Heli-Raft
Klinaklini Expedition – Sample Itinerary
Day One ( June 28th, July 5th and July 12th 2007)
Today is your arrival day into Port Hardy, which is accessed through Vancouver, B.C. You will want to take the 5pm Pacific Coastal flight from Vancouver to Port Hardy. Here you will be met by your pilot and fly to Nimmo for a cocktail reception and check in. Fine dining and a relaxing evening in the wilderness are the main events for tonight. Overnight Nimmo Bay Resort.
Those requiring accommodations the night before in Vancouver can access special Nimmo Bay rates at the Vancouver Airport Fairmont Hotel. Downtown Vancouver is an approximate 20-minute taxi ride from the airport.
Day Two
After a hearty breakfast, it’s into the helicopter for a spectacular flight to Klinaklini Lake. Upon arrival, you’ll meet your river guides and go through the safety procedures for the trip (including a grizzly bear briefing). Depending on timing and water levels, the first major rapids will be the Little Drop of Horrors (which was first run by our guides in 1997). Those not wishing this class V excitement can easily walk around this section on a portage route and there is ideal point for taking photos of the rafts cascading through this dramatic drop. After a gourmet riverside lunch and afternoon of adventure, your helicopter will pick you up for a scenic ride back through this majestic territory. A cold beer or glass of wine on a mountaintop will be a nice finish to the afternoon before returning to your chalets.
Day Three
After another gourmet breakfast, we chopper back into the woods. On our way we may visit a series of lakes and waterfalls that will get you primed for today’s adventures. Today will be our longest rafting stretch. We will raft a few Class III rapids before lunching at “Nobody Move” rapids, the largest drop of the trip. The guides will scout the river and decide on the options of running this incredible stretch of whitewater. If we can run the drop, participants will once again be given the opportunity to paddle or hike. The afternoon will feature some easy but continuous class III rapids, which are reminiscent of the White Mile on the Chilko. We will raft past the North Klinaklini confluence and see the massive valley begin to open up to even more spectacular vistas. Surrounded by Waddington and Silverthrone, you will be overwhelmed by the size and scope of this land of legends. Here the glaciers and wildlife will inspire us for more adventure. Return to Nimmo for hot tubs, massage and a well deserved sleep.
Day Four
Today we will heli-hike on top of a 4500-foot plateau while the river guides slingshot the rafts around an impassable canyon. This section of the Klinaklini Canyon is where not even the most intrepid adventurers dare travel. A prime wildlife viewing habitat, we will explore its wilderness while the balance of the day is available for sea kayaking, walking, photography, or just staring in wonder at the incredible views. On your way back to Nimmo, perhaps a west coast beach walk may be in order to warm down from today’s adventure.
Day Five
Today the helicopter whisks us to places unimaginable. Alpine meadows and views of the enormous Klinaklini glacier make for an unforgettable morning of flight seeing. This will allow us to wonder at the lateral moraine, get up close and personal with the glacier and for the more adventurous, drop into the ice caves. After a glacial lake side lunch, your magic carpet will drop you at the foot of the Klinaklini glacier for a rapid run down the West Klinaklini into a grizzly bear sanctuary.
The West Klinaklini River features countless massive wave trains that roller coaster for miles in a rushing chorus. An exciting section of river, its speed dissipates as the river broadens and braids. This region is prime for sighting many of the 200 bird species that call the Klinaklini home. As the river widens, we will pick up the scent of salt air as we float into the magical Knight Inlet and a tidal lagoon, which is famous for its grizzly bears. Here you’ll say good-bye to your guides and board your chopper for the flight back to Nimmo Bay. Rich with new experiences, new friends and fantastic memories you’ll depart Nimmo Bay at 5pm for your journey home.
Additional Important Reservation Information – "The Fine Print"
Deposit and Cancellation policy:
A 50% deposit is required to secure a reservation. The balance of payment is due 60 days before arrival. Bookings received less than 60 days before the reservation require full pre-payment. Cancellations received more than 90 days before arrival will result in a 25% penalty on the deposit, with the balance of the deposit being put toward a future booking within a 12 month period, depending upon available space. Cancellations received between 60 and 90 days before arrival will result in a 50% penalty on the deposit, with the balance of the deposit being put toward a future booking within a 12 month period, depending upon available space. There are no refunds of deposit or final balance if the cancellation is received less than 60 days before arrival.
Medical
Under most circumstances, if you are of an adventurous spirit and in reasonably good health, you should have no problem enjoying this Nimmo Bay safari. People with heart trouble and pregnant women should have their physician’s approval before taking a river trip.
Insurance
Although every effort is made to insure a safe trip for all, we strongly recommend that you protect yourself, your belongings, and your vacation through the purchase of a short-term traveler’s policy. A trip cancellation policy covers your non-refundable payments in most cases, should you have to cancel your trip at the last minute due to illness or injury.
Trip participants should realize that in the event of illness or injury on a river trip, evacuation may be prolonged, difficult and expensive. Personal belongings and cameras are carried entirely at the owner’s risk, and Nimmo Bay Resort accepts no responsibility for lost, damaged, or stolen property.
Liability Waiver
Everyone is required to sign a standard release before the trip, acknowledging awareness that some risks are associated with the trip. Safety is of the utmost concern on our trips. However, due to the nature of the activities, a condition of your participation is that you will sign this form and return it to our office before the trip begins. Anyone who refuses to sign the form will not be allowed to participate, and consistent with Nimmo Bay Resort’s cancellation policy, there will be no refund of the trip fees at that time.
Responsibility - An Important Notice
Nimmo Bay Resort and cooperating agencies act only in the capacity of agent for the participants in all matters relating to transportation and/or all other related travel services, and assume no responsibility however caused for injury, loss or damage to person or property in connection with any service, including but not limited to that resulting directly or indirectly from acts of God, detention, annoyance, delays and expenses arising from quarantine, strikes, theft, pilferage, force majeure, failure of any means of conveyance to arrive or depart as scheduled, civil disturbances, government restrictions or regulations, and discrepancies or change in transit over which it has no control. Reasonable changes in itinerary may be made where deemed advisable for the comfort and well being of the participants, including cancellation due to water fluctuation, insufficient bookings, and other factors. There is risk in whitewater rafting, particularly during high-water conditions. Rafts, dories and kayaks do capsize. You could be swept overboard. Your guide will make every attempt to assist, but you must be strong and agile enough to “self-help” and “float-it-out” without further endangering yourself or others. Please be advised our approved life jackets are rated to accommodate persons no heavier than 260 pounds and with a chest size no larger than 56 inches. We are experienced at accommodating people with various handicaps. Please give us an opportunity to make you feel welcome. We need to discuss any special requirements ahead of time. We may decide, at any time, to exclude any person or group for any reason we feel is related to the safety of our trips. On advancement of deposit the depositor agrees to be bound by the above recited terms and conditions. Prices are subject to change without notice.
