Canoe on Keele River, Northwest Territories

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 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 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 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 for anything from rain to snow. Don’t forget to bring some sunscreen too.
• Please contact us before booking the tour if you’re considering traveling with children below the minimum required age.