Canada
Canada - Hiking and canoeing tour on the Wind River
Canada - Hiking and canoeing tour on the Wind River
Duration
15 days
Start/End
Whitehorse
Tour type
Group
Level
Demanding
Accommodation
Hotel, tent (wilderness camping)
Overview
A floatplane takes you to McClusky Lake, from where you paddle down the lively Wind River in a small group to the Peel River. Runnable class 2+ rapids, campsites at the foot of huge mountains and hikes from base camps – for advanced paddlers.
Crystal-clear, turquoise shimmering water, high alpine rock faces that reach right down to the river, and wildlife that you can only experience in complete isolation – the Wind River in the Mackenzie and Wernecke Mountains is one of the most beautiful wilderness rivers in the north. A floatplane will take you from Mayo to McClusky Lake, from where you'll paddle down the fast-flowing river in a small group. You'll navigate manageable rapids, pitch your tent at the foot of towering mountains, and set off from base camps on hikes into the magnificent mountain scenery. Dall sheep, mountain goats, caribou, wolves, beavers, and eagles – it would be unusual not to encounter any of them. Finally, the floatplane picks you up at the Peel River, and on the return flight, the entire valley lies at your feet once more.
Tour Code
Tour language
EnglishItinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Whitehorse
Hotel
Arrival of tour participants and group meeting in Whitehorse. Group briefing and introduction to the guide. Overnight stay at the tour hotel in Whitehorse.
Arrival in Whitehorse
Day 1
Hotel
Arrival of tour participants and group meeting in Whitehorse. Group briefing and introduction to the guide. Overnight stay at the tour hotel in Whitehorse.
Day 2
Whitehorse – Mayo – McClusky Lake
Tent
Flight approx. 1 hour
The journey begins with a minivan trip to the seaplane base in Mayo. From there, the flight continues to McClusky Lake on the upper reaches of the Wind River (flight time approximately 1 hour).
Whitehorse – Mayo – McClusky Lake
Day 2
Tent
Flight approx. 1 hour
The journey begins with a minivan trip to the seaplane base in Mayo. From there, the flight continues to McClusky Lake on the upper reaches of the Wind River (flight time approximately 1 hour).
Days 3–12
Paddling and hiking in the Wind River Valley
Tent
A short portage leads from McClusky Lake to a tributary of the Wind River. Over the next few days, you'll paddle through the canyons and valleys of the Wernecke Mountains in northern Yukon on the crystal-clear, turquoise Wind River. You'll navigate manageable rapids and set up your tent camps at the foot of magnificent mountain walls. From these base camps, you'll embark on hiking trips into the surrounding mountains. Due to its remoteness, this region offers exceptionally good opportunities for wildlife viewing. With a bit of luck, you might spot the rare Dall sheep, as well as wolves and caribou.
Paddling and hiking in the Wind River Valley
Days 3–12
Tent
A short portage leads from McClusky Lake to a tributary of the Wind River. Over the next few days, you'll paddle through the canyons and valleys of the Wernecke Mountains in northern Yukon on the crystal-clear, turquoise Wind River. You'll navigate manageable rapids and set up your tent camps at the foot of magnificent mountain walls. From these base camps, you'll embark on hiking trips into the surrounding mountains. Due to its remoteness, this region offers exceptionally good opportunities for wildlife viewing. With a bit of luck, you might spot the rare Dall sheep, as well as wolves and caribou.
Day 13
Peel River – Mayo
Hotel
Flight approx. 1.5 hours
Today, you will be picked up by floatplane at the confluence of the Snake and Peel Rivers and, after a breathtaking flight, will return to Mayo (flight time approx. 1.5 hours). Overnight stay at the tour hotel in Mayo.
Peel River – Mayo
Day 13
Hotel
Flight approx. 1.5 hours
Today, you will be picked up by floatplane at the confluence of the Snake and Peel Rivers and, after a breathtaking flight, will return to Mayo (flight time approx. 1.5 hours). Overnight stay at the tour hotel in Mayo.
Day 14
Mayo – Whitehorse
Hotel
Today's return transfer is by minivan, first along the Silver Trail and later via the Klondike Highway to Whitehorse. Overnight stay at the tour hotel in Whitehorse.
Mayo – Whitehorse
Day 14
Hotel
Today's return transfer is by minivan, first along the Silver Trail and later via the Klondike Highway to Whitehorse. Overnight stay at the tour hotel in Whitehorse.
Day 15
Departure from Whitehorse
Transfer to the airport or individual onward travel program. (As this is an expedition-style trip, short-notice changes to the itinerary are possible and at the discretion of the guide.)
Departure from Whitehorse
Day 15
Transfer to the airport or individual onward travel program. (As this is an expedition-style trip, short-notice changes to the itinerary are possible and at the discretion of the guide.)
Services
What's included
3 hotel nights in a double room (2 in Whitehorse, 1 in Mayo)
11 nights in a tent (2-person tents)
All meals during the canoe trip
Airport transfers in Whitehorse
Experienced guide throughout the entire trip
Seaplane from Mayo to McClusky Lake
Seaplane from Peel River to Mayo
All necessary transport (Whitehorse – Mayo – Whitehorse)
Tried and tested canoes
Complete cooking and camping equipment
5 – 10 participants
What's not included
Individual travel to and from the destination (we are happy to put together a suitable offer)
Travel insurance (we are happy to put together an individual offer)
Personal equipment
Visa and vaccinations, if required (eTA/ESTA for entry)
Tips
Meals in the hotels
Fishing licence
Personal extras
Character of the trip
Fitness
Demanding
Altitude
Low
Culture / nature
Pure nature
This expedition is designed for experienced paddlers: You have already undertaken camping and canoeing trips and can confidently steer a canoe. Since the Wind River consists primarily of Class 2+ whitewater with tight bends and occasional rapids, experience in river navigation and paddling techniques is recommended. In addition to paddling days, the program includes hikes from base camps into the surrounding mountains – sure-footedness and good physical condition for tours in trackless terrain are advantageous. The trip begins with a short portage carrying canoes and luggage. The camping trip lasts eleven nights in complete isolation, without any infrastructure. Helping out at the camp, flexibility in case of changing weather conditions, and team spirit are expected.
Dates and prices
Group dates
Optional
Single room/single tent supplement
€335.00
per person
Notes on the trip
Requirements
Basic knowledge of wilderness travel and canoe steering is required; the river is predominantly Class 2+ whitewater.
Notice
This is an expedition-style trip – short-term changes to the itinerary are therefore possible and at the discretion of the guide, for example in the event of changes in weather or water levels.
Group size
5-10 participants per session.
Notice in accordance with EU Directive 2015/2302:
This trip is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.