Day 1

A mystical journey in the making, we will leave Regina in our luxury van; we will take the Trans Canada Highway toward Swift Current, stopping for lunch at Cabri Regional Park on the bank of the South Saskatchewan River. We should arrive at the Leaning Tree Guest Ranch shortly before dinner time. We will do a short orientation, set up camp by the River, eat and hike around in the evening.

Day 2

We will drive out to Empress across the Red Deer River and the Alberta border in order to get a glimpse of plains prehistory. Through a interpretive visit at the Roy Rivers "medecine wheel", we will acquire a better understanding of Blackfoot religious beliefs, and the significance of this sacred land around the "Fork" as a hunting and ceremonial ground. We will explore parts of the valley on foot and we will camp close to the river.

Day 3

We could be entering the meandering and lush Red Deer River, or the steep-sided South Saskatchewan River Canyon, one of the nation's jewels. Besides being an area of national environmental significance, it includes a federally authorized National Wildlife Area and a newly created, provincially designated Natural Area. It has some of the highest diversity and density of nesting birds of prey, several rare plant species, extensive spring-fed habitats and awesome badlands and canyon scenery.

You would camp out at the forks that night, after a glorious day of paddling downstream.

Day 4

You will be introduced in the morning to the South Saskatchewan River valley. The current is fast and strong. The valley averages three kilometres in width. Ten thousand years after it has been cut by ancient glacial currents, the flood plain has had ample time to develop into the diverse habitat it has become. As you follow the river, you will notice the treed islands that nurture wildlife much as an oasis would. Your day ends back at the Leaning Tree Guest Ranch where we will spend one last night.

Day 5

After breakfast, we drive out through various prairie towns along highway 44, stopping for lunch at Gardiner Dam, which created lake Diefenbaker in the 1960s. This huge water basin on the South Saskatchewan River has become a renowned sailing and windsurfing destination. We then continue on to Regina, where we will arrive before dinner.

Package includes: All sleeping accommodations, including tents, camping and canoeing equipment, all home-cooked meals including wine and other refreshments, fees, applicable taxes, professional guide/interpreter and all transportation from point of departure to point of return. Sleeping bags not included.