Yukon River Expedition – Full (Whitehorse → Dawson City)

Length: 20 days (18 on the river)
Price: $5,200 per person (CAD)
2026 Dates: June 1–20 • July 6–25 • Aug 17–Sep 5
Note: Group discounts available—ask us for a custom quote.

🌲 Tour Overview

The Yukon River Expedition is Yukon Wide’s flagship journey — a 20-day, 700+ km canoe trip from Whitehorse to Dawson City. This route follows in the footsteps of Indigenous travelers, fur traders, and Klondike stampeders, blending wilderness adventure with rich Yukon history.

Over 17 days of paddling, you’ll pass abandoned settlements, telegraph posts, and paddlewheeler relics. Camps are often set at or near historic sites like Lower Laberge, Hootalinqua, Big Salmon Village, Fort Selkirk, and the dramatic Five Finger Rapids. Evenings are spent on gravel bars and quiet riverbanks, enjoying Yukon Wide’s renowned riverside cuisine.

Wildlife is part of the experience: bald eagles overhead, moose and beavers along the riverbanks, and with luck, bears in the distance. The expedition concludes in Dawson City, where you’ll spend two nights exploring the Klondike Goldfields, visiting historic dredges and mines, and experiencing northern nightlife at Diamond Tooth Gertie’s Casino.

🗓️ 20-Day Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival in Whitehorse
Meet your guide and fellow paddlers. Orientation and gear check. Overnight hotel stay.

Days 2–8 – Whitehorse to Carmacks
Launch from Whitehorse. Paddle through Lake Laberge, stop at historic Lower Laberge and Hootalinqua, and camp near the old Indigenous settlement of Big Salmon Village. Arrive at Carmacks around Day 8, marking the halfway point.

Days 9–15 – Carmacks to Fort Selkirk and Beyond
Paddle through the Five Finger Rapids, visit Fort Selkirk, and continue into increasingly wild country. Explore side channels and enjoy excellent wildlife viewing.

Days 16–17 – To Dawson City
Follow the Yukon past the White River and through island-studded channels. Arrive in Dawson City on Day 17. After weeks on the river, settle into your hotel and enjoy a well-deserved evening to relax and refresh.

Day 18 – Explore Dawson & Klondike Goldfields
Spend a full day exploring Dawson and the surrounding goldfields:

Tour Dredge No. 4 and the Discovery Claim at Bonanza Creek.
Visit an active placer mine at Goldbottom and try gold panning yourself.
Evening at Diamond Tooth Gertie’s Casino, complete with live Can-Can show.

Day 19 – Return to Whitehorse
Travel back along the Klondike Highway, stopping at viewpoints such as the Five Finger Rapids for photos. Overnight hotel stay in Whitehorse.

Day 20 – Departure
Transfer to Whitehorse Airport for your onward journey.

✅ What’s Included

When you join Yukon Wide’s Yukon River Expedition, you’ll have everything you need for a safe and memorable journey:

Professional river guide (1 guide for up to 8 guests)
All camping gear (tents, sleeping pads, kitchen equipment, cooking gear)
Canoes, paddles, and life jackets (PFDs)
Safety equipment including throw bags and first aid kit
Satellite communication for emergency support
All meals on the river – Yukon Wide’s renowned riverside cuisine
Hotel stays:
- Whitehorse (Day 1 and Day 19)
- Dawson City (Days 17 and 18)
Admission to Diamond Tooth Gertie’s Casino (including live Can-Can show)
Guided tour of Dredge No. 4 and Discovery Claim at Bonanza Creek
Guided tour of an active placer mine at Goldbottom (including gold panning)
Ground transportation from Whitehorse to the put-in, and return from Dawson City to Whitehorse

❌ What’s Not Included

To help you plan, please note the following are not included in your package:

Airfare to and from Whitehorse
Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
Sleeping bag (bring your own or rent from Yukon Wide)
Fishing license (if you plan to fish along the way)
Alcohol – you may bring a modest personal supply
Meals in Dawson City (breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Days 17–18)
Meals before and after the river portion (outside of included hotel nights)
Personal clothing and gear (packing list provided)
Gratuities for guides (optional but appreciated)

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