This expedition to the Yukon, the last Canadian border before Alaska, is a true experience of wilderness beauty: glacier valleys, pristine rivers and lakes, alpine meadows, forest and tundra. In the late summer, the fall colors are magnificent and a great opportunity for amazing photography. In this untouched nature, you follow the paths of wild animals such as moose, caribou and wolves and travel in the footsteps of the last trappers. This land has been famous during the Klondike Gold Rush and old stories of prospectors are still shared around campfires. This 10 days horse pack trip is an adventure of a lifetime for intrepid riders.
Meeting Point
White Horse Airport
Date and Rates
02/06/2024 14/06/2024
22/06/2024 04/07/2024
13/07/2024 25/07/2024
02/08/2024 14/08/2024
22/08/2024 03/09/2024
10/09/2024 22/09/2024
Rate: US$ 3,483.00
Price Includes
- English and French speaking guides
- transfers for all the time you are in Yukon
- all accommodation (3 nights log cabin, 9 nights camping)
- three good healthy meals per day except lunch on day 2 and dinner on day 12
- riding equipment (western saddle, saddle bags) and camping equipment and satellite phone
Price Excludes
- International and domestic flights
- lunch in town for day 2 and dinner in town on day 12
- alcoholic beverages
- sleeping bags and sleeping mats
- individual travel insurance
- tips
This expedition to the Yukon, is an impressive 200 km ride, far from any roads with an elevation of up to 1800 m. You will follow the path of wild animals like moose, caribou and wolves, share good stories around the campfire and enjoy everyday life with the horses This 10 days horse pack trip is a travel experience of a life-time. On this trip you have to be willing to let go, be wild and simply let the adventure begin.
- level: intermediate rider, walking pace, good seat required
- Riding time : 4 to 7 hrs/day
- Distance: 200 km
- Accomodation : Single tent on trail / Shared Log Cabin at the ranch
- Type of terrain: mountains,, river crossings, bog, high plateau, forests
- Group : 8 riders max / 2 guides, 1 wrangler
Day 1 WHITE HORSE TO SHINE VALLEY
Flights into Whitehorse generally arrive in the evening. Pierre and his team, your host for this expedition, will meet and drive you to Shinevalley Ranch. This will be your first experience of the midnight sun in the Yukon, Overnight in log cabins heated by a wood burning stove. Lodging: Wood cabins (2 to 4 per by cabin)
Day 2 SHINEVALLEY- WHITEHORSE
After a relaxing breakfast and a briefing from Pierre for the week ahead you will be introduced to your own horse corresponding to your level and personality. Introduction to western saddles, packing gears, boxes, hobbles, saddle bags with a quick briefing and we’ll take time to set up the equipment. Time for our first exploratory ride! (1H). After we’re driving down to Whitehorse, to discover stories and culture of the town old days, the Gold Rush. A time when the city was a center for many traveling pioneers doing the long trip to the gold mines of Dawson city. Visit of S.S Klondike, Mc Bride museum, Kluen dun cultural center, gift shops, galleries and some last minute shopping for the trip. Back to the ranch for a nice barbecue and a nice evening around the fire before a good night's rest.
Lodging: Wood cabins (2 to 4 per by cabin)
Day 3 RANCH-BONNEVILLE LAKES
The departure mornin is always full of activity as all the gear has to be set up on the pack horses, luggage has to be weighed and distributed equally in the boxes and pack saddles and we demonstrate the packing technique. Once we’re all in the saddle, we hea out to the Bonneville area. After a little hike uphill we’ll join a high plateau with a beautiful scenic view on Fish Lake and the mountain surrounding us. This will be you first experience of the wild open spaces of the Yukon wilderness. Tonight we will camp near a lake, where everyone sets up their own tent. A tasty dinner is cooked on the open fire followed by relaxation near the fire and care of the horses. (4 hours riding)
Day 4 BONNEVILLE-IBEX LAKE
After breakfast and packing up camp you’ll head towards Ibex Lake and enter the foothills of the mountainous region of the Yukon where snow still lingers on the high peaks. The pass we choose depends on the weather and is either on the lake shores surrounded by pine forest or the 1800m high Marmot Pass where there is the opportunity to encounter Dall sheep or perhaps a grizzly or a wolf. Today you will cover around 40kms before reaching Ibex Lake and setting up camp.
Lodging: Tent or under a tree. (6-7 hours riding)
Day 5 IBEX LAKE-ROSE CREEK
The morning ride takes you above the tree line which is the prime viewing position for wildlife, towards Mud Lake – an ancient lake molded by the glaciers. After finding some good grazing for the horses you will stop for lunch and a nap on the shores of Mud Lake. Back on the trail we look for wolfs dens as we make your way to Rose Creek for our overnight stop. Evening around the camp fire overlooking the large pristine valley.
Lodging: Tent or under a tree ( 6-7 hours riding)
Day 6 ROSE CREEK-ROSE LAKE
Up in the saddle for another day of discovery, we will pass from alpine forest to alpine meadows where on the south east rise the mighty coastal mountains. The land is pocketed with lakes created by beaver dams. Our destination a pristine lake at the foothills of the coastal mountains and a good spot to observe the rich wildlife. Once we reach the camp we can go swimming if the temperature is good or go fishing at leisure in a magnificent scenery.A hearty meal and an evening around the fire.
Lodging: tent or under a tree. (5 hours riding)
Day 7 BREAK AND FLOAT PLANE FLIGHT
Today is a full day of well-deserved rest. It is time to enjoy all the opportunity that Rose Lake offers: swimming. fishing, some hiking in the surrounding mountains or just enjoying a good book around camp. You’ll have the opportunity to see the float plane that joins us in the day to bring some fresh food which is always appreciated.
Lodging: tent or under a tree ( no riding)
Day 8 EXPEDITION SHORE OF ROSE LAKE (6H)
Well rested we explore today but without the packhorse for some free riding. We will ride along the shore of
Rose lake and in the forest. Lots of wildlife around this area especially moose, dall sheep, grizzly. After the ride
we head back toward our camp for a bbq and a nice evening by the fire.
Lodging: tent or share wall tent (same as day 6)
Day 9 EXPEDITION CANOE
After breakfast this is trapper time, we wil explore this amazing scenery by canoe. After a briefing on paddling we head toward a bay to see if we can view wildlife and enjoy some fishing (lake trout and arctic char) . Back in the camp Pierre will explain how to filet the fish and as well as talk abouthe Yukon trapping tradition and techniques. Rose Lake is a strategic location for trapping wolf, lynx, wolverine, beaver and otter and the area is still an active concessions used by trappers in winter. Care for the horses and after dinner, roasting marshmallow over the camping as the sun set for the night.
Lodging: Tent or shared wall tent (same as day 6)
Day 10 EXPEDITION ROSE LAKE-MUD LAKE (6h-7H)
Today we ascend to the alpine meadows. We enjoy panoramic views toward the Coastal Range as we cross a large plateau, home of the caribou. We then descend to the to the glacial valley and on to the sandy banks of Mud Lake where you will set up camp for the night. We set up camp together, collect water and help the cook prepare an amazing meal on the fire
Lodging: Tent or under the star
Day 11 EXPEDITION MUD LAKE-BONNEVILLE (6-7H)
The land opens up into generous open spaces today, you trail for 35 km passing from land passage between water ponds create by glaciation by a beaver dams and some little rivers until you to some forest area that lead us back to alpine plateau where we settle at our first. Last time gathering some firewood, setting up camp and enjoying a last night by the fi
Lodging: Tent or under a tre
Day 12 UPPER FISH LAKE-RANCH
Today is going to be our last ride day, leaving from the alpine plateau we will head down toward home traveling through
at Shinevalley Ranch to share good drinks and good bye. If you wish it is the opportunity to have the scenic float plane
ride
Lodging: Wood cabins (2 to 4 per cabins)
Day 13 TRANSFER FROM SHINEVALLEY TO THE AIRPORT
Airport transfer from Shinevalley after breakfast
OPTIONAL ; On the last day of expedition, people who are interested in a guided flight, overlooking at all the itinerary and the camp we had been riding the last 10 days can board a little float plane. just make sure your return flight is in the afternoon or night. The flight is between 250 - 300 CDN depending the number of guests in the group that is going.
