Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Whitehorse to Upper Labarge.
The epic journey begins in Whitehorse, legendary capital of the Yukon, built along the banks of a mighty river on the site of timeless cultures and the dreams of avaricious prospectors. After exploring the town’s myriad charms, we board our private expedition riverboat for the start of our 8-day, 600 km luxury safari through the heart of Canada’s most pristine wilderness. Accompanied by an expert naturalist, we’ll stop at whim to view wildlife up close, explore ancient archeological sites, and hike across untouched valleys. Accommodation at Upper Labarge Lodge. Meals: (L), (D).
Day 2: Upper Labarge Lodge.
Wake up to the sounds of nature amidst the fabled ancestral lands of the Ta’an Kwachan Council. Set off before breakfast by canoe to visit the local beaver and bald eagle population and spot indigenous arctic loons and migratory trumpeter swans. Enjoy a gourmet camp breakfast, then spend the morning fly fishing for arctic grayling on world-class streams. Hop onto a mountain bike this afternoon with local First Nation’s guides and carve a track through virgin boreal forests past herds of woodland caribou. Accommodation at Upper Labarge Lodge. Meals: (B), (L), (D).
Day 3: Upper Labarge to Homestead Lodge.
Board our riverboat after breakfast and venture into the "Thirty Mile" section of the Yukon (designated one of only 28 heritage rivers in Canada), where narrow channels run through dramatic high cut bluffs. Try your skills at kayaking as we pass by huge shipwrecked paddle wheelers and overgrown ghost settlements on the river banks. After a gourmet picnic lunch on Steamboat Island, board our private floatplane for the spectacular flight over the immense and perilous Five-Finger Rapids. Arrive at the Homestead in time for sun-downers around the fire. Accommodation at Homestead Lodge. Meals: (B), (L), (D).
Day 4 - Homestead Lodge.
Travel upriver to Fort Selkirk, where the abandoned log buildings and early settler stories are brought alive by the interpretive expertise of local Selkirk First Nation guides. Help out on the ongoing archaeological dig then break for a traditional lunch. In the afternoon, hike to Pelly Farm, a true wilderness homestead, meet the resident family and explore the blacksmith shop, then gather the ingredients from the garden for a hands-on demonstration exploring the lost culinary art of homestead cooking. Accommodation at Homestead Lodge. Meals: (B), (L), (D).
Day 5: Homestead Lodge to Wilderness Outpost.
Journey north, deep into the heart of the sub-Arctic wilderness, where the Great River runs through wide-open valleys framed by looming rock bluffs. This is where the Stewart and White Rivers join the Yukon, bringing with them vast amounts of glacial and alluvial silt, and the Great River turns white, providing a superb opportunity for canoeing or kayaking from the riverboat. This afternoon take a guided walk in search of wildlife or pan for gold in Crystal Creek, then gather round the cook shack for sun-downers, fine food and storytelling around the campfire. Accommodation at Wilderness Outpost. Meals: (B), (L), (D).
Day 6: Wilderness Outpost to Dawson City.
This morning begins at a leisurely pace with a guided naturalist hike through the surrounding wilderness, home to 30 per cent of Canada’s grizzlies, the Porcupine caribou herd and peregrine falcons, and seasonal home to millions of migratory birds. In the late morning we continue our journey by riverboat, stopping for wildlife sightings and for a last gourmet shore-picnic in the wild. In the late afternoon we arrive in the fabled Northern Eldorado of Dawson city, where you will have a chance to unwind. Accommodation at Downtown Hotel. Meals: (B), (L).
Day 7: Dawson City.
The cultural richness of Dawson is a perfect counterpoint to the stark beauty of the preceding days of wilderness. Today we will explore its Edwardian streets, attend a poetry reading at the home of Robert Service, marvel at the log cabin where Jack London spent his winters, and pan for nuggets at a working mine. For our final dinner, we will enjoy a sumptuous feast and then celebrate amidst the renowned hospitality of Diamond Tooth Gerties, the local hotbed of gambling and cabaret shenanigans. Accommodation at Downtown Hotel. Meals: (B), (L), (D).
Day 8: Departure.
The journey ends this morning as we say our goodbyes after breakfast. According to traditional First Nations beliefs, each person on earth is given a special gift by the creator and has a lifelong responsibility to develop that gift for the benefit of the whole community. We hope that this journey has moved you closer to developing your own unique gift for the benefit of all. It certainly will have helped us in developing our Radical Sabbatical wilderness safari. Thanks for everything and see you again next year. Meals: (B).
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- All en-suite accommodations on a shared twin/double room basis.
- All meals and non alcoholic drinks as indicated in the itinerary.
- All transportation via river boat with licensed pilot and local guide.
- All floatplane charters.
- All outdoor equipment (canoes, kayaks, fishing gear).
- All local guides, naturalists and interpreters.
- Events & local experts as indicated.
- All special events and on-trip surprises.
- All pre-departure materials, including documents wallets and destination details.
Also see tour packages in:
Canada
Yukon
Local Culture
Cultural Journey
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