Coppermine River

Remote High Arctic

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Dates

August 11-26

# of Days

Cost

$14,195

Skill Level

Advanced

Meeting Point

See Trip Details

Distance

See Trip Details

Itinerary

Day 1Monday August 11th, 2025 - Arrival- Make your way to Yellowknife, NWT, planning to arrive by mid-afternoon- 4 pm pre-trip briefing, greeting, equipment check and weigh in at the Explorer Hotel/float base.- dinner (own expense) and overnight (included in your trip fee)Day 2Tuesday August 12th, 2025- breakfast (own expense), arrive at the float base for our 8 am flight to the Coppermine River- review canoeing strokes, set up camp and enjoy our first night on the river!Day 3-14Descend the Coppermine River- begin paddling in calm water, a good time to review basic and learn advanced canoe strokes - move through class I rapids, slow stretches of river and lakes, enjoying the landscape and watching for animal life- below ‘Big Bend’, the river again picks up more speed and we can enjoy miles of class I, II, and III rapids as the river snakes towards the Arctic Ocean- occasionally scout but almost always paddle through named rapids such as Muskox, Sandstone, Escape and the famous Rocky Defile Canyon - arctic wildflowers dot the tundra and we may see caribou, muskox and golden eagles - fish for lake trout, Arctic grayling and Char - arrive at Bloody Falls, a great spot to explore and the last major set of rapids before our paddle to the Arctic Ocean and the town of Kugluktuk- portage boats and gear past the falls to campsiteDay 15 Monday August 25th, 2025- depart Bloody Falls for the 3-5 hour paddle to the river’s mouth at the Arctic Ocean- short paddle to Inuit village of Kugluktuk (formerly known as Coppermine)- dinner & overnight in Kugluktuk (included in trip fee)Day 16 Tuesday August 26th, 2025 - Departure- breakfast and lunch in Kugluktuk (included), then depart on 3 pm Canadian North flight from Kugluktuk (own expense) to Yellowknife, connect to onward flights, or overnight in Yellowknife

What Is Included

Guides

6:1 ratio

Accommodations

13 nights camping
1 night accommodation in Yellowknife on day 1- double occupancy
1 night accomodation Kuglucktuk on Day 15 - double occupancy

Meals

dinner Day 15 and breakfast and lunch Day 16 in Kugluktuk
all trail meals and snacks from Day 2 lunch to Day 15 lunch

Canoeing Equipment

ABS expedition canoes with spray decks and knee pads
Paddles, PFDs, throw bags, paddling suits and helmets

Camping Equipment

Tents - free standing expedition dome tents - 2 per tent
‘Kitchen’ - tarp, fire box, cooking stoves, utensils, dishes, etc
Containers for food and group equipment•Safety Equipment
First aid, safety, river rescue, and repair kits
Communications equipment (satellite phone)

Transportation

shuttle from Yellowknife airport with Explorer Hotel
charter flight from Yellowknife to the Coppermine River - Day 2
ground transportation to Kugluktuk Airport - Day 16

What Is Not Included

GST (goods and services tax): 5% of the trip fee
Personal clothing and gear
Travel between your home and the trip rendezvous and airport transfers
Any hotel accommodation, transportation and restaurant meals other than those listed above. Including any meals in Yellowknife on Day 1 or 2
Single occupancy in any accommodation listed above - please inquire with our office to determine pricing and availability
Solo tent - add $52.50 per tent
Any restaurant meals and shuttle services in Whitehorse (eg to/from the Airport)
Any additional personal expenses or costs incurred by CRCO or Black Feather as a result of delays or changes to the trip itinerary caused by factors beyond our control – i.e. unsafe flying conditions, smoke, wind, rain, snow, fog, ice conditions, forest fires, water levels, travel delays, pandemic, etc.
Any costs associated with youremergencyevacuation from the trip
Gratuities - we recommend each participant tips $30-$35 per day to the guide team

What is the Food Like?

Black Feather’s menus are delicious and nutritious. Everyone helps out cooking meals over a wood fire or camping stove from a combination of fresh, dried and freeze-dried products. Breakfasts consist of cereal, fruit and a main course such as blueberry pancakes or eggs and bacon. At lunch you will enjoy a selection of breads (rye bread, bagels, tortillas) with cheeses, sliced meats or veggies ... and of course, good old peanut butter and jam, followed up by cookies or fruit. Dinner consists of hors d’oeuvres, a main course then dessert. Entrees include chicken stir fry and pesto / red pepper pasta. Perhaps we’ll have a salad and finish up with brownies or a lemon desert. On cooler days, a hearty mug of steaming soup is always available, along with tea, coffee, hot chocolate or cold drinks. If you have food allergies or dietary restrictions you should contact our office. You will be required to assist in your menu preparation.

How To Get To This Trip?

The Coppermine River trip meets in Yellowknife, NWT, the capital of the Northwest Territories. You should arrive by mid afternoon on “Day 1”. On this day, there will be a pre-trip briefing at the Explorer Hotel with your guides and the group will check in at the float base to weigh passengers and gear. Further details and reminders will be sent via email 2-3 weeks prior to your trip.

The trip ends in Kugluktuk, Nunavut. You can depart Kugluktuk on or after “Day 16”, see itinerary for exact dates. You can fly on or after this date on the scheduled flight with Canadian North, which offers daily flights to Yellowknife with connections to onward southbound destinations.

The Coppermine River follows the treeline from the central barrenlands to the Arctic Ocean. Renowned for its wildlife and fascinating history, it has been designated a Canadian Heritage River. We begin the trip downstream from “diamond country”, where mineral discoveries have transformed the economy of the region. Caribou and muskoxen graze along the shores as we work our way through fun class I-III rapids, some lakes, and a lazy river current. There is remarkable bird life, including nesting golden eagles and gyrfalcons. The Arctic char fishing can be exceptional. The river moves through rolling hills, steep-walled canyons. and past towering cliffs. The trees dwindle until we paddle out onto the true barrens beneath the midnight sun. Our last camp is at Bloody Falls, in sight of the ocean. Finally we’ll paddle to the sea. We’ll then have a little time to wander through the Inuit hamlet of Kugluktuk before returning to Yellowknife by plane.

This trip is run in partnership with our friends at Black Feather.

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