Northern Lights & Winter Adventures in Whitehorse & Yellowknife - 9 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Whitehorse (Yukon), Safari in the Yukon Wildlife Preserve

Welcome to the Yukon! You'll land in the remote city of Whitehorse, the province's largest settlement and a former Klondike gold rush boom town, where your private driver will be waiting at the airport to take you to your accommodation. This charming and historic town has plenty of treasures to explore, so you'll hit the ground running—you only have six hours of daylight in the dead of winter. A great place to start is the MacBride Museum, where you can learn more about the history of the town's gold rush.

Later on, it's time to bundle up for a wildlife safari in the Yukon Wildlife Preserve. 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 safely capture a picture or two along the way. After the tour, stop by the Wildlife Research and Rehabilitation Center to learn more about their efforts to aid injured animals.

Day 2: Dogsledding Adventure, Aurora Viewing Excursion

Start your second day by partaking in a centuries-old tradition—dogsledding. You'll be put in charge of your own dog team and learn the ropes from a private 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. 

Afterward, try to sneak in a nap back at the hotel in preparation for tonight's adventures. At 10 pm, you'll bundle up and head out on a private, four-hour tour in search of your first glimpse of the northern lights. 

Day 3: Go Ice Fishing & Snowshoeing, Visit Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre

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 adventurous excursion—ice fishing. If you're lucky, you might snag a fresh lake trout.

This afternoon, you'll get a glimpse of Whitehorse's Indigenous history at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre. 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 exhibits, which feature culturally important artifacts like clothing and artwork. Tonight, you're headed back out in search of the aurora borealis. This time, you'll be whisked out to a heated cabin to hide out in with warm drinks and snacks while you wait for the verdant ribbons of light to appear in the sky. 

Day 4: Skiing at Mount Sima, Aurora Viewing Excursion

Don your warmest winter wear and 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 a mug of cocoa or a glass of wine at the full bar.

 

Tonight is your third evening dedicated to seeking out the northern lights. This time, you'll hop aboard a heated bus and drive out to another remote location that's ideal for catching a glimpse of the Arctic phenomenon. After you arrive at your destination, your guide will tell stories of the First Nations mythology and folklore about the northern lights as you watch the skies. You'll also learn about the science behind the aurora borealis and munch on delicious snacks and warm drinks to keep you satiated through the evening. 

Day 5: Full-Day Excursion to Kluane National Park

Day five is about exploring more of northern Canada's vast wilderness at Kluane National Park. This UNESCO-listed preserve is home to some of the country's most impressive scenery and its tallest mountains (including the tallest, Mount Logan), as well as the world's largest nonpolar icefields. Your guide will teach you all about the park, it's 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 spectacular views, even better when you glimpse them 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. Then, you'll dive deeper into the culture of the Champagne and Aishik First Nations at the Indigenous Klushku Village and Da Kų Cultural Centre. Sit back and enjoy the scenic drive back to Whitehorse this afternoon, reminiscing on the incredible vistas along the way.

Day 6: Spend the Day at the Northern Lights Resort & Spa

Spend your last day in the Yukon soaking up the beautiful scenery at the Northern Lights Resort & Spa. Upon arrival, 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 is one of your last chances to catch a glimpse of the aurora borealis. You'll have a front-row view of the sky at one of the glass chalets, which offer 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 of the chalet to experience the northern lights dancing across the star-studded sky. 

Day 7: Fly to Yellowknife (Northern Territories), Aurora Viewing Excursion

This morning you'll hop a plane to an even more remote locale—the town of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories. After a scenic two-hour flight with views over barren and unpopulated landscapes, you'll arrive in the wintry outpost that sits right on the edge of the Great Slave Lake, the deepest lake in North America. You'll have the afternoon to get acquainted with this charming little town—you might want to stop by the Bush Pilots Monument or grab fresh fish from a local diner. 

Tonight, you're back at it, looking skyward to see the northern lights again. If you didn't catch this celestial phenomenon in Whitehorse, you might have better luck in Yellowknife, as it sits even closer to the Arctic Circle and is considered one of the best places in Canada to do so. Your expert guide will pick you up from your accommodation for a four-hour excursion. The home base for the evening is a cozy—and warm—cabin nestled in the countryside. While you wait for the lights to appear, your guide will key you into local history, and you'll enjoy a midnight meal of fish chowder and fresh-baked bannock bread.

Day 8: Self-Guided Tour of Yellowknife, Backcountry Snowmobile Adventure

You might want to sleep in this morning after last night's northern lights adventure, but when you're ready, set out to start exploring your surroundings at your own pace. Yellowknife isn't a big city by any means, and you can walk across town in less than 30 minutes. Visit the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre to learn more about the First Nations culture and peoples of the Northern Territories. An artsy enclave, Yellowknife also has tons of funky galleries and emporiums, but if you're more of an outdoorsy type, head out to explore nearby Cameron Falls.

This afternoon, you'll set off on one last winter excursion, 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 that's rated for well below freezing temperatures. For 1.5 hours, you'll ride through heavy snow along the lake, taking plenty of photos and cutting across the beautiful taiga landscapes. 

Day 9: Depart Yellowknife

It's time to wave goodbye to Yellowknife and the rugged beauty of Canada's northern provinces. Hop in your private transfer and head to the airport to catch your flight home—or elsewhere. Safe travels!

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