Join us for an unforgettable 12-day canoeing adventure on Keele River through the breathtaking Mackenzie mountain range in the Northwest Territories.
Keele River is a spectacular mountain river that remains largely unknown even to tried and true explorers of the Canadian wilderness. Paddle the turquoise waters that flow through the stunning Mackenzie mountain range to meet diverse Canadian wildlife. Follow the Keele River into the Mackenzie, and on to the charming oil town of Norman Wells.
Get ready for 190 miles (300 km) of adventures, untouched nature, and unforgettable memories! This friendly whitewater tour is open to all skill levels, making this trip a great choice for anyone who wants to try a northern canoeing expedition.
From
Availability (2025):
Price: $8595 CAD per person
INTERNATIONAL NUMBER: +1 778 348 1676
You can also send an email to info@adventures.com, or use the contact form here below.
Find out more details about the tour and its highlights
Our Keele River tour takes you on a 190-mi (300-km) adventure through some of the most amazing nature the Northwest Territories has to offer. During its course, the river valley drops to about 4,265 ft (1,300 m) in elevation, making the mountain views even more impressive. Keele is a wide river with high volume rapids and fast streams ensuring that we’ll also enjoy a lively and exciting canoeing experience. The river runs through beautiful canyons and rugged, colorful mountains that reach heights of over 8,860 feet (2,700 m).
The Northwest Territories are home to a substantial number of animals and is great for wildlife viewing. You might see moose, wolves, Dall’s sheep, caribou, and even grizzly bears. Hawks, eagles and various shorebirds also nest and live in the area of the Mackenzie mountains.
Depending on your arrival time to Norman Wells, either meet us at the airport or the lake float plane base that’s just outside the town. After a pre-trip briefing and equipment check, we’ll take a charter flight over the picturesque mountain range to...)
Depending on your arrival time to Norman Wells, either meet us at the airport or the lake float plane base that’s just outside the town. After a pre-trip briefing and equipment check, we’ll take a charter flight over the picturesque mountain range to the Keele River.
Explore the area around Keele River and the foothills of Mountain Dene. Over a century ago, locals used to come down from the mountains to hunt and fish in the area. Now they’ve moved to villages along the Mackenzie River. The Mountain Dene people named the Keele River ‘Bacotyeh,’ meaning “meat drying river.”
Set up the camp, check out the canoes, catch up with the team over a tasty dinner and get some rest before tomorrow’s adventures!
During the next few days, you’ll be paddling past rugged mountains, hiking in vast canyons and up to lofty mountain peaks. The mountains in this area will stun you with their striking color palettes, from shades of green to hues of red and brown. The...)
During the next few days, you’ll be paddling past rugged mountains, hiking in vast canyons and up to lofty mountain peaks. The mountains in this area will stun you with their striking color palettes, from shades of green to hues of red and brown. The landscape, replete with turquoise waters, cinnamon-colored mountains, and flourishing green trees, makes the views unforgettable.
For dinner, you’ll make delicious and nutritious meals over a wood fire or camping stove made from fresh, dried or freeze-dried products.
While the weather temperatures range in the mid 68°F (20°C), sudden temperature drops are quite frequent during this time of the year. Be sure to pack appropriate clothing that keeps you warm while maintaining maneuverability.
This day takes us on a thrilling trip through exciting rapids with many swifts and fast currents. We’ll paddle to the Mackenzie River, the longest Canadian river system with the second largest drainage basin of any river in North America. It runs fro...)
This day takes us on a thrilling trip through exciting rapids with many swifts and fast currents. We’ll paddle to the Mackenzie River, the longest Canadian river system with the second largest drainage basin of any river in North America. It runs from the Great Slave Lake in the Northwest Territories all the way into the Beaufort Sea.
A charter shuttle will take you from Tulita downstream to Norman Wells. You’ll be staying in town at the Heritage Hotel, where we’ll reminisce over our canoe memories over a final dinner. The cost of the hotel is included in the tour fee, but the meals at the hotel are at your own expense.
We’ll spend a final day exploring the oil town. During World War II, the US Army tried to build a pipeline to get the oil from Norman Wells, through the Yukon border, all the way to Alaska. The challenging plan required highly skilled engineers and c...)
We’ll spend a final day exploring the oil town. During World War II, the US Army tried to build a pipeline to get the oil from Norman Wells, through the Yukon border, all the way to Alaska. The challenging plan required highly skilled engineers and construction specialists. The pipeline crossed mountain ranges to Whitehorse but was abandoned shortly after it began operating.
Around 800 people live in Norman Wells and it has schools, a nursing station, grocery shops, a few hotels, restaurants, and a campground.
After spending a day in the town, take an airport transfer (included) for your flight home (not included).
You’ll be picked up from Norman Wells airport and taken to the Lake float plane base that is 4 mi (6.5 km) south of town. The weather is often unpredictable, and you can sometimes experience all four seasons in just one day! Get your clothes packed ...)
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