Northern Lights & Winter Adventures in Northern Canada - 12 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Whitehorse (Yukon), Aurora Viewing Evening

Welcome to Northern Canada! You'll land in the remote city of Whitehorse, the Yukon province's capital and largest settlement, where your private driver will be waiting at the airport to take you to your accommodation. This charming and historic city has plenty of nooks and crannies to explore, so you'll hit the ground running—you only have six hours of daylight in the dead of winter, but you're here to see what the cold months are like this far north and there's a surprising amount of things to do in such a small place!

Start your adventures at the MacBride Museum to learn more about the history of Whitehorse during some of its most important eras, including the gold rush. Stroll through the Aurora Hall and its Northern Lights Icicle art installation or the Gold Rush Gallery. In total, the museum houses 40,000 objects. The historic SS Klondike is another important element of Whitehorse history and an interesting look at how settlers traveled up and down the Yukon River. 

Try to sneak in a nap this afternoon. Tonight is your very first opportunity to glimpse the aurora borealis dancing across the sky in colorful ribbons of light. You'll be picked up by private vehicle at 10 pm for a five-hour tour, driving deep into the countryside for your best chances at seeing this elusive phenomenon. Your guide knows just where to go, and while it'll be chilly, winter is prime time to witness the northern lights. 

Day 2: Ice Fishing & Snowshoeing Excursion, Soak in the Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs

Today is all about taking part in Canadian winter fun! With the help of a private guide, you'll cross a frozen lake with snowshoes, learning firsthand why this awkward footwear is ideal for covering long distances in heavy snow. After this brief workout, you'll venture onto the lake and arrive at a hole in the ice, carved out using an ice drill. Gather around this portal into a freezing, watery world and start your second phase of this winter excursion—ice fishing. If you're lucky, you might snag a fresh lake trout.

After your wilderness adventures this morning, warm up at the Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs. Previously known as the Takhini Hot Springs, the naturally occurring, mineral-rich water is channeled into the pools, including a large outdoor pool and several smaller, more private pools with temperatures ranging from 96.8°F (36°C) to 107.6°F (42°C). They use a combination of both Japanese and Scandinavian methods geared toward rejuvenating the body. The spa also offers saunas, steam rooms, cold pools, and meditation rooms, along with yoga classes and tasty treats at the Hot Rock Cafe.

Day 3: Ski Day at Mount Sima

Head to Mount Sima this morning for some fun on the slopes. With expansive views of the surrounding mountains and untouched winter landscapes, this is the premier winter sports area in Whitehorse. Even if you're not a seasoned skier or snowboarder, Mount Sima offers gradual hills and both private and group lessons. You'll find plenty of gear rentals at the shop, so don't worry about lugging any equipment along. For all your après ski needs, make a beeline for The Lodge to grab cocoa or a glass of wine at the full bar.

Because you're visiting in winter, you'll also have the opportunity to try out ice climbing. Choose between climbing the human-made Equinox Ice Towers at Mount Sima or heading out to one of the nearby frozen waterfalls. While the 40-foot (12 m) ice towers are fun, heading out on a waterfall ice tour where is extra fun! You'll try your hand at using ice axes and crampons to summit these behemoth pillars of ice and snow.

Day 4: Yukon Wildlife Preserve Tour, Dogsledding Excursion

Kick off your fourth day in the Yukon by seeking out animals on a wildlife safari in the Yukon Wildlife Preserve. You'll hop on a bus with your expert wilderness guide, who knows exactly where to find the creatures that call the preserve home. Keep your eyes peeled for a vast array of animals like the Arctic fox, wood bison, woodland caribou, moose, musk ox, and Canada lynx, among many others. Make sure to grab your camera, as there will be plenty of opportunities to test out your photography skills. 

This afternoon, continue your animal adventures by taking part in a centuries-old tradition—dogsledding. You'll be put in charge of your own dog team on this two-hour tour as you learn the ropes from a local guide, but ultimately, these canine companions know exactly what to do as you sit back and enjoy the ride. Watch as the frozen scenery passes you by, taking in the pristine wilderness and looking out for wildlife along the trail. Celebrate your status as a dogsledding pro with hot cocoa at the end and a chance to ask your guide any burning questions. 

Day 5: Visit the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Center

Today you'll get a glimpse of Whitehorse's First Nations heritage at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Center. Learn more about First Nations heritage and culture in Northern Canada, which spans across the Yukon, although the focus at KDCC is centered on the Kwanlin Dün peoples. Walk through the permanent exhibit, which features culturally important artifacts like clothing, artwork, instruments, ceremonial objects, and more. They also hold workshops and various programs throughout the year that help both visitors and residents connect with Kwanlin Dün culture.

If you want to continue your efforts to learn more about Whitehorse's incredible history, head over to the Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre. Here you'll discover the Yukon's First Nations history and scientific past through interactive exhibits like Beringia, which examines the Bering Strait and its significance, and The First People, where you'll learn about migration across the Bering Strait and North America's first human inhabitants. Round out your day in Whitehorse by stopping by Winterlong Brewing Co. for a craft beer.

Day 6: Day Trip to Northern Lights Resort & Spa

Today marks the halfway point of your trip to Northern Canada, and it's entirely focused on rest, relaxation, and seeing the northern lights! Head out to your chalet at the Northern Lights Resort & Spa this morning. While it's not hard to guess what these cozy retreats are great for by night, by day, you'll have the opportunity to relax at the spa, indulge in a delicious meal, and take part in activities like snowmobiling. Whether you decide to head back out into the cold or hole up for a massage and sauna session, today is sure to be all about rejuvenating both body and soul. 

Tonight, you'll have the chance to catch a glimpse of the aurora borealis. Grab a front-row view of the sky inside your glass chalet, which offers wraparound windows that surround the bed, so you don't even have to leave your room to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime light display. For a 4D view, head out to the front porch to experience completely unobstructed views of the northern lights dancing across the star-studded sky. 

Day 7: Excursion to Kluane National Park

Get back out into nature today as you discover more of Northern Canada's vast wilderness at Kluane National Park. This UNESCO-listed preserve boasts some of the most impressive scenery in the country, which is saying a lot considering its rugged western landscapes. Not only is Kluane National Park home to some of Canada's tallest mountains (including the tallest), it also has the world's largest non-polar icefields. Your guide will teach you all about the park, its wildlife, and impressive geologic features as you make the two-hour drive to its gates.

Your first stop on this excursion into Kluane National Park's remote landscapes is Kathleen Lake. It's here that you'll eat a delicious bag lunch in the presence of mind-bogglingly good views, even better reflected in the serene water. Next up is a hike to Rock Glacier, the best trail in the park, for an up-close look at the famous ice fields. Dive deeper into the culture of the Champagne and Aishik First Nations at the Indigenous Klushku Village and Da Kų Cultural Centre. Make the scenic drive back to Whitehorse this afternoon, reminiscing on the incredible vistas. 

Day 8: Fly to Yellowknife (Northwest Territories)

This morning, you'll hop a plane to an even more remote locale—the city of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories. After a two-hour journey, you'll land in this isolated outpost of about 20,000 people that sits right on the edge of the Great Slave Lake, the deepest lake in North America. Don't forget to take in the views over the barren and unpopulated landscapes along the way. 

You'll have the afternoon to get acquainted with this charming provincial capital. Despite its location in the remote Canadian wilderness, Yellowknife has a surprising amount of amenities and fun things to do. Kick off your first day by visiting the Bush Pilots Monument for beautiful views and to pay homage to the brave pilots who serve these isolated territories. Yellowknife is also known for its fresh fish, caught straight from the Great Slave Lake. Stop into Bullock's Bistro for their famous fish and chips, where you can try whitefish, cod, trout, or arctic char, all cooked to order.

Day 9: Self-Guided Tour of Yellowknife

Head out today on a self-guided tour of Yellowknife. As you probably noticed yesterday, Yellowknife isn't a big city by any means, and you can drive across town in less than 10 minutes. Make your first stop at Birchwood Coffee Co., a family-run café with delicious baked goods and craft coffees, to fuel up for your adventures around town. The Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Center is also a must-stop. You'll learn more about the culture, peoples, and landscapes of the Northern Territories here by exploring exhibits like the Taiga Gallery. 

Downtown Yellowknife is an artsy enclave with tons of funky galleries and emporiums to walk through. Pop into Down to Earth Gallery, Gallery of the Midnight Sun, or Aurora Emporium to search for a piece of art to take home that's been handcrafted by a local. If you're more of an outdoorsy type, head off to explore Cameron Falls. You can hike out to the impressive, frozen cascade via a 20-minute trail that winds its way through captivating winter scenery. Back in town, head to a local watering hole like NWT Brewing Company for a craft brew and delicious food options.

Day 10: Backcountry Snowmobile Excursion

This morning, head off on your first winter excursion in the Northwest Territories—snowmobiling through the wilderness outside Yellowknife. You'll get picked up from your accommodation and taken to the starting point for your adventure, bundling up in winter gear rated for well below freezing temperatures. Drive through pristine forests with beautiful views of the lake on this 1.5-hour excursion. There will be plenty of time to stop and take photos as you cut across the taiga landscapes. 

Head back to your accommodation to warm up, then hit the ground running again this afternoon. If you want to keep the winter adventures going, bundle up and head out on one of the city's trails, like Frame Lake Trail, or go cross-country skiing, a favorite method of transportation in this snow-covered town. You can also drive along one of the community's ice roads, only open from December to March, which connect the more remote outposts like Dettah, a Dene First Nation settlement. If you do decide to visit, you'll learn more about their way of life along the lake. 

Day 11: Aurora Borealis Evening Cabin Experience

Today is completely free to explore Yellowknife however you please. Whatever you decide to do, try to sneak in a nap somewhere in your busy schedule because tonight is the real star of the show! This is your last chance to see the aurora borealis in all its glory. Head out on a four-hour tour in a heated vehicle, taking you straight to your base for the evening, a cozy cabin in the woods. The cabin's location, just far enough outside the city center, provides unparalleled views of the northern lights. 

Yellowknife is one of the best places to see the northern lights in Canada, with the phenomenon visible for 240 nights of the year. As you wait for them to appear, your guide will let you in on local history and folklore about the aurora. The Cree people believed that this was a line of communication between their departed loved ones and those still left on earth. You'll also get the opportunity to try on traditional First Nations clothing. Around midnight, tuck into a mouthwatering meal of fish chowder and freshly baked bannock. 

Day 12: Depart Yellowknife

It's time to wave goodbye to Yellowknife and the Great White North. Hop in your private transfer and head to the airport to catch your flight home—or elsewhere. Safe travels!

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