An experienced canoe trip guide will travel with you on the first day of your canoe trip.
Available as an option with our Ultimate Outfitting package only, this innovative program goes beyond our standard “Greenhorn Service.”
One of our experienced guides will accompany your group for the first day of your trip, helping you pack and prepare, reviewing the route in detail, as well as assisting with permits and other pre-departure details. Along the way, the guide will teach skills like loading canoes, portaging techniques, paddling strokes, basic navigation, campsite selection and organization. Once you are safely established on your first campsite with dinner cooking, the guide will depart, allowing you to finish the trip on your own, equipped with new skills and increased confidence.
The rate is in addition to your Ultimate Outfitting package.
$285 plus HST per group (up to eight people), plus outfitting charges.
Guide for a day cost is shared between a group of 2-8 participants.
An Algonquin Park guided canoe trip is one of many different kinds of adventure travel experiences available today. In the “old days,” a guide’s role was relatively simple: expert at everything and performer of all hard work. These days, we anticipate that clients will want (and expect) to take an active role in the experience and learn the techniques of paddling and canoe-camping. The modern guide’s job is primarily one of leadership and education but, most importantly, the guide is ultimately responsible for the safety and comfort of the group. The physical fitness, skill level and nature of the group will determine how much or how little direction or leadership is required. We expect our guides to teach people what they need to know, when they need to know it. Algonquin Outfitters guides encourage clients to try their hand at all aspects of the experience, from route finding to washing dishes. Our hope is that your skills and confidence will improve enough that, on your next trip, you can go without a guide!
Like any other Algonquin Outfitters guided canoe trip, our guides will help you review your route and pack your gear once you arrive at our Oxtongue Lake outfitting base. From there, the the guides will accompany you on your first day of travels, sharing their skill and knowledge from the access point to the first campsite. Once you are comfortably encamped at your site and have dinner cooking, the guide will depart, leaving you to enjoy the rest of your trip on your own. All you have to do is repeat what they’ve taught you on the first day.
Some route restrictions apply. “Guide for a Day” trips generally start at Highway #60 access points such as Smoke Lake, Cache Lake or Rock Lake, all of which offer many canoe route options.
The most valuable part of our outfitting service is the training, advice and help that our experienced guides and outfitters can offer when customizing a trip, route and equipment to your abilities and desires. Provided for no extra charge, this service is just one of the things that makes any Algonquin Outfitters complete outfitting package among the finest in North America.
You only need to bring your own clothing and personal items! Check out our Canoe Trip Planning page for a suggested list. And, don’t worry if you don’t have a particular piece of clothing or forgot your toothbrush, our stores are well stocked with camping accessories and some great travel clothing.
Need a little help getting started? Add Greenhorn Service to any of our complete outfitting packages to start your trip off with a short course in the basics of camping and paddling. This is a cost-effective way to get your Algonquin Park adventure off on the right foot!