Rafting the Muteshekau Shipu (Magpie River)

Paddle continuous whitewater on the expedition of a lifetime

The Magpie is a perfect multi-day trip and fully customized for each group. It has tons of great whitewater, untouched wilderness and spectacular scenery. Our Magpie season runs from mid-July to mid-September and most trips are 6 to 9 days long.

We work with groups, paddling schools, and clubs to run smooth, fun expeditions with our experienced leaders, local knowledge, and attention to detail.

View the Magpie for kayakers and canoeists photo gallery

Your river guides

All of our Magpie trips have a minimum of two guides (in support rafts or kayaks or both, depending on what is right for your group). Our trip leaders are extremely competent and all of them have:

Wilderness skills with years of expedition guiding experience
Whitewater paddling skills as kayak and canoe instructors (many can offer certifications)
Knowledge of the Magpie

For paddlers who want to run their own expedition without guides, check out DIY Magpie and West Magpie for information and resources.

Trip safety

Our guides are certified and up-to-date in wilderness medicine and whitewater/swiftwater rescue. In fact, many of our guides are also instructors. All of our Magpie trips have:

a satellite phone
an emergency beacon (as back-up to the satellite phone)
complete medical kits
repair kit
group rescue gear

Next steps

Contact us anytime with questions and to schedule a consultation. We work with organizers to customize the trip so it’s a great fit for each group.

Details for 8-day Magpie Trip for paddling group (this trip can be customized to fit your group)

Day 1

Day 2

Days 3-7

Day 8

Paddle out to the coastal highway, which includes portaging personal gear and personal boats around Magpie Gorge and Falls. (We fly out rafts and group gear). These spots are spectacular and we’ll take time for side hikes, photos, and hanging out by these huge drops. We get to take-out by mid-afternoon. Your vehicles will be at the take-out and it is a 20 minute drive to the campground, showers, and restaurant supper.

What's included?

All float plane and/or helicopter flights to Lac Magpie and flight out on day 8 for support rafts and group gear
Shuttle of group’s vehicles from float plane / helicopter base to take-out
All meals and snacks from day 1 supper through day 8 supper
Camping with bathrooms and showers before and after the expedition
2 Boreal River guides throughout the trip
Support rafts and camping gear (kitchen, tarps, etc.)
Large drybags for camping gear that we carry in the rafts
Group safety gear (sat phone, locator beacon, medical kits, rescue gear)

What's not included?

Transportation from your home or base to Magpie, QC and back.
Personal boating gear: kayaks or canoes (rentals available), paddles, PFDs, helmets, skirts, airbags, throw bag, small drybag to keep in your boat for snacks & layers.
Personal camping gear (rentals available): tent, sleeping bag, mattress, camp clothing
Medical insurance and trip cancellation insurance
Alcoholic beverages
Quebec fishing permits

Customize

Some options for customizing are:

Switch camping before and after expedition for hotels
Switch portaging personal boats for helicopter portage + hike out (we always fly support rafts and group gear out)
Lengthen or shorten the trip
Add whitewater rescue workshops or paddling instruction
Some groups choose to do their own food planning and packing, and provide their own camp kitchen gear