Skip to main content

Find out more about the wildfire and wildfire-related concerns in the NWT.

Home Package

Aurora Viewing at Blachford Lodge

Blachford Lake Lodge - Aurora

Welcome to Blachford Lodge.

Our winter/spring season provides great outdoor opportunities and excellent aurora viewing at the lodge. You can visit our website and our Facebook Page to see some amazing photographs of the Aurora Borealis at our lodge.

 If your dream is to see the Aurora Borealis, here are some reasons why Blachford Lodge can make this dream come true: 

  • The Northwest Territories has been credited the “Aurora Capital of the World”; there is a 98% chance of seeing the Aurora during a three night visit. Its capital, Yellowknife, is located right underneath the Auroral Oval which makes it one of the top locations for Aurora viewing. 
  • Our lodge is only accessible by bush plane as there are no roads to Blachford Lake Lodge. Due to our remote location there is no light pollution from nearby towns, cities, cabins, or road traffic; you won’t see anyone other than other lodge guests and staff while you stay with us. 
  • At Blachford Lake Lodge you can view the Aurora from the comfort of your own room, just outside your room or cabin, the dining room and lounge areas, from our two Aurora viewing decks, the hot tub or sauna, the tipi. 

We are typically open during the winter months from the end of December through early April. For their stay, some guests prefer dates close to the dark phase of the moon while some prefer dates closer to the full moon to have the chance to view the Aurora and full moon simultaneously. Seeing as the Aurora are an all-natural phenomena, it is very hard to predict the intensity of the Aurora during a specific period of time, but the longer you stay, the higher your chances will be to view the Aurora (plus, you’ll have more time to relax and to take advantage of the outdoor activities offered at the lodge). 

Getting Here 

Our lodge is the only fly-in wilderness resort on Blachford Lake, which is a remote 17 kilometers (12 mile) lake. The lodge is a 25-minute bush plane flight from Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories and is located north of the East Arm of Great Slave Lake. Yellowknife is easily accessible with daily flight service from most major U.S. and Canadian cities, and same-day connections through Calgary and Edmonton, Vancouver, and Toronto. Currently, the airlines flying into Yellowknife from major southern centers are: 


Scheduled departure days from Yellowknife to the lodge are Tuesday and Saturday. During our winter season most of our flights depart Yellowknife between 8am-12pm (noon). We suggest strongly that you book pre/post nights in Yellowknife. We are happy to assist with booking hotels, transfers and tours in Yellowknife, should you like. Please check with our staff for the flight schedule before booking your flights in and out of Yellowknife.  

Accommodations & Facilities 

Our guest accommodations have all been recently renovated. We have added one new lodge room in the main lodge – we have 3 lodge rooms with private full ensuite facilities (shower, toilet, sink), and 3 lodge rooms with shared facilities (steps from the room’s doorstep – these lodge rooms are 20% off the listed accommodation rate package whilst shared). We will be renovating these three rooms to add ensuite facilities in late 2025. 

 Each of our 5 hand-crafted log cabins has a private shower, toilet and sink. They have been completely renovated in the past year, modernized and updated with décor and amenities. They are wonderful for privacy, and are the ultimate secluded relaxation spot, about a 3-5 minute walk from the main lodge. 

All Packages Include:

  • Return air charter (bush plane on skis or floats) Yellowknife to Blachford Lodge 
  • Welcome drink on arrival
  • Accommodation (lodge or cabin) with daily housekeeping 
  • Three delicious meals per day, prepared by our in-house chef 
  • Snacks, juice, tea and coffee throughout the day 
  • Use of seasonal equipment: combined 25 km of groomed cross-country ski and hiking trails, snowshoes, skis, skates, fat tire bikes, kick sleds, fishing equipment, interpretative walks
  • 2 guided activities daily
  • Use of hot tub, sauna, tipi, bonfire pits, etc. at your leisure
  • Handicraft activities
  • Yoga equipment for personal use 
  • AuroraWatch service nightly (until 3am)
  • Aurora photography instruction
  • Use of Lodge Facilities: dining room, Aurora viewing lounge, fireplaces, northern library, bathrooms with showers, basins and toilets, open decks 
  • Basic luggage allowance of 50 lbs per person, including your carry-on baggage

NOT INCLUDED:

  • Travel insurance 
  • Winter clothing rental (additional $250 per person, plus tax. Please book in advance)
  • Snowmobile tours / guided fishing tours
  • Ground activities, transfers and accommodation in Yellowknife.

Activities:

Winter outdoor activities include cross-country skiing on 20 kilometers of groomed trails, snowshoeing, sliding, ice skating, ice fishing, fat-biking, kick-sledding and snowmobile tours (at an additional charge). Strap on your snowshoes, or stick to your winter boots and try to spot some northern wildlife. Spend your evenings relaxing relax in our cozy lounge areas, relax in the sauna, or kick back in our hot tub while watching the Aurora dance overhead.  

 Fishing licenses must be purchased prior to your arrival at Blachford Lake Lodge. If you’d like to try ice-fishing during your stay, please visit: 

https://www.gov.nt.ca/ecc/en/services/get-fishing-licence

 If you are interested in exclusive site use, day trips, private aircraft transfers or flightseeing tours, exciting day trips to explore the territory further, or other exclusive add on to your trip, please let us know. These exclusive experiences are quoted on request.

 Additional Tours – Snowmobiling (Winter Only) 

 2026 Tour Rates 

Tour

Cost

Service Fee (10%)

GST (5%)

Total Cost (Per Person)

Taste of Touring (5km)

$150

$15

$8.25

$173.25

Whiteman Loop (10km)

$220

$22

$12.10

$254.10

Whitemain Trail, Tea & Cookies (20 km)

$300

$30

$16.50

$376.50

Ice Pressure Ridges on Great Slave Lake (32km)

$320

$32

$17.60

$369.60

Watta Lake – Grace Lake (37km)

$450

$45

$24.75

$519.75

Overnight Camping

From $800

 

 

 All Tours Include: guide, helmet with visor or goggles, gas and oil, operating instructions and one pair of hand warmers. 

Check out tour descriptions here.

Please note: All snowmobile tours are condition/weather dependent. We reserve the right to change the routing at any time. Rides over 3 hours are for experienced riders only.

2026 PRICING:

Our guest accommodations have all been recently renovated. We have added one new lodge room in the main lodge – we have 3 lodge rooms with private full ensuite facilities (shower, toilet, sink), and 3 lodge rooms with shared facilities (steps from the room’s doorstep – these lodge rooms are 20% off the listed accommodation rate package whilst shared). We will be renovating these three rooms to add ensuite facilities in late 2025. 

 Each of our 5 hand-crafted log cabins has a private shower, toilet and sink. They have been completely renovated in the past year, modernized and updated with décor and amenities. They are wonderful for privacy, and are the ultimate secluded relaxation spot, about a 3-5 minute walk from the main lodge. 

2026 Rates:

LODGE & CABIN ACCOMMODATIONS
3 nights $3,780
4 nights $5,040
7 nights $8,820
Bush Plane Transfer (Per Person)
$525
**All packages are priced per person in Canadian Dollars

Please Note:

  • Prices are quoted and payable in Canadian dollars
  • A deposit of 50% of the total package price is required to confirm your booking. 
  • The balance will be due 60 days prior to arrival. 
  • We accept direct deposit, e-Transfer, Bank Draft, credit card via Flywire, or wire transfer

Cancellation Policy:

  • Deposit is refundable until 61 days prior to arrival with the exception of an administration fee of $1000.
  • 60-0 days prior to departure, trip is non-refundable.

There are a few frequently asked questions that you may have – check out our website to see a few other bits and pieces of information that are important prior to booking your stay. 

 

 

Summer Fishing Adventure

Two people in a boat holding up a huge fish at Blachford Lake Lodge

Summer Adventure & Relaxation

Welcome to your summer getaway, north of 60. Far from the noise and bustle of any city, Blachford Lodge is happy to be your home away from home in the summer months. Bask in the midnight sun (yup, you can read a book outside all night long!), catch a trophy fish, hike on some of the world’s oldest rock, or simply enjoy the beautiful nature that surrounds you. Blachford Lodge is the perfect place to get away and discover a new sense of self, and a new appreciation for the beautiful landscape surrounding you.

Fishing on Blachford Lake

Blachford Lake offers trophy sized Lake Trout and Northern Pike! In recent years the winning entries in our Trophy Release Contest were a 38 lb. Lake Trout, and a 32 lb. Northern Pike. Whitefish can be caught in Blachford Lake, and Walleye (around 4 or 5 lb.) can be caught on two of the adjoining lakes that are just a short walk from Blachford Lake. The ice melts on the lake in early June making it an excellent time for fishing. Throughout June through to early July, fish are generally caught close to the surface. In late August thru to September Northern Pike bite a lot in shallow water. In early September Trout swim in deeper water and by late September they rise to shallow water to spawn.

At Blachford Lodge we actively promote a “Catch & Release” Fish Management Program that includes the use of barbless hooks and fish gloves to ensure the careful and healthy release of all large fish. However we encourage our guests to enjoy tasty smaller fish for shore lunches or dinners!

Fishing licences must be purchased prior to your arrival at Blachford Lodge and is required for anyone who wants to fish. You may purchase one online at https://services.nwt-tno.ca/en/login

 

Flights

When booking your flights in/out of Yellowknife, please ensure that you arrive in Yellowknife the night before the charter flight departure to the lodge. Flights to/from YZF and BLL operate between 8:00am and 2:00pm MT.

Please check with us prior to booking your departing flight from Yellowknife. Because at times both scheduled and charter flights may experience delays, we do not recommend booking a flight from Yellowknife prior to 5:00 pm MT.

INCLUDES:

  • Flightseeing charter Yellowknife – Blachford – Yellowknife
  • Lodge or cabin accommodation
  • Introduction and hints about aurora photography
  • Aurora Watch service
  • Two hour interpretive experience each day
  • Use of Lodge Facilities: Dining room, Aurora lounge, fireplaces, northern library, bathrooms with showers, basins and toilets, hot tub, sauna, open decks
  • Comprehensive pre-departure information
  • Use of seasonal equipment (canoes, SUP, fat tire bike, kayaks, hiking trails, fishing excursion, motorized boat)
  • Welcome Drink & Orientation
  • All meals
  • All snacks
  • Coffee, tea, juice
  • Use of hot tub and sauna
  • Handicraft workshops in the lodge
  • Yoga equipment for personal use
  • Access to some of the best Aurora viewing in the world
  • High speed wireless internet

NOT INCLUDED:

  • Guided Fishing Excursions
  • Travel Insurance
  • Alcoholic Beverages
  • Items of a personal nature

Optional Summer Extras:

Guided FishingPrice Per Person
2 hours per personIncluded in package
Half Day (4 hours) per person$200
Full Day (8 hours) per person$300

Fishing licenses have to be purchased in Yellowknife, prior to departure to Blachford Lodge.

2025 PRICING:

2025 Packages – LODGE ACCOMMODATION
3 Nights (Saturday to Tuesday)$2,997
4 Nights (Tuesday to Saturday)$3,996
7 Nights (starting Saturday or Tuesday)*$6,993
2025 Packages – CABIN ACCOMMODATION
3 Nights (Saturday to Tuesday)$2,997
4 Nights (Tuesday to Saturday)$3,996
7 Nights (starting Saturday or Tuesday)*$6,993
Flight-seeing Charter (YZF-BLL return, per person)$499
*Flight is included free of charge in 7-night stay package
**All packages are priced per person in Canadian Dollars

 

PLEASE NOTE:

  • All rates are per person and are quoted in Canadian dollars. Please add 5% Goods and Services Tax and 10% gratuities to the base price.
  • Single supplement requests (private, single occupancy) add 50% to the package rate (x1.5 the regular rate).
  • Please double check with our office for availability prior to booking your flights in/out of your home city and Yellowknife.
  • All guests will be required to sign a liability waiver when booking.
  • We strongly recommend all guests ensure they have emergency medical coverage and comprehensive travel insurance prior to visiting the lodge.

For more information, give us a call or visit our website.

Canadian Wildlife Adventures

Aylmer Lake Lodge - Canadian Wildlife

Canadian Safari Adventure

Welcome to the barren-lands of the Northwest Territories, Canada where the animals are unique and majestic. All our lodges are located in the prime area for caribou viewing, thousands of Caribou migrate through annually. Opportunities to see Arctic Wolves they follow the caribou as this is a main source of food for the wolves. There is opportunity to see the pre historic Muskox lumbering along the barren grounds, Wolverines and Grizzly Bears. Nights viewing Aurora Borealis. If you like we can arrange a time for you to be taken out for fishing.

Guest capacity is maximum 10 guests per trip

  • 5 Day Trip Price $7,900 USD + GST/Per Person
  • 14 Day Trip Price $15,500 USD + GST/Per Person

Check out our video’s and if you enjoy them please hit the like and subscribe buttons to stay abreast of our video’s as we add more.

https://youtu.be/Pxz2d7Al0C0

https://youtu.be/XRz7OOAhiV0

https://youtu.be/fG96mYKgZzs

Our Territory

Our area is located in the northern barren-lands region of the Northwest Territories, Canada. We are located past the boreal forest into the barren-lands, that are renown for their giant lakes and river drainage that makes for a game rich environment. The animal population on the barren-lands is high with Muskox, Grizzly Bear, Arctic Wolves, Wolverines, Arctic Hares and the populations are estimated to be in the thousands for Caribou. You will be remote, which puts you in the heart of where these majestic animals live.

All of our Canadian Safari Adventure trips are located within the Northwest Territory closed caribou zone. The winter Mobile Bathurst Caribou closed zone (the closed mobile zone moves with the caribou migration). Caribou are a main food source and the wolves follow the caribou herds. This is a prime area for arctic wolves, grizzly bears, muskox and wolverines.

The Tour

You will be boating, as well as going on tundra and esker hiking, which means you’ll be glassing areas that have central barren-land caribou, wolves, muskox, grizzly bears, and wolverines.  When we locate the animals we will boat or hike to a spot for excellent photography opportunities. Breakfast will be at 8:00 AM until 8:30 AM. You will head out with your bagged lunches and snacks, thermoses and water for the day, unless you are hiking around the lodge and you may return to the lodge for lunch. You will end your day back at the lodge at 6:00 pm with supper served at 7:00pm.  After supper you will relax, read, there are games to play, socializing about your day, late in the night you can set an alarm if you choose to rest, then start watching for the skies to light up with the Aurora Borealis displays that are part of the northern hemisphere.

What to Expect

Travelling the waterways, and hiking afford you excellent opportunities to see the animals in their natural habitat. You will need to come prepared mentally for long sitting periods glassing, so absolutely ensure that you are prepared to layer up and down to stay comfortable. Staying focused for the duration raises your opportunity of success for your incredible photography opportunities. The thrill of success on capturing these animals in their home setting is exhilarating. All day long your senses will be assaulted with the beauty of the vibrant fall colours of red, orange, and yellow shimmering as far as the eye can see. On your hikes you will see hundreds of mushrooms, and the fruits of the tundra cloud berries, blueberries, and cranberries. After supper you may want to catch a nap so you can get up later to watch for the Aurora Borealis to light up the skies.

Getting Here

Your starting destination for your tour is the city of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. There are daily flights into Yellowknife from Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, and Ottawa. You will need to fly into Yellowknife the day before.  The next day you will be boarding a charter flight that will fly you into the lodge to begin your tour. We work to have you arrive for lunch so that you are into the lodge to get you settled in. Once you arrive at the charter plane your trip begins. Your flight is approximately two hours and you need to dress in layers for the charter flight.

Tour Schedule

All of our Canadian Safari Adventure Trips are minimum 5 or 10 full days.  Once you leave on the charter flight begin to look for animals out your plane windows they are there and it’s exciting to see the activity. You will also have your senses assaulted by the vibrant fall colours. Getting an eagle view of the NWT you will see the tree line end and the barren lands begin, all the water that allows the tundra to flourish and build a strong healthy ecosystem.

Breakfast will be served at 8:00AM – 8:30am you will be leaving the lodge by 9:00am returning to the lodge at 6:00pm. Depending on the schedule of activities you will have a bagged lunch or a return to the lodge for lunch. Supper will be served 7:00pm.

5 or 10 Full Day Trip

Change over day/fly in and out day

  • Full day of fishing for departing guests.
  • Fishing from shore for arriving guests.

Wildlife Viewing Adventure Dates 2024

Aug 12 – Aug 17

Aug 17 – Aug 22

Aug 22 – Aug 27

Aug 27 – Sept 2

Sept 2 – Sept 6

Sept 6 – Sept 11

Sept 11 – Sept 15

Wildlife Viewing Adventure Dates 2025

Aug 12 – Aug 17

Aug 17 – Aug 22

Aug 22 – Aug 27

Aug 27 – Sept 2

Sept 2 – Sept 6

Sept 6 – Sept 11

Sept 11 – Sept 15

 Additional Details

  • We require 50% deposit. Your final payment is required 90 days prior to your trip. All bookings are non-refundable.
  • Contract documents will be forwarded via email for electronic signature. Your documents must be signed and returned within 7 business days of booking.

What’s Included:

  • Professional Guide for your trips on the tundra
  • Lodging and Meals

Not Included:

  • Commercial flights in and out of Yellowknife
  • Hotels before and after your wildlife adventure
  • Scheduled Charter flights are included. If you elect to leave other than scheduled flights it’s at your cost to charter a flight out. The charters require credit card payment be paid before flight leaves the airport.
  • Due to fluctuating fuel costs, a fuel surcharge maybe applicable
  • Please be advised that we reserve the right to change our current price listed.
  • We highly recommend that you purchase, trip cancellation insurance, medical evacuation insurance, and have health insurance. Link to Global Rescue https://partner.globalrescue.com/aylmerlakelodge/index.html

 

The Broken Skull River

paddling rapids on the Broken Skull River, NWT, with Black Feather

150 km of pure whitewater fun, the Broken Skull River is known in Mountain Dene as Pı̨́ı̨́p’enéh łéetǫ́ǫ́ Deé, pronounced Pip-en-ay Lee-toh Day. It is in one of Canada’s newest national parks, Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve. The river is a little-known tributary of the fabled South Nahanni River (Nahʔą Dehé). Starting high in the Mackenzie Mountains, the river boasts excellent class I and II whitewater, pristine hot springs, great hiking and truly untravelled wilderness…

We will meet in Norman Wells and fly into Divide Lake (Ǫtaa Tu Fehto), where we will take a day hike to and through the surrounding mountains. Following ‘Cold Feet Creek’ to the Broken Skull (Pı̨́ı̨́p’enéh łéetǫ́ǫ́ Deé), the paddling fun begins. The river will take us past Swallow Falls (Pı́ı́lǫhda Nááréélı̨) and downstream to the Broken Skull Hot Springs (Pı̨́ı̨́p’enéh łéetǫ́ǫ́ Gaǫfáá), a short hike from the river. Continuing downstream with consistent, runnable rapids, we then meet the South Nahanni (Nahʔą Dehé). Our last two days paddle will take us to Nahanni National Park’s Rabbitkettle Lake (Gahnįhthah Mie), where we will meet our charter flight to Fort. Simpson, NWT.

The Broken Skull trip is suitable for paddlers with previous canoe camping and whitewater experience but advanced whitewater skills are not required. More experienced paddlers will appreciate the river for its remoteness, scenic beauty and the fact that it is so very rarely paddled. Those wishing for an extended paddling experience should consider our Broken Skull-Nahanni Combo trip, or our Broken Skull and Cirque of the Unclimbables hike combo trip.