Yukon Hiking (with a short trip to Alaska) – June 27 – July 8, 2025
Leader: Madeleine Davidson
Explore Canada’s north and discover the beauty of Yukon on a 12-day hiking tour. During this time we will explore paths and trails near Whitehorse, head out to Dawson City and visit the nearby Tombstone Territorial Park, learn about the rich history of the Canadian Gold Rush, visit the magnificent Kluane National Park, and even cross the border into Skagway, Alaska on the famed White Pass and Yukon Route railway. With more moose than people, and with 80% of its land being wilderness, Yukon is a photographic paradise with plenty of opportunity for wildlife viewing.
This trip includes a customized itinerary prepared exclusively for HOC by Yukon Tours. https://www.yukontours.ca/. We will be using Custom Adventures from Burlington as our travel agent.
With the exception of some shorter, local trails in Whitehorse, all hikes will be guided by experienced local guides. We will have two vans available to us for transportation within Whitehorse and to the other destinations.
Proposed Itinerary (subject to change based on local conditions and availability)
Day 1. Friday, June 27
Air North flight departing Toronto and flying directly to Whitehorse (approx. 7 hours) (airline subject to change – flight path to be confirmed)
Reception at the airport by your local guide - transfer to hotel
Welcome meeting to go over itinerary, details and questions.
Welcome dinner
Accommodation at the Best Western Hotel | Gold Rush Inn – breakfast included
Day 2. Saturday, June 28 – Whitehorse
AM- City tour with guide and bear safety talk
Lunch on own
PM- Fish Lake (or other) hike with guide
Dinner on own
Accommodation at the Best Western Hotel | Gold Rush Inn – breakfast included
Day 3. Sunday, June 29 - Whitehorse
Full day trip to Carcross with guide – hike Sam McGee / Caribou (or other)
Visit to Carcross Commons + desert (packed lunch included)
Dinner on own
Accommodation at the Best Western Hotel | Gold Rush Inn – breakfast included
Day 4. Monday, June 30 - Alaska – BRING YOUR PASSPORT!
Full-day trip to Skagway with guide – Laughton Glacier Hike (WPYR Skagway to Laughton) (packed lunch included)
Dinner on own
Accommodation at the Best Western Hotel | Gold Rush Inn – breakfast included
Day 5. Tuesday, July 1 – Dawson City
Drive to Dawson City with guide (6.5 hrs approx. with stops)
Lunch on own (grab & go)
Dinner on own
Accommodation at Triple J Hotel – breakfast included
Day 6. Wednesday, July 2 – Dawson City
Leisure day in Dawson – e.g. Parks Canada Tour, gold panning, Dome hike (transportation and guide at service)
Lunch and dinner on own
Accommodation at Triple J Hotel – breakfast included
Day 7. Thursday, July 3 - Tombstone Territorial Park
Full day Tombstone Territorial Park Tour & hike with guide (packed lunch included)
Experience the Dempster Highway
Hike Grizzly Ridge (or other)
Dinner on own
Accommodation at Triple J Hotel – breakfast included
Day 8. Friday, July 4
Drive to Whitehorse (6.5 hrs. approx.) with guide
Lunch on own (grab & go)
Dinner on own
Accommodation at the Best Western Hotel | Gold Rush Inn – breakfast included
Evening – optional hike in Miles Canyon
Day 9. Saturday, July 5 – Haines Junction
AM - Drive to Haines Junction (3.5 hrs) - Stop at Kluane National Park centre and Da ku
PM hike Auriol Trail (or other)
Lunch and dinner on own
Accommodation at Raven’s Rest Inn – breakfast included
Day 10. Sunday, July 6 – Kluane National Park
Full day hike: Thunder Egg Creek, Lower Alsek, Sheep Mountain (or other) (packed lunch included)
Dinner on own
Accommodation at Raven’s Rest Inn – breakfast included
Day 11. Monday, July 7 - Kluane National Park
AM- Hike in the Kluane National Park – trail TBD
Lunch on own (grab and go)
PM-Long Ago Peoples Place tour and dinner (4 pm – 6pm approx.)
Drive back to Whitehorse (later arrival)
Accommodation at the Best Western Hotel | Gold Rush Inn – breakfast included
Day 12. Tuesday, July 8
Transfer to Airport – planned Air North flight direct to Toronto (airline subject to change – flight path to be confirmed)
Hikes
An excellent source of information including distance and elevation related to each hike is Yukonhiking.ca, which I have found to be quite accurate in their assessments. Only hikes rated “easy” or “moderate” have been included in the itinerary. Substitutions may be made depending on weather or other conditions and group preferences and abilities.
This trip has been costed with 2 guides to ensure that 2 levels of hiking can be offered on all hiking days. Members will always have the option to not hike.
Other hikes/walks will be arranged as time permits (e.g. evenings in Whitehorse) and depending on the preferences of the group. There will also be shorter “stop off” hikes during travel days (e.g. Spirit Canyon, Five Finger Rapids). These will be well-known, beautiful areas to explore enroute to a destination that would not be practical as a separate day trip.
Timing
July was selected as the best month. The days are long (approximately 18-20 hours of light) and the weather is as warm as it will get (18-24 degrees in Whitehorse). As we will be visiting more northern areas as well, members will be advised to be prepared for cooler temperatures (e.g. hat, gloves, puffer jacket or similar, a fleece for a cooler evening). Generally normal hiking attire is suitable (pants, moisture wicking long or short sleeved shirt, removeable layers). Rain gear should be packed. Hiking boots are mandatory. Summer in the Yukon runs from June to August. Average temperatures reach highs of between 14° and 20° C and lows between 6° and 8° C.
Cost
Accommodation, guides, transportation – 13 members, 1 van $6,355 OR
Accommodation, guides, transportation – 14 to 20 members, 2 vans $5,925
Single Supplement $1,050
Once the number of trip participants is finalized, we will know whether the final price of the tour component is $6,355 or $5,925. This amount will be reflected in the final payment.
Airfare:
Airfares for 2025 and schedules are not yet available, but based on the current year’s costs expect to pay ~$1,150 flying direct from Toronto to Whitehorse via Air North. This amount is subject to change once air fares and schedules are posted by all the airlines (possibly not until late 2024). Please do not book airfare until it has been confirmed that we have a sufficient number of registrants for the trip to go forward.
The airfare cost is not included in the pricing above, and trip participants are permitted to book their own flights. Custom Adventures will provide information on available flights to/from Whitehorse and can book participants’ airfare if they prefer.
Please be aware that the air fare, air tax and service charges are also subject to change at any time without notice.
Minimum number of members: 13 (including the leader)
Maximum number of members: 20 (including the leader)
Inclusions
Exclusions
Members should budget approximately $30 for dinners and $20 for lunches (each) when not provided. Some group dinners may be arranged but payment will not be made in advance.
Registration and Payment
Registration opens Sunday July 21, 2024 (a stroke past midnight on the night of July 20)
There are two parts to your registration, with two deposits ($75 to the Club and $500 to Custom Adventures). Your spot is not secured until both steps are completed.
Cancellation
If you need to cancel your trip, please contact Cheryl, our Club Manager at info@haltonoutdoorclub.ca. $25 of the club registration fee is non-refundable. Please also contact Madeleine via email, who will inform Custom Adventures.
Once it has been determined that the trip has sufficient numbers to go ahead, cancellations up to 45 days before departure will forfeit the deposit paid, with increased penalties on a sliding scale up to 20 days before departure, at which time no refunds will be given.
There are no specific cancellation provisions related to wild fires. Yukon Tours will not take members to areas where there are active fires. Yukon Tours will change a hike location when warranted.
Substitutions are permitted. HOC is not responsible for finding a substitute but will assist if there is a waiting list. If a replacement cannot be found, the cancelling party will be responsible for the full cost of the trip. HOC highly recommends that you purchase cancellation/interruption insurance.
If the trip experiences delays or changes in itinerary due to weather or circumstances beyond our control, that result in extra expenditures, these expenses are the responsibility of the participant, not the club or the travel agent.
If the entire trip has to be cancelled, you will receive a refund, less any non-refundable deposits that have been made on your behalf.
If we are unable to match you up with a roommate and there are no alternative rooming arrangements, we will cancel your registration and process a refund.
Insurance
HOC recommends that you purchase out-of-province medical travel insurance, even though we are travelling in Canada. Trip cancellation and interruption insurance is strongly advised.
If you have any questions, please contact the tour leader by email:
Madeleine Davidson msdavidson0000@gmail.com
June 29/24