Guided Call of the Wild Tour

12 days / 11 nights 6 Guests / Guide Difficulty: Suitable for all levels of paddler 415 Kilometres (250 Miles)

The Call of the Wild Tour will take you down swift waters from Carmacks to Dawson City on the Yukon River. It is best known as a highway for the prospectors during the exciting Klondike Gold Rush.

The Yukon flows north and west all the way to the Bering Strait through some of the wildest terrain in the world. Along the river, you will see relics of several steamships, old settler cabins and gold dredges. As you paddle down this historic river to Dawson City, you will canoe through many famous Yukon landmarks such as Five Finger Rapids and Fort Selkirk.

Starting in Carmacks, you will have the opportunity to admire the endless wilderness and the natural habitats of grizzly bear, wolf, moose, caribou, wolverine, mink, bald eagle, marten and beaver. Relax after a day of paddling by casting your lure for “the big catch” of the day or simply enjoy the serene setting. At the end of your journey you will spend the better part of two days and one night in historic Dawson City where you will have the opportunity to live and play like prospectors did over 100 years ago. The Call of the Wild Tour is a fascinating and pleasurable river adventure for both the beginner and intermediate canoeist.

Day 1:
Arrival in Whitehorse. The Up North Adventures shuttle will greet you at the airport and take you to your hotel (included in price). Meet the other trip participants and let us inform you on what to pack for the river. You are then invited to explore the City of Whitehorse, enjoy a good meal or take in some historic sights on your own. Enjoy your first night in Whitehorse in a downtown hotel located within walking distance of many attractions and restaurants.

Day 2:
In the morning, you will have time to do any last minute shopping and to repack your gear. We will make sure that you have everything you need on the river before you leave civilization. At 11 am our company van will pick you up at the hotel and you depart for Carmacks via the famous Klondike Highway. Set up camp right next to the Yukon river and let your guide brief you on the adventure to come.

Day3-9: The canoe trip down the Yukon River begins. With some helpful instructions if needed, your paddling strokes will soon become effortless but effective. Let the beautiful scenery captivate you while the Yukon River meanders its way north towards the Gold Rush City. Watch out for grizzly, black bear, moose, wolf and other Yukon wildlife which can sometimes be seen along the river. Highlights include world class fishing, the famous Five Finger Rapids, Fort Selkirk and numerous old settler cabins on the river banks. All day long the group will encounter beautiful mountain views. Camping in tents and eating by the campfire while under the “midnight sun”, provides the foundation for a truly unique wilderness experience.

Day10: We arrive in the famous “City of gold”, Dawson City, which marks the end of our river adventure. We will be staying in a hotel for the night (included in price of trip) as we embrace the Gold Rush era. The remainder of the day will be spent taking in the history of beautiful Dawson City. After a casual dinner we will head to Diamond Tooth Gertie’s Gambling Hall for a night set to the 1898 Klondike era.

Day11: Today we head back to Whitehorse. After a morning of exploring Dawson City’s many attractions, including Jack London’s Cabin and the historic Gold Dredge #4, the Up North shuttle will pick us up around 1:00pm and return us to Whitehorse. Arriving in Whitehorse in the evening the group can say their goodbyes after the completion of their grand adventure. Participants will spend their last night at a downtown Whitehorse hotel (included in price).

Day12: Departure day. We will provide a shuttle to the airport or you can start your next adventure.

Note:
Due to the expeditionary nature of this program, changes to the itinerary are a possibility and are left up to the discretion of the guide. All attempts will be made to complete the trip within the outlined timeline.

Logistics

12 days
Beginner Paddling Level
Maximum guide ratio 6:1
Rate: $3,605 + GST per person

Included

Certified, knowledgeable and experienced river guide
Rental and transportation of canoes and equipment
Overland shuttle to and from the river
Safety equipment including satellite phone
All meals while on the trip
Airport shuttle pick-up and drop off in Whitehorse
1 night hotel accommodation in Whitehorse prior to trip
1 night hotel accommodation in Dawson City
1 day and night in Dawson City
Entrance fee to Diamond Tooth Gertie’s Show in Dawson City
1 night hotel accommodation in Whitehorse after trip
Tents, cooking and shared camping equipment

Not Included

Meals while staying in Whitehorse or Dawson City
Transportation to and from Whitehorse
Fishing license and fishing equipment
Sleeping equipment (sleeping bags and mattress) and personal equipment
Gratuities for guides

There’s a land where the mountains are nameless,
And the rivers all run God knows where

Spell of the Yukon by Robert Service