2024: July 1-10
2025: June 26 - July 4
109 km (68 miles) on Natla
$8,395 CAD + 5% GST
9 Days
Canoe
Intermediate to Advanced
Norman Wells, NWT
The Túoch’ee Deé, pronounced “Too-ho-chay Day” (Natla River) is whitewater wilderness canoe tripping at its best.
From your starting point at O-Grady Lake, you’ll experience the Natla River growing from a swift creek into a full-bodied river. Explore the small canyons of the first few days as glacial creeks feed into the aqua-marine green waters. Navigate your way down numerous rock gardens in a wild, whitewater adventure for experienced canoeists. Between the action-packed & near continuous action in the early trip and grand finale of Stelfox canyon, you’ll enjoy a stunning section of tranquilly, gliding through open mountain valleys with abundant opportunities to spot caribou, moose, mountain goats, and grizzly bears.
Into fishing? Cast a line for bull trout and arctic grayling in front of a backdrop of stunning alpine scenery.
You can look forward to a variety of hiking options in this wilderness paradise. You’ll have at least one day off the water to make the most of the nearby alpine slopes.
Pending availability, guests on the Natla River can opt to continue down the Keele River. If you have time & interest for an epic 20 day adventure, add $2,700 to trip fees.
Call us at 1 (867) 445 4512 for more information about our guided Natla River canoe adventure through the Mackenzie Mountains in Canada!
Our guide did an excellent job scouting and navigating.
Get out your camera because it's going to be an hour-long, jaw-dropping flight deep into the remote wilderness of the Mackenzie Mountains. In the morning our float plane takes us from Norman Wells to O'Grady Lake, the tranquil headwaters of the Natla River.
We'll make our way out of tranquil O'Grady Lake where the river begins to pick up as a small creek winding through alpine hills dominated by dwarf birch. Glacial mountain peaks surround us everywhere. The river gains volume and loses altitude has it flows out of the headwaters through endless, action-packed rock gardens. Impossible to scout the numerous, non-stop rapids from shore, we'll trust the line of experienced guides in the lead boat and put our paddling skills to the test.
A river of many moods, the middle section of the Natla is punctuated by a few days of relaxed paddling through long river valleys. Big game wildlife sightings are common during this peaceful phase of the trip, and we enjoy the mountain views, hiking, and fishing as we paddle through paradise.
We find ourselves on DAY 9 on our final grand whitewater finale. The Natla drops it's final 10 km down Stelfox Canyon, a high-volume section of large standing waves, river-wide ledges and strong eddy lines. It's about as exhilarating as a run as you'll anywhere in a whitewater canoe. Finally, we are at the confluence of the Keele River. We enjoy this final night together on the river before the float plane returns to take us back to Norman Wells on DAY 10.
– One night accommodation in Norman Wells (after the trip, based on double occupancy – extra fee for single)
– Return charter flight from Norman Wells to the Natla River
– Shuttles from the airport when in Norman Wells, NWT
– Certified guides with a maximum ratio of 5:1
– Expedition canoes with spray decks and knee pads
– Paddle, lifejacket, and paddling helmets
– Group gear for each expedition (tarp, kitchen equipment, utensils, water filtration, etc)
– Expedition first aid kit and canoe repair kit
– Emergency satellite phone, two-way radios for guide staff
– Expedition tent (double occupancy, extra fee for solo)
– hearty and nutritious meals including snacks while on trip
– Group will be limited to 10 participants + 2 guides
– Off-river accommodations on your up North
– Commercial flights to and from Norman Wells
– Personal gear including drybag, sleeping bag, sleeping pad (avaliable for rent)
– Meals in Norman Wells before and after the trip (Day 1 Breakfast and Day 10 Dinner)
– Gratuity for guides
– Wine or spirits
– Drysuits which are mandatory for this trip
– Insurance including evacuation, medical and trip cancellation
– Northwest Territories fishing licence available online
This is an intermediate/advanced trip – not suitable for novices! It’s a demanding river with long stretches of Class II-III rapids. Participants on this trip should have significant paddling experience on northern rivers.
“Our guide was always thinking, keeping the abilities of his clients in the forefront” – Kim M, USA
A detailed personal clothing and gear checklist , specific to your trip,
will be emailed to you in a registration email.
Check out the Youtube videos below with our tips and advice for packing your gear and personal clothes:
Essential Gear – Packing Tips for a Canoe or Kayak Trip
Clothes & Outwear – Packing Tips for a Canoe or Kayak Trip
Before you register for an expedition, please ensure each participant for whom you will be submitting a deposit payment (including yourself) has carefully reviewed the following:
– our Safety & Risk Awareness webpage
– information on your trip webpage (inclusions, exclusions, dates, etc)
– our Liability Waiver
Once you have reviewed the information above and you are comfortable with proceeding, we require a 10% deposit of the trip fee and online booking form completed, done through the “Book Now” button on the trip webpage.
Your trip deposit is fully refundable up to 90 days prior to your expedition start date. On this date, your remaining trip fees are due and all payments become non-refundable.
Once your expedition is within 90 days of departure we are unable to offer a refund for any reason if you cancel your participation.
Please read carefully: Should your expedition departure have to be cancelled, postponed or altered by a force majeure (including but not limited to: weather, poor visibility, or mechanical breakdown causing delayed or cancelled charter flights or helicopter journeys, fire, flood, pandemic, highway closures, community evacuations, ongoing or newly introduced travel ban or government statement), Jackpine Paddle and its partner operators are not obligated to provide a refund or offer alternative travel services.
We strongly encourage you to purchase:
1) Emergency Medical/Evacuation Insurance,
2) Trip Interruption Insurance and
3) Trip Cancellation Insurance – so that you are covered in the event of an unexpected change of plans.
To review our complete Terms & Conditions for Booking, Payment, and Cancellation – please click here.
Really good. We’ve fine-tuned a delicious, nutritious and well-balanced backcountry menu of unique and tasty dishes from years of expedition tripping – and look forward to sharing it with you. Our flexible menu can accommodate vegetarian and gluten-free preferences, and will be tailored in advance for participants on each trip. Guests are always welcome to join guides in cooking and learn to cook our authentic, backcountry recipes.
Breakfast will include fresh fruit and a main course, like eggs and bacon or blueberry pancakes. Lunch features locally-smoked sausages, fruit, hummus, salads, breads and naan with a spread of cheese, jams, and a variety of nut butters. Dinner will offer an hors d’oeuvres, main course, and dessert! Snacking will take place throughout the day.
“Five-star campsites, with gourmet meals included” – Dave S, USA
You bet!
We are proud show off our local fresh fish recipes while on trip. The Natla has excellent bull trout and arctic grayling fishing, as well as lake trout in O’Grady Lakes.
Jackpine Paddle is excited to offer Barren Ground Coffee on all of our paddling tours. Barren Ground Coffee locally-roasts fair trade and organic speciality coffee, 5 kilos at a time, on a beautiful craft roaster in Old Town, Yellowknife. Thanks to our partners at Barren Ground Coffee, we look forward to serving you the freshest roasted coffee in the Northwest Territories.
“We picked wild blueberries to top of the cheesecake” – Sophia D, Canada.
Age is a mindset, and canoeing is an activity that is truly for everyone. Age is not important. What counts is your spirit and that you are reasonably fit. We have had people paddle with us in their early nineties.
If you are a single paddler, you are more than welcome to join us on one of our trips.
There are additional fees if you opt for a solo tent, or local accommodations when provided – as these are based on double-occupancy.
Our trips typically have 2-3 guests who are traveling alone, so you will have the opportunity to meet and paddle with other like-minded individuals. Our guides are skilled at organizing paddling partners based on skill level and personality, ensuring that each trip is safe and enjoyable for all.
One of the best parts of our guided trips is the chance to meet and get to know other paddlers. We hope to see you on one of our trips soon.
If you have questions, we are happy to answer them!
You can get in touch with us at the bottom of this page, or at info@jackpinepaddle.com.
To check out our detailed Getting Started trip planning resource, click here!
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