Churchill River #4 Big Water Expedition

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.8 Star Reviews | 10,000+ Happy Paddlers since 1964

Dates

Available for private booking

# of Days

Cost

$4495

Skill Level

Intermediate

Meeting Point

See Trip Details

Distance

See Trip Details

Itinerary

Day 1 - Travel to Missinipe, SK

Make your way to La Ronge on Rise Air flight 502 from Saskatoon (Not Included), where our shuttle van will pick you up and drive you 80 km to Missinipe
Alternatively drive yourself directly to Missinipe Arriving by 6:00pm
Pre trip meeting, gear check, dinner, overnight at CRCO in Missinipe

Day 2 - Shuttle to Stanley Mission

Breakfast
Van Shuttle 80km to Stanley Mission SK
Begin the adventure!

Day 3 to Day 10 - Paddle the Churchill River

The unspoiled clear waters of the Churchill flow over a number of lakes and through rapids. There are many fun runnable rapids, and a few falls that we will have to portage. Each night, we will camp at a new site, surrounded by ruggedly beautiful scenery.

Day 11 - End of the Adventure

Arrive at Slim's Camp where you will board our shuttle van back to La Ronge Airport for the 3:55pm 502 flight to Saskatoon
(optional) Group Dinner and overnight in Missinipe (at your Expense) for those travelling by other means.

Download Skills Sheet

What's Included

Guides

5:1 ratio

Meals

trail meals & snacks from Day 2 lunch to Day 8 lunch
Dinner & breakfast in Missinipe on Day 1 & 2

Canoeing Equipment:

Prospector expedition canoes
Paddles, PFD, helmets (you may bring your own)
Throw lines and other safety accessories
‘Kitchen’ - tarp, fire box, cooking stoves, utensils, dishes, etc

Safety Equipment:

First aid and repair kits, communications equipment (satellite phone)
Canoe rescue gear

Local Transportation:

Shuttle from Missinipe to Stanley Mission
Shuttle from Slims Camp to La Ronge Airport or Missinipe
Transportation of guides, group gear, canoe etc to and from trip
1 night accomodation in Missinipe on Day 1

*Note: there are weekly flights between Saskatoon and La Ronge on Wednesday and Sunday

What Is Not Included

Saskatchewan tax: GST 5%, PST 6% of the trip fee
Personal clothing and gear - recommended clothing & equipment list will be provided
Travel between your home and the trip rendezvous - La Ronge, Saskatchewan
Accommodation and meals in Missinipe, SK after the trip
Any additional expenses or costs incurred as a result of delays to the trip caused by factors beyond our control - i.e. wind, waves, unsafe paddling conditions, forest fire, pandemic, etc
Any costs associated with your emergency evacuation from the trip - please contact us at CRCO for more information
Gratuities - we recommend $20 per day per guide that went out of their way to create an extraordinary experience
Tents (Available upon request) standing custom expedition dome tents - 2 per tent

What is the food like?

Let the aroma of a fresh-brewed coffee draw you from your tent to a buffet of fresh fruit and granola while bacon and eggs sizzle on the grill! Shore lunches include a curated selection of gourmet meats, spreads, cheese and bread. After a great day of paddling, enjoy a nutritious, hearty meal with a tasty dessert while you sit around the fire to tell tales of your adventures.

Our focus is on fresh, local ingredients to cultivate a menu that is unique to our home in the boreal forest. From sourdough bread with saskatoon berry jam to Saskatchewan wild rice with Chanterelle mushroom gravy, our delicious eats will have you going back for seconds every time.

How To Get To This Trip

Fly to Saskatoon SK (YXE), From Saskatoon Fly to La Ronge SK via Rise Air flight 502 on the fist day of the itinerary. You will be then greeted by CRCO staff and shuttled by Van to Missinipe which is our home base and the launch point the expedition. Alternatively you may drive to Missinipe yourself. Missinipe is located 480 km north of Saskatoon SK.

On this expedition we will paddle the Churchill downstream of our base in Missinipe, from Stanley Mission to Slim's Camp near the town of Sandy Bay. Over 8 days we will paddle roughly 200 km and watch the river grow steadily into a high-volume river as the Rapid River and the Reindeer River flow in. The first half of our journey will take us through voyageur country. Even the lakes are reminiscent of this time period with names like Keg, Kettle, and Trade. After reaching the historic Frog Portage, connecting the Sturgeon Weir and the Churchill, we enter a whole new world. Here, we leave behind well-worn portages and well established campsites for a rarely-traveled, rugged section of river that remains largely untouched. This is not because this section isn’t worth traveling- on the contrary, it is one of our most favorite sections to paddle! As the Reindeer river flows in, the volume increases significantly making for big wave trains and impressive falls that will leave a smile on your face long after the paddling is done.

This section of the Churchill reminds us what the landscape looked like for the Northern Cree, before the rest of the river became “the voyageur highway”. For centuries this river has been a highway for indigenous peoples, connecting communities and providing access between winter and summer settlements. Save for rock painting sites, generations of indigenous travelers have left the Churchill wild and free.

Important..

Our courses and expeditions are incredibly popular, and spots fill up quickly. Secure your adventure today to ensure you don’t miss out!
Explore the breathtaking Northern Saskatchewan waterways and create unforgettable memories - book now before it's too late

What People Are Saying

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"Churchill River Canoe Outfitters provided the trip of a lifetime. The guides were incredibly knowledgeable about the history and wildlife of the area, and the scenery was absolutely breathtaking. I can't wait to come back next summer!"

- Emily R.

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