Explore Yukon’s untouched realms and historic landmarks by canoe
Is there a better way to get away from it all then on a canoe, exploring the beauty of Canada’s Northern Yukon Territory? This guided canoe tour is the trip if you want to discover the wild Canadian North.
Discover the Yukon’s rugged outdoors from the water as you canoe far from city life into the depths of the wild on this 20-day tour. Retrace the spots gold seekers travelled as you paddle 730 kilometers along the Yukon River.
This intrepid tandem canoe adventure suits beginners and experts alike. As long as you’re ready for a collection of nights wild camping along the banks of the river, you’ll be okay. Amid the natural escapades, expect to spend some time strolling through the charming towns of Whitehorse, Carmacks, and the gold rush capital, Dawson City. Stamp the beginning, middle, and end of your canoe trip along the Yukon River with relaxing hotel stays.
Highlights of the Yukon River Canoe Trip
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Yukon River Canoe Trip Itinerary
Day 1 Whitehorse
Meet up with your guide at the airport and transfer to your hotel in Whitehorse. Go over the upcoming journey in detail, check your gear, and have the chance to pick up other necessities.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Whitehorse
Distance: None
Meals: None
Days 2 to 8 Canoeing the Yukon River
Travel to Takhini Bridge, just outside of Whitehorse, for the start of your canoe expedition. Paddle 50 km through Lake Laberge. Try fishing for Northern Pike during breaks. Spend the next few days canoeing along the rocky banks, the narrow “Thirty Mile” channel, by the Hootalinqua trading post, until the Yukon River meets with the Teslin River. Paddle past groves of black spruce forests and by vibrant, magenta fireweeds jetting out of the ground. Spend each night wild camping, letting the hum of nature lull you to sleep.
Overnight Location: Tenting at wilderness campsites
Distance: 6-8 hours of canoeing
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 Town Break in Carmacks
Once you reach Carmacks, be sure to top up on any personal necessities, take a hot shower, wash your clothes, and relax in the hotel before embarking on the second part of your canoe and camping adventure.
Overnight Location: Campsite in Carmacks
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Days 9 to 17 Yukon River
Begin the second portion of your canoe exploration with a bang: padding the Five Finger and Rink Rapids. Take a moment to admire the breathtaking scenery as you canoe through this area. Keep in mind that these will be the only rapids on this tour, and with the help of your guide, they won’t be too tough to navigate. Admire how the bluffs stitched across the river only add to the calming hush blanketing the surroundings. Continue to make your way down the remote, off-the-beaten river channel before encountering Fort Selkirk, a long lost trading post that will have you feeling like a magical whirlpool has sent you back in time. Archaeological proof unveils that Fort Selkirk has been around for around 8,000 years. It now acts as a retreat spot for people of the Selkirk First Nation. Spend each night tenting out at wilderness campsites.
Overnight Location: Tenting at wilderness campsites
Distance: 6-8 hours of canoeing
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 17 Dawson City
Step out of the unspoiled nature painting Canada’s backyard to the vibrant Dawson City. Stroll among history and notice the restored buildings that once housed and served numerous people during the Klondike Gold Rush. Reward yourself with a relaxing night in a hotel.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Dawson City
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Day 18 Dawson City
Wake up after a comfortable sleep in a cozy room and get ready for a day of exploring Dawson City and the surrounding area. One of the highlights includes visiting the Gold Bottom Mine, which will unveil the prized gold fields spanning Dawson City. Try panning for some gold. Enjoy a drive up to the Midnight Dome for a breathtaking view of the gold fields, river, the quaint town below while the Ogilvie mountains provide a faded backdrop. Finish the day with a fun evening spent at Diamond Tooth Gerties Dancing Hall.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Dawson City
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 19 Transfer to Whitehorse
Travel back to Whitehorse by van. Stop at the Five Finger Rapids and view them from an alternate vantage point. Arrive in Whitehorse, check into your hotel, and enjoy a group dinner, reminiscing about the adventures over the last 19 days.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Whitehorse
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 20 Farewell
Say your goodbyes and get dropped off at the airport or with a connecting program.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: None
Yukon River Canoe Trip Price and Dates
This guided canoeing tour in Yukon is run as a fixed-departure tour where you’d be joining a group, however, custom private tours can be organized for those willing to travel with their group only (please contact us with your preferred date and the number of people in your group and we will create the itinerary just for you).
Prices below are per person:
Accommodation on Yukon River Canoe Trip
This tour will have you staying in a combination of hotels and campsites. Expect to stay in two or three-star hotels, which come equipped with necessary, comfortable amenities. Keep in mind that you will stay with another member of the tour in a room at the hotels. Feel free to upgrade to single occupancy for an additional fee.
Throughout your canoe trip, you will spend 15 nights wild camping in a shared tent. You can always upgrade to a single tent for an additional fee.
Please note that the hotels listed below may need to be swapped for other similar accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You can pay a supplement of $450 USD to have a private room in a hotel and a private tent when travelling with your group. Travelling alone? Don’t worry. It’s definitely possible to match single travelers up.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Days Inn in Whitehorse
This simple, yet comfortable hotel has all the amenities needed to make your stay in Whitehorse relaxing and memorable.
Wilderness Campsites
Immerse yourself in the stunning landscapes as you camp out beneath the stars. High-quality equipment and expert guides offer a wonderful camping experience.
Campground in Carmacks
This comfortable campground near Carmacks offers the amenities that you won’t find in the wilderness -showers and even the laundry!
Wilderness Campsites
Immerse yourself in the stunning landscapes as you camp out beneath the stars. High-quality equipment and expert guides offer a wonderful camping experience.
Downtown Hotel in Dawson City
This hotel has a great balance of the century-old atmosphere and modern conveniences. Also, the location is excellent!
Days Inn in Whitehorse
This simple, yet comfortable hotel has all the amenities needed to make your stay in Whitehorse relaxing and memorable.
What’s included in the Yukon River Canoe Trip?
Meals
14 breakfasts, 14 lunches, 14 dinners. Meals in the hotels are not included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 19 nights are included.
Transportation during the Tour
Transport for you and your gear is included from pick-up at the airport in Whitehorse to drop-off at the airport in Whitehorse or at your next tour connection.
Also Included
- An expert guide throughout the entire trip
- Camping and canoe equipment (except the sleeping bag and mat)
- Tour through Dawson City
- All taxes
Not included
- Flights to and from Whitehorse
- Meals in hotels
- Personal necessities
- Optional tour guide gratuity
- GST (Goods and Services Tax) - 5%
- Fishing license
Optional Extras
- Extra night in Dawson City before or after the tour
Frequently Asked Questions about Yukon River Canoe Trip
Ruby Range Adventure has been guiding visitors to the Yukon and Alaska for over 30 years. They are a Yukon-based wilderness tour operator providing an unmatched experience and a genuine love of the North in every trip they lead.
Ruby Range’s guides are qualified to lead guests into the deepest wilderness and knowledgeable enough to explain the rich history of the communities that dot the landscape.
They recognize that their livelihood is based on the environment, so they work to protect the balance between man and nature by limiting group size and choosing eco-conscious excursions.
Learn MoreYukon River Canoe Trip in Canada Map
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Local Guide
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Stephan is a trusted adventurer and a longtime guide with Ruby Range Adventure.
His love of the North and nature is what brought him into guiding over 25 years ago.
You can meet him on one of their canoe expeditions, on a sightseeing adventure or on a hiking trip- he does it all!
- Q: What is the best part of guiding tourists in your region?
- A: Reconnecting guests with nature so they can recharge for their busy life back home. Making them aware of the environmental sensitivity of the North so they can understand the importance of protecting Yukon's wilderness and wildlife for future generations.
- Q: What are guests most surprised about when visiting your region?
- A: The pristine wilderness of the Yukon, its rich living history, its vibrant culture, stunningly unique geography, epic scenery, and wildlife. Also, the fact that the Yukon is almost twice the size of Germany, but moose still outnumber humans by far.
- Q: What is one local dish or drink that visitors absolutely have to try?
- A: Homemade Pemmican, it's Canada's oldest power bar made from dried meat or fish, dried wild berries, and tallow.
- Q: What do guests say about the tours you lead?
- A: Guests value my experience and vast local knowledge about Yukon and indigenous history and about the wildlife. They appreciate my professionalism and kindness and how I ensure every guest has a memorable trip experience.