Journey through the land of Jack London on a canoeing adventure on the historic Yukon River. bang! Enjoy immersing yourself in Gold Rush history!
The Yukon River was the main artery of one of the most romantic and dramatic events of thelate 1800s. The Klondike Gold Rush has captured the hearts and imagination of our culture. Unknown to most, however, is the fact that a living museum of the period exists along the banks of the Yukon River between Whitehorse and Dawson City. This presents the perfect opportunity for a wilderness canoeing trip back in time on a celebrated river.
Beginning at Carmacks, Yukon, we explore well-preserved historic sites along our Yukon River route including Dawson City, Yukon. With establishments like Diamond Toothed Gerties and the Palace Grand Theatre, Dawson City is a lively spot to finish and wind up our Yukon River canoeing adventure.
We travel on the Yukon in Voyageur (minimum 5 passengers) and 2-person canoes over 9 river days over a distance of 390 km (250 miles) and end our trip with an exploration of historic Dawson City.
Craft Description: Canoe - Voyageur (minimum 5 passengers) or 2-person canoe
Prerequisites: None! Beginners welcome if they are willing to paddle.
Available Dates
Rate Details
CAD: $3,690
USD: $3,668 *fluxuates daily
Current CAD/USD Exchange Rate: 0.994
Additional Yukon River Trip Notes:
Upon booking, we need to know which craft you would prefer (2-Person or Voyageur Canoe). Please note that numbers will indicate how thoroughly we will be able to match preferences for craft - please let us know your preference on the application form and call with any questions 1-800-297-6927. See our Trip Details package for an additional explanation of the craft.
Your guides will carry a small reference library that will include field reference books. Following are some books for winter reading: - Klondike, The Last Great Gold Rush, 1896-1898, By Pierre Berton. Revised edition. Toronto: McClelland & Stewart, 1978.
- Drifting Home, By Pierre Berton. Toronto: McClelland & Stewart.
- Paddling in the Yukon , by Ken Madsen and Graham Wilson. Whitehorse: Primrose Publishing, 1989.
- The Yukon, by Andrew Hume and Pat Morrow. 2nd edition. Vancouver: Whitecap Books, 1980.
- The Cinnamon Mine, by Ellen Davidson. Whitehorse: Studio North, 1988. (growing up at Johnson's Crossing)
- How to Shit in the Woods , by Kathleen Meyer. 10 Speed Press, PO Box 7123, Berkeley, CA 94707.
A browse through a bookstore will likely yield many more Yukon-related books. |
The following tentative agenda has been designed with much thought to capitalize on the most scenic and exciting parts of the river, while making time on other sections. Your guides will adjust the schedule to make the best use of river and weather conditions.
The following initials indicate the meals included each day:Breakfast = B | Lunch = L | Dinner = D
Day 0
Your journey north from your home will be a refreshing departure. You will fly over the largest expanse of wilderness in the world with stunning views on cloudless days, pass through quieter and friendlier airports, meet friendlier and less harried service personnel and generally begin to immerse yourself in the wilderness experience that is about to unfold.
Please make your way to your hotel and plan to rendezvous with your guides in the lobby of the Westmark Klondike Inn at 8 pm for an orientation meeting. There will be a chance for last-minute questions concerning clothing, gear, packing and other details.
Whitehorse is a great place to spend a few extra days. We will send you a visitor booklet and map. The historic sites are interesting and there are local day hikes, gold panning float trips through Miles Canyon and 4X4 outings in the region.
Day 1 (L/D) JOURNEY NORTH
We will meet in the hotel lobby at 8am following breakfast (not covered). We leave Whitehorse for the two-hour drive to Carmacks, where we will pause for lunch before preparing the canoes and embarking on the Yukon River. The river distance from here to Dawson City is approximately 390 km. Camp will be in the vicinity of Five Finger Rapids North West Mounted Police Post.
Day 2 (B/L/D) FIVE FINGER RAPIDS
The historic sites along the way are many and frequent. On this day we will encounter Five Fingers Mine Site and Five Finger Rapids. Our passage through the rapids is easy, but it was a different story for the paddle-wheelers, who feared this spot. We will visit the abandoned settlement of Yukon Crossing.
Day 3 (B/L/D) ANCIENT STEAMERS
On the river we pass wood yard sites that fed the boilers of the steamers. The river banks sport a curious sight. A thin bank of white ash can be seen in the strata. Sam McGee’s Ashes, as they are called, are the result of an ancient volcano.The sight of the O’Brien’s Murder Camp will reinforce the drama of the Gold Rush days.
Day 4 (B/L/D) FORT SELKIRK
A solid day of paddling will bring us to historic Fort Selkirk and the Yukon Field Force Site. These locations have been well preserved and offer a rich variety of historic material.
Day 5 (B/L/D) YUKON HISTORY
A full morning is necessary to explore Fort Selkirk. In the afternoon we will put on some more river miles.
Day 6 & 7 (B/L/D) KLONDIKE BOUND
We will cover many miles paddling, drifting and examining the historic spots as we pass.
Day 8 (B/L/D) LOCAL COLOUR
Stewart Island is the location of an old settlement that bustled at the turn of the century. The remaining Burian family has built a small but impressive museum.
Day 9 (B/L/D) GOLDRUSH HISTORY
The day is spent exploring Dawson. As a National Historic Site, it has been well preserved and interpreted. Highlights include Robert Service’s cabin, Jack London’s cab in, a tremendous museum and a plethora of shops. After supper we may take in the Gaslight Follies (on us). This will be our first of two hotel nights (included.)
Day 10 (B/L/D) GOLD DREDGE #4
In the morning we will drive out to Dredge #4 on Bonanza Creek and the Bear Creek Mining Establishment. Both locations are National Historic Sites. After lunch the gear and boats are loaded on the vehicle for the following day’s journey. We will check into a hotel and have supper on the breakwater overlooking the river. Diamond Tooth Gertie’s will be the attraction for the evening (admission included).
Day 11 (B) HOMEWARD BOUND
We hit the highway early for the six-hour drive back to Whitehorse and connection with homeward flights. You may book your flight to depart after 4 pm on this day, but if you wish to arrive home well-rested you may wish to book for the following day. (Hotel costs and meals while in Whitehorse are not included).