Whitewater Rafting Down the Clearwater River

5 days / 5 nights

Many images of rafting include high traffic tourist areas, with such intense action compacted into a brief period of time, that it becomes difficult to appreciate one's surroundings. Wilderness whitewater rafting is notably different. Wilderness trips provide full days of constantly changing scenery and the chance to actually feel the unique characteristics each bend in the river holds in store for you. Now, add to this experience the intense satisfaction and enjoyment of knowing you are visiting a pristine area, where evidence of man's intrusions is almost non-existent, and now? Your senses come alive!

The area through which the Clearwater River flows in Saskatchewan has significant national heritage and historical features. For this reason, it has been included within the Canadian Heritage Rivers System. It traverses geological formations representing two major periods in the earth's development. The Clearwater River is habitat to a large variety of bird and animal species. As well, evidence of pre-European contact has been recognized and recorded for posterity by First Nations in the form of pictographs (rock paintings).

The Clearwater River is located in the northwest part of Saskatchewan, approximately 700 km north of the city of Saskatoon. Most clients fly into Saskatoon, where they can join the expedition. They are then transported in luxury vans to the river access point. The drive takes you from prairie farmland through boreal forest with intriguing stops in the northern communities.

One of the unique features of the Clearwater River is that it flows from east to west, thus the river valley gets deeper and deeper as it flows into rising terrain. The forces that allowed the creation of such gorges, canyons and cataracts were of cataclysmic proportions and of glacial origin. One occasionally finds caves in the valley wall.

People aged 12 and over and those with limited experience are able to participate on the trips." The guides provide paddling instructions and ensure everyone enjoys the activities safely. If you become uncomfortable with a specific stretch of whitewater, there are foot trails around most rapids.

Actual river travel each day ranges from four to six hours. The balance of the time is spent swimming, hiking, climbing, relaxing, or taking advantage of the many photo opportunities. Wildlife you can be expected to see include moose, migratory waterfowl, bald eagles, osprey, herons and many other species. Occasionally we see otters, wolves and bears. Due to precautions taken, bears have never presented any type of problem. Arctic grayling, walleye and northern pike are easily caught in the river. We practice catch and release style fishing, keeping only a limited number for meals.

Package Price:
1740.00 Can./Person
1200.00 U.S./Person

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Location: Saskatchewan / Canada
Weather: LOW 10.5 C at night
HIGH 21.5 C during the day

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Day 1

VIP meet and greet in Saskatoon Wednesday afternoon or evening and we take you to your accommodation. If time allows you will be treated to a guided tour of Saskatoon and of Wanuskewin Heritage Park, one of the richest archaeological sites representing plains aboriginal history and a sacred place for today's First Nations. Your meal will be provided that night.

Day 2

Thursday, we depart from Saskatoon in the morning and arrive at the Warner Rapids on the Clearwater River around 6:00 p.m. You will be served an aboriginal meal at the river, followed a short orientation and overnight camp.

Day 3

Friday, we depart from camp in the rafts at 9:00 a.m. Most of the time, travels involve floating down the river with numerous stops along the way. We'll have lunch at a trapper's cabin and do a quick tour of a working trapper's cabin, where some of our Dene guides used to spend their summers as children. The river portion of the tour starts with a relaxing pace but quickly gains momentum as you approach Smoothstones Falls around 3:00 p.m. We'll bathe at nearby waterfalls, explore, portage gear around the spectacular set of three falls totalling around 20 meters in drop of elevation, and we'll set up camp. Then, you may be tempted to fish for arctic graylings in the rapids at the bottom of the falls at dusk.

Day 4

Saturday, we leave camp around 10:00 a.m. This day alone will be worth the trip as you travel a succession of lovely rapids throughout the day. Soon, you arrive at Skull Canyon, an intimidating stretch of Class IV+ rapids. The scenery is out of this world. Photo opportunities are endless. And you end it all with a relaxing evening, watching a busy family of beavers nearby or hiking in the widened valley exploring some of the intriguing caves.

Day 5

Sunday, we leave around 9:00 a.m. You are once again back to anticipating what the next bend may bring. A bull moose in velvet eating in knee-deep water? We scout, then perhaps run the Contact rapids. We arrive at the floatplane pick-up point at close to 1:00 p.m. We fly back out of the Clearwater River valley to La Loche. We depart from La Loche around 5:00 p.m. and arrive in Saskatoon between 12:00 and 1:00 a.m. You will be of course dropped off at the hotel. You can hit the shower now or in the morning.

Day 6

Monday, you will be picked up and brought up to your choice of transportation service for your trip back home.

Package includes: Spacious tents, camping equipment, all home-cooked meals and refreshments, fees, applicable taxes, professional guides/interpreters and all transportation from point of departure to point of return. Sleeping bags are not included.

Meals include hearty portions that meet the needs of active people. High protein, low fat dishes including pastas, wild rice, stir-fries, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables are prepared and served by the guides. High-energy snacks are also available throughout the day on the river.

Accommodations are in quality 6 person tents with 4 persons assigned to each tent. You will be provided the equipment necessary for you to have a safe tour, including life jackets, helmets and waterproof bags for your personal gear. Some of the items that must be brought include: sleeping bag and sleeping mat, rain or wind gear, warm clothing, two pairs of footwear, personal hygiene items, insect repellent, a camera and a daypack. You will be forwarded a complete list shortly after your booking.

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