-presents - 

Dance with Wolves!
Territory of Nunavut, Canada

Placing your cursor over the photos on this page will bring pop-ups that tell more of the story!

All photos on this webpage have been taken by clients while attending Great Canadian Wilderness expeditions over the past seasons of our field operations at our various wildlife camp locations in the NWT & Nunavut Canada.

 

wild tundra wolf - photo copyright Eric Peterson

 

 

Wild wolves remain one of the world's most intelligent and elusive creatures. Following centuries of persecution, hunting, and even sanctioned poisoning by trappers, ranchers and intolerant Governments throughout the world - the wilds of Northern Canada remain one of the last strongholds - and even here wolves rightfully tend to be shy of humans and their activities.

Adult tundra wolf pair with pups in tow on Dance with Wolves trip  / photo copyright David Welling

Great Canadian Wilderness Adventures is proud to boast that we are one of the only companies anywhere that offers a high degree of success to encounter wild wolves in their natural habitat. We accomplish this without the use of any artificial means such as captivity, feeding or implanted radio devices. Instead, we take advantage of traditional wilderness knowledge of consistent migratory, hunting and den cycle activities of wolves, that we have learned over nearly four decades of bush flying & guiding in the remote Arctic & sub-Arctic of Canada.

Join us this Arctic spring on the magnificent mainland tundra of Nunavut, Canada for a wonderful Arctic wildlife & naturalist adventure under the midnight sun

Musk-ox bull peeking from behind the spruce trees at camp /  photo copyright Lonnie Brock Nature Photography


Photo copyright Art Wolfe Inc.

Featured on this unique trip are tundra white wolf dens sites that have been active over the past several years due to the stability of an increasing musk-ox population.

Those who are diligent will often see adult wolves and their pups during the primary and secondary stage den cycles.  Wolves are very elusive, and we never know how close we can get from season to season - but we definitely offer one of the very best chances to see wolves in the true wild!

 

Check out our new on-line mini-movie:

Tundra wolves & pups at the den

 

 


Three wolves hunting - click to enlarge photo

 

Wolf dens behind camp /  photo courtesy Beverley Morris
Wolf dens in esker sand

 

Tundra wolf along Thelon River / photo copyright David Welbourne
Lone alpha male stands guard

 

Click here to make your reservation on the 2010 'Dance with Wolves' trips!

Departure Dates
Seats Left
Prices (Rates do not include GST tax)
July 2 to July 9 - 2010
FULL
Single: $3,995.00 US - $3,995.00 CAD
Double:
$7,500.00 US - $7,500.00 CAD  
July 9 to July 16 - 2010
FULL
Single: $3,995.00 US - $3,995.00 CAD
Double:
$7,500.00 US - $7,500.00 CAD
July 16 to July 23 - 2010
2
Single: $3,995.00 US - $3,995.00 CAD
Double:
$7,500.00 US - $7,500.00 CAD

Click here to download & print the detailed trip supplement
for the 'Dance with Wolves' trips in PDF format

 

You also have the choice to combine two weeks of 'Dance with Wolves' at a substantially reduced rate! 

Add on $2,800.00 USD // $2,800.00 CDN per person

Prices do not include GST tax.

 

We will start this unique wildllife adventure by boarding a charter aircraft at the traditional Inuit settlement of Baker Lake in Nunavut; to charter boat or fly as far as 50-250 airmiles over the remote Arctic tundra known locally as the 'Barrenlands'. Then we will land at one of our remote wildlife basecamps - situated at one of the most isolated regions in mainland North America!

The traditional Inuit community of Baker Lake, Nunavut as seen from the airport - the geographical centre of North America
The traditional Inuit community of Baker Lake, Nunavut as seen from the airport - the geographical centre of North America


the 2009 Wolves & Great Summer Caribou basecamp - sandy areas nearby offer perfect den habitat for tundra wolves and assorted fox.

Click here to learn more about how to get to our wolves trips.

Once at the wildlife camp located at one of the last true wild wolf ranges remaining in the world, we typically offer comfortable & catered tent-camp accommodations including private sleeping tents, dining & shower facilities. Depending on the site, we also provide an array of equipment on site such as boats & motors, canoes & kayaks and camping equipment to enhance the expeditions; to explore new areas and to seek other dens & wildlife.  Occassionally when the situation demands it, we set up ground tent 'spike camps' to maximize wildlife viewing.

Click here to learn more about our wildlife camps facilities & services.

 

Rainbow over basecamp / Photo copyright Galen Rowell - Mountain Light Photography

Camp beach / photo courtesy Beverley Morris

One of the wildlife camps /  photo courtesy Julie Yamaguchi

Sunset overThelon

As the 'Dance with Wolves' trips occur shortly after the summer solstice,  there is about 22 hours of daylight, and a short period of dusk. Sunsets can seem to last for hours! 

Nesting birds-of-prey are often present in this wildlife rich region, including peregrine & gyrfalcon, bald and golden eagles, a variety of hawks, nesting shorebirds & waterfowl. This is an excellent trip for quality birding!

Click here to obtain our bird list (in PDF)

 

Scoter ducks sliding into an esker pond /  photo copyright Eric Peterson

 

Watching for falcons /  photo courtesy Tracy Gall

 

Harris sparrow perched at the basecamp /  photo copyright Eric Peterson

 

Peregrine falcon perched during wolves trips / copyright Art Wolfe, Inc.

 

falcon chicks

 

A rare photo of a gyrfalcon adult feedin a squirrel? to its chicks in the nest behind the camp / photo courtesy Beverley Morris
Gyrfalcon feeding its chicks

 

 

Adult merlin perched watching for dinner /  photo courtesy Beverley Morris

 

Rock ptarmigan /  photo copyright Eric Peterson

 

 

Bull musk-ox wading tundra stream / photo copyright Steve Maka

During this time of season, single bull musk-oxen often wander right into the camps, and we are also usually able to locate & encounter herds of musk-ox cows & calves as they meander and graze the fresh growths of springtime foliage.   

 

 

Check out our new on-line mini-movie:

Tundra wolves & pups at the den

 

Musk-ox bulls grazing behind camp / photo courtesy Andrew MacPherson & Allicia Kelly

musk-oxen herd with bull feigning a summer fight /  photo copyright Terry Elliott - Savage Island Photography

Pontoon boat on Thelon /  photo courtesy Tracy Gall

 

In recent years musk-oxen have spread out from the nearby Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary

 

Lupin along the Thelon River valley in Nunavut / photo copyright David Welbourne

The careful eye will discover another world underfoot during the subtle, yet most beautiful Arctic springtime flower bloom at this special time of year.

alpine azaleas in spring bloom on the tundra /  photo courtesy Beverley Morris

 

Just bloomed fireweed along the central Thelon in Nunavut /  photo copyright David Welbourne

Curious cross-fox kit /  photo copyright Eric Peterson

 

 

During the 'Dance with Wolves' trips, and throughout most of the summer - Arctic fox, cross fox & red fox frequent and den in these areas, and often we are able to locate the active dens.

 

 

 

Adult cross fox watching from its esker den / photo copyright Eric Peterson

 

Cross fox kits playing at the esker den / copyright Charlotte Richardson

 

A den full of red fox kit - right behind the camp! /  photo copyright Terry Elliott - Savage Island Photography

 

Cross fox kit on the Thelon / Photo Courtesy of Tracy Gall

 

Wonderful springtime miniature flower bloom, the long days with the midnight sun, the tinkling of ice break-up, immersion in ancient native history, archaeology and incredible tundra/esker landscapes - all highlight this unusual adventure in the remote Canadian Arctic!

Dance with Wolves participants hiking the eskers / photo by Tundra Tom

Tundra wolf pup on the Thelon / photo copyright Gunter Baumgart

 

Plying the lake by boat amidst the ice flows during the spring ice breakup /  photo courtesy Tracy Gall
Boating amidst ice break-up

Click here to make your reservation on the 2010 'Dance with Wolves' trips!

Dance With Wolves 2010
Departure Dates
Seats Left
Prices (Rates do not include GST tax)
July 2 to July 9 - 2010
FULL
Single: $3,995.00 US - $3,995.00 CAD
Double:
$7,500.00 US - $7,500.00 CAD  
July 9 to July 16 - 2010
FULL
Single: $3,995.00 US - $3,995.00 CAD
Double:
$7,500.00 US - $7,500.00 CAD
July 16 to July 23 - 2010
2
Single: $3,995.00 US - $3,995.00 CAD
Double:
$7,500.00 US - $7,500.00 CAD

Click here to download & print the detailed trip supplement
for the 'Dance with Wolves' trips in PDF format

 

You also have the choice to combine two weeks of 'Dance with Wolves' at a substantially reduced rate! 

Add on $2,800.00 USD // $2,800.00 CDN per person

Prices do not include GST tax.

 

 

What some of our recent clients have to say about our wolves trips:

'Caribou & Wolves - 'The Deadly Dance'

Great Canadian was proud to facilitate cinematographer Jeff Turner and crew of River Road Films to several wild wolf den sites, and to the Great Summer Caribou migration. Jeff got some awesome footage - with several grizzlies coming in to a remote water crossing to feed in several caribou that were stuck in the boulders of a creek crossing. During the spring of 2004, Jeff also got some quality wolf pup footage on the Thelon.  The wildlife documentary was aired in 2005 in the US on Animal Planet and in the UK on BBC2 on a series called "The Natural World".  Jeff had this to say about his trips with us: 

"I have filmed wolves, caribou and grizzly bears in many areas of the Canadian Arctic over the past 15 years and I have to say that the area around the Thelon River is without a doubt the most beautiful piece of Arctic tundra I have ever experienced. It is a world class wilderness with some of the planets most spectacular scenery and wildlife that is hard if not impossible to see anywhere else. I know of no other place where you can go and watch wild wolves around their den. Wolves are one of the most difficult animals to get close to in the wild and Tom and his crew have been doing it here for years. That says a lot about their sensitivity and success as wildlife guides. Tom and his crew at Great Canadian Wilderness are ideally placed to give access to this wonderful landscape. There is no-one with more experience and knowledge of the area and they have setup a comfortable, warm and homey camp with good food and facilities in the middle of this wilderness. They live lightly on the land here trying always to keep the imprint of man to a minimum in this pristine place. I admire and appreciate the work they do and wish them much success in the future."

Jeff Turner
River Road Films
Princeton, BC, Canada

 

Click on photo to read what US Wildlife Photographer Art Wolfe wrote about his wolves trip..

Click on photo to read what photographer Bill Mullins wrote about his Wolves' trip:

Click on photo to read what client Eric Peterson wrote about his two wolves trips...



Great Canadian Wilderness Adventures

Click here to download our current trip calendar in PDF

 

Still undecided? Click on any of the faces below, and let our past clients & trips leaders tell you about their trips with us to the Canadian Far North!


Barry Girard


George Nagel

Noelle Tufts

Steve Lybeck

Tundra Tom

Bob Gainer

Steve Barger
Photo copyright Art Wolfe Inc.
Art Wolfe

Andy Kammer
Martin Haefele


Dr. Ella Trussell


Brad Armstrong

Rita Marett

George Archibald

Chris Crowley
Andrew Macrae
Andrew Macrae
Bill Mullins a-smiling on the tundra - photo courtesy Beverley & Allan Morris
Bill Mullins

Julie Yamaguchi

Glen Grambo

Courtney Milne

Adele Curtis

Eric Peterson
Photo copyright Art Wolfe Inc.
Alan Weisman
Photo copyright Mountain Light Photography
Galen Rowel
Scott Schrader
Scott Schrader
Photo copyright Annika Brodén
Annika Brodén
Photo copyright Art Wolfe Inc.
Christian Heeb
Photo copyright of Bill Silliker, Jr.
Bill Silliker Jr.

Lonnie Brock

Dr. David Mech - photo copyright IWC
 Dave Mech
Lee Mann - photo copyright Annika Broden
Lee Mann

Jay Dickman

Terry Elliott
Photo copyright Art Wolfe Inc.
Dennis Fast
Allicia Kelly
Photo copyright Charlotte Richardson
Steve Maka

 

Come warm yourself by our fire
Great Canadian Wilderness Adventures
Phone: 1-800-667-9453 (Canada & USA)
Overseas Phone:
+807-662-4512
North American toll-free Fax: 866-416-5548
Email
: tundra@thelon.com
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