Paddling with the Girls on the Yukon River

Departing early the next morning, a shuttle van will transport the group and equipment to the put in point at Minto. From here we’ll paddle for a few hours and make camp a short distance down-river. (Overnight accommodation in wilderness campsite)

Fort Selkirk lies about a day’s paddle ahead. The oldest European settlement in the Yukon, Fort Selkirk was established as a fur trading post by Robert Campbell of the Hudson Bay Company in 1848. Today, what remains of the town is a Yukon Territorial Historic Site, and is home to a few summer residents from the local Selkirk First Nation. We’ll plan to spend at least an evening here here, enjoying the hospitality of Fort Selkirk’s present-day caretakers. Beyond, the river is quiet and characterized by high bluffs and large tributaries, including the Stewart and White River, which join the river at stunning viewpoints. Most of the camping will be on gravel bars and sandy islands, with a few visits to old cabins and historic sites. (Overnight accommodation in wilderness campsites)

We will arrive in Dawson City on Day 9. Located at the confluence of the Yukon and Klondike Rivers, this lovingly preserved and brightly painted frontier town is alive with live music, contemporary art, and quirky northern fun. Dawson City is the ideal end point for a river journey. (Overnight hotel accommodation in Dawson City)

Today we’ll tour the town. Depending on the group’s interests, we can visit any of the numerous historic sites, including the SS Keno, Palace Grand Theatre, the Commissioners Residence, and the cabins of Jack London and Robert Service; we can also drive out to site of the original gold strike at Bonanza creek, visit the famous Dredge #4 National Historic Site, or pan for gold. Our last stop of the day will be at the Midnight Dome overlook, which provides a great view of Dawson City and both the Klondike and Yukon River valleys, giving you an impression of the scale of the land through which you’ve just paddled. In the evening, we’ll pay a visit to Diamond Tooth Gerties Casino. This lively casino offers all the usual games, as well as a raucous can-can floor show. (Overnight hotel accommodation in Dawson City)

In the morning we’ll drive south to Whitehorse on the Klondike Highway, stopping in at pleasant Moose Creek Lodge for a coffee break. As we near Carmacks, we begin to see the Yukon River again, with a wonderful viewpoint at the Five Finger Rapids. On arrival in Whitehorse, we’ll check into our hotel and enjoy one last group dinner. (Overnight hotel accommodation in Whitehorse)

On our final day together, Ruby Range will provide a transfer to the airport or to your next tour program. (End of tour services) (This is an expeditionary trip, and changes to the itinerary may be necessary due to weather or other conditions. Any changes are left to the discretion of the guide.)