Canoeing the world renowned Yukon River as well as the Snake, Wind, Hart, South MacMillan, McQuesten, and Takhini Rivers are just some of the custom canoeing trips we have organized and outfitted for guests in the past. Having paddled all across the North including Alaska, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut we know that the Yukon River has some of the finest paddling in the world for novice and intermediate paddlers.
Our canoeing guides are certified outdoor educators who combine a love of teaching paddling skills with a passion for sharing the wilderness in which you will travel. A minimum group size of three guests is required for these trips, which have ranged from two days to three weeks in the past. All of the paddling and camping gear will be provided for your trip and our menus will not suffer just because we are away from the kitchen!
For some of our groups fishing is a passion. We can equip you with the fly and spin fishing gear and local secrets necessary to ensure a few delicious shore lunches of Arctic Grayling or Lake Trout! In all cases we will ensure that your group enjoys a safe and memorable adventure.
There are two sections of the Yukon which we paddle the most often with guests - Lake Laberge to Carmacks and Carmacks to Dawson. Each of these sections requires at least one week to paddle comfortably. Guests who wish to paddle all the way from Lake Laberge to Dawson should ensure that they have at least 14 days to complete this historical route.
Lake Laberge to Carmacks:
After arriving on the afternoon flight, you will be picked up by Uncommon Journeys staff and brought out to the Uncommon Journeys Lodge. Time and energy permitting, after outfitting you, we will have a paddling refresher session on Scout Lake (2 km from our Lodge) and a dogsledding demonstration where you can get up close and personal with our 60 Alaskan Huskies either before or after dinner.
Following breakfast the next morning we will depart for Shallow Bay (about 45 min. north) for our canoe put in on the famous Lake Laberge that Robert Service made famous in his poem "The Cremation of Sam McGee". Here we may board a small shuttle boat which will transport us and our canoes all the way down the Lake (saving us time and ensuring that we do not lose any days by being windbound by strong headwinds) to the beginning of the famous "30 Mile River" section which is a Canadian Heritage River. We will then pass several historical sites form Hootalinqua to the watery grave of the paddlewheeler "Klondike". After passing Little Salmon Village at the confluence with the Little Salmon River we will float into Carmacks, a lively village with access to groceries and other amenities. We are picked up here if we are only completing this section of the river. Back at the Homestead we celebrate with a banquet meal and guests are dropped off at the airport or their hotel the next morning.
7 day trip. 3 guest minimum.
Cost per person $2065.00 CAD plus 5% GST.
Carmacks to Dawson City:
This section is often referenced in stories about the Klondike Gold Rush since it includes the famous Five Finger Rapids and Fort Selkirk. We will also paddle by 'Sam McGee's Ashes’ and Yukon Crossing (the point of crossing on the Dawson City to Whitehorse stage road). This is a beautiful part of the river as it is all wilderness with road access only at the start and take out. With a week to paddle, we should be able to travel at a relaxed rate with plenty of time to enjoy photographing the scenery and to go fishing. Five Finger Rapids is easily paddled (despite it's history of breaking up paddlewheelers!) with a guide in front showing guests the "sneak" route on river right. Fort Selkirk is a world-class heritage site that has been restored and is a fascinating glimpse into the world at the time of the Gold Rush. We finish our trip with time to walk around one of the most historic towns in Canada - famous Dawson City. We will stay at Bombay Peggy's a restored brothel decorated in period decor. That night we will have dinner on the town and may try our luck at the black jack tables in Diamond Tooth Gertie's saloon and gambling hall.
On the morning of the 9th day we will be picked up at Dawson and driven back to the Uncommon Journeys Lodge for showers, a deluxe dinner and a hot tub. After breakfast the next morning you will be driven back into Whitehorse for your flight home or continuation of your Yukon vacation.
10 day trip. Minimum 3 guests.
Price per person (includes Dawson hotel room single occupancy) $2930.00 CAD plus 5% GST
PREPARE TO GO:
