Northern Adventures:
7-Day Teslin River Trip
by Boat & Canoe
Click on each photo to greatly enlarge it
This is the only trip offered by any guide that takes in the entire length of the Teslin River,
then up the Thirty Mile River into Lake Laberge (click here to see a map of the area).
The total distance is approximately 320 km (200 miles).
The Teslin, a tributary of the Yukon River, is noted for the beauty of
the scenery as it winds through several mountain ranges. In many places, it splits into numerous channels - the gravel bars on the resulting islands provide particularly good wildlife
viewing. Moose, caribou, bears and wolves are often seen, and the river is also home to a
large population of eagles.
This is a true wilderness river with many smaller rivers running into it,
adding to the variety of both scenery and wildlife.
There are many places to explore and hike along the entire route, including the
Gold Rush community of Mason's Landing and the 1898 telegraph line. For many years the Teslin
River was home to hundreds of miners who panned and sluiced the gravel bars for gold, and
interesting relics remain for those who know where to look. We'll stop and pan
for gold at Million Dollar Bar and see where the name came from!
Fishing, for Arctic grayling in particular, is great.
Many sections of the Teslin River are a canoeist's delight, and you may well
be inspired to do a little paddling on your own over the course of the trip. The canoes
that we carry are a joy to paddle.
Itinerary:
Day 1:
We will pick you up at your hotel in Whitehorse and depart approximately 11:00 a.m. for the village of Johnson's
Crossing (a 1½-hour drive).
First there will be visit to the well-known lodge to stock up on fresh baked
goods and eat a hearty lunch (explorers should never travel on an empty stomach!).
Then we launch the boat into the Teslin River. The next 4 days will be spent on the Teslin,
which is noted for its scenic campsites. Our schedule allows for lots of time to relax, explore,
fish and photograph this beautiful region.
Day 5:
We'll land at the nice sandy beach at Mason's Landing and explore the historic
community. After having lunch, we'll continue on to the Yukon River and the abandoned gold rush
era village of Hootalinqua, and will camp there.
Day 6:
Following a leisurely breakfast around the campfire, we'll explore the
pioneer buildings, and then drift downstream a short way to Shipyard Island, the final resting
place of the sternwheeler Norcom. She was pulled up onto the ways here and abandoned in
1918, but is in remarkably good condition still. We'll go on board and you'll become one of
the very select group of people who have walked the decks of a real paddlewheeler from the
Klondike Gold Rush of 1898!
We then head up the Thirty Mile section of the Yukon River, designated a
Canadian Heritage River because of its beauty and historic significance. After a day of
exploring gold rush era camps and possibly doing some hiking, we will camp on the shore of Lake
Laberge for the final night. Perhaps you'll go for an evening paddle, or catch one of the lake
trout this lake is noted for.
Day 7:
In the morning we'll explore the ghost town of Lower Laberge (another gold
rush community), then slowly make our way back to the dock some 20 miles down the lake. You may
choose to stay at the lake in our vacation home or cabin, or we'll transport you back to your
hotel in Whitehorse.
Rates:
$1,795 per person total for minimum 2 people. Discounts apply for groups and families - please inquire.
Prices are in Canadian dollars - to convert to your currency, click here.
Prices do not include 5% GST.
All food and non-alcoholic beverages are supplied.
We also supply the finest in wilderness
gear, including Woods tents, North Face sleeping bags and Therma-rest mattresses and pillows.
For information on what you need to bring with you on a trip with us, see our gear list.
Reserving a date for your Yukon adventure is easy - just contact us by email, phone
or regular post at the address below and let us know when you would like to go.
Click here for booking details.
