Have questions? We're here.
Strong Aurora Borealis over Hotel Ranga

Arctic Haven: Autumn Arctic - Caribou, Wolves & Northern Lights

Example 7 Day Tour
Talk with an expert
Build your ideal Arctic trip. Call 1.406.541.2677
Start Planning My Trip
Observe one of the largest caribou herds in North American as they roam the Arctic Barrens. The Qamanirjuaq caribou herd passes by Arctic Haven Lodge as they migrate between the northern calving grounds and the tree-line. A herd in the hundreds of thousands strong, they can be seen grazing in small groups against the spectacular fall colors on the tundra and at times may walk within meters of you. Behold the majestic northern lights and the spectacular reds, greens, and golds of autumn on the tundra.
Witness the stunning Aurora Borealis.Encounter Arctic wildlifeOn your Arctic expedition cruise you\ll have the chance to see wildlife such as caribouFlocking togetherAn arctic fox looks across the tundra.Arctic blueberries gleam in the early morning sunshineTravelers studing local plants in the tundra.The beautiful colors of autumn emerge in the Alaskan wildernessArctic tundraHiking through the arctic tundra.Hiking the Arctic landscapeStrong Aurora Borealis over Hotel Ranga
Highlights
  • Immerse yourself in the beautiful scenery and wildlife
  • Experience the majestic Northern lights
  • Observe spectacular reds, greens, and golds of autumn on the tundra
  • Enjoy trekking & biking the winding caribou trails
Places Visited
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
0

Full Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Charter Flight to Arctic Haven

Depart Yellowknife at 2pm from the Air Tindi hangar where you will board a private charter for the two-hour flight to Arctic Haven. Upon arrival, guests will meet the team and be given a short introduction to what can be expected during your stay at Arctic Haven. After settling into your rooms, dinner will be served family-style. In the evening there will be time to walk the tundra, unwind in the wood-fired sauna and/or take in the northern lights.

Day 2: Ennadai Lake

  • Hotel
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Breakfast is served daily at 8:30 am. A water safety briefing will be given prior to going out on Ennadai Lake. Head to the northern reaches of the lake, above the tree-line where the numerous islands are used by migratory wildlife - search for the Qamanirjuaq caribou, wolves, and wolverines. The photo opportunities are unparalleled so be sure to bring your camera. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the beach. Spend the afternoon cruising around the islands and going on short hikes to get a closer look at these majestic animals. Visit archaeological sites where the Ahiarmiut in the area have camped for hundreds of years. Return to the lodge for a gourmet meal, and an informal lecture by Richard Weber on his North Pole expeditions - highlighting his historic (and unrepeated) 1995 unassisted journey. There will be the opportunity to unwind in the wood-fired sauna and take in the Northern Lights.

Day 3: Blind Hill esker

  • Hotel
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Start the day with a helicopter flight to the top of the Blind Hill esker. Go from the soft, wet blueberry flats to an ancient, dry caribou trail to an open tundra ridge overlooking the lakes and land below. Stop for lunch in a sheltered forest gully. Continue on over rolling terrain to reach an ancient stone Inuit hunting blind. The vibrant changing colors of the landscape are nothing short of breathtaking. A variety of berries - lingon, crow and blueberries cover the ground and guests are welcome to harvest blueberries which our culinary team will incorporate into one of the meals. At the end of the hike, we will return back to the lodge via boat and enjoy the scenery along the lakeshore. After another delicious dinner, there will be a presentation on the Ahiarmiut or “people of the deer” - the Inuit who lived on the shores of Ennadai until the 1950’s.

Day 4: North Arm

  • Hotel
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Board one of the boats and head to the North Arm to explore the far reaches of Ennadai Lake where caribou are most frequently seen on land or swimming between islands. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the sandy beaches of Paradise Island. Arctic Haven has a remote camp in this area - so staying for the night is an option (must be pre-booked in advance). Take a short hike up to Big Bear - the highest point on the lake, where the bedrock is exposed. It’s a fantastic vista. Back at the lodge, Nansen Weber will give an informal lecture on his experiences photographing the Barren Lands. Enjoy a sauna or the Northern Lights before tucking in for the night.

Day 5: Grayling

  • Hotel
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
For those interested in experiencing the thrill of landing a grayling on the end of their line, Epic Creek offers amazing fishing and is only accessible by helicopter. Grayling are not only stunning fish, with an impressive dorsal fin, but are also tenacious fighters and highly sought after by anglers. Small but mighty, these energetic fish are known to put up a hard fight. With a pickup and drop-off by helicopter, fishermen can enjoy a full day casting into the steady and even current of the small arctic stream. After a freshly caught fish fry lunch and a full day outdoors, an informal evening presentation on the Mythology and Folklore of the Northern Lights will be given - it is inspired by stories from around the world about the Aurora Borealis.

Day 6: Northern esker

  • Hotel
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
An active day of fat biking along the expansive northern esker is a great option for a clear sunny day. Eskers are formed by glacial deposition which, after the retreat of the last ice age, left long winding trails of sand. Sitting above the marshy tundra, eskers offer a great vantage point of the surrounding scenery and wildlife. Well drained due to their elevation and sandy composition, eskers are not only perfect for hiking and biking but also a popular location for animals to den. Leaving the lodge by bike and returning to the lodge by boat, guests will enjoy the final evening’s gourmet meal. For those wishing to sea kayak - we also offer the option to kayak amongst the caribou islands on Ennadai Lake. A small series of islands used by caribou to migrate south, the sea kayak excursion is often an excellent place to observe wildlife! Afterwards, your host Josée Auclair will give an informal workshop on local edible tundra sourced items.

Day 7: Kazan River | Return Home

  • 1 Breakfast
On your final day we will take a short boat ride up the Kazan River. Here, the tundra turns to forest and birch, black spruce and tamarack trees dominate the landscape. Moose have been spotted in this marshy forested area, along with tundra swans. A hiking option is available for those who would like to stretch their legs before the afternoon flight home while others might opt to enjoy the peaceful stroll along the Kazan river or fish for grayling.

Accommodations

Arctic Haven Wilderness Lodge

Arctic Haven Wilderness Lodge lounge
Arctic Haven Wilderness Lodge
Arctic Haven Wilderness Lodge

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$8,730

Notes

Select a Date
**Please add 5% sales tax from Yellowknife.

Rates based on current exchange rate CAD/US dollars.

Rates may vary based on current exchange rate.

Included
  • 6 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 6 Dinners
  • 6 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)

Map

When to Go

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
Typically not offered during this period because of weather conditions.

Inquire

* By providing your phone number, you consent to receive direct phone calls or SMS messages from our Trip Planners to get the process started. We do not share your information with third-parties.
Change & customize to make it yours.
Travel Agents

We Love to Talk Travel

Call 1.800.344.6118
or
Chat Now
The trip was terrific with great planning on your part. Most of the adventures were not mainstream and somewhat off the beaten path which made it especially enjoyable!! We felt taken care of and you all were readily available to respond to questions and issues. I would highly recommend your company and friends have already expressed interest based on our pictures and excitement.
Gale Cantor

Arctic Travel Guide

Favorite Arctic All Trips

More Reasons

Why Travel With Adventure Life

All News

Recognized By