Wild Canoe Adventure on the Seal River

Things to know

• Covid measures on the Seal River, Manitoba

  57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity. 

  We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures on the Seal River, MB, please refer to the official website of the Province of Manitoba.

  Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

• What’s included?

  What you get on this adventure:

  • • An experienced, local canoeing guide with extensive knowledge of the area
    • 14 days of canoeing
    • Accommodations in tents during canoeing days
    • Charter flight to Shethanei Lake on Day 2
    • Motorboat shuttle from the mouth of the Seal River to Churchill on Day 15
    • Transportation of guides, group gear, canoe, etc. to and from trip
    • Meals from breakfast on Day 2 to lunch on Day 15
    • Snacks
    • 17’ prospector expedition canoes
    • Paddles, PFD, helmets, tents, and canoe rescue gear
    • Throw lines and other safety accessories
    • All cooking equipment
    • First aid and repair kits
    • Communications equipment (satellite phone)
    • 5% GST

  What’s not included:

  • • Transportation before and after the trip
    • Accommodations in Thompson on Day 1 and in Churchill on Day 15
    • Meals not specified under “what’s included”
    • Personal clothing and gear
    • Any additional expenses as a result of delays to the trip and due to your emergency evacuation from the trip
• How fit do I need to be?

  You need to have a very good level of fitness to participate in this canoeing trip. You should be capable of carrying a heavy load (packs and barrels) or a canoe (75 lb / 34 kg). There will be some mandatory portages which can be in poor condition and will undoubtedly have poor footing and mud. You should be prepared to carry your share of the group’s load. The pace will be fairly brisk but you’ll have time for instruction and coaching along the way. You’ll be paddling and hiking for 13 days.

• What if I’ve never gone canoeing before?

  In order to participate in this canoeing adventure, you need to have previous whitewater canoeing experience. You don’t need to be an expert, but you should be familiar with all whitewater maneuvers and safety since the rapids range from easy swifts and short rapids to more challenging sustained whitewater with rock, ledges, drops, and large waves. The challenging river trip includes cold-water lake paddling, long and technical sets of rapids, and a boulder-strewn tidal estuary. You’ll also encounter some longer rocky “pool and drop” rapids, a number of small canyon sections

• What do I need to bring?

  Canoes, paddles, personal floatation devices, helmets, throw lines and other accessories, tents, all cooking equipment, first aid and repair kits, communications equipment, and canoe rescue gear will be provided by your guiding service. Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

  • • Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed
    • Personal clothing
    • Gloves
    • Sun hat
    • Toque 
    • Rain pants
    • Waterproof rain jacket
    • Pants
    • Jacket
    • Warm jacket
    • Sweater
    • Underwear
    • Socks
    • T-shirts
    • Sunglasses
    • Sunglasses lanyard
    • Running shoes
    • Sandals
    • Swimsuit
    • Bug clothing
    • Lifejacket with whistle
    • Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
    • Spare clothes for layering
    • Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
    • Headlamp or flashlight
    • Camera — optional (but recommended)

  Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and prices:

  • • For this group canoeing adventure, the max. client to guide ratio is 5:1. 
    • Cost is per person and it doesn’t decrease as the group grows.

  Canoeing on the Seal River can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

  Min. age requirements:

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
    • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

  If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• Getting there and meeting location

  To get to your meeting point in Thompson, Manitoba, you can fly into Thompson Municipal Airport (YTH) or, if there are no direct flights, into Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport (YWG). From there you can fly into Thompson Municipal Airport (YTH), 10 minutes away from Thompson by taxi.

  Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, you will meet your guide in Thompson, where you’ll spend the night, and on Day 2 you’ll take a charter flight to Shethanei Lake. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.

  On Day 15, you’ll take a boat shuttle to Churchill, Manitoba, where you’ll spend the night and head home after that.

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  A deposit of 50% of the total price is due with your booking unless otherwise indicated. Once your guide confirms your booking, your trip departure is guaranteed. Final payments are due 120 days before your trip starts. If you book the trip within 120 days of departure, full payment is due upon booking. Please note that deposits are absolutely non-refundable, and final payments are non-refundable after the final payment date. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies.

  • • If you need to cancel a reservation, please do so in writing (best by email). Once your booking is confirmed, you and your guiding service enter into financial obligations and they cannot refund payments or release you from your contractual obligations. Therefore, it is highly recommended buying cancellation insurance to cover your losses for the case that you can’t participate or have to interrupt your trip “for any reason”.
    • Your guiding service does reserve the right to change guides, particular lodging or the itinerary or venue should unforeseen circumstances (guide sickness, hut or route closing etc.) force them to do so or should the physical condition of the participants, weather or mountain conditions make a continuation as planned too risky. Your guiding service will not be deemed to be in default for any delay or failure to perform their obligations under this agreement resulting from acts of God, the elements, war, acts of government, civil or military authorities, natural calamities, catastrophe, fire, flood, accidents, epidemics, shortage of transportation, or any other like events beyond their reasonable control.
• Travel and Medical Protection
  57hours partners with Redpoint Travel Protection, offering you a fully integrated program with a single point of contact for all your needs, from emergency services to travel assistance and protection claims. We highly recommend purchasing a comprehensive protection policy from Redpoint, which will protect you both before and during your travels. Before your departure, your investment is protected by the trip cancellation benefit. Once you depart, your policy provides coverage for trip interruption, medical assistance and rescue, baggage loss, trip delay, and more. Once you complete booking with 57hours, we'll create bespoke quote for you (and your group), making sure you're fully protected for the adventure ahead.