Wild Quebec rivers accessible only by floatplane. Crystal-clear Gaspé streams racing to the sea. True wilderness — no ready-made campsites, long portages, and days of paddle before the nearest road. This is expedition canoeing at its finest.
We offer custom trips on Canadian rivers for groups of adventurous and skilled teen and adult canoeists who are in good physical condition and mentally prepared for a hardy expedition. While our primary concern is always to run a safe and enjoyable wilderness trip, the nature of most Canadian trips creates genuine challenges — and occasional hardships, sometimes unexpected.
This is real wilderness camping. There are few ready-made campsites. On some trips we are a long way from outside help — when the bush plane leaves us at the start of the Mistassini or Mistassibi, we are several days’ paddle from the nearest road. Most trips have portages, occasionally long, and most also require lining canoes from the rocky shore or tracking them through the water.
We take these factors into consideration, using special canoes and lighter equipment than on our Maine trips. The menu remains generous and well-planned, and includes freshly baked breads and pastries from our reflector oven each day.
A detailed packing list is provided upon booking. Equipment is lighter than our Maine trips to account for portages.
Advanced to Expert · 7 Days · All inclusive $2,600 · 4-person minimum
The Bonaventure is true to its name. This pristine river flows out of the Chic Choc Mountains of the Gaspé Peninsula, and its upper course cuts swiftly through steep hillsides, producing a surprise around every corner. Its remarkable crystal-clear water and cobblestone riverbed combine with forested banks to produce a deep emerald color as the river hurries to meet the sea. We follow this trip with a hike in the Chic Choc Mountains with chances to see caribou above the timberline. A late spring trip — we meet in Greenville or Bangor and drive to the headwaters (approximately 11 hours). This trip is for the hardy canoeist with very good whitewater skills.
All Experience Levels Welcome · Under One Week · Custom rates apply
The Nepisiguit flows about 70 miles from its narrow headwater lakes near Mt. Carleton in northern New Brunswick to the ocean at Bathurst. It starts small and picks up water quickly, with fast steady current and beautiful views, building to an exciting river with rapids, gorges, waterfalls, and several portages. Unlike our other Canadian trips, the Nepisiguit is open to canoeists of any experience level. In spring it also offers bountiful fiddlehead picking. Whitewater enthusiasts may choose to run some of the heavier, more technical rapids just after the main take-out.
Advanced to Expert · Multi-Day Expedition · Custom rates apply
Soon after the Ashuapmushuan begins in the Ashuapmushuan Reserve, it picks up the flow of the Rivière du Chef and becomes a waterway of major proportions. This river provided a primary access route to the northern interior for 18th century French explorers. Rapids are often long and wide with multiple options — big water is usually more of a concern than rocks. When possible we do technical “sneaking” along the side of bigger rapids, involving lots of scouting and some lining. One long, spectacular falls and a few class IV–V drops require portaging. Campsites range from sandy beach to ledge outcrop to softwood forest floor. Blueberries are abundant in August, and fishing for northern pike is excellent.
Advanced to Expert · Multi-Day Expedition · Custom rates apply
The Rivière du Chef begins further north, close to the town of Chibougamau, and ends where it joins the Ashuapmushuan. The Chef flows through similar country — lots of rapids, some falls, and portages through remote Quebec wilderness. This trip can be combined with the Ashuapmushuan for an extended expedition, or run on its own for a shorter but equally challenging adventure.
Expert · Multi-Day Expedition · Custom rates apply
The Mistassini starts as a tiny stream in near-tundra forest and gradually evolves into a large and powerful river, running between small mountains with cliffs and waterfalls on either side. We must portage around two magnificent waterfalls — one 200 feet high — as well as several other cascades. Challenging whitewater stretches alternate with narrow ponds and swiftly flowing river. Fishing for trout, walleye, and pike is excellent. Access is by floatplane, placing you several days’ paddle from the nearest road.
Expert · Multi-Day Expedition · Custom rates apply
The Mistassibi is equally scenic and wild — the Northeast Branch has canoeable rapids for almost half of its 130 miles. There are only a few short portages in the section we run, but some rapids and ledge drops require lining or tracking, and much time is spent scouting. Trout fishing has been excellent on this outstanding adventure trip. Like the Mistassini, the Mistassibi can be reached only by floatplane, making it one of the most remote and spectacular trips we offer.
All Canadian trips are custom unless otherwise noted. Contact us as far in advance as possible to discuss your group’s experience level, preferred dates, and logistics. Custom rates are $375/person/day for 1–4 day trips and $350/person/day for 5–7 day trips, with a 5-person minimum. Groups of 8 or more may be eligible for a discounted rate, especially in May, June, or September. A $500/person deposit is required to reserve a trip.
“Our first trip was so great that I have since done a total of five trips with Allagash Canoe Trips including two more versions of the Allagash trip, a fast ice out trip on the St. John River, and one winter tent-camping trip on Flagstaff Lake. Every trip is a unique challenge and adventure.”
— Steve Deering, repeat guest (5 trips)
Canadian trips demand more than our Maine expeditions — more physical preparation, more whitewater experience, and a genuine comfort with uncertainty. The rewards are proportional: rivers that most paddlers will never see, in country that feels truly remote, with the same open-fire cooking and expert guiding that have defined Allagash Canoe Trips since 1953.
If you’re not sure whether a Canadian trip is right for you, start with our Instructional Day Clinics or one of our Maine river trips to build your skills. We’ll help you get there.
All Canadian trips are custom. We’d love to talk through the options with your group — give us a call or send a message.
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