ctws.htm

Legends

Aug. 20 - 24

Can you imagine the
countless stories bound up
in two billion-year-old rock?

This rock - the oldest in the world - forms the breathtaking boreal landscape of the Canadian Shield. With the help of our geographer, we'll explore stories of this ancient rock and its boreal forest ecology. Our ethnobotanist will acquaint us with the intriguing world of edible and medicinal plants of the Shield.

We'll start where the Shield starts - in the picturesque, island-studded north end of immense Lac La Ronge.

En route, you'll encounter legends of Indian rock art and campfire tales of voyageur exploits on the rivers of the Shield. We'll finish at the Cree community of Stanley Mission and visit a time-honoured landmark of the Shield - the stately Holy Trinity Church.

Scenic Precambrian rock shoreline in
Lac La Ronge Provincial Park

capturing the wilderness spirit tours

July 10 - 17

Spectacular Nistowiak Falls on the Churchill River

Listen to the loons, watch bald eagles soar, feel the spray of mighty Nistowiak Falls and capture the radiant northern lights.

Starting at historic Stanley Mission with a visit to Saskatchewan's oldest church, we'll paddle the famous Churchill River, view Indian pictographs, explore Precambrian caves, portage into secluded lakes, navigate the northern reaches of vast Lac La Ronge, try a little whitewater and relax in pristine wilderness campsites.

During the 8-day trip, you'll become proficient with map and compass, improve your paddling skills, learn safety and rescue, try solo canoeing, help with camp cooking, practice environmental ethics and get acquainted with local history.

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birchbark

Aug. 30 - Sept. 2

Dream of travelling a river just as
Aboriginal people did centuries ago.

Paddle an authentic birchbark canoe, get acquainted with its builder, and learn about how bark canoes are made. Along the route, we'll look for canoe building materials like spruce root and birchbark.

You'll discover how traditional tools, like the crooked knife, were used in canoe building. Learn how bark seams were sewn and prepare the pitch used for waterproofing. It will be a unique acquaintance with the roots of our canoeing heritage!

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Coyotes

Be a voyageur for a week and explore part of an ancient fur trading route that starts on the Paull River and continues down the world-renowned voyageur highway of the Churchill River.

Jul. 21-28

A short floatplane ride gets the trip started on Paull Lake, near the headwaters of the Paull River. This small river is a remarkably scenic tributary of the Churchill, with beginner/intermediate whitewater challenges, scenic waterfalls and rocky gorges, and fabulous walleye fishing! After honing your negotiating skills on the smaller rapids of the Paull, you are ready to take on the bigger, faster water of the mighty Churchill. During the trip, get acquainted with the colorful rigorous life of the early travelers along this famous waterway. Finish with an adrenalin plunging ride through the big water of Otter Rapids to trip's end at Missinipe.

See Photo Gallery & Tour Itinerary Read Kathryn's Story

clearwater

June 26 - July 8

This Canadian Heritage River
is a wilderness whitewater extravaganza.

The limestone cliffs of Skull Canyon, Clearwater River

Along with numerous rapids, chutes, and waterfalls are spectacular canyons and limestone cliffs. The river traverses a remarkable landscape representing features from each of the earth's major geologic eras - all visible from a canoe.

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Superb natural campsites and breathtaking photo opportunities are commonplace.

At the historic Methye Portage, we hike up to capture the valley vista that explorer Alexander MacKenzie extolled in his journals.

Wild river travel and safety instruction, plus river ecology and heritage topics, are part of the program. Previous whitewater experience is required. Float plane transport is included.

foresthouseecotrek

June 28 - July 1
July 18 - 21

Forest House Ecolodge

Visit Saskatchewan's premiere solar powered ecolodge tucked away on a remote boreal forest lake and surrounded by unique terraced gardens.

Enjoy hearty home-cooked meals with an in-season complement of organic garden produce. Get acquainted with ecologically sensitive living; join in nature walks and boreal forest ecology talks.

Take day trips to explore the neighbouring Precambrian landscape by canoe. Complete your day by soaking up the wilderness ambience at the lakeside sauna. Choose either of two options to access Forest House: by pricey float plane or by less costly canoe.

family

July 11 - 13

Read Oregon journalist's exciting account of
Family Canoeing with Loons.

A northern canoe trip designed especially for young paddlers.

A tranquil lake and a placid winding river complete with beaver, otters, moose, bald eagles and countless loons, are the venue for this family trip. Hiking trails connect to our wilderness campsite to allow for a variety of off-water activities. Children under 12 get 50% off the package price.

Family voyageurs on the Spruce River
Prince Albert National Park.

Quest

July 18 - 21

Pierce Brosnan, starring in the 1999 movie Grey Owl, has breathed new life into a 70 year-old wilderness legend. Discover more of the Grey Owl story on this canoe journey to his log cabin haunt
in the back country of Prince Albert National Park.

Paddle in Grey Owl's path across Kingsmere Lake, and hike the boreal forest trail to "Beaver Lodge" where he lived with his famous pet beavers, Rawhide and Jelly Roll. En route, heritage interpreters will help unravel the myth and the mystery surrounding Canada's most celebrated conservationist.

The Quest for Grey Owl program is offered in accordance with new ecotourism accreditation guidelines for the Province of Saskatchewan. A portion of the tour proceeds is dedicated to the Kingsmere River and Lake Restoration Project in keeping with Grey Owl's spirit of conservation.

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urban canoe

June 21 - July 22
Aug. 16 - 17
Sept. 6 - 7

Departures on Demand (inquire for dates)

*Here's a chance to get your feet wet - with little risk and even less expense! Come jump on board with the canoeing guide who helped compile the South Saskatchewan River EcoCanoe Guidebook.*
	Mother and son canoe tour on the South Saskatchewan River

re's a chance to

One night out in a tent to discover how much fun it can be and a short day's paddle on a stretch of river near Saskatoon will introduce you to the intriguing world of canoe-camping.

There'll be plenty of how-to instruction with the emphasis on safety and enjoyment. We'll also find time to relax, swim in the sandy backwater shoals and talk about the wilderness attractions of a river on the City's doorstep.

cranes

Sept. 13 - 14
Sept. 27

Imagine being serenaded at
your evening campfire by numerous flocks of migrating Sandhill Cranes and Canada Geese.

Add in the occasional high-pitched interlude of yapping, yowling coyotes and a mellow woodwind section of chirping crickets. This is nature's symphony in the wild parts of the South Saskatchewan River valley in autumn. Imagine waking to a vista of soft morning light bathing the valley slopes in stunning hues of red, gold and green. It's a sensual season few people take the time to savour. We'll take you there on these short overnight camping trips and day tours on the river just south of Saskatoon. Finish up the canoeing season with a flourish this fall and join us for a bug-free wildlife and natural color extravaganza!

Coyotes

Sept. 20 - 21

River valley colors and intriguing
sand bar images

A much maligned creature, the wily coyote manages to thrive in a mostly hostile agricultural habitat. This fascinating wild member of the dog family has been dealt an unusually harsh rap for its smarts and remarkable survival instincts. Chances are good we'll encounter them in the wild as they roam the riverbank and hunt in the surrounding coulees. We will for sure hear their spine-tingling doggy symphony each evening as they echo back and forth across the river valley with a high-pitched melody of yelping and yowling. During the day, our boats will transport us through this enchanted valley with breath-taking vistas of colorful forested coulees nestled amongst park-like grazing lands. Add to this the birdlife congregating on the river flats, and you have an autumn special unparalled!

designer

Canoe tours that you design - with our help.
We can consult with you on routes and things you need to know to have a fun and safe time. We can provide pre-trip paddling instruction and major equipment for your excursion. If you want a resident guide, we can supply that too. You pick and choose what you need and we'll provide the rest.

Call (306) 653-5693 with your requests or eMail: info@canoeski.com