Nations of the Thompson River Tour

Service Description

Departing from our launch at Martel, this 6‑hour jetboat experience combines our Secwepemc Thompson River Journey and Nlaka’pamux Canyon River Journey into one continuous run along the river. Travelling upstream first, we move against the current and into the canyon corridor that defines the lower section of the route. The river tightens and deepens as the canyon walls rise around us, creating a fast, narrow passage shaped by centuries of water and wind. This stretch offers a close look at carved basalt walls, swirling eddies, rock shelves, and the seasonal features that have guided river travel for generations. Continuing upriver, the landscape shifts from open benches to steep canyon faces as we approach Cornwall Spire, a prominent landmark rising above the river. Beyond the spire, the canyon begins to open as we enter Ashcroft, where the valley floor becomes more visible and the river widens. Just upstream of town is the confluence of the Bonaparte River, a key landmark where waters from the interior plateau join the main river and the launch point for our Secwepemc tour. Past the Bonaparte, the river flows toward Juniper Beach, where the valley narrows again and the current strengthens. Continuing upstream, we reach the confluence of Deadman’s Creek, the upper extent of the tour. We travel just beyond this meeting of waters before beginning our downstream return. Along the way, we stop for fuel and a lunch break, giving you time to rest and take in the scenery. The downstream run offers a different experience as we travel with the current. The river moves faster beneath the boat, revealing how it flows through bends, shelves, and rock features. Landmarks that appeared one way on the upstream run—cutbanks, eddies, side channels, canyon walls, and the approach to Ashcroft—look new from this direction, and the changing light adds depth to the scenery. Continuing downriver, the canyon tightens again as we pass Cornwall Spire and re‑enter Black Canyon before approaching Martel, completing the Nations tour. Travelling from Martel upstream through Black Canyon, past Cornwall Spire, Ashcroft, the Bonaparte River, Juniper Beach, and Deadman’s Creek, then returning with the current and stopping for fuel and lunch, this combined tour offers a fast, scenic, and grounded way to experience one of the most important waterways in the interior.