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| 11 – 21 Days Yukon River Canoe Tour |
| Yukon River |
 In 1898 - the year of the Klondike Gold Rush - it seemed that everyone was heading to the Yukon to seek his fortune. Today, abandoned settlements and sunken ship hulls recall the era of goldrushers, paddlewheelers, and settlers as they made their way up and down the Yukon River. The river has since returned to its natural state. Shorelands and islands are covered in aspen, birch and poplar. Muskrat, beaver, fox, wolf, bear, eagle, trumpeter swan, along with large populations of migrant waterfowl call the river home. The current in the river allows for a relaxed pace, leaving plenty of time to drift, explore, and enjoy the experience. Many who have paddled the Yukon river have felt a certain thrill of discovery. Those who have paddled into Dawson City have experienced the same feelings that must have been present for the earliest explorers. |
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| Day |
Itinerary |
| 01 |
| We'll greet you at Whitehorse airport and transfer you to the hotel in downtown location. In the afternoon you have time to explore the many sights and to do the last shopping. Meet the group in the evening where you will discuss the tour routing. Your guide will introduce himself and gives substantial introduction to wilderness rules and canoeing techniques at the beginning and during the tour. You have plenty of time to organize your gear and adapt to the wilderness setting for a very special experience far away from civilization. |
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| 02 |
| We leave Whitehorse in the morning and drive to our put in where the Takhini River meets the Yukon. The rest of the day we paddle on the Yukon River. During the afternoon you will receive a familiarization course. This will include a course in basic canoeing and wilderness etiquette. |
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| 03 - 09 |
| After a few hours we reach 50 km long Lake Laberge where we stay for the night. From our campsite we can hike and explore the surrounding area. That evening around the campfire on the "marge of Lake Laberge" will surely immerse you totally in the wilderness adventure of it all. We paddle through Lake Laberge and continue on the legendary Yukon River and famous Thirty-Mile River. This is the name given to the first 30 miles of the Yukon River running out of the north end of Lake Laberge to Hootalinqua, an abandoned gold rush village at the confluence of the Yukon and Teslin Rivers. The Thirty-Mile recently received the designation of a Yukon Heritage River. We visit the abandoned turn-of-the-century villages of Lower Laberge, Hootalinqua and Big Salmon. We fish for Arctic Grayling in the clear, fast waters of the Thirty Mile and learn to cook the catch. The guides are totally familiar with the natural history of the Yukon and great times are had around the campfire each evening. After passing an Indian fish camp and trapper cabins we reach Carmacks, a small town along the Klondike Highway where showers, a restaurant and bar will await us. |
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| 10 - 18 |
| On the second half of the tour we follow the Yukon River to Dawson City. Our plan is to establish camp on the many islands and sandbars which characterize this stretch of river. We run the famous Five Finger Rapids, the scourge of the "Klondikers," where many boats came to grief. The sight of Fort Selkirk on a high bank remains one of the trip's highlights. The Hudson's Bay Company established it in 1848. Only accessible by water, Fort Selkirk includes a campsite with well water, tent sites, kitchen shelter with cook stove, bear-proof garbage containers, and a warming cabin. Our trip down the Yukon River normally includes an overnight stay at Fort Selkirk. Once past Fort Selkirk, the surrounding country is at least as impressive as ever. Certainly there is no shortage of historic sites along the banks. The White River sees a dramatic difference in the colour (and the sound) of the Yukon River. The colour is the result of a combination of glacial silt, and ash from a volcanic eruption about 1,250 years ago. The anticipation heightens with each bend in the river as we near Dawson City. This same thrill and anticipation must have been present with the Klondike goldrushers after their long journey. Finally the Dome, Dawson's well-known landmark, can be seen in the distance. One more bend and we have arrived. We set up our tents at the campground and enjoy a hot shower. Dawson City was the Yukon's first capital when it became a separate territory in 1898. In 1960 Parks Canada declared the town as a national historic site. Since this time the park service restored or reconstructed more than 35 historic properties within the area. Now everybody deserves to feel a little like one of the old prospectors and loose his “nuggets” to one of the Can-Can Girls… |
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| 19 |
| We have the full day to visit the various sights of Dawscon City. The steamship SS Keno – last steamer to run the Yukon River from Whitehorse, the Jack London Interpretive Center with the “poets” original cabin, the city museum with audiovisual presentations, Gold Dredge #4 – build in 1912 on famous Bonanza Creek, the Grand Palace Theatre – home of the " Gaslight Follies Show " and Diamond Tooth Gerties Casino with legal gambling tables and " Can-Can " floor shows. We won't miss the short drive on the Ridge Road to the top of the Midnight Dome with excellent views over Dawson, the Ogilvie Mountains, the Yukon - and Klondike River. |
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| 20 |
| After leaving Dawson City we pass Pelly Crossing before we stop at the famous Five-Finger-Rapids. We follow the Yukon River to Carmacks and continue to the ruins of Montague Roadhouse which was one of the 52 stopping places between Whitehorse and Dawson City in 1901. Via Twin Lakes - well known for their beauty and colors we stop at Conglomerate Mountain which was formed at the leading edge of volcanic mud flows some 185 million years ago. We take our time for a good photo opportunity at beautiful Fox Lake and drive along Lake Laberge before we arrive in Whitehorse where we stay overnight in a hotel. |
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| 21 |
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| Rates per Person in CAD$ |
Adult |
Departure Dates |
| 8 Days Whitehorse - Carmacks |
$1245.00 |
August 22 |
| 11 Days Whitehorse - Carmacks |
On Request |
August 22 |
| 13 Days Carmacks - Dawson City |
$1660.00 |
June 04, July 01 |
| 20 Days Whitehorse - Dawson City |
$2495.00 |
June 05 |
| 21 Days Whitehorse - Dawson City |
$2199.00 |
June 23 |
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| Including |
- Professional guide service
- 2 Nights hotel accommodation
- All necessary transfers
- Airport transfers in Whitehorse
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- All meals during the canoe trip
- Quality Canoeing Equipment
- Camping Equipment (except sleeping bag, pad)
- Emergency equipment, incl. satellite phones
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