Arrive anytime and head to our hotel for the night to get settled. In the evening, we get together for an introduction and go over the details of the tour and our plan for the coming days. Here you will meet your new friends and your guides.

Stay: Raven Inn, Whitehorse

We start off by heading into one of the most beautiful and underrated regions of the Yukon, the Southern Lakes. This area is made up of wild mountains interrupted only by the massive lakes that lie between the peaks. There is no question that there are more animals that call this place home than people, and if we are lucky, we may just see some of them on our guided hike today!

We typically hike the Sam McGee Trail, which climbs into the alpine, passing an old tram left over from the mining days. We walk through expansive alpine meadows, and have a great chance of seeing Dall Sheep wondering around on the surrounding hillsides.

On the way back to Whitehorse, we stop in to check out Carcross where you can browse a few shops and see the Indigenous art that is on display here. In Whitehorse we head out for a fun social dinner as a group and then you have time to walk around Whitehorse in search of delicious local brew.

Stay: Raven Inn, Whitehorse
Hike: Sam McGee Trail (10 km, 650 m elevation, 5 hours)
Drive: 1 hour

We head back to the Southern Lakes area for another incredible alpine hike, heading up Caribou Mountain. This is a long and gentle trail, that climbs steadily uphill. You’ll feel motivated to keep going, as every step brings you better and better views. We look down on Emerald and Spirit Lakes, which have incredible turquoise colors, as if you were in the Caribbean.

At the summit of the hike we picnic with sweeping views of the surrounding wilderness and endless peaks in all directions. Keep your eyes peeled for wandering caribou and mountain goats that call this alpine paradise home.

We squeeze in a visit to the Carcross Desert, whose claim to fame is being the only true desert in Canada and the smallest desert in the world! Check that one off your bucket list!

Stay: Raven Inn, Whitehorse
Hike: Caribou Mountain (8 km, 1000 m elevation, 6 hours)
Drive: 1 hour

We check out of our Whitehorse hotel and head two hours West to a land completely untamed and unrivaled for natural beauty. Welcome to Kluane National Park,. Where do we begin? Kluane National Park’s 22,000 square kilometers make it larger than the country of Wales, and with 17 or Canada’s 20 tallest peaks, you could call this place a mountain lovers dream too. It’s home to the world’s largest non-polar icefield and over 80% of it’s landmass is still covered by ice.

Visiting Kluane National Park is like stepping back in time… way back, to the times that the world was dominated by ice sheets, so you are in for a treat!

We hike up Sheep Creek Trail, getting as far as we can with the goal of reaching the ridge that gives us distant views of the Kaskawulsh Glacier and Kluane Lake. Seeing views like this is hard to put into words and likely going to be hard for you to comprehend in person even. Being able to see a distant glacier, it’s path of destruction and retreat and drainage into a pristine lake, all the while witnessing dust storms kicking up glacial dust and surrounded by such majestic mountains is truly a unique spectacle in this world.

Tonight you are in for a proper night of Yukon big city living, as Haines Junction only has one restaurant! We head over and feast on some delicious burgers and pub food and then get some rest for our next hiking adventure.

Stay: Raven’s Rest Inn, Haines Junction
Hike: Sheep Creek Trail (10-15 km, 650-1100 m elevation, 6 hours)
Drive: 2 hours

We head to a different area in Kluane National Park, visiting Kathleen Lake, arguably one of the most stunning alpine lakes in Canada. Here we begin the King’s Throne hike, steadily gaining elevation until we reach the saddle of the throne. Every step brings us better views, looking back over the lake and at the surrounding mountains. From the throne, the views of the lake are impossibly good with the blue water sparkling down below us. This is meltwater from the surrounding glaciers, which makes the color of the lake seem impossibly blue. In the far distance, we might be able to see some of the tallest peaks in Canada, including Mount Logan, Canada’s largest mountain.

Stay: Raven’s Rest Inn, Haines Junction
Hike: Kings Throne (12 km, 800 m elevation, 6 hours)
Drive: 1 hours

Next we venture further North, following the shores of the Yukon River to Dawson City. This route follows in the footsteps of the early gold prospectors that came to the Yukon with hopes of striking it rich in the Klondike Goldrush. While very few succeeded, most left with nothing but harrowing tales to tell of hardship and treachery.

After a long journey north, we arrive in Dawson City, one of the most unique towns in Canada. Being so far north and with so much frost activity in the ground, the roads here are all unpaved, and the sidewalks are made of wood. Streets are lined with cotton candy colored shacks, and saloons that looks like they are out of the wild west. Dawson City, known as the Paris of the North, used to be the biggest Canadian city west of Winnipeg and the nightlife is sure to surprise you! One of the more appalling features to try here is the “Sourtoe Cocktail”, consisting of a shot of Yukon Jack with a real human toe in it. This is one of the most famous cocktails in the world, and you get the chance to try for yourself, earning a certificate if the toe touches your lips.

Stay: Downtown Hotel, Dawson City
Hike: Yukon Wildlife Preserve (2 km, 1 hour)
Drive: 6.5 hours

Venture into Tombstone Territorial Park after a scenic ride up the infamous Dempster Highway. Canada’s most northern mountain park is full of surprises and the views from Grizzly Peak of the towering monolith of Tombstone Peak are sure to impress. The crown jewel of Tombstone Park is the view of Mount Monolith and the Tombstone Range, which are known as the Patagonia of Canada.

Back in Dawson City we head out for a final dinner together and after that we head out for a night on the town at Diamond Tooth Gerties for a historical can-can show, just as a weary gold panner would!

Stay: Downtown Hotel, Dawson City
Hike: Grizzly Ridge (8-10 km, 450-650 m elevation, 5 hours)
Drive: 2 hours

Today is the departure day and we’ve given you two options. One, you can head back to Whitehorse with us in the van and be dropped off at your hotel. The other option is to be dropped off at the airport in Dawson City, where you can catch connecting flight via Whitehorse, or stay on at the hotel in Dawson City.

Drive: 6.5 hours
Drop Off: 5 pm in Whitehorse (approximate, Yukon roads are long)

While most people think the great white north is white year round, you will be pleased to know that summers in the far north are warm, sunny and pleasant!

Expect temperatures between 15-30 degrees Celsius (60-90 f), with very little rain. Most days are sunny, breezy and perfect, while some are grey and dramatic.

While we do expect excellent weather on your Yukon hiking tour, you should be prepared for just about anything, as it can always snow unexpectedly in the mountains!

Getting to and from Whitehorse for your walking tour is a breeze! Fly in to Whitehorse Airport (YXY).

We recommend arriving the day before the tour begins, as we leave early and are difficult to access on day 1.

There are taxis available to take you on a short ride from the airport to downtown hotels when you arrive. We can drop you of at the airport on day 7.

Recommended Hotels

• Best Western Goldrush Inn

• Raven Inn

It’s always best to think in layers while packing for an active hiking trip like this. Having a light base layer, warmer layer and rain wind proof layer makes you more versatile and able to adapt to changing conditions.

Here is our tour packing list:

• 2 complete warm layers that are not cotton (think fleece, polyester, merino wool etc, for top and bottom)

• Rain jacket (anything wind and waterproof will work)

• Comfortable hiking shoes (don't need to be hiking boots. Anything comfy, stable & blister free in & don't mind getting dirty)

• Bathing suit and towel (for swimming or hot springs along the way)

• Socks and underwear (you knew that though I hope)

• Small day pack to carry your personal items on hikes

• Any medications you need (like epi pens, asthma or heart meds, insulin) Very important!

• Suitcase/ duffel bag or back pack for your luggage (we have lots of room, bring whatever works- you won't have to carry it)

• Hiking poles if you feel you might need them to protect your knees on rocky paths

• Sunscreen, bug spray, sun glasses, lip chap all help

• At least one 1 liter water bottle (two is ideal)

• Camera for the epic views

• Bug spray (optional)