Horton River Canoe Tour in the Northwest Territories

We will meet in the hotel lobby at 8 a.m. following breakfast (not covered). Via Twin Otter, we will fly east over the unique tundra ecosystem. We may see frost polygons from the air and will begin to get a feel for this diverse and solitary landscape. We will assemble the canoes and prepare our campsite. This spot offers ideal hiking opportunities and a chance to catch a glimpse of the Horton River’s canyons.

We embark on the river and the Horton’s broad valley stretches out before us. Trees appear only in the very bottom of the valley and along the incoming tributaries. You are now truly immersed in the barren lands. Our guides will unfold the secrets of viewing the land in traditional ways.

Days will be spent exploring the river and the land. Icy veins in the river bank indicate the layer of permafrost that lies underneath the tundra. The treeless tundra offers ideal hiking. There have been active wolf dens here in the past; with some luck they may be occupied again. The river valley is home to many raptors such as the golden eagle and the gyrfalcon.

In this section of classic rolling tundra, three of the four days will be spent paddling, while one will be a layover, giving opportunity for hiking and resting up. The Horton now flows north, parallel to Franklin Bay on the Arctic Ocean, which is about 30 km to the east. Often a cool wind blows off the ocean, which may require that you pull out that extra sweater. This section of the river provides opportunity to see grizzly bears, wolves, muskoxen and caribou. If we are lucky, migrating groups of caribou from the Bluenose Caribou herd can be seen (estimated population in 2021 was 23,000). Their annual migratory path takes them northward in the hills between the Horton and Franklin Bay.

The Horton River begins to slow in this section, as it nears the coast. The badlands and the geology of the Smoking Hills become evident, with a variety of colours and textures. These hills make for intriguing hikes.

Some large meanders in the river are navigated during today’s paddle, an indication that the Horton is an old river. We will likely find ourselves camped at the bottom of a large meander which puts us within a 3 km hike of the ocean.

This day we will hike from the river overland in search of active vents in the Smoking Hills. Also, with some luck we may be able to see Beluga whales in Franklin Bay. It is possible that Franklin Bay may be covered in pack ice even in early July. As always, we won’t stop looking for the caribou on their migration north; they could be anywhere!

The aircraft will pick us up and return us to Inuvik. There may be time to explore the highlights of town after a shower. We will meet for a farewell supper (not included) and reminisce of tundra memories.

This is the last date listed for your trip.

After goodbyes and a last look around Inuvik, we will head for home with a cargo of fond and spectacular memories.

Pickup information

We’ll meet at 8 am in the Arctic Chalet B&B in Inuvik, so please arrive at the hotel the night before.

Practical information

Class II moving water skills required. Gentle flat water river, but paddlers must have sufficient strength and stamina for paddling 6 – 8 hours in strong headwinds.

Please note

5% GST and $150 CAD land use fee are not included in the tour price.

Hotel costs and meals while in Inuvik are not included in the trip fee.