When planning an adventure trip with Uncommon Journeys, our guests will often email or call us and with a pressing question … “Am I capable of doing this trip?” 

Almost inevitably, our answer is an emphatic “YES!” At Uncommon Journeys, we provide a range of adventure travel trips that are appropriate for novices - first time hikers, canoeists and dogsledders - to trips that require more experience and some previously acquired technical and athletic skills.

DOGSLEDDING REQUIREMENTS

The majority of our dogsleding trips are geared towards guests who have no previous experience dogsledding. Each trip is specifically designed to provide a progression of experiences (how to issue commands to your sled dog team, handle your sled around curves and up and down hills, stopping and slowing your sled etc.), each one building upon the skills you learned during the previous day. Guests, who might be a little nervous on their first day, are usually amazed at their increasing skill level and impressive ability to navigate over more challenging terrain by the end of their stay. Of course having superbly trained sled dogs goes a long way to increasing the gradient of the learning curve of our guests!

CANOEING REQUIREMENTS

On our novice canoeing trips, we ensure that we have at least one paddling training session on flat water before we venture onto a moving river. As well, if guests prefer, we can turn two canoes into a catamaran which absolutely ensures a stable craft that is easy to maneuver, will not tip easily and will allow for photography and sight seeing even in sections of fast moving water.

Whatever trip you choose with Uncommon Journeys, we’ll make sure you have the confidence, quality instruction and top level equipment to maximize your enjoyment of every minute of your Yukon adventure!

HIKING REQUIREMENTS

The fitness required for our hiking trips varies tremendously depending on the type of hiking trip you are on.  For example, the West Slims River trip in Kluane National Park, requires you to carry a 40-50 pound pack and walk for 4-6 hours/day.  On the other hand, our Ingram Ridge Explorer trip, provides a helicopter lift to the top of the mountain and during the day you can hike for as long or short as you like, returning to our fully provisioned base camp each evening.  Either way, you will enjoy your hike more if you are reasonably fit.  Call us for detailed itineraries and for what specific fitness level your trip will require.