BLOODVEIN RIVER, CANADA
Open Canoe Expedition
16 days (13 on the river) - £5250pp
Travel by float plane into the wilderness of the Boreal Forest and descend a remote, seldom travelled 225km river with over 100 rapids
2026 Dates: JULY - Exact Dates Coming Soon
​​​
Experience true Canadian wilderness on the open canoe trip of a lifetime, together with the unforgettable experience of flying in by float plane
Price includes a UK based pre expedition trip in the Scottish Highlands (March 2026), and extensive preparation schedule.
​
Led by highly qualified guides, experienced at leading wilderness canoe expeditions.
​​
A chance to see Canada's incredible array of wildlife
Use of quality open canoes ​provided by our in-country outfitter​​
​
All food and meals on expedition included
About the Trip
This truly is the trip of a lifetime for the Grade 2 open canoeist looking to experience a journey through the heart of the Canadian wilderness.
​
This 13 day river descent starts with a memorable float plane journey to Artery Lake, before spending the rest of the trip descending this wild and rugged Canadian Heritage River to Bloodvein Village at Lake Winnipeg.
This is one of the very best trips to explore the Canadian Shield in a canoe, wild camping and cooking by the river as we go.
​
The river offers over 200km of Grade 2/3 paddling, with over 100 rapids to enjoy. It is far removed from being a "muddy motorway" - it is a true wilderness white water experience. There is ample chance to see an incredible array of wildlife, whilst being in the heart of the majestic Boreal Forest.
​
We have put together a fantastic package which also includes a 5 day pre-expedition trip to the Scottish Highlands, allowing us to be fully prepared and a well bonded team prior to our departure to Canada.
Outline Itinerary
​
Day 1: Arrive in Canada and stay overnight in Winnipeg.
Day 2: Transfer to Red Lake. Preparation of equipment and food for expedition. Stay overnight in Red Lake at accommodation.
Days 3: Float plane from Red Lake to Artery Lake. Paddle to visit the historic pictograph site. Wilderness camping.
Days 4 – 16: Descent of Bloodvein River; Wilderness camping throughout.
Day 16: Final morning of canoe expedition, finishing at Bloodvein Village. Afternoon transfer to Winnipeg. Group meal and stay overnight in Winnipeg.
Day 17: Return flights home.
​​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​​​
​​​​​​​
​
.jpg)
About The Bloodvein
​
The Bloodvein River is a river in Canada. It flows west from its headwaters in Red Lake in northwest Ontario to the east side of Lake Winnipeg in Manitoba through the Boreal forests of the Canadian Shield. It is around 300 kilometres long, and we aim to paddle a 225km section from Artery Lake to Bloodvein Village. Lakes along its length include Knox Lake, Pipestone Lake and Artery Lake. We plan to fly into Artery Lake by float plane, and begin the journey where the main white water begins.
​
The Bloodvein became Manitoba's first Canadian “Heritage River” in 1987. For most of its length, the river is within Atikaki Provincial Park in Manitoba and the Woodland Caribou Provincial Park in Ontario. The river is located in Canada's only Landscape/Cultural UNESCO World Heritage site: Pimachiowin Aki - “The Land That Gives Life.” It is an area where many of the indigenous people still practice a traditional lifestyle, and some learn their native tongue before learning English.
​
These First Nation peoples have used the river for centuries, and their petroglyphs and rock paintings can be found on some shoreline cliffs. The river, along with many other rivers on the east side of Lake Winnipeg, is part of a unique wilderness area untouched by major developments and modern industrial scars, such as logging roads, mines, or dams.
​
The Bloodvein River system provides a home for many species, including Wolverine, American White Pelican, Double-crested Cormorant, Bald Eagle, Osprey, Great Gray Owl, Trumpeter Swan, and Woodland Caribou.
Who the trip is for
​This is an Intermediate+ Expedition:
​
-
Canoeists who are comfortable paddling Grade 2 white water, and have experience of multi-day trips with wild camping.
-
Appropriate level of fitness for 13 days wilderness travel and river descent.
​​​​​
A comprehensive pre-expedition programme (see below), with the opportunity for discounted places on our coaching courses, and bespoke coaching opportunities will allow you to feel confident and ready for the trip.
​
If you are at all unsure about whether this trip is right for you, then please do not hesitate to get in touch.
​
Low ratios (1 guide to 4 participants). We are purposefully keeping numbers very small and the team well selected for the enjoyment and success of the expedition.
​
​
​
Pre-Expedition Programme
As part of the whole package we shall spend 5 days together as a team on a pre-expedition week in the Scottish Highlands. This will include 2 days of white water coaching and training on the River Tay (based at Grandtully Campsite), with the aim to spend time fine tuning all the essential technical, tactical and traditional skills we will need for the trip. This will then be followed by a 3 day expedition on the River Spey with 2 nights of wild camping, to fine tune our expedition and campcraft -underpinned by the key aim of us crafting a well formed expedition team.
The 5 days will allow us to build upon exsisting knowledge, spend some time on the fine art of kit organisation, whilst developing solid campcraft systems as a team. It is also a chance to ensure we all feel confident in our paddling, lining and decision making skills. We shall also begin developing a strong collaborative ethos, whilst getting to know each other prior to embarking on our trip on the Bloodvein, so we are a fully functioning team. Of course, it aims to be a very sociable week of good paddling, good fun and good food first and foremost.
There will also be a series of 4 online sessions in the run up to the trip, which will include: Introductions and Route Planning, Equipment, Campcraft and Cooking and final preparations. These sessions will all be about developing a team decision making process with regards to these topic areas, rather than teaching you to suck eggs.
.jpg)
What's Included
-
5 Day Pre Expedition Course in Scottish Highlands, March 2026
-
A programme of online meet ups in the build up to the trip, including WhatsApp group contact
-
All internal road transport in Canada by private vehicles
-
Float Plane Access to river
-
National Park Fees
-
3 Nights accommodation before and after the expedition
-
Expedition equipment, group kit and cooking items
-
Coaching, guiding and involvment in our risk management process
-
All food and drink whilst on expedition
-
Emergency equipment, Satellite mapping and communications
-
Complimentary Paddle International Sun Hoody
-
Discounts on gear and clothing
Additional Costs
-
International Airfare and baggage fees.
-
Travel Insurance.
-
Any extra costs due to unforeseen circumstances.
-
Bar bills
-
Some personal clothing and equipment
-
Non Expedition Meals
-
Optional trips and sightseeing tours
-
Tips