Kayaking the Islands of the Taiga
East Arm of Great Slave Lake
Great Slave Lake is one of the largest and deepest lakes in the world. The East Arm is bounded by spectacular red granite cliffs and magical coves, offering a paddler's paradise.
"Thank you for the excellent trip and a wonderful time. It was, of course, not quite what I expected and very much more. A quite important part of it was your knowledge and enthusiasm. I don't wish to be maudlin, but you are, individually and as a team, some of the most remarkable people I have ever met... this trip was outstanding. I ran into an old friend at work yesterday whom I knew would be interested in the trip. I described it for ten minutes or so, and she said "you know, when I retire I want to do something that will make my face light up like yours just did.""
- Ken Brunton - California
Located on the northern edge of the boreal forest, this area is the traditional homeland of the First Nations Dene people, whose camps and presence is felt at every corner of the lake and landscape. The rugged Canadian Shield country hosts a mix of black spruce and white pine while birches, poplars and willows display beautiful fall colours.
Secluded bays provide some of northern Canada's most important waterfowl and moose habitat, and, to the delight of every fisherman, they teem with Lake trout and Northern pike.
While Golden and Bald eagles abound, the East Arm is known for its migratory bird life-a musical cry overhead pulls your attention upward in time to see sky-wide strings of ducks, geese and loons. Evenings around the campfire are made memorable by spectacular sunsets, and on a clear night, the promise of northern lights makes one linger a little longer before crawling into the tent. Truly a wonderful way to experience the north country in all its finery, this trip operates in cooperation with the Council of the Dene Nation.
Highlights
- Explore Canada's third-largest freshwater lake
- Abundant migratory birdlife and spectacular scenery
- World renowned fishing for lake trout, arctic grayling, northern pike (pickerel) and whitefish.
- Plenty of time for hiking, exploring and wildlife viewing through the surrounding, rounded bedrock hills.
Trip Details
- 12-day trip begins and finishes in Yellowknife, NWT.
- Trip includes 45-minute float plane flight from Yellowknife to Great Slave Lake, and return.
- All meals included; from dinner on Day 1 to lunch on Day 11.
- 11 days camping and kayaking through this paddler's paradise in Canada's shield country.
Itinerary-in-Brief
More information about this trip is available in our in-depth Trip Information Package. Please contact our office to receive these detailed materials.
Day 1: The group will meet at the float dock terminal in "Old Town" of Yellowknife. We will fly east by Twin Otter from Yellowknife to a landing site on a bay on the "East Arm" of Great Slave Lake where we will begin the fun task of preparing our folding kayaks and exploring the spectacular area.
Days 2-10: You will be travelling by expedition sea kayak, traversing the head of East Arm between Wildbread Bay and Ustingi Point. Highlights of this expedition include superb campsites on secluded islets, exploring the taiga-boreal forest, birdwatching, cooking fresh fish over the campfire, an evening of storytelling by the Dene elders of Lutsel K´e and enjoying a display of northern lights.
Day 11: We will meet our charter flight that will return us to Yellowknife where you will be transferred to your choice of Bed & Breakfast accommodation. Overnight in Yellowknife.
Day 12: The day is free to explore Yellowknife before catching flights southward.
