Canoe Expedition in the Yukon Wilderness

Great question! A standard pair of knee-high rubber boots—known as 'wellingtons,' 'ditch boots,' or 'irrigation boots' depending on where you are in the world—are recommended (minimum 10” high). Wear these with a felt insole and a combination of polypropylene and wool socks and your feet should stay comfortably warm. Carry a spare set of insoles and socks, and in case you ‘overstep’ your boots, they can be used to replace the wet ones.

We also suggest you buy a snug-fitting pair of neoprene booties available at canoe or scuba diving supply shops. Most have integral soles. If you get a pair without soles, you can wear them inside any general sneaker or sport shoe. The height should be mid-calf, not ankle height. Don’t be fooled by the ‘surfing shoes’ made of quick-drying material rather than neoprene. They do not provide the necessary warmth. Tip: if you use neoprene booties, drip a teaspoon of hot water in each one in the morning. Shake and test with your finger. Then put them on and luxuriate in the warmth!

‘Sport’ sandals have become popular in recent years, however remember that the water in Yukon is cold and the sand is abrasive, especially after a few days of wearing sandals. For the general downtime at camp, bring light walking shoes or sneakers, something that's comfortable with a bit of protection.

Yes, you can, with a license. Casting a line into the Yukon to try catching some Arctic Grayling, Northern Pike, or even Trout to cook over the campfire is a fun addition to the expedition if you're inclined that way—this is a totally optional element each evening while enjoying downtime at camp. Fishing licenses can be purchased online or in person upon arrival with an authorized dealer in Whitehorse for a very reasonable $36.41 CAD/$26 USD/£22. You can find all the details on the Yukon website

The canoe has a strong connection to Canadian culture and is deeply embedded in the way of life for the Indigenous Peoples of Canada in the wilderness regions. The first newcomers to the Yukon; early explorers, gold prospectors, trappers, miners and traders would all have relied heavily on the canoe as the most versatile and reliable mode of transport. The type of canoe you'll be using is commonly known as a 'Canadian' - a descendant of the original birch bark canoes used by indigenous peoples of North America. The Canadian is a lightweight, mostly open-top canoe with plenty of space for baggage as well as two passengers (you'll be in twin canoes). Your personal gear is kept in large drybags supplied by your host which are then secured to the inside of the canoe. Paddles used are traditional style with a mix of wood and laminate.

Your guides will filter water from the river and nearby springs - you don't need to bring any water treatment with you. Please just bring along a water bottle or bladder to carry your own water on the canoe and at camp. If you do want to bring your own water filter, this is fine and we suggest you read our guide on the best water filters for adventures

You can leave excess luggage at the hotel in Whitehorse to be picked up when you return on Day 10.

This trip visits locations that can be considered remote, where the travel time to the nearest medical facility is likely to be over 12 hours, even with outside assistance. Outside communications in some locations may be limited. An evacuation may require a change of route from the originally planned one and the use of a support vehicle, either privately owned or public transportation by land, air, or water, to reach a point of medical care. Additional consideration should be given by and to those with pre-existing medical conditions with specific care needs and should be raised with your host before the trip. Those with pre-existing medical conditions should also seek guidance from a health professional prior to traveling. Should you experience health issues during your trip, you should inform your guide immediately so the proper care can be provided. All travelers should have suitable and adequate travel insurance in place to provide coverage for potential additional costs.

During this trip, you'll be camping in locations where wildlife may be present in their natural habitat. Both smaller animals (i.e. birds and rodents) and larger ones (such as bears, deer, moose, and elk) are primarily attracted to food, not humans. To protect the local wildlife, you need to ensure your food is kept out of their reach. When camping, the key is to be vigilant about not leaving any food or scented items (like toothpaste and other toiletries) in tents or exposed at the campsite. Your guides will typically designate a safe place to store these items overnight away from the tents, which campers can access if needed. Occasionally a larger animal may pass through or near your campsite, especially in areas that overlap with their natural travel routes. In these cases, just like when encountering wildlife on the trail, it's important to maintain a safe distance, respect the animal's space, and calmly make your presence known if necessary. Your guides will provide more details and directives once at camp so everyone can follow best practices camping and do their bit to help keep wild animals wild.

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.

Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers review the practical information available on the UK Government’s FCDO website, where you can find up-to-date advice by searching for your destination(s).

If you are based in the United States, you can also check the latest travel advisories from the U.S. Department of State.

For customers joining from other international locations, we recommend checking the official travel advice issued by your country of residence, as guidance may vary.

We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.

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All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips typically consist of a mix of solo travelers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves, and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

• 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
• 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
• 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

Temperature-wise, Yukon summers are pleasant and similar to many parts of northern Europe. Average temperatures from June to August will see highs of 61°F and lows of 46°F. The river environment you are paddling through is cold—you're close to the Arctic Circle up here—so the water will make things feel chilly at times. Evenings at camp will be a little colder, but not terrifyingly so, and you'll be well equipped for warm nights out camping. As with many remote wilderness areas, the weather can come in and change things very quickly. Heavy rainfall can happen in this area so you need to be prepared for the possibility of wet conditions on an expedition of this type. It's essential that you bring genuine, 100% waterproof jackets and pants for this eventuality. Your host recommends that you re-treat the outside of your waterproofs with a new waterproof coating (DWR) before the expedition.