Planning Your Trip
For many of our guests, a trip to our wilderness camp may represent the most remote location they have ever visited. Fortunately, our basecamp represents the best of both worlds as it is easily reached either by vehicle on well-maintained highways, or by aircraft via Fort McMurray’s award-winning regional airport. Whichever mode of transportation you choose, a private shuttle service is available to take you from Fort McMurray to the trailhead.
Village Basecamp
The basecamp is located down a 65-kilometer road that only allows permitted use. At the end of the road and the beginning of our network of trails, our enthusiastic guides will meet you with all-terrain vehicles in the summer or snowmachines in the winter to travel the last 30 minutes into camp. Once you are in camp, the next major road to the north is over 500 kilometers away! The weather in Northern Alberta can also be intense – particularly for someone coming from a milder climate. In the winter, we provide all the best outerwear our guests will need to stay cozy while watching the Aurora Borealis shimmer overhead during a crisp winters night.
Visiting the Aurora Borealis Indigenous Village is a serious endeavour. As such, we provide our guests with all the information they need to ensure that they are well prepared and are equipped to thoroughly enjoy themselves in our incredible wilderness environment.
Where We Are
Find your options for travelling to the Village below.
How to Get Here
By Vehicle
If you prefer to drive we have two options available. You drive yourself to Fort McMurray to meet a team member or private shuttle that will take you to the Aurora Borealis Indigenous Village. If you prefer to drive closer to the site we can provide detailed directions that allow you to meet us 65 km from the Village so that we can escort you along the private, gated road to our parking area. If you are driving a rental vehicle ensure that you are permitted to drive on gravel roads if you want to drive farther than Fort McMurray.
By Air
Currently, Air Canada and WestJet both have regularly scheduled flights to Fort McMurray.
Air Canada has non-stop connections to Calgary (multiple daily); Edmonton (multiple daily); Toronto (multiple); and Montreal (multiple).
WestJet has non-stop connections to Calgary (multiple daily) and Edmonton (multiple daily).
Our guests are met at the Fort McMurray airport by a private shuttle service. If you arrive late in the day you will be taken to a local hotel; if you arrive early you will be taken directly to the Village.
Weather to Expect
Winter night-time temperatures range from -10 to -35 degrees Celsius; day time temperatures range from -5 to -20 degrees Celsius.
Winter Solstice Daylight (December 21st) from approximately 9:30 am to 3:30 pm.
Spring and Fall temperatures are very similar. Night-time temperatures range from above-freezing to -5 degrees Celsius; daytime temperatures range from 10 to 20 degrees Celsius.
Summer nighttime temperatures range from 5 to 10 degrees Celsius; daytime temperatures range from 15 to 35 degrees Celsius.
Summer Solstice Daylight (June 21st) from approximately 3:30 am to midnight.
What to Bring
Winter Supplied Clothing (rental included in package price): winter mitts, winter boots, insulated pants, winter parka. You will also be given a toque to keep and take home with you.
Winter
Wool Socks
Long Underwear
Warm Sweater
Warm Winter Coat
Snow Pants
Toque (head)
Mittens (hands)
Winter Boots
Shoes for wearing inside Tipi
Hand & Foot Warmers
Camera
Summer
Hiking Boots
Shoes or Runners for wearing around the village
Long Pants
Shorts
Socks
Short & Long Sleeve Shirts
Warm Sweater or Hoody
Daypack for hiking
Raincoat & Warm Coat
Bug Repellent & Bear Spray for hiking
Camera
Please contact us if you have any questions regarding any specific requirements for your trip.