Travel Weekly asked three leading operators to describe their experiences in Canada’s North.
Canoeing, Nahanni River, Northwest Territories
David Mason, product development manager, Vacation Canada
White-water rafting may be one of the most popular adventure pursuits in Canada, but David Mason took to paddling his own canoe on the spectacular Nahanni River in the western Northwest Territories, near Yellowknife.
Mason said: “I was a bit apprehensive about spending a day in a two-seat canoe with a colleague but the experienced guide set us at ease, showed us the ropes – or rather paddles – and was close by all the time.
“It took a little while to get used to the lifejacket and waterproof pack that was part of the gear but I soon lost my nervousness and gained a sense of well-being as we gently glided past some of the most beautiful and peaceful surroundings I have ever experienced.
“This winding, unpolluted, boreal forest river led us to deep canyons, inlets with small fishing communities and Virginia Falls – incredibly, twice the height of Niagara.
“Occasionally we spotted a moose or caribou, and even a bald eagle above the spruce-covered banks of this magnificent valley river, and the campfire dinner of whitefish, pork ribs, beans and bush tea ended a perfect day.
“The guide told us that these forest rivers were historic exploration and fur trade routes, and are still used as highways between remote northern communities and to fishing and hunting camps.
“You don’t have to be a serious canoeist to enjoy the experience and I would readily recommend it for the nature lover looking for a different type of excursion.”
Polar Bear Watching, Wager Bay, Nunavat
Maggi Smit, managing director, Windows on the Wild
Canada is one of the few places where people can get close enough to spot polar bears in their natural habitat.
Sightings are never guaranteed but Maggi Smit struck lucky when she took part in a polar bear viewing excursion.
“I have been lucky enough to have had the amazing experience of coming face-to-face with polar bears – in fact, less than 100 yards separated me from the antics of these beautiful snowy-white creatures as they searched for food,” said Smit.
“It was at Wager Bay above Canada’s Arctic Circle last summer when the bears, as many as 200 at a time, congregated.
“Every year, during July and August, the bears follow the ice pack when it breaks up in summer because drifting ice means fish – an attraction for the seals who, in turn, are the prey of the polars.
“Wager Bay is a superb tundra location to watch them in their natural habitat, roaming around the islands, as it is one of the last places where the ice melts. We stayed at nearby Sila Lodge, 32 miles south of the Arctic Circle.
“The comfortable cabins were a welcome retreat after a day’s touring in this isolated but stunningly beautiful part of Canada.
“Each cabin had two twin bedrooms, sitting room and toilet, with a central building housing the showers, kitchen and dining room, where tales of the northern wilderness unfolded over a hearty meal.
“It was also interesting to learn about the native Inuit people of Nunavut and have the chance to see the only inland settlement at Baker Lake, from where we flew by charter to Wager Bay.”
Gold-rush history, Dawson City, Yukon
Susan Lamb, managing director, North American Highways
Learning about the legacy of the Klondike Goldfields dating back 100 years was the highlight of a trip to Dawson City in the Yukon for Susan Lamb.
“The top sight has to be Dredge Number Four, which gives an incredible insight into the engineering methods used to get the gold out of the ground in the Bonanza Creek Valley on the edge of the town,” said Lamb.
“It is now a Klondike National Historic Site and guides describe how the powerful buckets of this enormous dredge ripped up the Klondike Valley during the Gold Rush fever. The history of the late 1800s is also well presented during a tour of the Gold Room at the town’s museum.
“Dawson City gives you a feeling of still being part of this pioneering era. Its dirt roads remain and the boardwalk and stores have been preserved as part of a working frontier town that lacks a touristy image.
“I enjoyed glorious summer days with daylight lasting literally 24hrs in June, so it was a bonus for making the most of the outdoors. There are some good guided walks that take you along the Yukon River.
“In the evening, it’s worth getting a ticket to see the Gaslight Follies Vaudeville show at the Palace Grand Theatre.
“For those on a self-drive tour, it’s well worth a two-night stop for the history of the region, quality of life and the great outdoors. Although Dawson City is a 7hr drive from Whitehorse along the Klondike Highway, the roads are uncrowded and the driving is very easy.”