What’s included and what to pack

• Your professional guides are always available (maximum 5:1 participant to guide ratio).
• An Innu interpreter is with us for the whole trip
• All ground transportation and flights from Sept-Îles onwards:
  • Get picked up (day 1) and dropped off (day 9) at the airport by your guides
  • Helicopter or float plane flight to Lake Magpie
  • Helicopter portage (equipment only) around Magpie Gorge and Magpie Falls
  • Van shuttles to the helicopter (day 2) and from the river take-out back to Sept-Îles (day 8)
• 6 nights fully guided wilderness camping—we’ll provide  all the necessary paddling gear, drybags, group camping equipment, safety equipment and first aid kits, a tent to yourself, and comfortable sleep system (inflatable mattress and pillow). You can rent a high quality sleeping bag from us or bring your own.
• 2 nights (first and last) at the Chateau Arnaud Hotel in Sept-Îles, double occupancy. If you are travelling alone we’ll pair you with another traveler of the same gender. If you would prefer your own room, the single supplement is $299 CAD plus tax.
• All meals and snacks from day-2 breakfast through day-9 breakfast—amazing food guaranteed!
• We bring enough wine and beer for two drinks per person per day.
• Basic fishing equipment

• Travel between your home and Sept-Îles, Quebec
• Personal clothing and some camping gear. See ‘what to pack’ below for what you need to bring
• Day 1 dinner in town: sample the local fare—you’ll have options from fine dining to fast food within walking distance of the hotel, before or after our 6:30 p.m. welcome meeting
• Travel Medical insurance and Trip Cancellation insurance
• Any costs associated with your emergency evacuation from the trip
• Any additional expenses or costs incurred as a result of delays to the trip caused by factors beyond our control – i.e. wind, unsafe flying conditions, forest fire, etc.
• Optional: Quebec fishing permit – you can purchase this at a convenience store near the hotel in Sept-Îles
• Optional: Guide gratuities – we recommend $12-$15 CAD per day per guide

• Your comfortable sleep system:
  • A three-season expedition tent—all to yourself if you’re on your own
  • A comfortable inflatable mattress
  • Pillow

• A large drybag in which to keep all of your personal items
• A smaller drybag that will be accessible during the day in which you can keep your rainwear, sunscreen, etc.
• Whitewater helmet and flotation device
• Wetsuit
• Wind and waterproof paddling jacket
• All group equipment such as cooking and eating utensils, dishes, group shelters, safety equipment and first aid kits, etc.
• Boats (each trip has guided rafts—and we also bring along inflatable kayaks and standup paddleboards (SUPs) that you can opt to use on your own on the easier sections), paddles, and related accessories.

What to pack

You’ll be able to leave luggage that you don’t need for the expedition in secure storage during the trip.

NOTE: A packing list is included with your Trip InfoPack (emailed to you when you book)

The daytime temperature on the Magpie is generally warm during the summer but all sorts of weather can come in.

Synthetic materials such as polyester, polypro, and nylon are great as they dry quickly. Merino wool is a natural fibre that dries quickly and works well too. Avoid cotton—once it gets wet it won’t dry and it doesn’t insulate.

Bring two sets of clothes and footwear: one for on the water and hiking, the other for evenings at camp.

Packing list for camp

• Three-season sleeping bag, rated to 0°c or below – you can rent one from us for $79 CAD
• 1 pair of shoes (old running shoes or closed toe clogs—something to keep your feet safe and dry)
• 2 or 3 pairs of thermal socks (1 or 2 different weights is a good idea)
• Undergarments (synthetic or Merino wool)
• Lightweight t-shirt (synthetic or Merino wool)
• Lightweight long-sleeve shirt (synthetic or Merino wool)
• Lightweight ‘quick dry’ long pants (synthetic or Merino wool)
• Thick fleece or wool sweater
• Thick fleece pants
• Top and bottom medium-weight synthetic or wool long underwear
• Rain gear top and bottom
• Toque (wool or fleece winter hat)
• Sun hat
• Small quick-dry towel
• Headlamp with extra batteries
• Sunscreen, lip protection, and insect repellent
• Water bottle, 1 litre
• Sunglasses with strap
• Prescription glasses with strap if necessary
• Toiletry kit with biodegradable soap and shampoo as well as personal medications
• Optional: reading material, journal, binoculars, camera (waterproof or with waterproof case)
• Optional: fishing rod with tackle and hard carrying case. We provide basic equipment but experienced anglers will enjoy using their own specialized gear.

Packing list for the river

• 1 pair of shoes for the river. The ideal river shoe is lightweight and draining yet supportive enough for walking on portages and scouting rapids, with a grippy sole. These can be lightweight running shoes, water shoes with a supportive sole, or sturdy sandals with toe covering.
• 2 pairs of thermal socks for the river: wool, fleece, or synthetic
• Bathing suit / surf shorts—important to wear over the wetsuit that we will provide you to protect our wetsuit when you’re sitting
• Lightweight synthetic t-shirt – Merino wool or synthetic
• Top and bottom medium-weight synthetic or wool long underwear
• Long-sleeved neoprene ‘surf’ top or long-sleeved medium-weight fleece top
• Thick fleece or wool sweater
• Thick fleece pants

General Packing

• Clothes for the trip home
• Travel documents (passport) and medical insurance cards or policies