Our Thelon trips are Class II & III (remote), and are suitable for all ages in moderate physical condition.

Following shortly after spring ice breakup, this Class II leisure paddle begins on the tundra of mainland Nunavut. From here we follow the beautiful valley of the Thelon River in the hear of the Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary, with its many side-canyons and peregrine & gyrfalcon nests. The river flows past many historically and wildife-rich areas, and ends at the traditional Inuit area of the Beverly Lake 15 days later. There you will be picked up by a chartered boat or aircraft, and transported to the traditional Inuit settlement of Baker Lake, Nunavut - and the end of this remarkable expedition!

This trips are timed for the most likely chances to see caribou of the Beverly caribou herd as they migrate south from their calving grounds. We will likely encounter tundra white wolves during their den cycle, with lots of birding opportunities too for nesting shorebirds and birds-of-prey such as peregrine & gyrfalcon, rough-legged hawk, bald & golden eagle.

Once on the river, we will follow the gradual slope of the Thelon River valley through intense sandstone cliffs often riddled with falcon, hawks and cliff swallow nests. 

We will have the opportunity to visit several major Dene' & Inuit archaeological sites, and observe the progress of eagle nests. 

Throughout both weeks of this most remarkable journey, you will encounter several Dene' & Inuit archaeological sites  that date back thousands of years.

You can often find remnants of stone tools and spear points lying on the ground left behind by the nomadic Dene' and the who used to travel this region on hunting forays, and numerous sites of the Caribou Inuit people who once lived along the lower Thelon River, and still hunt & fish there to this day.

The Beverly caribou migration - click photo to enlarge!

If we are lucky, we may encounter 'bunches' of cow & calf barrenground caribou as the flood off the calving grouind to the north, and follow the Thelon River valley.

Check out our mini-movie on-line:

A bull musk-ox grazing in willows along Thelon

The Thelon River and it's sidestreams offer excellent fishing for lake trout, Arctic grayling and northern pike! 

The trip will take on a new educational dimension as we explore Muskox Pingo. This stretch of river has several traditional water crossings of the Beverly caribou as they leave their calving grounds to the North. Weather and schedule permitting, you will spend a day of rest at Big Bend in Nunavut, another famous caribou water crossing that has been used by both Dene' and Inuit hunters. We will have the opportunity to investigate many of their old encampments. 

We will then paddle through the Ursus Islands and the confluence of the Tammarvi River, a traditional site where the Inuit traveled hundreds of miles for thousands of years to obtain tent poles from the last stands of stunted spruce tree growth, and then follow along the last stretch of river to Beverly Lake.  From here you will will leave the canoes behind, picked up by chartered aircraft or boat, and taken out to Baker Lake, Nunavut. This marks the end of what will, without a doubt, be one of the most incredible river trips of your life! 

The entire paddling length of this river expedition is 150 river miles / 270 river kilometres - class II. As the river moves along at 3-4 knots, you can often cover our 10-12 mile days in the mornings, leaving you plenty of time for exploring, relaxing and fishing. This trip is suitable for all ages in moderate physical condition, and with some moderate previous canoe experience.  There are no portages on this entire trip. This canoe trip occurs within the boundaries of the Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary - and it's simply the best!