Canoe Expedition in the Yukon Wilderness

You don't need any prior canoeing experience, the expedition is easy going and your guides will provide full instruction on how to get through the trip safely and stay as dry as possible. You don't need incredible fitness, but you will be paddling steadily for 5-6 hours a day, with some light hikes thrown in wherever possible throughout the trip. The main challenge is being out in the wild for a full week, with no creature comforts, little to no phone signal and 8 nights of consecutive camping. This is all part of the adventure - the Yukon will bring a sense of solitude and peacefulness that you can seldom experience anywhere else.

Great question! A standard pair of knee-high rubber boots - knowns 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 the 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 trainer 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 hikes and general downtime at camp, bring light hiking boots or trail runners. Be sure they are broken in before the trip.

Yes you can, with a licence. Popping a line into the Yukon to have a go at catching some Arctic Grayling, Northern Pike or even Trout to cook over the campfire is a fun addition to the expedition if you're that way inclined - 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 authorised dealer in Whitehorse for a very reasonable $36.41 CAD/$26 USD/£22. You can find all the details on the Yukon website

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

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.

Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion but there is an expectation in North America to tip for good service. Your guide will help with advice, however we suggest $10CAD/$7USD/£6 per person per day as a guideline minimum tip. Of course, you are free to tip more or less, and the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality.

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

Temperature-wise, Yukon summers are pleasant and similar to many parts of northern Europe. Average temperatures from June to August will see highs of 16°c / 64°f and lows of 8°c / 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 trousers for this eventuality. Your host recommends that you re-treat the outside of your waterproofs with a new waterproof coating (DWR) before the expedition.

You are able to leave excess luggage at the hotel in Whitehorse to be collected when you return on Day 10.

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

Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine.

Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing.

Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness.

We fully endorse Campbell Irvine as their insurance offers all of the above, so get in touch with them or call on 020 7938 1734 to get your insurance sorted. We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book your adventure, just to cover you for any last-minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.

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

Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers 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.

Interested in a more exclusive experience? Opt for a 'Private Group' through the dates and prices tab to book this adventure for just you and your chosen companions.

Our team of Adventure Hunters create exclusive adventures with highly vetted, specialist hosts. We only work with independent, local in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. See here for more info about the local teams we partner with.