"Paddle one of Canada's true arctic rivers"

At 71½  N Victoria Island's Nanook River is one of Canada's more northerly canoeable rivers.  The River offers unbelievable wildlife, fantastic hiking, great fishing and fun paddling.  Along the way you'll have plenty of time to explore this truly amazing landscape.  From almost all of the stunning campsites you can hike and explore the low hills, eskers and unique arctic deserts that make up the Nanook valley.  The lakes and river along the way offer fantastic fishing for Arctic Char and Lake Trout.  While paddling and camping we are almost guaranteed to see Musk Ox, Peary Caribou, Arctic Fox, and Snowy Owl.  Arctic Wolves are also common along with Gyre Falcons, Arctic Loons and Swans. 

We will meet in Cambridge Bay, Nu and fly by charter plane into our off strip landing site in the interior of Victoria Island near the headwaters of the Nanook river.  From here we will travel about 180km north to the mouth of the river at Hadley Bay off Mellville Sound (Arctic Ocean).  We'll drop about 130m over the 12 days.  The river runs fast and there are numerous fun easy rapids interspaced with several lakes along the ...

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"Paddle one of Canada's true arctic rivers"

At 71½  N Victoria Island's Nanook River is one of Canada's more northerly canoeable rivers.  The River offers unbelievable wildlife, fantastic hiking, great fishing and fun paddling.  Along the way you'll have plenty of time to explore this truly amazing landscape.  From almost all of the stunning campsites you can hike and explore the low hills, eskers and unique arctic deserts that make up the Nanook valley.  The lakes and river along the way offer fantastic fishing for Arctic Char and Lake Trout.  While paddling and camping we are almost guaranteed to see Musk Ox, Peary Caribou, Arctic Fox, and Snowy Owl.  Arctic Wolves are also common along with Gyre Falcons, Arctic Loons and Swans. 

We will meet in Cambridge Bay, Nu and fly by charter plane into our off strip landing site in the interior of Victoria Island near the headwaters of the Nanook river.  From here we will travel about 180km north to the mouth of the river at Hadley Bay off Mellville Sound (Arctic Ocean).  We'll drop about 130m over the 12 days.  The river runs fast and there are numerous fun easy rapids interspaced with several lakes along the way.  As we travel down the river we expect to take several days off from paddling in order to hike, explore, fish and generally enjoy this incredibly unique environment.  Along the way, and particularly as we approach the coast, we can expect to see evidence of the ancient inhabitants of the region.  Tent rings and other reminders of the Dorset and Tule peoples are scattered along the lower river.

Dates:  July 12-26

Cost:  $6495pp (for booking before Dec 1)  $6795 after Dec 1

Suggested Itinerary:

  Friday July 12 fly from Ottawa to Cambridge Bay, Nu (participants responsible for their own flights)

Day 1:  Charter Tundra Tire flight from Cambridge Bay into Nanook River

Day 2:  Aclimitize, Explore, Hike area around landing site

Day 3-13 on Nanook River (Note there will be at least one, possibly two further lay over, exploration days along the course of the river)

Day 14:  Pick up at Hadley Bay and charter flight back to Cambridge Bay.

Friday July 26:  Weather delay day.  While in theory we plan to be back in Cambridge Bay for the night of July 25, we suggest you consider reserving July 26 as a weather delay day  (ie in case our charter flights are delayed in or out of the river).

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Sat July 27, This is the day we recommend you book you Flights home from Cambridge Bay