Canoe Expedition in the Yukon Wilderness

I mainly booked this tour for two reasons:

• to try something new (canoeing)
• to experience some really remote wilderness and nature that is (mostly) untouched by nature

I can only say, I got exactly what I wanted and I'm really glad I did this!

On top of that I was in a group of wonderful people. We all supported each other at all times and everybody was willing to put in the work necessary to make this trip happen. The guides gave us plenty opportunity to improve our canoeing skills and constantly supplied us with great food.

However, the work should not be underestimated: many hours of paddling plus several hours of other chores each day: pitching and taking down of tents, lugging heavy boxes to and from the canoes, digging the latrine trench, washing the dishes, etc. It was a lot and you did sometimes wish for a little more slack time to just relax and enjoy, although we certainly did that as well.

The weather conditions only added to the challenges: we had a little bit of everything: rain, hail, lightning, sunshine, evenings where you could go swim in the (icecold) river and nights that made you wish for a warmer sleeping bag. Anything's possible in the Yukon terrritories and while that wasn't always easy to handle, I think it was part of the adventure!

The Yukon was everything I expected and more. Our guides Rachel and Eric were brilliant taking such good care of us. They helped us to navigate the paddling and even joining in the evening fun for a good few games of hacky sack after a day on the river. I would say if you can get a little taster session in a canoe first if you’ve never done it before maybe helpful. I wish I had but it’s not essential. Having a good level of fitness is a must as well as being a team player all unloading, loading and packing away gear is a group effort. I was with such a great group of people it made this very easy. I would definitely recommend this trip. Can’t wait for my next MBA trip.

The trip is really tough so definitely don’t underestimate how physically demanding it is. But a massive achievement, beautiful scenery and met some amazing people! Our guide was quite snappy and got us lost a few times, there was also a communication mix up within the company around pick ups etc. overall we had a good trip.

Without shadow of a doubt a life changing trip, The Yukon offers up an extraordinary perspective with its views and stories. Must see & feel!

Not a-lot of hiking involved - we did a 1 20min walk. So wouldn't bother with hiking footwear!

The guides Rachael and Eric were fantastic great fun & amazing chefs 10/10

Rachel and Eric led a superb trip that dropped us off at Johnson’s crossing in the Teslin River and took us eight days through the wilderness to Carmacks. It is definitely not a trip for the faint hearted, or those not up for a physical challenge, this trip relies on your own perseverance to keep going (even if it rains on you all day!!) and sense of teamwork and helping out. Prepare to get stuck in and put others before yourself, when this matters most is when you arrive at camp at the end of a long day and help others unload boats, gear and set up tents and dig latrines!

It is an incredible trip, and all those outdoor enthusiasts it is a rare opportunity run by the super company ruby range.

We had great group dynamics and a real sense of fun on the trip, playing paddling games, learning skills, playing many games of yahtzee in the evenings and ensuring we were roped up with snores on sunny evenings. It rained 2/8 days for us. Rain isn’t apparently all that common but it absolutely tipped it down for us, so be prepared for everything. What I loved most about the trip was the total absence of technology and silence of the place. We saw moose, beaver and eagles!

The food is amazing, salmon/ bison/elk/ quinoa/ fresh veg/ tortillas/ rye bread / beans and eggs . The guides are so impressive with what they manage to cook up.

Here are my packing takeaways-

1. You don’t need as much as you think
2. NRS boundary boots are the BEST shoes ever, combined with a pair of arctic dry waterproof socks. They must be high as you waive through water. Also bring crocs. You need these for camp and hot days!!! Many others wore wellies and were okay with those. You don’t need hiking shoes.
3. NRS touring jacket was also amazing, I didn’t get my clothes wet at all with this due to the neoprene wrists- this was amazing. Expensive but great. Check out escape watersports if you are from the UK.
4. You can wash your clothes in the river and I could therefore have packed half as much- I could easily have taken maybe 2 tops instead of 4/5!
5. Thermals might not be needed- I didn’t wear mine.
6. One jumper- not two!
7. 1 pair of dry socks, not loads!
8. Bring a mosquito head net!!!!
9. Bring a 20l dry bag as a ‘day bag’ that was my size and it was perfect to put my waterproofs in for when we needed to change in the boats!
10. Canoeing experience not needed they teach you
11. You don’t really need additional snacks- they have LOADS of nutri grain bars etc…
12. Vegetarian/gluten free was catered for on our trip!
13. Everything you own should be quick dry- you’ll thank me for this!
14. You can shampoo and wash in the river, it’s cold but you get used to it! Crocs important due to rocky shore in some places
15. I recommend a warm sleeping bag and liner. I had one down to -16 and a cotton liner this was perfect first cold nights, in the hot nights I didn’t even bother with a sleeping bag but better safe than sorry!
16. Roll matts- invest. I got a 5cm self inflating one from vango, which was amazing and saved me so much time.
17. Bring a game to play for the evenings!
18. Bring a buff- doubles up as an eye mask for that midnight sun!
19. Bring your tip in cash. Our guide had to head off fast at the end.
20. Be aware of wild roses out there- they have spiky stalks and some on our group reacted to them! So I recommend some antihistamines.
21. Light zip off trousers I think are the best, I got ones from decathlon. It can be BOILING hot, or very wet.
22. Moisturiser for hands- do this daily.
23. Personally I wouldn’t bother with gloves specifically for paddling I think they cause you more blisters from experience especially when wet. Some light gloves for the mornings is nice though as it is chilly.
24. Jacket wise I took a light puffa layer. Worked a treat.
25. I didn’t need my thermos but could have brought more black tea.

Truly excellent trip with amazing experiences everyday. The guides were really supportive, very knowledgeable and they really could not do enough for us throughout. The food was excellent and we had a some great fun with a lovely group of like minded people. I will definitely book again with Much Better Adventure. Very pleased 10/10 in all areas.

When we booked this trip as part of our honeymoon adventure, we didn't really know what we were letting ourselves in for.

Not only was this one of the most brilliantly challenging things we have done together, but the people we ended up spending 10 days with are some of the best people I've met. Never have I laughed so much, minutes after silently cursing myself for thinking a canoeing trip on the freezing cold Yukon river would be romantic.

Every day of this trip brought something new. New snacks from our guide Rachel's endless bag of goodies, new stories from the group, and new wildlife to see and admire. One of the best things about this trip was never knowing what we would see around the next riverbend, and the proximity you can get to eagles, moose, beavers, and more.

The website description doesn't do justice to how challenging but completely immersive this trip is. When they say "Yukon Wilderness" they mean it - you won't see civilisation or anything manmade for over a week, and only stumble across a few remnants of the Yukon Goldrush.

All in all, this trip was one of our best adventures to date. We could share all the photos in the world but still be unable to describe quite how it feels to canoe down a river that is so vast, peaceful, and completely beautiful. If you're hesitating about booking this trip, take our advice and just do it. You won't regret it!

This is a true adventure into the wilderness of the Canadian Yukon. You will canoe starting from the Teslin and into the Yukon river, through the forests and mountains of Canada's far north. You will stop each night on a campsite beside the river, well away from human civilisation and into the habitat of bears, beavers, moose, elk and eagles. Keep a keen eye on the riverbank and the sky to spot all of the unique wildlife whilst you are out on the water. Distance covered is about 400km on the river in total across the trip. The Yukon was the place of the last great goldrush of the 19th century; the Klondike Goldrush. There is still evidence of that Goldrush on the river like steamboat wrecks, gold dredging sites and telegraph stations.

Group dynamics are great! You can expect to spend time with others that love the outdoors and are ready for a fun challenge. I travelled solo

Don't expect to eat noodles and freeze dried food, there is plenty of space in the canoes for delicious fresh food! Expect to eat meat, cheese, bread, fruits and vegetables all prepared by your host. Delightful meals included pancakes on a stony beach and bison/caribou sausages cooked on a campfire.

The sights are absolutely spectacular and with some luck you will spot some awesome wildlife in their natural habitat.

Tips for travellers:

1. Waterproof gear is essential- Be prepared for rain and to get wet, splashed on and to get your feet soaked. A waterproof jacket with a hood and waterproof trousers are essential. Tall wellington boots are a must as your feet will sink into the water and mud, get boots that are 8-10 inches high, industrial wellington boots are suitable.
2. Canoeing experience isn't essential, but an understanding of water sports and water safety is important.
3. Experience in camping and outdoors life is essential- Know how to keep yourself warm, dry and clean at camp.
4. Bring a team spirit and a team attitude; everyone has to contribute to do the essential tasks of loading & unloading, setting up, packing up and washing up, your guide cannot do all of that for you!
5. Be reasonably fit, and be prepared for an average of 5-6 hours of canoeing each day.
6. Expect both cold and hot conditions- So bring warm jackets, thermals, gloves, beanies as well as t-shirts, shorts and sunscreen for those hot & sunny days.
7. Bring a positive attitude and a willingness to experience the true wilderness!

It was well worth travelling 17,000km from Australia to the Canadian Yukon for this!

Don't be fooled by the serene photos - this 10-day canoe expedition along the Teslin and Yukon rivers is a true wilderness adventure that will test your limits. From loading and unloading gear to negotiating fast-flowing eddies, the days are long, and the work is real. You'll encounter both bright sun and biting cold – if you decide on an early paddle. (We struck out at 4.30 am one morning, and there was ice on the kit bags!) But overcoming the challenges as a tight-knit team is half the reward.

The payoff for the effort is immense. You'll paddle through some of the most stunningly wild and untouched landscapes in North America. Gliding along these iconic rivers, you feel blissfully disconnected from the modern world. Otters, owls, eagles, beavers and moose replace human company. After just a day, you feel immersed in the rhythm of the water and the land.

The wild campsites are spectacular, and the food is delicious, especially given the remote setting. We even had a blueberry pancake brunch on a pebble island.

But the true magic of this trip is in the camaraderie that emerges from working together. You truly are in the middle of nowhere and, therefore, very reliant on one another. Luckily for me, Dylan, Carly, Helen, Chesc, Harry and Lachy were amazing paddle mates.

Practically, this is a tougher-than-sold trip; you’re on the water for 5-6 hours a day, and you need to be fit. Make sure you have robust gloves, waterproof boots, quality hand cream, and clothes for all conditions. We got soaked through on days 1 and 2, but after that, it was blissfully sunny. You really don’t need hiking boots. Pack as light as you can; it makes the canoes faster and leaves less to lug on and offshore.

Finally, huge credit goes to our exceptional guide, Rachel, who deftly led us through this challenging journey with skill, hard work and constant positivity. Her knowledge of the land, passion for the wilderness, and joyous personality made the experience truly special.

This is a serious expedition, not to be taken lightly, but if you're willing to work for it, the rewards are immense.

A super trip

Fantastic trip. Got to experience the true Canadian wilderness.

A great adventure in some beautiful places, roughing it in the wild. The paddling is a good challenge and there is a sense of adventure not knowing where you might be able to get to a campsite each day as conditions dictated their access. Mixed experience of our tour guides and some miscommunications with the tour operator hindered the experience somewhat.