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2010
Tours of Northern Canada:
"Kluane
Backcountry Excursion" |
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Midnight Sun Adventure Travel
has partnered with Dalton Trail
Lodge to offer our clients a pre-tour wildlife observation package
in the heart of the Yukon Wilderness. This excursion, which has been designed
for Midnight Sun clients, is a great way to explore a remote part of the
Yukon and get a jump start on your northern vacation.
The four day package includes
a return shuttle to Whitehorse in time to check into your hotel, freshen
up, and meet the group and guide for your no-host dinner on Day 1 of the
Arctic Circle Wildlife Tour.
Accommodation at Dalton Trail
Lodge will either be in the main building or cabins. All rooms have a
private bath but do not have TV or phone. The main lodge offers a public
phone and a satellite TV and computer. Accommodation in Whitehorse will
be in a standard room at either the High Country Inn or the Town and Mountain
Hotel.
The Kluane Backcountry Excursion
must be booked at the same time you book your Arctic Circle Wildlife departure
and requires a minimum of two people for us to confirm your reservation
at the Lodge. Please go to our reservation
page and click on "Arctic Circle Wildlife Tour Package".
| Duration: |
4 days / 3 nights |
| Activity
Level : |
Easy to Moderate |
| Maximum
Group Size: |
8 guests |
| Accommodation: |
Three nights lodge with a Select
Canada rating of "4". |
| Meals: |
Three hot
buffet breakfasts, two lunches, and three dinners. |
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Tour Dates: |
This excursion can be arranged on
either side of your Arctic Circle Tour. Please see us about arrangements
in this regard.
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| Departs: |
Whitehorse, YT |
| Arrives: |
Whitehorse, YT |
| Price: |
$1,895
per person.
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| Included: |
- Experienced guide
- Transfers from lodge to Whitehorse
- Guided wildlife tours.
- Four nights accommodation
- Meals as listed
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| Not
Included: |
Gratuities, HST. |
| Optional
Activities: |
Fishing, canoeing and
jet boating. |
Kluane
Backcountry Excursion Itinerary
Whitehorse, YT, return
Day 1. Dalton Trail
Lodge, YT.
Clients are picked up at Whitehorse
Airport at 2:00 pm by the Dalton Trail Lodge shuttle. Civilization quickly
fades into the truck's rear view mirror as we head west. The lodge,
located a two hour drive from Whitehorse, sits on the edge of Kluane National
Park and overlooks Dezadeash Lake. We arrive shortly after 4:00 pm, in
time to stretch our legs before taking supper at 7:00 p.m. After dinner,
your guide will map out Day 2 with the group: the itinerary for this day
will depend on weather, the present movement of the wildlife and the physical
conditioning of group members.
Accommodation: Lodge
Included Meals: Dinner
Day 2 and Day 3:
Dalton Trail Lodge, YT.
These two days are set aside to
head into the bush and look for wildlife. After a hearty hot breakfast
buffet (which includes all the fixings for pack lunch) we depart the lodge
at 8:00 am. Areas we explore at least two of the following:
Kathleen Lake. We cruise the lake
for about one hour, looking for grizzly, black bear and moose. Anchoring
the boat at the trailhead to Kings Throne, we hike the trail to the top.
The trail, which has an elevation gain of 4,000 feet, affords a splendid
view of the lake (refer to our photo gallery) and provides opportunities
to sight Dall sheep and mountain goat. This six hour hike is steep
and is rated as moderate.
Alsek Valley. We travel by 4 x
4 truck to the trailhead into the Alsek Valley (about 45 minutes). When
the bush road ends, we begin our hike along the only major river flowing
from the Yukon to the Pacific Ocean. Over the previous four hundred years
several major ice flows have spilled out of the ice field ranges to intersect
and dam off the Alsek
River , obstructing its flow to the ocean. The lakes that were created
left their marks with fresh-looking driftwood and sandy beaches that rise
from the floor of the valley to a height of 300 feet. The Alsek Valley
is a great spot to watch for grizzly bear and dall sheep. Easy hiking
following an old bush road.
Mush and Bates Lake. We follow
an old mining road with 4 x 4 truck for about 1.5 hour to Mush Lake. Continuing
our trip with a motorboat to the west end of the Lake, we hike for two
hours to Bates Lake. This area offers excellent opportunities to
see moose, grizzly and black bear. The hike is rated as easy.
We arrive back at the lodge by
6:00 pm. Dinner is at 7:00 pm, after which we meet with our guide to review
the day and plan for Day 3.
Accommodation: Lodge
Included Meals on Day 2 and Day 3: Hot breakfast buffet, pack lunch and
dinner.
Day 4. Whitehorse, YT.
After breakfast, we take the
return drive to Whitehorse. We arrive early enough to time to check in
at our hotel and enjoy the afternoon and exploring Whitehorse.
Your guide for the Arctic Circle Wildlife Tour will meet you in in the
hotel dining room at 6:00 pm.
Accommodation: Whitehorse Hotel
Included Meals: Hot breakfast
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