Two Night Trips
Option 1:
Yellowknife to Talthelei Narrows (K’ałdëlé), Thaidene Nëné
Trip Description:
This two-night private boat adventure begins in Yellowknife and takes you deep into the turquoise waters, towering cliffs, and expansive landscapes of Thaidene Nëné National Park Reserve.
Travelling six hours by boat, you’ll experience the full transition from Yellowknife’s island-filled bays into the vast and striking East Arm.
Herman guides you along his ancestral route, sharing stories, teachings, and generations of Dene knowledge.
With world-class fishing, traditional camp setup, and peaceful evenings by the fire, this is an unforgettable journey into the heart of the East Arm.
Trip Highlights
Day 1: Depart from the Government Dock in Yellowknife. Boat 2–3 hours to Burnt Island for tea, snacks, a short walk, and bathroom break. Continue east into the widening waters and enter the East Arm, passing the cliffs of Blanchett Island. Arrive at Talthelei Narrows and set up camp Dene-style with spruce poles and optional spruce-bough flooring. Enjoy a bush dinner and an evening by the fire with stories and the sound of loons across the water.
Day 2: Breakfast by the shore. Fish for trout and grayling and cook your catch for lunch. Explore turquoise bays, take optional short hikes, and learn Dene skills such as camp setup and fish preparation. Dinner by the fire and a peaceful night under northern skies.
Day 3: Breakfast and pack up camp. Return to Yellowknife (approximately 6 hours), stopping for photos, sightseeing, and fishing as conditions allow. Arrive back in Yellowknife in the afternoon or early evening.
Trip Details
Trip Duration
3 days, 2 nights
June - September (weather permitting
Dates
Moderate — 6 hours of boat travel, light participation in camp setup (holding spruce poles, gathering firewood/spruce boughs), and optional fishing or short hikes.
Difficulty Level
$1,750 per person (3–4 guests).
Includes guiding, meals, gear, accommodations, and safety equipment. Fishing gear provided; guests must purchase their fishing license before the trip.
Pricing
Must have closed toe shoes and layered jacket/pants for warmth and/or rain. Please bring mosquito repellant and sunscreen. All safety gear including life jackets are onboard.
Trip Description:
This two-night adventure begins in Łútsël K’é and takes you by private boat into the turquoise waters and soaring cliffs of Thaidene Nëné.
Travelling 2–3 hours to Talthelei Narrows (K’ałdëlé), you follow Herman’s ancestral route into Thaidene Nene —a place of beauty, deep meaning, and family history. You’ll fish, camp, and learn Dene skills passed down through generations.
Evenings include sitting by the fire with vast water stretching around you, midnight sunsets, and northern lights (late August/Sept) —an unforgettable northern experience.
Option 2:
Łútsël K’é to Talthelei Narrows (K’ałdëlé)
Trip Highlights:
Day 1: Safety briefing at meeting point and orientation to boat* Travel 2–3 hrs with sightseeing and wildlife viewing. Set camp Dene-style with spruce poles; optional spruce-bough floor for those wishing to learn.
Bush dinner, stories from Herman, and a peaceful evening around the fire with vast water views, late sunset, and summer midnight sun.
Day 2: Breakfast by the shore. World-class fishing for trout and grayling; cook your catch for lunch. Explore turquoise bays, learn Dene skills, and photograph the cliffs. Dinner by the fire and another quiet night under northern skies.
Day 3: Breakfast, pack up camp, and return to Łútsël K’é (2–3 hrs). Optional stops for photos, fishing, or storytelling during the return.
*Pick-up at Frontier Fishing Lodge or Lutsel K'e boat launch. Guests arriving by air will be transported privately from the airport to the boat launch (no public transport in this remote community).
Air Tindi flights from Yellowknife are approx. 45 minutes and ~$350 each way. *Airport transfer is an extra fee.
Trip Details
June - September (weather permitting)
Dates
Trip Duration
3 days, 2 nights
$1,750 per person (3–4 guests).
Includes guiding, meals, gear, accommodations, and safety equipment. Fishing gear provided; guests must purchase their fishing license before the trip.
Optional: $250 private airport transfer from the Łútsël K’é airport to the boat launch.
Pricing
Easy. Must be able to walk on uneven surfaces, step up & down 2 feet, tolerate mild boat rocking for 1-2 hours at a time.
Difficulty Level
Common Questions
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Herman makes travel very comfortable considering health breaks and travel comfort. However, this is an immersive, land-based experience — not a luxury glamping trip. Travel takes place by motor boat on Tu Nedhé (Great Slave Lake), and participants are expected to take part in camp life, including helping with setup, meals, and clean-up.
Guests experience world-class lake and land views, excellent fishing opportunities, and the chance to learn practical skills and Dene knowledge directly on the land. Accommodations include a wall tent with a wood stove, cots, sleeping bags, and an optional spruce-bough floor for guests who wish to learn and participate in traditional camp practices.
Facilities are basic, with no access to stores, running water, or cell service. This trip is best suited for people who are interested in participatory and shared experiences, value meaningful learning, and time on the land over modern amenities or constant comfort.
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Guests are responsible for bringing personal clothing and items suitable for variable northern weather and outdoor conditions. We recommend:
Warm layers (wool or fleece)
Waterproof jacket and pants
Sturdy hiking shoes or boots
Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
Personal toiletries and medications
Water bottle and favourite snacks
Personal battery packs to charge phones or cameras — for your incredible photos!
Optional: camera, binoculars, journal
Camping gear, meals, fishing equipment, PFDs, and safety communication devices are provided.
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Yes. All guests who plan to fish must purchase a valid Northwest Territories fishing license (territorial) before the trip. Fishing gear is provided, but licenses are the responsibility of the guest.
Fishing licenses can be purchased here:https://www.enr.gov.nt.ca/en/services/fishing-licencesIf your trip takes you into the Thaıdene Nëné National Park Reserve, you’ll need an additional federal fishing license.
Please bring a printed copy or a downloaded version on your phone.
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Weather on Tu Nedhé can change quickly. For safety reasons, trips may be adjusted, delayed, rerouted, rescheduled, or cancelled based on wind, waves, visibility, or other environmental conditions.
Safety decisions are made by the guide and are final. If conditions are unsafe for travel, we will communicate clearly and work with guests on next steps where possible. Guest safety always comes first.
If Dene Way cancels due to weather, the deposit is returned or credited at the guest’s choice. -
Guests typically arrive in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories by air. Once your trip is confirmed, you’ll receive detailed information about the meeting point and launch location, usually at a local dock or waterfront area.
Guests are responsible for arranging their own travel to Yellowknife. We’re happy to help with timing or planning questions.
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Yes. Travel insurance is strongly recommended, especially for remote and weather-dependent trips. Insurance can help cover unexpected delays, medical needs, evacuation, or trip interruptions. Guests are responsible for ensuring their insurance coverage is appropriate for remote travel.
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You’re always welcome to reach out to Anneka as your first point of contact before the trip. She’s happy to answer questions about logistics, packing, travel planning, and what to expect, and will loop in Herman as needed for specific questions related to the land, activities, or cultural protocols.
During the trip itself, Herman is always happy to answer questions and share teachings as they arise. Learning on the land often happens through listening, watching, spending time, and doing, and guests are encouraged to ask questions with care and curiosity.