Pilot your own snowmobile across the ice of Fish Lake, along forested trails and into the grandeur of the Yukon’s Coast Mountains. Learn the safety needs of snowmobile operation and winter travel. Mush your team of huskies along the Takhini River and through the Ibex Valley. Take in the magical sight of the Aurora Borealis. Enjoy a beautiful winter wonderland and the bond that exists between you and your dogs. Photograph Yukon wildlife at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve and relax in the soothing waters of the Takhini Hot Springs.

Please note that this tour departs on Saturdays between 21 November 2009 and 20 March 2010, and then the following season on Saturdays between 20 November 2010 and 19 March 2011.

Whitehorse - City Tour, Yukon Wildlife Preserve, Takhini Hot Springs, Northern Lights Viewing.   Today we'll show you the capital of the Yukon and the surroundings to give you a first impression of this wonderful country: During the city tour you'll see the old train station of the White Pass & Yukon Route railroad, the Log Skyscraper, old Log Church and the paddle wheeler SS Klondike. We'll also show you some residential areas and we'll stop at the Visitors Reception Centre. On the way to the Takhini Hot Springs we'll stop at the Wildlife Preserve where you'll see most of the wildlife seen in the Yukon, such as Moose, Caribou, Bison, Dall Sheep, Big Horn Sheep, Musk Oxen and others. At the Takhini Hot Springs we have time for a leisurely swim in the hot waters. After a nice dinner we’ll pick you up at 9.30 pm for your first guided northern lights viewing tour. At around 2.00 am we’ll bring you back to your hotel.

Dog Sledding Tour.  Another highlight of this tour will be this full day dog sledding tour along the Takhini River and into the Ibex Valley west of Whitehorse. First we'll be introduced to the many dogs and instructions will be given about mushing and safety on the trail. Then we'll be assigned our team of from 4 to 6 dogs and off we go! We'll follow well prepared trails and our guides will make sure that we are always in control of our teams.

Lunch will be served along the trail when both, we and the dogs need a well deserved break. By late afternoon we'll return to the kennel for a mug of coffee or hot chocolate before we return to the hotel

Depending on the time of year you visit the Yukon the temperatures can be as cold as minus 45 degrees. In order to be safe and enjoy the outdoor activities, we strongly recommend the rental of winter clothing, unless you have good winter sport clothing at home that you are comfortable in. 

• Average temperatures at this time of winter are between -2° and - 24° Celsius / 28 to -31 degrees Fahrenheit, but extremes may be as low as -45° Celsius / -50 Fahrenheit. We ask you to bring adequate clothing to withstand these temperatures. You may buy winter clothing in Whitehorse or rent a clothing package from our Local Operator 

• This tour has many elements of an expedition and therefore changes in the itinerary due to weather and road conditions are a possibility. We explicitly reserve the right to adapt the tour itinerary.

• Canadian law requires that you sign a ‘release of claims and waiver of liability form’ prior to participating on this trip.

If you wish to rent clothing, please ensure that you have advised Kumuka in advance -  we will need to know your shoe size and body size; small, medium, large or extra large. 

Includes:

• Winter outerwear pants with inner fleece liner
• Winter outerwear jacket with inner fleece liner
• Winter boots (Sorel Glacier or similar)
• Insulated mittens
• Insulated headgear
• Price on request

Your passport is a valuable document and you should exercise care in keeping it safe. It should be valid for at least six months after the end of your tour and it must have at least one blank page for each visa required. We advise that you take photocopies of your passport in case of loss or damage. Alternatively, you can scan copies of these pages and email them to yourself so that you can access them if you happen to lose your passport whilst abroad and have to apply for a new one at your nearest Embassy.

If you wish to spend a few additional days in your starting or finishing city, then we can arrange accommodation for you. All our accommodation is carefully chosen, conveniently located, clean and comfortable. (All rates per person per night and subject to availability).

In North America tipping is a way of life and very much expected, as well as appreciated. For many, receiving tips is a means of supplementing their salary which is usually based on minimum wage. The standard amount in restaurants and bars is 15% of the total bill (please note that sales and service taxes are automatically imposed in some restaurants and bars).  Chambermaids usually receive $1 or $2 per night in a hotel, simply left on the bedside table.

It is also customary in North America to show appreciation of your Tour Leader by tipping him/her at the end of the tour.

Whilst on tour you will probably want to stay in touch with family and friends. There are several ways of doing this:

Mobile Phone – Before departing your home country check with your phone supplier to see if it compatible with the mobile phone networks in the countries that you are traveling to, and how much will it cost to use abroad.

Email – Internet Cafes are very cheap and popular, and you are sure to come across several during your tour. If you haven’t done so already, set up a free Google Mail, Hotmail, or Yahoo email account which you can then access from any computer. Internet Cafes will charge a nominal fee for using their computers. Within Europe some hotels charge a wifi connection fee and we cannot guarantee a wifi connection at all hotels we use.

Twitter – A method of communication that is rapidly gaining in popularity on the Internet especially amongst travelers. Twitter allows you to send short messages and update your friends and family with where you are on tour and what you are doing. Create your free account at http://twitter.com. Visit Kumuka’s page on Twitter at http://twitter.com/kumuka

Facebook – Very popular website that allows you to upload stories, get in touch with fellow travellers before and after your Kumuka tour, upload photos and videos to share with other travellers, your family and friends. To create a free account, go to www.facebook.com and then become a fan of Kumuka’s Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/Kumuka-Worldwide/26617121087?ref=ts

Postcards – The good ol’ fashioned postcard. But you will probably get home before the postcard does!

Under no circumstances are any illegal drugs allowed on any part of the trip. Anyone discovered in possession of any such drugs, will be asked to leave the tour immediately without question or refund.