Yukon Canoe Expedition

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

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  Heather Franks

  YUKON CANOE EXPEDITION

  

  Written June 2012

  A brilliant trip with a fantastic guide and not such a bad group either! Niall (our guide) loved the Yukon and thanks to him so do I now!  

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  All the "moments" paddling down the Yukon amidst stunning scenery, managing to land (took a bit of mastering for some), making camp at the end of the day and waking to another new day beside this mighty river. I never tired of watching this huge but silent mass of water passing on it's way.  

   Landing in Dawson was also like landing in another world - but a world we'd already come to look forward to meeting thanks to Niall. Learning all about the gold rush and being the "tourist" for a day was fascinating.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Niall was amazing - he is an anthropologist and his knowledge of the Yukon, which he shared with us, added so much to the experience. We talked in the "kitchen", round the camp fire, when rafted up on the river, in the minibus and at every opportunity and listened to every word.

  Niall's cooking was also very good and I need to get some recipes from him! 

  Oh yes - and his singing is to be commended.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  If you're "potential" because you haven't yet booked - go for it; if you're "potential" because you've booked and you're waiting to go - have a fab time.

  This is the first trip where dipping under an icy waterfall/ in a freezing cold river for a good wash has not been an option. When we went the river was very high and fast flowing and too dangerous to bath in. Never having needed to use them before I threw the wet wipes in as an after-thought - they turned out to be essential!

  Agree with a previous review - wellingtons not wetsuit boots.

  Mosquito headnet much better than all that DEET on your face and long sleeves when on land keep the mozzies off your arms. I went in June the worst time for mozzies but they didn't stop my enjoying the expedition.

  Do everything and don't look on the time in dawson as a chance to rest - you can do that when you're on your way home!

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  I enjoyed this so much that I'm now looking to book on the canoe trip down the Zambezi, and thinking of a return to the Yukon to do another even more remote canoe expedition.

   
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  Richard Tregaskes

  A great trip

  

  Written August 2011

  A fantastic trip, with stunning scenery, not quite as arduous as the trip notes suggest. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The tranquility of seeing nearly nobody else apart from the group for 10 days on the river, with amazing views and stunning sunsets.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Amanda was a wonderful tour leader, easy going, relaxed and just made things happen and coping with the unexpected. She was also a great cook, and patient with those who had difficulty mastering the canoes.

   Teagan who was the assistant was also great.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  August wasn't too bad for mosquitos, apparently June and July trips were far worse. The trip notes talk about rubber (wellington) boots or neoprene boots for the wetter days. Our guide used knee length rubber boots and never had any problems. I used wetsuit boots and while my feet never got cold, if my feet got wet they never really got dry during the day. If I was to do the trip again I would go the rubber boot route and pick them up at the start of the trip.

  I am not a fan of camping in tents, so I took a hammock and was comfortable, with only two nights being more challenging to put up from a paucity of trees.

  As I had prepared by doing lots of swimming (to condition my shoulders, upper back and core muscles used when canoeing) I felt I could have paddled for a few more hours each day without problems.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  While the cooking on this trip was done on gas stoves, the guides encouraged us to light fires to keep the mozzies down, so you have the opportunity to light fires, chop up logs and if you are lucky fell dead trees, all of which is fantastic fun if you are that way inclined (which I was).

  The trip covers 400k over 10 days, however we came across a group of Canadian cadets who were doing a slightly shorter trip in 5 days, averaging 50% more distance than us each day so it could be harder. We started paddling about 10 to 10:30 every day, finishing at about 4 or 4:30 each day with plenty of breaks for rafting and long lunches, particularly on the later days - take the time to look around and enjoy the views while you are paddling.

  Other than loading and unloading the canoes, paddling and putting up and taking down the tents you can participate as much or as little as you want.

   
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  Louisa Richardson

  CLASSIC YUKON CANOE EXPEDITION

  

  Written July 2008

  A fantastic trip exploring the wilds of the Yukon by canoe in the company of a great bunch of people including the two excellent leaders. As a veteran of many a small group adventure holiday, this rates as one of the best I've done! 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Being immersed in the peace and tranquility of the Yukon for 10 days as we paddled down the river and wild camped along the way.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  We had two; a Group Leader plus assistant. Both were outstanding; calm, efficient, hard-working and great company. They also helped us improve our canoeing techniques as we went along (they must have been good as none of the canoes went over) and made us feel very safe. David and Kat also worked extremely hard to ensure that we were very well fed and produced a delicious meal every evening after setting up the kitchen in camp each night. As a vegetarian, I had expected that meals for me might not be that good; how wrong could I be! We were very fortunate to have them as our leaders.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Do have a think about your fitness before you embark on this trip. You don't need to be super-fit but you will be paddling for 4 or 5 hours on some days. Make sure you take wellington boots (as well as rafting sandals), and very good quality waterproof coat and trousers. Waterproof (neoprene) gloves are also useful. You should also take sun hat and maybe a long-sleeved shirt to protect yourself from the sun; it can get very hot!

  Don't worry about the bears; you will be given a full safety briefing and as long as you follow the rules, you will be fine. 

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  A brilliant trip for anyone who wants to get away from it all and doesn't mind being away from the normal creature comforts for a while. Wish I was back in my canoe right now!

   
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  Andrea Tattersall

  CLASSIC YUKON CANOE EXPEDITION

  

  Written July 2008

  A week after the trip I am still digesting it all. Discovery no. 1 is that Canadian people are the most friendly in the world. No. 2 the Yukon is the most beautiful part of the world and the only way to see it is from the river. It really does calm your soul.  

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Where do you begin on inspiration? Canoeing down a peaceful river in any weather is the most calming feeling ever. You are surrounded by the beauty of nature which is largely unspoiled. The further into the trip the more your worries get left behind.

  This trip takes a lot of team work as you have to set up and strike camp daily but everybody mucks in and somehow finds their talent and their role in this work. I can only think that is how the group, made up of people from all walks of like, gelled so well. I for one felt slightly bereft when the time came to say goodbye. 

  What did you think of your group leader?

  The group leader was amazing. He was so knowledgeable and passionate about the Yukon and canoeing. This was more than a holiday - it was a mini expedition where I learned about the countryside and landscape. The leader was a great canoe coach too. I had no experience of canoeing prior to this trip but his instructions have given me the confidence and desire to go off and do more.

  However, I can't really put into words how special both guides made this trip and what they added other than I doubt anybody could have done the job better.  

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Wellington boots were so useful but don't buy them at home, get them in Whitehorse as you will have time (and they are cheaper).

   If you aren't a regular camper 9 nights will feel like a long time, especially if the weather isn't always great. However, bear with it. The campsites later in the trip are much better and once you reach Dawson City, you will have a great sense of achievement. Also, don't forget that everybody is probably feeling the same and really looking forward to that hot shower at the end of the trip. 

  Don't overpack and you don't need a rucksack - so don't go out and buy one especially. You can empty your belongings into the large dry bag you get at Whitehorse and send your empty luggage up to Dawson or have it wait for you at Whitehorse. You don't need bin bags, matches (on the trip notes) but themals, waterproofs, woollen socks and hat are a necessity. Anything you haven't got can be bought locally in Whitehorse before you set off for Carmacks - and significantly cheaper than the UK too. 

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  SUMMARY OF THE TRIP ON TRIP NOTES - They really don't do the trip enough justice. Read up on the Klondike Gold Rush, the Yukon and Dawson before you leave as you will get more from the trip. The landscapes and skies are out of this world. Bring binoculars to see more of the wildlife - especially bears climbing the mountainsides. Read Jack London's Call of the Wild and White Fang too. There is a museum of sorts dedicated to him in Dawson.

   

  CAMPING - Early in the trip this is in woodland, so difficult unloading and unloading of canoes with all the supplies. Woodland camps are more sheltered and there are more places to find privacy when you need the loo.  However, the downside is that they are full of hungry mosquitos who will seize the moment when when they see your bare flesh, so stock up on repellant. The camps on gravel beaches are are amazing and the views from your tent are outstanding. If your guide suggests making a beach sauna towards the end of the trip - go for it! It is an amazing experience and if nothing else it will be the most cleansed you feel the whole trip, especially after you run into the river afterwards. 

   

   
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  Zoe E I Woods

  Wonderful scenery, so much space

  

  Written September 2007

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Learning to canoe on a big river with its currents

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  What did you think of your group leader?

  Brilliant, calm, patient, very able, great cook and a lovely person. Soon learnt english humor and words.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Do expect serious wild camping, some did not

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  The local operator should have sent two guides for a party of 11 with 6 canoes.

  Exodus should not have said there would be washing and laundry facilities, there are none.