Yukon Teslin River Canoe trip Canoe adventure tour in the yukon canada

Goldrush History in Dawson City, Yukon Territory

Paddling on the green waters of Teslin River, we are placed right into the heart of the Yukon. With abundant wildlife and astonishing landscapes, the Teslin River winds between high cut banks and wide valleys, always on its way north. The river starts out slow and develops into a more swift current. That allows beginners as well the seasoned canoeists to either drift or to paddle - always with a feeling of exploring wilderness as its best. Quietly we pass through untouched, wild nature while fishing for grayling and pike may supplement our camp dinner. Every night we camp out while supper is cooked on the open fire. For over a week we enjoy nature and solitude. Bears, moose and beaver can be seen along the shores and with some luck we may hear the stirring howl of a wolf pack at night.

On the legendary Yukon River we retrace the steps of thousands of adventurers on their quest for gold at the end of the last century. Numerous gold rush relicts can be explored along the riverside. Fallen in cabins, old police posts and telegraph stations, rusted machinery, sunken or beached sternwheelers - they all ask us to listen to their tales of hope, hardship and defeat. Nature is slowly claiming back what had been taken from it a long time ago. En route we get the chance to run the formerly dangerous "Five-Finger-Rapids". Today they allow for a lot of fun as well as some wet hands.

In Dawson City we explore the town of Gold. Historical buildings, dance hall girls and gold rush shows replay a time of luck and fortunes found and lost. But we definitely have already found our luck: our passage through nature and history will never be forgotten.

Rates & Dates
A : Teslin - and Yukon River, complete
       Johnson's Crossing - Dawson City
June 5   - June 24   2008    20 days
       Can. $ 2.600.- + 5 % GST

B : Teslin - and Yukon River, first part
       Johnson's Crossing - Carmacks
June 5   - June 15   2008     11 days
      Can. $ 1.550.- + 5 % GST

C : Yukon River, second part
       Carmacks - Dawson City
June 13 - June 24    2008   12 days
      Can. $ 1.650.- + 5 % GST

No. of Participants
3 - 7

Included in Price
2 nights in a middle class hotel in Whitehorse (double occupancy) on your first and last day, all other nights in 2 person dome tents ( single room and tent Can. $ 350.- extra) , all required shuttles and transfers, introduction course in canoeing on moving water, canoes, paddles, lifejackets, complete cooking and camp gear, all meals during the canoe trip, activities according to itinerary, experienced licensed guide, satellite phone on the canoe trip for your safety

personal luggage, not used on the trip, can be stored at our place ( Yukon Wild)

Extra cost
Transportation to and from Whitehorse, meals while staying in the hotel, alcoholic beverages, fishing license, optional activities, tips

Requirements to participate
The canoe trip is suited for a physically fit beginners or more experienced paddlers alike.
You should be able to paddle 4 - 5 hours a day comfortably.

Canoeing the Yukon River en route to Dawson City

Sternweehler " Evelyn" on Shipyard Island on the Yukon River

More Pictures here

Reservations Teslin Yukon River

Itinerary

Day 1	Arrival in Whitehorse, pick up at the airport, transfer to your hotel. Time for discovering Whitehorse, last minute shopping before the trip. In the evening introduction to the other participants.
Day 2 - 10	Canoe Trip on Teslin River to Carmacks A short drive of 140 Km brings us to the start of our canoe trip at Johnson's Crossing. After a brief introduction into the basics of paddling we start out on the water. The rivers wide channel after leaving the mighty Teslin Lake, changes past the first bend into a narrower and a bit faster stream. Quickly we settle into our journey through nature and wilderness. Moose and maybe the odd caribou can be seen on the open marshy flats that alternate with high sandy cutbanks on which interesting rock formations, known as hoodoos, call for unique pictures. Side streams add clear water to the Teslin and allow for good fishing for pike and grayling. During high water season some stretches require our full attention, but mostly we get the chance to enjoy the river's medium speed and and ever changing landscape. Each night finds us at a different camp spot, where we set up our tents close to the water on sandy or grassy shores. Where the Teslin River joins with the Yukon River we get our first glimpse of the gold rush history. The trading post and telegraph station at Hootalinqua was a busy place- once upon a time. Now there are only some buildings and artifacts left from those heydays. Many relicts can be found hidden under an overgrowth of wild roses and willow bushes that remind of a time long gone. The Sternwheeler " Evelyn" on Shipyard Island , is the only one left of its kind, along the river. Sunken in woodcutter cabins , dredges and mining equipment from the days of the Gold Rush and the Riverboats seem like a tucked away open air museum. Soon we arrive at the native village of Carmacks, where some of us may end the river trip. They will be brought back to Whitehorse. New participants might join us on our journey further north
Day 11 - 17	Retracing History on the Yukon River As the river widens downstream of Carmacks it becomes scattered with many islands and gravel bars. Shortly after we leave the last point of civilization we will run the famous "Five Finger Rapids" which used to be a great hazard for the big sternwheelers Thousand of hopeful people were racing into the north to follow the Yukon River down to the promising gold fields. They all left footprints behind, such as rustic log cabins, decaying police and telephone stations, gold mining equipment and disappearing wood yards. We can only try to imaging their lives and hardships as we contemplatively take each bend or straight stretch. The former Trading Post and settlement of Fort Selkirk was the first one on the upper Yukon River . With great efforts a large number of buildings were preserved. The Yukon River has a good steady pace. We might drift along with 8-10 km/h while more large rivers such as the White River, Stewart River and Pelly River add still more water to the mighty Yukon.
Day 18	Just as the gold miners we pass the legendary Klondike River before we beach our canoes the last time on our journey. We reached our goal: Dawson City - the City of Gold. Time seems to have stood still. Boardwalks and a ever sandy dirt road lead us through an amazing town of historical buildings and gold rush relicts. At night we might enjoy the Can-Can girls when they dance and laugh, where the gamblers are at their best, and beer and whisky flows abundantly
Day 19	After we have visited the famous gold fields of Bonanza Creek we are on our way back to where we started nearly three weeks ago. For most of the day we enjoy the beauty of the Yukon' vast countryside before the mini van delivers us to the steps of the hotel in Whitehorse. Our last dinner together finds us reminiscing the days we spent on these two mighty rivers of the north.
Day 20	Transfer to the Airport

Reservations Teslin Yukon River

Equipment List :

personal Gear you should bring along :

Sleeping bag, suitable for light frost, down or synthetic
Sleeping pad, preferred Therm A Rest.
Waterproof bag (Sea bag) for your personal gear during canoe trip, min. 70 Liters
Daypack or small waterproof bag for the canoe trip
Water bottle
Sewing kit
Sunglasses
Hat
Pocket knife
Mosquito repellant (best, bought in Whitehorse)
Whistle
Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Soap (biodegradable), Kleenex, Toilet paper (1 role), Towel, Sunscreen, Personal Medication
Rain pants
Rain jacket - best bet : Gore Tex (Poncho is not suitable for canoeing)
Windbreaker
Rubber Boots for the canoe trip (can be rented from us)

personal gear you might bring along:

photo gear - think about waterproof storage (best bet : Pelican Case)
Binoculars
Underwear
3 pair of socks
2 long pants, fast drying
1Longjohn
2 T- Shirts
1 long sleeve T- Shirt
1 Long sleeve shirt, light one
Fleece Jacket, or sweater
light gloves for paddling

This list contains the basic equipment required to complete the trip comfortably. According to your personal preference, you can certainly substitute items, or add necessary things. But - please try to keep the amount of gear as small as possible. The tendency to bring too much is very common.

Please consider that your complete outfit should fit into the waterproof bag for the canoe trip. Teslin Yukon River

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Teslin - and Yukon River Canoe Trip