Day 1 - Arrive Whitehorse / Mushing 101 Lesson
Upon arrival at the Whitehorse Airport, you will be met by your guide (approximately 3:00 p.m.) After traveling west for thirty minutes you will arrive at the Homestead. Here you will be outfitted with gear, receive a 'Mushing 101' lesson and become acquainted with your own dog team and sled. You will be outfitted with expedition quality arctic clothing. Examples are Arctic parkas with fur ruffs; Chomo insulated bib pants, Weber-Malakov Sorel boots, and Apocalypse overmitts. While the average winter temperatures are between minus 10° and 25° degrees Celsius, we have had clients on Aurora trips in -40° C and they were never cold!
On the first evening you will stay in one of the log guest cabins or yurt overlooking the Takhini River Valley. Each cabin has a sitting/sleeping area and a cozy loft bedroom. A delicious dinner is served in the Main Cabin. Menu items include such Yukon specialties as Arctic Char, Alaskan halibut, and locally picked blueberry-cranberry crisp to name a few (Vegetarian diets can also be accommodated with advance notice.) After dinner you may choose to relax in the hot tub, and enjoy your favorite beverage under the northern lights, or up in the loft recreation room watching the latest dog sledding videos on our large screen home theatre.
Note: It is recommended that you arrive a day early and overnight in Whitehorse. This will allow you time to overcome jet lag, ensure your baggage arrives and to allow for the threat of missing a connection due to winter weather complications. You may wish to visit the McBride Museum located in downtown Whitehorse as it is a fantastic introduction to the fauna and history of the Yukon.
Overnight: Log Guest Cabin
Day 2 - Dog Sledding
Today you begin your dog sledding adventure! After a review of Mushing 101, you will mush your teams to the lunch site overlooking the beautiful Dam Lake. After a fireside lunch of grilled caribou sausage you will mush back to the homestead working on your balance and dog driving technique.
Overnight: Log Guest Cabin
Day 3 - Dog Sledding
This morning you will mush your dog teams on the lower Ibex River Trail under the awe-inspiring cliffs of Mount North. This trail is a notch above the yesterday's trail in terms of difficulty allowing you to progress to Mushing 201.
Overnight: Log Guest Cabin
Day 4 - Dog Sledding to Wilderness Base Camp
Wednesday sees you dog sledding into our wilderness base camp. The camp is located in a spectacular valley with magnificent views in all directions. Much of the trail that you will be mushing on has been cut right out of the raw wilderness. This valley has rarely been traveled since trappers were here decades ago. Herds of Dall sheep often occupy the mountain slopes above. A resident wolf pack lives 10 miles down the trail and often comes down the frozen river to howl to our sled dogs on clear, cold nights. Here accommodation is in spacious yurts, circular mountain huts with large dome skylights. Accommodation is rustic yet elegant, with propane lights, authentic cast iron stoves, and pine furniture for guests to relax in while reading their favorite book. Guests eat and socialize in the large, main yurt and sleep in smaller private yurts containing two twin beds that may be joined at their request.
Overnight: Wilderness Base Camp Yurt
Day 5 – Snowshoe Interpretive Trip
Today, wake up in your cozy yurt and make your way to the main yurt for a hearty breakfast. The dogs get a well deserved day off as you take a trail lunch and go on a snowshoe interpretive trip down the south end of the valley towards the wintering grounds of the southern lake caribou herd and the Ibex Valley wolf pack. Return in time for a relaxing sauna and shower followed by yet another incredible meal prepared on the wood cook stoves.
Overnight: Wilderness Base Camp Yurt
Day 6 – Dog Sledding back to Homestead
This morning you will mush back out to the Homestead for your final dinner and evening.
Overnight: Log Guest Cabin
Day 7 – Dog Sledding / Transfer to Airport or Downtown Whitehorse
On Saturday, go for your last mush where guests often choose to feel the power of an additional dog on their team or opt to run a technically challenging trail. Of course a nice relaxing run is also an option for the grand finale. You can either be taken to the Whitehorse Airport on Saturday or to your hotel on Saturday afternoon allowing for a more relaxed departure on Sunday.
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- 6 nights accommodation & room tax
- Meals from Dinner on Day 1 to Lunch on Day 7
- Specialized expedition quality arctic clothing
- All guide services
- Mushing 101 Lesson
- 5 days of Dog Sledding – mushing your own team of dogs
- Snowshoe Interpretive Tour including equipment
- Transportation to and from Whitehorse Airport (or downtown Whitehorse) & the Homestead
- Personalized documentation package
PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Meals not listed as included
- Gratuities for guides
- Transfers not listed as included
- Trip Cancellation Insurance (Insurance can be purchased from your Vacation Specialist, ask for more details)
Fitness / Experience Requirements:
You don't need to have any experience dog mushing to join this tour. You will be taught everything you need to know to run and care for your own team. You will also be given instruction in snowshoeing and back country travel at your request.
Dog mushing does require some physical activity. Generally speaking, if you are capable of cross-country skiing at a recreational level, you should have no problems enjoying dog sledding. On a typical day, you will find yourself having to jog up two or three short hills next to your sled in order to assist your team. Therefore, we recommend you undertake at least a moderate fitness regimen before coming on a trip, as it will make the experience that much more enjoyable for you. If you have any questions regarding your physical ability to participate, please don't hesitate to contact us!