..................... "Whitehorse is really a wonderland and we really had a great time there although the staying was short and for sure we will go back again someday for summer activities."
Evelyn Chan, Taipei, Taiwan .....................  | Yukon Winter Trail Required participants: Min. 1 / Max. 6 Departure notes: Tour starts in Whitehorse on Wednesdays. Tour Starts: November 15, 2012 Pricingsingle supplement | CAD $109 ( USD $107) * Prices per person based on double occupancy, 5% GST extra ** All transactions are in Canadian dollars  Included Services
- Airport transfer from and to Whitehorse;
- Last night accommodation in Whitehorse (1 night double room);
- Accommodation in cabins (3 or 4 nights double room ) or wood heated tent outpost camps (4 or 5 nights group accommodation);
- All meals including non-alcoholic beverages, except dinner on day 10 and breakfast on day 11 in Whitehorse;
- Use of personal sled and 3 to 6 Huskies;
- Musher Diploma;
- Winter boots. (All other equipment can be rented.)
Trip Description: Step back in time on the Winter Trail Tour. This tour will take you on historic trails used by many trappers over the years. You spend the first few days learning the basics of mushing and forming a relationship with your dogs while exploring the untouched beauty of the Fish Lake area. Then we step in the footsteps of an old time trapper, setting off into the wilderness. If we’re lucky we may see the amazingly and beautiful Aurora Borealis dancing in the sky. Come up north for your adventure of a lifetime and you’ll go home with many tall stories and happy memories. Itinerary: (11 days) Day 1 – Wednesday  We pick you up at 10:00 AM in the hotel lobby. We can do some last minute shopping and pick up any items missing from the packing list. Then we drive to the ranch, 20 km South of Whitehorse, where you’ll be outfitted with expedition clothing. Enjoy the hot lunch and then you are introduced to your 4-legged companions for the week. You’ll learn the basics of dog care, checking their feet and shoulders, dog massage. Get familiar with the parts of the sled and sledding. Then you harness your team, hook them up and off you go for your very first run! When we return, and you’re finished with taking care of the dogs, you can enjoy the sauna, have a shower, enjoy a hot dinner and cozy up by the fire.
 While the morning sun hits the magnificent mountains, we enjoy our breakfast in the lodge and plan the day ahead. We say good morning to our new furry friends and make sure they are fed, watered and happy before harnessing them. Today we plan to cover approx. 35 km in distance, driving towards secluded Jackson Lake. The only sounds on the way are the runners gliding over the snow, the breath of the working dogs and your words of encouragement. On this day you start to know each dog's personality. They will learn to trust you and you to trust them and you’ll form a bond that only man and dog can understand. Overnight at the Lodge. ^TOP Today your team will bring you east of the ranch. As we are heading onto an old abandoned mining road and gain in elevation. Enjoy the pristine landscape of snowy mountains nestling the lake in its valley. Keep an eye out for wildlife - you never know what you might see! Return to the lodge for the night. After you have taken care of the dogs, you can put your feet up by the fire, recounting your adventures with others.
 This day takes us towards beautiful Bonneville Lakes, west of the ranch. The trails are narrower here with some challenging ups and downs. The scenery is breathtaking. Part of this trip we are above tree line and easily cover 20-30 km. In harmony with the running rhythm of your team you will enjoy nature like you have never experienced it before. ^TOP We head out into the pristine wilderness for 3 days of winter camping at our wall tent camp at Dry Creek. The silence of this area seeps into your soul as you journey farther into the amazing landscape. Enjoy the crisp freshness of the day and don't forget to take photos! Curl up at night by the woodstove for a cozy sleep in the wall tents.
 At dawn we enjoy a hearty camp breakfast in our wall tent kitchen. From the camp, weather permitting, we will make a run to the top of the mountain to Ptarmigan Flats. Keep your eyes open for this beautiful white bird, while sledding on miles of windblown hill tops. Over night at the wall tent camp. ^TOP We wake to a hearty musher's breakfast, feed our dogs and start our journey back to the ranch for another cozy night in the lodge. A hot shower is waiting! Sit by the fire and recount the adventures of your winter camping trip.
 Step back in time and leave the last trappings of civilization behind. We mush down historic trails to a trapper cabin at the remote Coal Lake. Everything we need will be packed on our sleds. We will living the simple life with just the basics and spend our time as in the old days; cutting firewood, cooking over the fire or on the woodstove, mushing the scenic trails and sharing tall stories by the fire. There is a good chance we’ll see Caribou or moose in this area, so keep your camera handy! Overnight at Coal Lake base camp. ^TOP We venture across Coal Lake towards Alligator Lake. The Alpine landscape is enticing and has a northern charm all of its own. Here your driving skills will be tested, as the trails will demand your attention. Coal Lake is a favorite spot for ice fishing and has been a food supply for many old time trappers. Over night at Coal Lake base camp.
 During our run back towards the lodge, take in the rugged landscape one last time and breathe the fresh clean air. As you mush over the clean white snow, listen one last time to the quiet whoosh of the runners and the soft panting of the dogs. This is the stuff dreams are made of; these are memories that stay forever. Don’t forget to take pictures! Back at the lodge lunch is served. Then it’s time to say goodbye to your new found furry friends as we head to Whitehorse for your last night in the Gold Rush Inn. Upon arrival in Whitehorse you will receive your musher diploma. ^TOPThe Whitehorse shuttle service van brings you to the airport for your southbound flight.
Excluded:
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Winter clothing rental (for 10 days);
Northern Outfitters Jacket $35.
Northern Outfitters Pants $35.
Sleeping bag $45.
Mitts $10.
- Meals in restaurants;
- All expenses of personal nature;
- Trip cancellation & medical insurance: We strongly recommend you purchase adequate insurance coverage at the time of booking. Your policy should cover injury, illness or death, trip cancellation, emergency medical, search & rescue, flight accident, travel accident, loss of baggage and personal effects.
^TOPNotes:
- This Dog sledding adventure is a challenging but relaxed fun trip! We supply you with the best equipment possible and teach you all the important aspects of mushing;
- 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;
- Depending on the dynamics of the group this tour may include a 3rd tent night and the itinerary may change slightly;
- The camps have no power or telephone, showers are of basic gravity fed nature and not available in tent camp, shower and sauna at Lodge;
- You will be required to sign a 'release of claims and waiver of liability' form prior to the departure of this tour;
- We do recommend that you arrive the day before your tour. Pre and Post nights in the hotel can be booked for you upon request.
- Visit www.yukonwintertours.ca for more great Yukon winter adventures.
^TOPThe Aurora Borealis in Canada is without a doubt a phenomenon that nature has so generously bestowed upon us, and thousands of people every year make the trek to the Yukon countryside to see this dazzling display of magical lights. In fact, at Nature Tours of Yukon, our guests by and large come to Whitehorse to take part in a Northern Lights tour that will likely render them speechless. If you would get a thrill out of experiencing the razzle-dazzle of the Aurora Borealis firsthand, we would be just as thrilled to help you plan a customized trip. You may have heard about the Aurora Borealis, or perhaps even seen some captivating pictures of the Northern Lights in books. We assure you that these photos you may have seen can in no way compare to actually viewing the Aurora Borealis in person. The magnetic pull of the dancing lights in the midnight sky will lock your eyes in the upwards position, as you will not want to blink for fear of missing one moment of such exquisite natural beauty. The Northern Lights have been inspiring people around the world for centuries, simply because they are so wondrously captivating and magical, that no man-made display of lights could ever match their twinkling beauty and grace. Lose Yourself in the Aurora Borealis Could you use a little rest and relaxation? Perhaps you could use a little reprieve from the high-tech world we live in for some quiet solitude out in the Canadian Yukon. Imagine sitting in a heated tent surrounded by pristine wilderness, with the Northern Lights being the only illumination around you. If you long for some peace and quiet, let the sparkling lights of the Aurora Borealis transport you to that place in your heart and mind that feels content just being the observer. There is nothing for you to do but simply enjoy the natural fireworks display of the Aurora Borealis. You and your fellow travelers can enjoy some hot chocolate and good conversation, from the comfort of a heated tent or cabin, without any ‘To Do’ lists to worry about or errands to run or people to call. When you take a Northern Lights adventure tour with us, you can check your responsibilities at the door and allow the natural beauty of the landscape to envelop you and intoxicate your senses. |
Nature Tours of Yukon P.O. Box 31187, Whitehorse, Yukon Canada Y1A 5P7 Phone: 867-667-4868 Fax: 867-667-2028 Email:info@naturetoursyukon.com
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