To participate you must be healthy, enjoy working with dogs and have a good team spirit. Dog sledding is a comparable physical activity to cross-country skiing, so you should be in relatively good physical shape. We point out, that unforeseeable circumstances such as weather conditions, extreme temperatures, condition of the group or illness of the dogs may force us to change this itinerary. The safety of our guests takes precedence and our decisions are final. The camps have no power or telephone, showers are of basic gravity fed nature and not available in tent camp. You will be required to sign a " release of claims, and waiver of liability form “ prior to the departure of this tour.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival at the Airport in Whitehorse. You will be picked up by our van and we outfit you with your expedition clothing. Here you also have the chance to do some last minute shopping. Afterwards we drive along the Alaska Highway through a frozen winter world until we reach, after 50 km, the basecamp at Blue Kennels. You move into your cozy cabin. The dogs are waiting to meet you. Lunch in the main cabin. You want to know what a bootie is? Well you learn it today. We show you how to harness the dogs and give you an instruction on how to drive the sled. Depending on the weather and time of the day we hook up the dogs and go for a short first run. Three dogs pull you on this first day. After taking care of the dogs we enjoy a hearty meal. You might want to take a sauna or just relax on the couch beside the stove, and of course listen to the dogs howling outside. Overnight in Cabins in Base Camp.
Day 2: While the morning sun slowly lifts over the horizon we prepare for our daytrip after breakfast. We feed and water the dogs and harness them up at around 11 a. m. We cover about 40 km in distance, mainly going along a flat training trail and over the frozen Takhini River. Just the slight sound of the working dogs and runners in the snow will be with us for that day. You get to know your dogs and start to form a personal relationship. With every stop, and praise for the dogs, they learn to trust you and you to trust them. Overnight in Cabins in Base Camp.
Day 3: Today we load our sled with some gear and head towards beautiful Ibex Valley. This used to be an old trading route of the Champagne Aishihik First Nations. We easily cover between 40 and 60 km. Slowly a new feeling of life will creep in. In harmony with the running rhythm of your team you will enjoy nature in a way never experienced before. The evening we spend again in our cozy log cabins. Time for a shower? Enjoy and relax in our sauna. Overnight in Cabins in Base Camp.
Day 4: For three days we leave behind the last remnants of civilization and head out for an unforgettable adventure. Your team of Huskies pulls you and your loaded sled to remote 37 Mile Lake, along the Yukon Quest Trail, the toughest Sled Dog Race in the World. Driving across unnamed lakes we reach our preset walltent camp. Everything we need will be packed with us on the sled. We go out to cut some firewood, cook together on the woodstove and share stories. If the group decides, we might even take a few of our new four legged friends in the tent. We have a great chance to meet Elk or Caribou. Overnight in Trappers Tent.
Day 5: From Camp we start a day trip further down the Quest trail. If the weather allows there is a possible ascent to the Sifton Range. This offers stunning views in all directions. Aishihik Lake to the west, Whitehorse to the east, Braeburn to the north and the impressive Coastal range to the south. The evening we spend in our trappers tent, where warm tea or soup are waiting on the stove. In this surrounding the meaning of freedom gets a new dimension. Overnight in Trappers Tent.
Day 6: Today we head to 57Mile Lake, a high mountainous lake. We visit old Annie Neds cabin, drive through high alpine landscape with its very own charm. Your driving skills will be tested, as a few trails demand your attention. By now you and your team travel in harmony. Overnight in Trappers Tent.
Day 7: After a last musher's breakfast, we will start for our final day of mushing. The dogs pull us steady southbound with the Coastal Mountains in plain view ahead of us. Way to early we return to civilization and most of all, you have to leave your new friends, the dogs, behind. In the late afternoon we drive you to Whitehorse where you spend your last night in a downtown Hotel. Overnight in Hotel.
Day 8: The hotel van brings you to the airport for your southbound flight. Or better yet, complete your Yukon winter experience, by joining another tour offered.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Transfer from and to Whitehorse
- Accommodations in Whitehorse (2 nights in double rooms)
- Accommodation in cabins (8 nights in double rooms) or heated tent outpost camps (4 nights, group accommodations)
- All meals including non-alcoholic beverages, except dinner day 7, 14 breakfast day 8,15 in Whitehorse
- Use of personal sled and 3 to 6 Huskies
- Yukon Quest (or Iditarod Presentation) one night from accomplished musher (not during race season)
- Musher Certificate after Tour
- Winter Boots included, all other equipment see below
Price Excludes:
- Alcoholic beverages (we buy jointly before the tour)
- Winter clothing rental of warm Northern Outfitters Jacket, Pants and sleeping bag $ 25 each item, mitts $ 10 payable upon arrival in cash or credit card
- Meals in restaurants (dinner day 7,14 breakfast day 8,15)
- All expenses of personal nature.
Also see tour packages in:
Canada
Yukon
Outdoor: Land Rambler
Dogsledding
Ecotourism
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