Canada As You Like It Blog
For something ‘North of Ordinary’, look to the Yukon
- by Windows on the Wild and Travel Yukon
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- 04 Oct, 2018
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Covering an area about the size of Spain, with a population of just 40,000 (or so), more than 80% of the Yukon is wilderness. But it’s still easy to reach, with access by land, sea and air. Major airlines offer daily flights from the UK. Several cruise lines and the comprehensive ferry system serve neighbouring Alaska. And historic, scenic highways lead from British Columbia, Alberta and Alaska with hotel or camping options along the way.
All year long the Yukon has spectacular skies: the magical midnight sun in summer and clear starry nights with northern lights (early autumn through to early spring)! Every season offers rich cultural experiences, stunning scenery, and its own unique wildlife viewing.
1. Yukon’s 11 iconic highways rank among the world’s premier driving adventures. With over 3,000 miles of scenic roadway, road-trippers will be enchanted by the Yukon’s stunning, unspoiled wilderness
2. From bears to lynx, wildlife abounds in a land where there are more moose than people
3. Whitehorse, Yukon’s capital, boasts plentiful boutiques, galleries, festivals and a lively arts scene
4. Visitors marvel at the magnificent aurora borealis (northern lights) - visible late August to April
5. From November through March, this is a winter wonderland, where visitors enjoy dogsledding, snowmobiling, ice fishing and snowshoeing
6. From May through July, the splendour of the Midnight Sun is a treat to behold
7. The Klondike Gold Rush boasts larger-than-life history and memorable characters. Visitors discover the past and more in Dawson City
8. The living heritage of Yukon First Nations peoples is thriving here – and offers guests a glimpse into ancient and honoured traditions
9. Yukon is an adventurer’s paradise – where novices and experts alike can canoe, kayak, hike, bike, fish, and camp - without the crowds
10. Flightseeing tours in Kluane National Park offer the chance to soar over Canada’s highest mountain peaks, and some of the largest icefields on the planet
There are so many ways to spend time in the Yukon, here are a few sample itineraries. Among the most popular are:
Yukon Explored- 14n – Touring and Hiking itinerary from £2825 per person including flights, car hire and accommodation.
Canoeing the Yukon's Rivers - 6n – from £875 per person including two nights in Whitehorse on room only, canoes and camping equipment, all overland transportation, all meals on the canoe trip, expert guidance on the entire trip.
Husky Adventures in the Yukon - 9n – from £2450 per person including accommodation, transfers from and to Whitehorse, meals, use of personal sled and 3 to 6 Huskies, winter boots.Trekking the Chilkoot Trail- 6n – from £1355 per person including transfers, first and last night in hotel in Whitehorse, transportation by van to Skagway and Dyea, sightseeing in Skagway, flight by float plane from Lake Bennett to Whitehorse, all meals on the trail including non-alcoholic beverages, all equipment, Chilkoot park fees and licences, local driver and guide.
Call us on 020 8742 8299 for more information.
In the northwest of Canada where eighty percent of the area
is wilderness, lies the Yukon. With friendly locals, wildlife to observe,
activities to immerse yourself in and fascinating history to explore, this destination makes
for the perfect fly-drive holiday.
Lace up your boots and hit the back country. With trails at your doorstep for exploring, hiking is the best way of seeing the province on a fly drive holiday. There are areas suitable for all levels of hiking, from the congenial leisure walk to the avid hiker. Head to Saskatoon at the Meewasin Valley, this area offers over 105 km of trails across 67 square km of land. It provides year-round adventure and sightseeing opportunities in the heart of beautiful Saskatoon. Benefit from the well-maintained, multi-use pathways to cycle, jog or walk the scenic riverbank trails. Sections of the Meewasin Trail are also part of the Trans Canada Trail which extends almost 24,000 km across Canada from coast to coast. Keen for a challenge? Look at some of the best back country hiking at places like Prince Albert National Park, Lac La Ronge, Meadow Lake- and Narrow Hills Provincial Park in the north or Grasslands National Park and Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park in the south.
With three different water ways and an UNESCO heritage site, Ottawa is the place to explore. Take a trip down the Rideau Canal or explore the ByWard market. Walk along Parliament Hill and through acres of woodland and royal trees planted by dignitaries.
Imagine swimming thousands of miles to find that special someone. Whales complete this every single year, known as a whale migration, to find suitable habitat for feeding and reproducing. In British Columbia, these stunning orcas, also known as killer whales, are a prominent site and seeing them is a once in a lifetime experience. As well as orcas, expect to find humpback whales, grey whales and minke whales. These amazing creatures call BC their home from April to October. When the sun is out the whales come to play. From tail flukes to pectoral slaps, go for a whale watching trip and you can bask in their playful nature and enjoy the sunset with a relaxing drink, perfect for families and solo travellers. You can also go paddleboarding with orcas for a unique perspective from the water to see these magnificent creatures. You must, of course, always keep four hundred metres away from them for their safety and yours.
Welcome to the province of Saskatchewan, Canada – a place of breath-taking landscapes, wide-open spaces and hospitality that is second-to-none. This province is big – 651,900 km2, in fact, and has nearly 100,000 lakes and waterways. Natural beauty is not the only thing this province is known for though. Join us on a culinary journey of Saskatchewan, where food and drink abound, and you will find something good to eat around every corner!
Welcome to the fourth largest province in Canada. With five National Parks and six UNESCO Heritage sites, Alberta is a wonderful and varied place to visit. This blog will explore this great province and expose you to the unique qualities that make this area a location sure to be your next travel destination. A playground for outdoor adventure, popular summer activities include hiking, biking, horse riding, rafting, and fishing. As the seasons change and snow begins to fall, head to Alberta for world-class winter activities including skiing, snowboarding, dogsledding, snowshoeing, heli-skiing, ice climbing and more. From wildlife in the Rockies to Waterton Lakes National Park, and art and culture to explore, Alberta is a wonderland packed with options for every traveller.
Atlantic Canada is famous for its fresh and abundant seafood, from succulent lobster, to scallops, mussels, oysters and cod – but it offers so much more. Dine at a seaside restaurant, take a stroll through a local farmers' market, or take in one of the many culinary festivals. It’s truly a foodie’s paradise.
Here's a round up of a few amazing foodie events and experiences that we thought you might want to try:
Head to Northern Manitoba for a wild and exciting trip. Waterways provide refuge to an abundance of wildlife and the land holds the stories of Indigenous peoples.
Bear viewing
Reconnect with nature in BC and experience spectacular wildlife viewing in stunning landscapes.
Search for grizzly bears, black bears and the rare spirit bear in pristine river valleys in the Great Bear Rainforest. Spot whales, porpoise, sea lions and much more while exploring the Great Bear Sea.
Cubs emerge from their dens in early spring and by August they will be sniffing the beginnings of the great salmon run. Autumn is a feeding frenzy for wildlife. Eagles, seals, sea lions, wolves, whales and bears fill up on salmon for the long winter ahead.
Situated 70 kilometres north of Campbell River, and accessible by floatplane, Glendale Cove is home to one of the largest concentrations of grizzly (brown) bears in BC. In the peak autumn season when the salmon are returning to the river, it’s not uncommon for guests to see up to 40 bears from the viewing platforms. In spring and summer bear viewing is done from the water for a good view of the bears feeding and this is often the best time to see small cubs.