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5 DAY YUKON WINTER EXPERIENCE WITH AURORA BOREALIS VIEWING
EXPERIENCE WINTER IN THE YUKON
On this tour, you will be introduced to one of Canada’s northernmost territories, the Yukon. Warmly dressed in the included winter gear, you will experience some of the north’s iconic experiences like ice fishing, snowshoeing, and dog sledding. You will learn about the ancient cultural ways of the Southern Tutchone Indigenous People, see northern wildlife at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, and soak in natural hot springs, an ancient, powerful source of artesian water full of restorative minerals. Along the way we will experience many cultural displays, travel in a comfortable heated coach, and make memories that will stay with you forever.
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Start Location: Whitehorse
End Location: Whitehorse
TOP HIGHLIGHTS
- Explore the city of Whitehorse
- Whitehorse Aurora Viewing
- Half day snowshoeing
- Unique Indigenous cultural experience at the Long Ago Peoples Place
- Kluane National Park and Ice Fishing
- 2 nights of Aurora Viewing
- Dogsledding Adventure
- Yukon Wildlife Preserve tour
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive in Whitehorse
Welcome to Whitehorse, named the Wilderness City and the capital of the Yukon Territory, located on the banks of the Yukon River north of the 60th Parallel. In 2011, the World Health Organization ranked Whitehorse #1 for the cleanest air in the world. Whitehorse got its name when gold seekers thought the Miles Canyon’s wild rapids resembled the manes of charging white horses. There will be time today to pick up your winter clothing kit to use for the duration of your stay. You can stroll down Main Street and spend time in lively cafés and interesting stores during your free time. Keep an eye out for local culinary products - you will be surprised at the diversity of the Yukon food scene.** Meet your Tour leader in the hotel lobby by 5:00 PM for meet & greet and for welcome dinner **
Overnight: Whitehorse
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Whitehorse Highlights and Northern Lights Viewing
An easy start followed by a guided drive tour of some of the city highlights. The capital of the Yukon Territory, Whitehorse, offers a charming inside view of the history of the North. We visit the Visitor Centre to learn about the different regions of the Yukon, the SS Klondike paddle-wheeler boat, and a restored relic from the gold rush days. To finish with an inspiration of the North, we will have a guided tour through the MacBride Museum. Whitehorse has great shops, galleries and museums that are open all year.This afternoon we experience the Yukon wilderness by snowshoeing today. Along the trail, the guide will point out the tracks of the many species of wildlife that inhabit the Yukon Forest, including the tracks of some large groups of wolves that live on the outskirts of Whitehorse. Trails leading over frozen lakes alternate with routes through dense spruce forests. Tonight, we make our first Aurora viewing outing. We will depart for Northern Lights viewing at the Aurora Centre in the comfort of insulated yurts with a steaming hot drink. The location has pristine, unhindered views across the horizon which lets you enjoy the phenomenon of the Aurora Borealis to its fullest. When you stand under the Yukon sky surrounded by mile upon mile of Yukon's wilderness, you cannot help but think of what the ancients, our ancestors might have thought as they too stood spellbound by the Northern Lights. It's little wonder that they believed the Northern Lights to be the spirits of the departed or the Gods themselves. Yukon is one of the best places on earth to see the northern lights “colourful bands of light that dance in the dark night sky”. While the northern lights occur year-round, summer's near-constant daylight makes seeing them next to impossible. In the autumn, winter, and early spring, however, clear, dark nights lend themselves to stunning displays.
Overnight: Whitehorse
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Long Ago Peoples Place, Kluane National Park Visitor Centre, and Ice Fishing
We travel to the community of Champagne and the Long-Ago Peoples Place venue where our Southern Tutchone hosts, Harold, and Meta, will talk to us about the ancient cultural practices and lifestyle of Indigenous communities in these far northern areas. We continue to the magnificent Kluane National Park, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 with breathtaking landscapes and scenery. It is even more pristine during the snow-covered winter months. A truly hidden gem among outdoor enthusiasts for snowshoeing and ice fishing, we spend the day exploring this area west of Whitehorse along the famous Alaska Highway known for its impressive views. We will snowshoe to a perfect spot and set up our day camp for ice fishing at one of the many lakes on the outskirts of the park. With the help of an ice-auger, we drill a hole in the lake ice which can be from 30 cm to one meter thick! Hot drinks will be available to keep us warm. Take in the scenery around you and enjoy the beauty of the northern winter’s day while waiting for the big catch! If we are lucky and catch a fish, your guide will fillet it and cook it on the fire.
Overnight: Whitehorse
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Dog sledding, Yukon Wildlife Preserve, and Northern Light Viewing
Enjoy experiencing the Yukon’s winter wilderness as described by the famous Klondike Gold Rush author, Jack London. After meeting your team of Alaskan huskies, you will watch the dogs getting harnessed and hooked up to the sled, and then you will hit the trail! The tour provides a scenic ride through some serene backcountry, allowing you to take in the majesty and beauty of the Yukon while getting some awesome photographs. After a break for lunch, we continue to the Yukon Wildlife Preserve where you can view and photograph wildlife in its natural habitat. Dall’s sheep, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, mule deer, wapiti (elk), woodland caribou, wood bison, muskox, moose and even lynx can all be seen on this tour, usually up close! To cap off a great day, we travel to the nearby natural Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs. The outdoor natural hot springs pool provides a warm sanctuary amid the cold weather and is a must-do activity while visiting Whitehorse.Tonight, after dinner, we make another Aurora viewing excursion where you will get picked up from your hotel and transferred to the Northern Lights Resort just outside of town. The family-run Resort is located in the rural idyll of the picturesque Yukon River Valley, just 20 minutes south of Whitehorse in a quiet open countryside, surrounded by pine forests and ringed by mountains. The large and quiet property is perfect for the Aurora viewing, is this location is far from any light pollution or neighbours. Enjoy the spectacular views of the Northern Lights from the large viewing deck, the viewing site by the Teepee or the privacy of your cabin. An even more spectacular viewing awaits you from the comfort of our Aurora glass chalets. The chalets offer perfect Aurora viewing with their floor-to-ceiling windows opening to the northern sky. There is nightly guided Aurora viewing and photography assistance.
Overnight: Whitehorse
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5: Transfer to the airport
Breakfast and then transfer to the airport for your return home at the end of your exciting time in Canada’s Yukon in the wintertime. (Breakfast if departure flight is after 10:00 am)
Meals: Breakfast
DATES & PRICES
We accept 
Interested in this trip? Contact Us for 2025 dates and prices
Applicable taxes vary depending on travel destination and are not included. Please ask your sales agent what extra taxes will be payable for your tour.
WHY CHOOSE ANDERSON VACATIONS?
Anderson Vacations
Other Companies
Small Group Tours
Travel with a limited number of participants for a personalized journey with a tour leader.Experienced Tour Leaders
Who have gone through intensive vetting and training.(But most contract their tour leaders from Anderson Vacations.)
Canadian Travel Experts
With at least 30 years of experience.Min. 95% Satisfaction Rate
From past guests.Travel to unique places, visit more attractions each day.
Without the distractions of tipping.Activities and excursions included as part of the tour.
(Not as add-ons.)Sustainability
Planting one tree for every passenger that travels with us.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- 4 nights of accommodation (3.5 - 4 star, or best available)
- Transportation from local company
- Winter clothing package rental
Why Take An Anderson Tour?
Seasoned Tour Guides
Get a deeper understanding with storytelling tailored to your interests.
Space To Breathe
We never max out buses even if we use the same size bus as the competition.
All Inclusive
No hidden expenses along the way. Competitors offer activities as an extra - we don't
Our guide training manual is accredited by ACTA/CITC Canadian Educational Standard Inc. Now used as the standard in educational college programs.
Can't find what you're looking for?
Our specialists can take away the stress and create a custom trip tailored to your exact interests and budget.
Get A Custom Quote
OR CALL
1.866.814.7378
Custom Trip Plans
You can see what you want, when you want, how you want.
Unique Experiences
Experiences that help you take in the region in a different way.
Freedom To Explore
Time to take in each place with only the tours you want to do.
Tour Questions
What is the maximum number of travellers in a group?
Anderson Vacations specializes in Small Group Fully Escorted tours. If the tour is classified as a ‘Classic Tour’ up to 24 persons may join the tour although tours commonly travel with anywhere between 18 to 24 travellers. If the tour is classified as a 'Tour of Distinction’ only up to 18 persons may join the tour and many 'Tours of Distinction' travel with 12 to 18 travellers.
What are Guaranteed Departures?
After dreaming about travel to an exciting destination, arranging for time off work, booking your flights the last thing you need is for your trip to be cancelled. Anderson vacation's pre-Guaranteed tours take the uncertainty away from planning your travel and give you peace of mind to book our tours. Pre-Guaranteed Tours are group tours that we have already confirmed as certain to travel on the specified date. All 'Guaranteed Tours' will travel except in the event of a natural disaster or a catastrophic event that is beyond our control. They may already have the minimum number of people booked or else are tours that are known to be popular. Only select departures of tours are 'pre-Guaranteed'.
What happens if I book on a tour that is not Guaranteed?
We pride ourselves on providing “a small shared group experience.” In the event that we have fewer than ten participants on a tour we will offer a “small-group surcharge” to ensure that the tour runs as scheduled. This fee, which is up to 15% of the “land” portion of the tour, will be offered to you as an option to continue with the trip. This fee will cover the costs associated with handling a smaller group.
What is the average age of passengers for this tour?
Our tours are suitable for all age demographics. The average age of travelers is typically 45+.
How physically demanding is this tour? Are you able to accommodate people with mobility restrictions/limitations?
Some tours are mainly coach based and may not be physically demanding while others may require walking inclines or on rough surfaces to access interesting locations. Please check with us and your booking agent carefully and discuss your mobility restrictions before completing any tour booking to ensure this style of travel is right for you.
Can you accommodate passengers with dietary restrictions (food allergies, vegan, vegetarian etc.)?
Yes, we do accommodate dietary restrictions (within reason) such as, food allergies, vegan, vegetarian, etc. There are many meals included on our fully escorted tours. Please inform us of any dietary restrictions at the time of booking so we can ensure there are alternative meal choices.
Booking & Flight Questions
Do you arrange airport transfers?
Yes, we can assist you with airport transfers for you in most locations at a reasonable extra cost. Several tours have airport transfers already included. Please contact us for more details.
Can you assist with booking additional accommodation?
Yes, we can certainly assist with booking additional nights of hotel accommodation for you before and after your fully escorted tour. This is available upon request and subject to availability. Please inquire for further information and prices.
How much luggage should I bring?
Each passenger may bring one large suitcase and one carry-on bag. The weight limit for baggage is 20 kilograms or about 40 pounds. Baggage handling is provided at the hotels in our tour packages but there may be places where you will be required to wheel in your bags for quicker access. Be sure to advise our reservations staff if you will be bringing additional items such as a cane, walker, or wheelchair. You may also bring one small soft-sided carry-on bag, which should easily fit into the overhead shelf of a coach. Each person is responsible for his/her own carryon luggage. Remember to check your airline baggage restrictions if you are flying, as they may differ from Anderson Vacations guidelines.
I am a solo traveller. Is there a single surcharge?
There are options for single travelers to join most tours. Solo travellers can choose to pay a Single Supplement and have their own room throughout the tour. For those willing to share with a co-traveller of the same gender, we have a Twin Share option that is offered for most tours where you share a hotel room with another same gender traveller. In this case, you will not be charged for Single Supplement.
Is it possible to book a triple share accommodation?
Yes, it is possible to book triple share accommodations on select trips. Please inquire or contact us regarding this option, as prices and availability vary from tour to tour.
Can we book this tour with our exclusive group?
Yes, you can! Anderson Vacations works with many private groups and helps to customize a tour to traveller’s needs. Please contact us for more details.
Are gratuities included in the tour cost?
For convenience, gratuities for local guides and meals that are specified in the itinerary are included in the tour price. For meals not included in your tour package please remember that it is customary to tip your server 10-20% in North America. Gratuities for your Coach Driver (where appropriate) and Tour Director are entirely at your discretion. We recommend about CDN $5.00 per person, per day, for your Driver and CDN$7.00 per person, per day for your Tour Leader.
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Ready? Have More Questions?
Over 25 years offering custom trips and small group tours.
INQUIRE ABOUT THIS TRIP
OR CALL
1.866.814.7378
Seasoned Tour Guides
Get a deeper understanding with storytelling tailored to your interests.
Space To Breathe
We never max out buses even if we use the same size bus as the competition.
All Inclusive
No hidden expenses along the way. Competitors offer activities as an extra - we don't
DOWNLOAD
Tour Code
WABV
5 Day Yukon Winter Experience with Aurora Borealis Viewing
5 days
Created On: 26 Apr 2024
Highlights
- Explore the city of Whitehorse
- Whitehorse Aurora Viewing
- Half day snowshoeing
- Unique Indigenous cultural experience at the Long Ago Peoples Place
- Kluane National Park and Ice Fishing
- 2 nights of Aurora Viewing
- Dogsledding Adventure
- Yukon Wildlife Preserve tour
Inclusions
- 4 nights of accommodation (3.5 - 4 star, or best available)
- Transportation from local company
- Winter clothing package rental
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Whitehorse
Welcome to Whitehorse, named the Wilderness City and the capital of the Yukon Territory, located on the banks of the Yukon River north of the 60th Parallel. In 2011, the World Health Organization ranked Whitehorse #1 for the cleanest air in the world. Whitehorse got its name when gold seekers thought the Miles Canyon’s wild rapids resembled the manes of charging white horses. There will be time today to pick up your winter clothing kit to use for the duration of your stay. You can stroll down Main Street and spend time in lively cafés and interesting stores during your free time. Keep an eye out for local culinary products - you will be surprised at the diversity of the Yukon food scene.** Meet your Tour leader in the hotel lobby by 5:00 PM for meet & greet and for welcome dinner **
Overnight: Whitehorse
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Whitehorse Highlights and Northern Lights Viewing
An easy start followed by a guided drive tour of some of the city highlights. The capital of the Yukon Territory, Whitehorse, offers a charming inside view of the history of the North. We visit the Visitor Centre to learn about the different regions of the Yukon, the SS Klondike paddle-wheeler boat, and a restored relic from the gold rush days. To finish with an inspiration of the North, we will have a guided tour through the MacBride Museum. Whitehorse has great shops, galleries and museums that are open all year.This afternoon we experience the Yukon wilderness by snowshoeing today. Along the trail, the guide will point out the tracks of the many species of wildlife that inhabit the Yukon Forest, including the tracks of some large groups of wolves that live on the outskirts of Whitehorse. Trails leading over frozen lakes alternate with routes through dense spruce forests. Tonight, we make our first Aurora viewing outing. We will depart for Northern Lights viewing at the Aurora Centre in the comfort of insulated yurts with a steaming hot drink. The location has pristine, unhindered views across the horizon which lets you enjoy the phenomenon of the Aurora Borealis to its fullest. When you stand under the Yukon sky surrounded by mile upon mile of Yukon's wilderness, you cannot help but think of what the ancients, our ancestors might have thought as they too stood spellbound by the Northern Lights. It's little wonder that they believed the Northern Lights to be the spirits of the departed or the Gods themselves. Yukon is one of the best places on earth to see the northern lights “colourful bands of light that dance in the dark night sky”. While the northern lights occur year-round, summer's near-constant daylight makes seeing them next to impossible. In the autumn, winter, and early spring, however, clear, dark nights lend themselves to stunning displays.
Overnight: Whitehorse
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Long Ago Peoples Place, Kluane National Park Visitor Centre, and Ice Fishing
We travel to the community of Champagne and the Long-Ago Peoples Place venue where our Southern Tutchone hosts, Harold, and Meta, will talk to us about the ancient cultural practices and lifestyle of Indigenous communities in these far northern areas. We continue to the magnificent Kluane National Park, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 with breathtaking landscapes and scenery. It is even more pristine during the snow-covered winter months. A truly hidden gem among outdoor enthusiasts for snowshoeing and ice fishing, we spend the day exploring this area west of Whitehorse along the famous Alaska Highway known for its impressive views. We will snowshoe to a perfect spot and set up our day camp for ice fishing at one of the many lakes on the outskirts of the park. With the help of an ice-auger, we drill a hole in the lake ice which can be from 30 cm to one meter thick! Hot drinks will be available to keep us warm. Take in the scenery around you and enjoy the beauty of the northern winter’s day while waiting for the big catch! If we are lucky and catch a fish, your guide will fillet it and cook it on the fire.
Overnight: Whitehorse
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Dog sledding, Yukon Wildlife Preserve, and Northern Light Viewing
Enjoy experiencing the Yukon’s winter wilderness as described by the famous Klondike Gold Rush author, Jack London. After meeting your team of Alaskan huskies, you will watch the dogs getting harnessed and hooked up to the sled, and then you will hit the trail! The tour provides a scenic ride through some serene backcountry, allowing you to take in the majesty and beauty of the Yukon while getting some awesome photographs. After a break for lunch, we continue to the Yukon Wildlife Preserve where you can view and photograph wildlife in its natural habitat. Dall’s sheep, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, mule deer, wapiti (elk), woodland caribou, wood bison, muskox, moose and even lynx can all be seen on this tour, usually up close! To cap off a great day, we travel to the nearby natural Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs. The outdoor natural hot springs pool provides a warm sanctuary amid the cold weather and is a must-do activity while visiting Whitehorse.Tonight, after dinner, we make another Aurora viewing excursion where you will get picked up from your hotel and transferred to the Northern Lights Resort just outside of town. The family-run Resort is located in the rural idyll of the picturesque Yukon River Valley, just 20 minutes south of Whitehorse in a quiet open countryside, surrounded by pine forests and ringed by mountains. The large and quiet property is perfect for the Aurora viewing, is this location is far from any light pollution or neighbours. Enjoy the spectacular views of the Northern Lights from the large viewing deck, the viewing site by the Teepee or the privacy of your cabin. An even more spectacular viewing awaits you from the comfort of our Aurora glass chalets. The chalets offer perfect Aurora viewing with their floor-to-ceiling windows opening to the northern sky. There is nightly guided Aurora viewing and photography assistance.
Overnight: Whitehorse
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5: Transfer to the airport
Breakfast and then transfer to the airport for your return home at the end of your exciting time in Canada’s Yukon in the wintertime. (Breakfast if departure flight is after 10:00 am)
Meals: Breakfast
