Magpie (Mutehekau Shipu) Multi-Day Rafting Trip (Canada)
The Original Magpie Outfitter since 1988.
In terms of dramatic scenery, untouched wilderness, spectacular camps and numerous fun rapids, the Magpie is without question one of the top whitewater rafting destinations in the world and in the top few in North America. Earth River pioneered rafting on this now classic trip completing the first rafting expedition in 1988.
Trip Dates: August 16- 23 2025
August 25-September 1st 2025
$4,500/PERSON
Magpie Video
Trip Details
Trip Dates & Rates
2025 Trip Dates: August 16-23, August 25-September 1
$4,500 USD/PERSON
Why Earth River On The Magpie
- Earth River completed their first rafting expedition of the Magpie in 1988, and have been leading expeditions for decades on the river ever since.
- Widely recognized as one of the most experienced outfitters on this iconic Canadian river.
- The Magpie is a true wilderness expedition, and Earth River’s expedition style approach allows guests to experience the full journey from calm lake sections to legendary rapids, all while traveling through untouched boreal wilderness.
- Earth River has played a leading role in protecting the Magpie River through conservation advocacy and responsible tourism.
- From river safety and camp setup to food and daily planning, every detail is managed by a seasoned expedition team with extensive Magpie specific experience.
- Small group sizes ensure strong guide to guest ratios, flexible decision making on the river and a deeper connection to the wilderness.
Brief Overview
Total Travel Days: 9, days on trip 7
Group size: up to 18
Guide/client ratio: 1 – 3
Season:August
Meeting place: Sept- Iles, Quebec, Canada. Hotel Château Arnaud
Accommodations:6 nights camping.1 night Hotel Château Arnaud at the end of the trip (night 7)
Suitable ages: 8 – 80
Activities: Rafting class 4, class 3 whitewater inflatable kayaking, standup Paddleboarding, fishing.
Private departures:Custom groups of 12 or more participants are welcome. Please contact the office for more details
Trip Highlights
“Magpie Highlights:
- World class whitewater
- 6 nights dramatic camping, some camps across the river from waterfalls and cascades
- Top of the line equipment
- A week of solitude
- Rafting from Magpie lake to the St. Lawrence river
- Chance of viewing an aurora borealis
- Helicopter to the start of the river
- Miles of untouched boreal forest
- Opportunities to inflatable kayak for all
- Delicious menu
- A night at hotel Chateau Arnaud overlooking the Saint Lawrence river
- Potential to see moose, otters, wolf, bobcat, loons, ospreys and more.
Who's It For
Age and experience
- Ideal for adventurous travelers, couples, solo travelers, and families.
- Suitable for ages 7-80 on most activities. Younger children are welcome on Class 3 and 4 rapids on an extremely stable professionally guided safety cataraft.
- Class 6 rapids are optional and for experienced adult paddlers only.
- Previous rafting experience is helpful but not required for lower class sections.
Ability levels
- Class 3 and 4 rapids: accessible for most guests.
- Class 6 rapids: reserved for strong participants who pass a short in-water safety test
- Guests should have good overall fitness and be comfortable spending multiple days outdoors.
Trip difficulty
- Rated moderate to challenging depending on river section.
- Rapids range from Class 2 to Class 6.
- Daily itineraries include rafting, inflatable whitewater and sea kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, and hiking
- Guests may choose which rapids to participate in based on skill and comfort level.
Safety and support
- Professional guides lead every activity adhering to the highest safety standards
- Guests receive comprehensive safety briefings and instructions before partaking in activities.
- All gear is provided and maintained to the highest standards.
What's Included/Not
What’s included
- All food/some beverages during the trip
- 6 days of guided actives (4 days rafting, 2 days sea kayaking)
- Guides are happy to set up tents and camp, you may help as much or little as you desire on a daily basis.
- Sitting by the fire and river under the stars.
- Plenty of fishing opportunities
- Sotar rafts, type 5 life jackets, helmets, tents, dry bags
- Stand up paddle boarding, Inflatable kayaking
- Shuttle to and and from the river
- Hotel the last day at Chateau Arnaud
- Dinner last night of the trip
- 3 – 1 client to guide ratio
- Top notch instruction
Not Included on Magpie Trip
- Round trip airfare from U.S. to Sept Iles Quebec..
- Taxi from Sept Iles airport to the hotel.
- Guide tips (typically 10% of trip cost)
- Fly fishing gear
- Catch up fees for late arrivals including; add. hotel, taxi, charter flights and add. meals.
- Travel before of after trip
Lodging Accommodations
Hotel Chateau Arnaud
Number of nights: 1 (final night)
Brief description: Hotel Chateau Arnaud offers a comfortable and welcoming place to relax after the Magpie River expedition. After days spent on the water and in the wilderness, guests return to a private room, hot shower and a proper bed, making it the perfect transition back to town.
Guests will stay here on the final night of the trip. Additional nights can also be arranged before the expedition begins for those arriving early. Pre-trip accommodations are not included in the trip cost.
Amenities: On-site restaurant and bar, common areas, easy access to regional transport routes
Magpie Lake Camping
Number of nights: 6 nights
Brief description: Fully supported wilderness camping along the Magpie River in one of Canada’s most remote and beautiful regions.
Day By Day Itinerary
For seven days we explore a wild area few people have ever seen. The whitewater is outstanding and builds in difficulty with the most challenging 4+ rapids coming at the end. For most of the trip, participants will have the option of inflatable kayaking. The rivers numerous class 3 and 4 rapids and warm water make this one of the better inflatable kayaking rivers found anywhere. We will camp alongside the river each night, on beautiful islands, and across from spectacular waterfalls. Clear, star-filled nights may include the magical pulsing light of the aurora borealis. Pine trees laden with osprey nests and rocky shores lined with driftwood for the evening campfires.
Day 0: TRAVEL TO SEPT-ILES, QUEBEC CANADA
Travel from your home airport to the Sept-Iles airport, all flights connect through Quebec City or Montreal. Once you arrive in Sept-Iles take a taxi to Hotel Chateau Arnaud, where an Earth River guide will meet you and give you the dry bag and briefing for the trip. (Must reserve your room for the night before the trip) Or arrive on the morning the trip begins (day 1).
DAY 1: SEPT-ILES – MAGPIE LAKE
Today we meet in the morning and then take a beautiful 1.5-hour drive, along the north shore of the St. Lawrence River, past high sea cliffs, remote beaches, and impressive waterfalls, to our rendezvous point with the helicopter. One of only two commercially run rafting rivers in the world accessed by helicopter, the ride is exhilarating as we glide over remote lakes and wild river canyons through the seemingly infinite, rugged boreal wilderness that unfolds in every direction. We arrive at 30-mile-long Magpie Lake where we camp the first night.
DAY 2: MAGPIE RIVER (RAFTING/ INFLATABLE WHITEWATER KAYAKING)
This morning we paddle a few minutes to where the Magpie River spills from the lake. The river is relatively warm, 68 degrees, due to the top few feet of lake flowing into the river. The day is filled with numerous class four rapids. For the more intrepid in the group there will be a chance to paddle many of these rapids in an inflatable kayak while being accompanied by a kayak guide instructor who teaches paddling skills and leads the way through the rapids (flow dependent). The terrain varies from old-growth boreal forest to hillsides of thick white lichen, green moss, and granite much like Norway. Our final rapid of the day, Marmot (whirlpool), is large, technical 4+. Our night’s camps is tucked away in a cove, just below Marmot.
DAY 3: MAGPIE RIVER (RAFTING / INFLATABLE WHITEWATER KAYAKING / STAND-UP PADDLE BOARDING)
Today we run a series of class 4 rapids down to our first impassible class 6 rapid where the guides line the boats around. After lunch, we run a few more rapids down to our second class 6 rapid which the guides line the boats around. In the afternoon we float down to camp on a swift current with only riffles. The scenery in this section is stunning, with 1,000 foot walls rising from the boreal forest. This is the perfect section of river for first timers to try the inflatable kayaks and stand-up paddle-board. We spend the night on a beautiful little island, surrounded by beach, in the middle of a miniature lake. This is the perfect place to try out the stand-up paddleboard.
DAY 4: MAGPIE RIVER (RAFTING / INFLATABLE WHITEWATER KAYAKING / STAND-UP PADDLE BOARDING)
In the morning we raft a series of class 2 and 3 rapids down to 3/4 mile long, class 4, Saxophone Rapid. Above Saxophone is an excellent opportunity for people to try the inflatable kayaks and stand-up paddle boards. Above Saxophone, we put people with more experience back in the inflatable kayaks. We raft Saxophone down to a beautiful lunch spot on a granite bluff where the river makes two sweeping 90-degree turns affording river views in all four directions. After lunch, there are numerous class 3+ rapids down to a large sand and pebble beach where we spend the night.
DAY 5: MAGPIE RIVER (RAFTING / INFLATABLE WHITEWATER KAYAKING /STAND-UP PADDLE BOARDING) / GORGE CAMP
Today contains the biggest rapids of the trip including double drop (4+), Ledges (4+), 13-foot high Trust Falls (4) and Picket Fence (4+). At nearly a mile long, Picket Fence is the longest, most technical rapid on the river. In the afternoon we paddle across a lake to the magnificent Gorge Camp for the night. This is one of the most spectacular camps in the world. The camp hangs on the edge of a stunning granite gorge boasting three impassible class 6 cataracts. if there is an aurora borealis that evening it will be in view of the camp, directly over the first falls. The Gorge Camp views are only surpassed by the views from the Falls Camp the following evening.
DAY 6: MAGPIE RIVER (HIKING / SEA KAYAKING / STAND-UP PADDLE BOARDING) / FALLS CAMP
This morning we take an hour hike to the base of the first falls in the gorge.The view is surreal as we stand mere feet from the wild maelstrom dropping over one hundred feet in a few hundred yards. There is an incredible place to swim in a calm eddy below the falls. While hikingand swimming, a helicopter arrives to the camp and portages our camping gear down below the gorge to our final night’s camp. Later in the morning we hike down to the end of the gorge and board fast (5 MPH), stable, inflatable kayaks for the two-mile lake paddle to the top of 90-foot-high Magpie Falls where we eat lunch. Here the entire river hurtles 90 feet of the Laurentian Plateau in a thunderous crescendo of sound and spray. A constant rainbow rises from the mist and never leaves the falls. We camp on a ledge directly across from the main falls and above a second 25-foot falls. If there is an aurora borealis in the evening, it will be to the north, directly over the falls
DAY 7: MAGPIE RIVER (SEA KAYAKING / STAND-UP PADDLE BOARDING)/ SEPT-ILES
This morning we paddle the sea kayaks or stand-up paddle boards down river, with currant for 4 miles to the takeout where we meet the van. In the afternoon, we arrive back to Sept Iles and check into the hotel. That evening we have a farewell dinner.
DAY 8: SEPT ILES / MONTREAL / CONNECTING FLIGHTS
After breakfast, we transfer by taxi (on our own) to the airport for the flight to Montreal and then on to our international flights.
Getting There
From the Northeastern and Southeastern U.S. and Europe the Magpie is faster and easier to reach than any multi-day western U.S. river like the Salmon or Colorado.
There are a number of ways of reaching the starting point including flying, driving or a combination of both.
1) Fly to Montreal which has direct flights from many large U.S. cities. Arriving in Montreal, transfer to the 2 hour flight to Sept Ile arriving the evening before and spend the night in a hotel (on your own)
2) Fly to Montreal early and spend a few days there. Montreal combines culture, food and creativity. Guests can explore diverse neighborhoods, visit museums and galleries, enjoy world class dining and experience the city’s music and café scene. Montreal is also a convenient travel hub for international flights.
Catch the early morning flight up to Sept Iles to meet the group.
3) Fly to Montreal early and take a short flight to Quebec City. Quebec City is one of the most beautiful and historical cities in North America. It offers a rich cultural contrast to the wilderness of the Magpie. Highlights include walking the historic Old Town, visiting Château Frontenac, exploring cobblestone streets and enjoying French inspired cuisine. This is an excellent option for guests looking to add history, food and architecture to their journey.
Catch the early morning flight up to Sept Iles and meet the group.
(*Note: All flights from Montreal to Sept Iles have a short layover in Quebec City, so a stop over in Quebec City can be arranged through Air Canada at no additional charge)
4) Fly into Montreal and rent a car and drive up to Sept Iles (8 hours). The southern route is relatively flat along the St. Lawrence River and involes taking an hour ferry. The northern route is spectacular with an impressive, mountainous coast line. There are whale watching tours offered near Tadoussac where the Saguenay River meets the St. Lawrence River. Both drives take you past (or through) Quebc City.
5) Drive to Sept Iles from New York: 15 hours, Boston: 13 hours, Washington D.C. 23 hours, Chicago. Although it makes the drive a bit longer, it is possible to visit the spectacular Gaspe Peninsula and Nova Scotia on the drive.
Flight times to Montreal:
New York (1 hour)
Chicago (2 hours)
Washington D.C. : (1.5 hours)
Atlanta (2.6 hours)
Houston (2.6 hours)
Western U.S. Cities (5-6 hours)
London (6.5 to 7 hours)
Paris (7 – 7.5 hours)
Trip Extension Ideas in Sept Iles and Cote Nord
Extending your stay in Sept Îles offers a chance to experience Quebec’s rugged coastline and maritime culture. Guests can explore coastal trails, visit nearby islands, enjoy wildlife viewing and sample fresh local seafood. Boat tours and scenic drives along the St. Lawrence River provide a relaxed way to transition out of expedition mode.
These extensions can be added before or after the expedition depending on travel routes and timing, and are ideal for guests who want to balance remote wilderness with cultural experiences.
*Note: Please contact Earth River for more information and to help coordinate logistics if needed.
FAQs
HOW DIFFICULT IS THE RAFTING?
The Magpie features a wide range of rapids from Class II to Class VI. Guests can opt out of advanced sections. Children are limited to rapids up to Class IV.
IS THIS TRIP SUITABLE FOR FAMILIES?
Yes, families with children who are comfortable outdoors. Guides work closely with families to ensure safety and enjoyment.
WHAT IS THE CAMPING LIKE?
Camping is fully supported and comfortable. Earth River provides all major equipment and meals. Guests carry only personal items.
WHAT SHOULD I PACK?
A detailed packing list is provided before the trip. Key items include layered clothing, waterproof gear, river footwear and personal items.
WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE?
Conditions can vary. Expect warm days, cool nights and occasional rain. Guides adjust daily plans based on weather and river conditions.
HOW LARGE ARE THE GROUPS?
Up to 18 guests. Groups are kept smaller to maintain safety, flexibility and an authentic expedition feel.
DO I NEED PRIOR RAFTING EXPERIENCE?
No experience is required for lower class sections. Prior experience is recommended for advanced rapids, which are optional.
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