If you are looking to see the mountains, barrenlands and/or Delta region by air, choose one of the amazing flight sightseeing packages available! Since these trips are very customized and catered to you and the experience you would like to have, we recommend you contact us for a quote!
Flight Sightseeing Options
[/vc_column_text]
Canyon Panoramas
20 minutes
If you want to see the magnificence of the Mackenzie Mountains and their compelling vistas, take this short flight to the edge of the mountains to see Dodo Canyon, Linton Lake, Carcajou Canyon before returning to Norman Wells.
Kelly Lake Turnaround
20 minutes
Flight to see Kelly Lake, Vermilion Creek Sink Hole and the Norman Range from the air and possibly the Muskox herd.
Mackenzie River Ice Break-Up
30 minutes
One of the most spectacular moments in northern living is the moment that the big ice jams on the rivers break loose in a terrific roaring push and run. Seeing this from the air is one of the finest experiences to view the power of nature and the strength of one of the mightiest of northern rivers. Using MODIS and AVHRR imagery, it is possible to map ice breakup to within a few days on large northern rivers.
Great Bear Lake Excursion/span>
1 hour
See the Great Bear rapids on the Great Bear River where the first pipeline in Canada was laid to get fuel around the rapids as you make your way up to the magnificent Great Bear Lake. Great Bear Lake is the largest lake entirely within Canada the third largest in North America and the seventh largest in the world.
This enormous lake with a surface area of 31,153 sq. km. is situated on the Arctic Circle and is above sea level. Keep your eyes sharp for the Uranium Mines and hear about the Manhattan Project story as you pass by Tulita canyon and the Canyon Creek Sink Hole before returning to Norman Wells.
Arctic Ocean Tuktoyaktuk
4 Hours
Fly from Inuvik to Tuktoyuktuk and you will see the tree line disappear as you pass over the immense Sitidgi Lake and into the treeless tundra landscape with its many lakes. In Tuktoyuktuk, tour the Arctic settlement nestled by the Arctic Ocean and see the Inuit people and experience their culture. See frozen Pingos, a periglacial landform and learn how the Inuit dug them out to make under ground ice huts to store their meat during the hot summers when the sun shines 24 hours a day.
On the return trip to Inuvik, fly up the Mackenzie Delta with its myriad of channels past the Reindeer Station that once housed the keepers of the domestic reindeer herds. See the barges travelling the Mackenzie River and the wildlife that feeds off the riches of the Mackenzie Delta.
Herschel Island Interpretive Flight
5 Hours
Fly by float plane from Inuvik past the Mackenzie Delta with its many lakes that once supplied the Inuit and Dene with beaver and muskrat pelts for trading with the Hudson Bay Posts of Aklavik and Fort McPherson. Catch glimpses of the wildlife, perhaps Grizzly Bears or Caribou and watch for Bowhead Whales in the Beaufort Sea area of the Arctic Ocean. Passing by Shingle Point, early warning radar defense station, learn about the summer Inuit camping ground.
Upon arriving at Herschel Island, experience the history of this early Whaling post and see the island’s cemetery. On the trip back to Inuvik, see the log timber along the coastline that floated down the great Mackenzie River ending its journey on the shores of the Beaufort Sea.
Delta History Flight
1 hour and 30 minutes
Fly to Aklavik over the Mackenzie Delta with its many lakes that once supplied the Inuit and Dene Indian with Beaver and Muskrat pelts for trading with the Hudson Bay post that was built here in 1818. Watch for moose in the Delta landscape. Experience the two cultures of both the Inuit and the Dene Indians that live together in Aklavik who in historic times were once warring nations. See the grave site of the infamous Mad Trapper of Rat River.
In 1930, this wilderness man eluded the RCMP by wearing his snowshoes backwards surviving for 30 days before being hunted down by the famous Canadian War Ace and bush pilot, Wop May of Edmonton. On departure from Aklavik fly over the Richardson Mountains to see the Bell and Rat River where the Mad Trapper met his Maker by the guns of the RCMP. Upon arrival back in Inuvik you will see the town from the air.
Flight Into Canol Trail History
1 hour
Take a flight into history over the spectacular Mackenzie Mountains to see pristine wilderness and bring Canol Road history alive. The Canol Road was built by the Canadian and American Armies during World War II ensuring that northern oil supplies would not be cut off.
Take this flight from Norman Wells and experience this exciting seldom-told story. During the flight, you will see Mile 0 on the Canol Trail, remains of wooden barges, the remains of Camp Canol, Dodo Canyon, Echo Canyon, Canol Lake, Canol road remains, Carcajou Falls, the Canol switch back road up to the highest elevation, the Plains of Abraham, the Pumping Station at mile 74, remains of the Canol pipe, and Linton Lake.
Extended Flight Into Canol Trail History
1 hour and 30 minutes
Continue along from Mackenzie Mountains to the Vermilion Creek Sink Hole along the top of the Norman Range to see the north view and possibly a muskox herd and then return to Norman Wells via Jackfish Lake and Bothwerth Creek Falls.