Welcome to the Yukon! We'll meet you at the airport and drive you directly to Carmacks via the Klondike Highway. There you'll meet your guide and the rest of the group, some of whom have already paddled the first section of the river from Whitehorse. In the evening, we'll discuss the itinerary, safety procedures, and responsibilities for the next thirteen days.

Our campground is located right on the Yukon River. We'll set off early this morning and start with a crash course in paddling a Canadian canoe. Pay close attention, as the Five Finger Rapids are not far from the put-in. These are the only real rapids on the river and are easily manageable. With the help of your guide, you'll have no trouble navigating the standing waves. As we continue paddling, steep banks and high cliffs dominate the landscape. After three days on the river, Fort Selkirk is a real highlight. If time allows, the group could spend an extra day at this well-preserved trading post. The site is still actively used by hunters and trappers of the Selkirk First Nation, who are friendly and fascinating hosts. With its carefully restored historic buildings, this tranquil village feels as close as you can get to paddling back in time. The remaining campsites are mostly located on gravel bars and offer sweeping views of the wide river valley. Bears, moose, and eagles are frequently spotted here. At several points, there is the opportunity to hike up to viewpoints at the mouths of larger streams, and huts and relics of mining activities appear more and more frequently as we venture into areas with gold-bearing streams and tributaries, eventually ending at Dawson City at the mouth of the Klondike River.

After more than a week on the river, we arrive in the colorful boomtown of Dawson City. The city grew almost overnight during the Klondike Gold Rush, becoming the largest city west of Winnipeg and north of Seattle. Designated a National Historic Site, many of its buildings have been restored with faux facades and historic houses, allowing the city to retain its frontier charm. During the long days of the subarctic summer, Dawson thrives on festivals, live music, and contemporary art. We will spend two nights in a hotel in the city center, giving you ample time to explore the city and the surrounding historic sites.

Today you have the whole day to experience Dawson City. The program includes a visit to the Gold Bottom Mine. A guided tour of this still-operating gold mine will give you an insight into the history of Dawson's famous goldfields and show you how today's family-run mines continue to search for the precious metal. You'll also have the opportunity to try your luck at panning for gold. We could also visit Bonanza Creek, the site of the great gold discovery and home to the restored Bucket Wheel Dredge #4. The rest of the day is yours to explore the city at your leisure. Depending on time and the group's interests, we might visit the cabins of Jack London and Robert Service, the Dawson City Museum, the Danoja Zho Cultural Centre, or take a walk to the city's many historic sites. We'll also drive to Midnight Dome, the mountain that overlooks the town, from where you can see Dawson City, the goldfields, the distant Ogilvie Mountains, and the river we just traveled on in a breathtaking panorama. We'll end the evening with a visit to Dawson's famous casino, Diamond Tooth Gertie's.

We return to Whitehorse by van via the Klondike Highway. En route, we stop at a lookout point to admire the Five Finger Rapids one last time. Afterwards, we continue to Whitehorse, where we spend our final evening together enjoying a relaxed dinner and a last night in a comfortable hotel.

Transfer to Whitehorse airport.