Canoe trip on the Big Salmon River from Quiet Lake to Carmacks, 354 km / 14 days
in combination with
Chilkoot Trail Tour from Skagway / Dyea to Bennett, 53 km / 8 days
We begin our Yukon Challenge with a canoe trip on one of the most beautiful wilderness rivers in the Yukon Territory, the Big Salmon River. Nestled amongst the Pelly Mountains and the Big Salmon Range, the narrow river winds its way through one of the most charming landscapes of the Yukon Territory, until it flows into the Yukon River close to the town of Carmacks.
The Big Salmon River holds many surprises for wilderness enthusiasts and experienced canoeists alike. Accompanied by our experienced guides, even canoe-novices can master this river with its natural challenges like sweepers and fast moving water.
After a day off in Whitehorse, tour participants will be shuttled to the US border, where they board the historic train over the White Pass to Skagway. Within a few hours, travelers experiences multiple eco-zones: alpine meadows, boreal forests, and coastal rainforests.
In historic Dyea, we begin our 5-day Trekkingtour on the legendary Chilkoot Trail. We only carry what we need during those days. The rest of our luggage will remain in Whitehorse in our hotel.
We follow the Trail, which was crossed by more than 100 000 men und women, explorers and thieves, who ventured to the goldfields in the Klondike in the late 1890s. The Chilkoot Pass towers 1,150 meters high above the ocean. We will experience some of the struggles those adventurers had to put up with on their way to the Klondike.
After five days hiking, we reach Lake Bennett, the end point of the Chilkoot Trail. We fly back to Whitehorse with a float plane and have a chance to see this unique landscape from the bird`s-eye view.
This trip is also available as a pure canoe trip or trekking tour.
Day 1:
Your guide will greet you at the Whitehorse Airport and transfer you to your hotel. After the check-in we will meet for a tour briefing and discuss your trip details.
Day 2:
We pick you up at the hotel and drive along the Alaska Highway past Johnson’s Crossing and later on the scenic South Canol Road to our entry point on Quiet Lake. On this approximately 230 km long drive, you get a first feeling for the vastness of the Yukon. Here, away from civilization, our canoe trip begins on the Big Salmon River. The short chain of lakes, which we cross at the beginning gives us an opportunity to familiarize ourselves with the canoes.
Day 3 to 14:
After we have left the lakes behind, we reach the Big Salmon River. In the upper part of the narrow and winding river, we are challenged by several log jams. Depending on the water level, these can be easily portaged.
Here in the crystal clear water we can observe the King Salmon on the way to their spawning grounds, from the canoe. Fishing enthusiast can now truly enjoy their passion. Continuing down the river, the narrow curves diminish, the Big Salmon River broadens and we have enough time to enjoy the wilderness in its beautiful natural landscape.
Shortly after the South and the North Fork flows into the Big Salmon River, we reach the historic Yukon River. Here we will see traces of the Klondike Gold Rush, the historic settlement – Big Salmon Village. During the next three days on the Yukon River, we see more often the remains of old log cabins and former trade stations.
At “Cyr’s gold dredge”, we stop for a lunch break and try to pan for some gold flakes. The river bank glimmers like gold in this area – usually pyrite, also known as fools gold.
At Little Salmon Village, a Fist Nation fishcamp, we meet again for the first time civilization. In the next two days we will reach Carmacks, the end point of our canoe trip. After loading the boats on the trailer we will drive over the Klondike Highway back to Whitehorse.
Arriving in Whitehorse we check-in at our hotel.
Day 15:
Today we have time for a shopping and sightseeing tour in Whitehorse. Your guide will be happy to give you some tips. In the afternoon, we will prepare for the upcoming Trekkingtour on the Chilkoot Trail.
Day 16:
In the morning we take the bus from White Pass & Yukon Route and drive to Fraser, the US border to Alaska, where we board the historic train over the White Pass to Skagway. Within a few hours, we will experience multiple eco-zones: alpine meadows, boreal forests and costal rainforests.
In Skagway we have some time for sight seeing before we take a shuttle to Dyea, the trail head of the Chilkoot Trail.
For the night we will camp at the foot of the trail.
Day 17 to 21:
In the early morning we start our hike on the Chilkoot Trail.
The first day we take it easy and hike a shorter distance to the camp at Canyon City. The next days we hike to Sheep Camp before we climb up over the “Golden Stairs” and Chilkoot Pass to Happy Camp in the Yukon.
On day four we hike along Long Lake to the beautiful camp at Bare Loon Lake. Our last day on the Chilkoot Trail brings us to Lake Bennett.
At Lake Bennett we have some time to look at the remains from the Klondike Goldrush bevor we fly back in the early afternoon to Whitehorse by float plane.
Arriving in Whitehorse we check in for the last night in our hotel.
Day 22:
Transfer from your hotel to the Whitehorse Airport and say “good bye”.
What is included:
-
Whitehorse Airport shuttle
-
22 days tour from/to Whitehorse
-
English speaking guide
-
Guided tour in small groups from 2 to 12 people
-
All overnight fees (4 x hotel, 17 x camping in tents)
-
Overnight stays in two people Dome Tent incl. Therm-A-Rest mats
-
Full camping and outdoor equipment is provided
-
13 days guided canoe trip on the Big Salmon and Yukon River
-
Canoe for two people incl. 3 paddles, 2 life jackets, sponge and bailer
-
5 day trekking tour on the Chilkoot Trail
-
All National Park permits and fees
-
Drive with the historic White Pass & Yukon Route Railway
-
Flight back to Whitehorse with a float plane
- All meals during the tour
- All transportations
-
Emergency equipment including Satellite communication
Not Included:
- Air fare to/from Whitehorse
- All hotel meals and during the transportation
- Alcoholic drinks
- Personal expenses and tips
- Sleeping bag
- Trekking Backpack
- Fishing License
- Travel and cancellation Insurance
| Date: | Price: | Availability: |
| 07.07.2025 to 28.07.2025 | $4,995 CAD | available |
Single room supplement: $450.00 CAD
Single tent supplement: $175.00 CAD
All prices are in Canadian dollars plus 5% GST.
- During the hike you have to carry your own luggage/backpack. We don’t provide porter service.
-
- Please make sure before you start your trip, that you have all required documentations, such as valid passport and visas to travel within the USA. Yukon Wide Adventures is not responsible in the case that you are refused entry into the USA.
- All old remains and artefactes on the trail are protected by Parks Canada and the American and Canadian Gouvernment. Don’t take any objects as a souvenir !!!
