and then enjoy enjoy a relaxing evening in this wonderful Indigenous community.

The next 5 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 232 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, enjoy your soothing chamomile tea and then crawl into your tent for a good night’s sleep on the shores of the mighty Mackenzie River!

After 7 days of canoeing and camping on the river we arrive into the small Indigenous community of Wrigley, our destination. Arriving late afternoon, our North Star vans will be waiting for you and after packing up the canoes and gear we are on the road back for a 2.5hr drive to Fort Simpson where you will check into your comfortable B&B for a nice hot shower! A relaxing cookout dinner with a local Dene family awaits you.

Today, after a hearty breakfast, we will join a local tour company and they will take us on a scenic 4hr hiking experience up the iconic Bear Rock. Bear Rock holds a tremendous significance in our Dene history. You will hear and learn about the Dene legend of Yamoria and Bear Rock. Back to Tulita, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy this historic community, meet the locals and enjoy our culture.

After an early hearty breakfast, and heartfelt farewells to the local residents, it’s on the plane for a relaxing and scenic flight 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 15 days, an incredible personal achievement, not many in the world have done this, you did!!  Thank you for choosing North Star Adventures!