Yukon Wildlife & Aurora Explorer Tour

How to spend three unforgettable nights in the Yukon, where the Gold Rush meets the Greatest Light Show on Earth.

Aspire Canada Tours invites you on a civilized adventure to Whitehorse. Includes flights, a stay at the Gold Rush Inn and a nightly quest for the Aurora Borealis.

Some say the Yukon is the last true frontier. It is a place where nature is still the boss, where the air is cleaner than anything you have breathed in years, and where the history of the Gold Rush is etched into every log cabin.

For many, the draw is the Northern Lights. And rightly so. Standing in the silent, frozen dark while ribbons of green and violet dance overhead is a spiritual experience.

But at Aspire Canada Tours, we believe a tour shouldn't rely on the whims of the weather. The Aurora is nature’s most elusive prize. That is why we have designed our Yukon Wildlife & Aurora Explorer (Fall 2026) to be a trip of a lifetime, even during the daylight hours.

At-a-glance

Multi-day journey, four days and three nights | Two dates: September 4 to 7, 2026 (Fri to Mon, Labour Day) and October 15 to 18, 2026 (Thu to Sun)
Guests: 25 | Difficulty: Easy
Start and end: Whitehorse, YT (YXY)
Included: Ground transfers in Whitehorse, three nights’ accommodation, escorted touring with an ACT tour conductor and local guide, admission to the MacBride Museum, including Sam McGee’s Cabin, and the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, one boxed lunch, and gratuities for both your tour conductor and local guide.
Optional round-trip gateway flights: Vancouver (YVR), Kelowna (YLW), Calgary (YYC), Edmonton (YEG)
Optional add-ons: Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs and a basic winter clothing package
Land-only pricing: Available, guests may arrange their own travel to Whitehorse (points, alternate routings, or added free days)

A journey of silence, wildlife, and celestial wonder. Look up. The sky is alive.

Here is what you can expect when you join us for four days in the North.

1. We don’t ask you to "rough it."

Adventure does not have to mean discomfort. Your journey begins with Air North, an airline that still remembers the Golden Age of travel. You will be served a light, complimentary meal, a rarity in today’s skies.

Upon arrival, we whisk you to the Best Western Gold Rush Inn. Located on Main Street, this hotel is comfortable, clean, and perfectly situated. You won't be camping in the tundra; you will be sleeping in comfort.

2. A pace that respects your energy.

We have designed this itinerary for the curious traveller who prefers a relaxed pace. There are no steep climbs or forced marches.

We take a short, flat stroll down Main Street to the MacBride Museum.
We visit the S.S. Klondike for photos of the great sternwheeler that once ruled the river.
We walk the gentle dunes of the Carcross Desert - yes, a desert in the Yukon.

3. The Ghosts of the Gold Rush.

You cannot understand the Yukon without understanding the madness of 1898. We take you to the actual cabin of Sam McGee, the man immortalized by the poet Robert Service.

In a moment of pure atmosphere, you will hear a reading of Service’s poetry right there on the site. As Service wrote: “There are strange things done in the midnight sun...” You will feel the history in the floorboards.

4. The Wildlife Guarantee.

While the lights are unpredictable, the wildlife is not. On Day 2, we take you to the Yukon Wildlife Preserve.

This is not a zoo. It is 700 acres of northern wilderness. From the safety and comfort of our tour vehicle (with stops for photos outside of the van), you may see Muskox, Moose, Elk, and the Canada Lynx. You will see the animals of the North in their natural element.

5. The Landscape of Legends.

On Day 2, we drive the Southern Lakes loop. This is widely considered one of the most scenic drives in North America.

We stop at Miles Canyon, with its stunning suspension bridge.
We visit Emerald Lake, famous for its startling turquoise colour.
We lunch at Marsh Lake, listening to the water lap against the shore.

6. The Hunt for the Aurora.

We have scheduled three consecutive nights of viewing (10:45 PM to 3:00 AM) to maximize your chances of seeing the lights. We take you away from the city lights to the dark sky territory.

If the lights appear, it is magic. If they don't, you will still experience the profound silence of the northern night, a peace so deep it rejuvenates the soul.

7. Everything is handled.

From your airport transfers to your boxed lunch from Air North on Saturday, Aspire Canada Tours (ACT) handles the logistics. Our Tour Conductor is there to ensure your only job is to soak in the "Spell of the Yukon."

How to book

Space for the Fall 2026 departures is strictly limited to ensure a small, intimate group. To reserve your seat on the Yukon Wildlife & Aurora Explorer, please contact...

High-Level Itinerary

4 days, 3 nights in Whitehorse

Day 1, Arrive in Whitehorse
Arrival day
Arrive from select Air North gateway airports and settle into the Gold Rush Inn.

7:00 p.m. Meet your tour conductor at the Gold Pan Saloon.

Enjoy free time to get oriented before a late-evening Northern Lights viewing excursion.

Aurora viewing: evening departure, late-night program

Day 2, Whitehorse sightseeing and Aurora viewing
11:00 a.m. MacBride Museum and Sam McGee’s Cabin
1:30 p.m. Whitehorse and area sightseeing begins

Begin with a visit to the MacBride Museum and Sam McGee’s Cabin. After lunch, explore Whitehorse and nearby highlights, which includes a city tour and the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, plus an optional add-on visit to Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs.

10:45 p.m. Northern Lights viewing excursion

Day 3, Yukon Southern Lakes touring and Aurora viewing
11:30 a.m. Yukon Southern Lakes day tour begins

Travel through some of the Yukon’s most scenic southern landscapes on a full-day excursion with a boxed lunch included. Highlights include Miles Canyon, Marsh Lake, Tagish, Carcross, Carcross Desert, Bennett Beach, and Emerald Lake. Return to Whitehorse in the late afternoon or early evening.

10:45 p.m. Northern Lights viewing excursion

Day 4, Depart Whitehorse
Departure day
Enjoy free time in Whitehorse before your airport transfer and return flight to your gateway city.

Two optional add-ons to enhance your expedition

To make your northern journey even more comfortable, we offer two optional experiences you can add to your itinerary.

couple soak in the Japanese onsen-inspired Eclipse Pool at Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs YG_TC_20220910_6859

1. Soak in the healing waters of Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs.

Many travellers believe the Yukon is entirely frozen. They are mistaken. Just 20 minutes from Whitehorse lies Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs, one of the most visited locations in the territory.

This is not a crowded public swimming pool. Recently rebuilt, the facility features Japanese onsen style pools lined with natural rock. Because the pools use pure, unchlorinated mineral water, Eclipse operates strictly as an adult-only (18+) facility dedicated to deep relaxation. You will not find splashing children; in fact, talking on cell phones is not permitted to preserve the peaceful atmosphere.

Instead, you are invited to experience the rejuvenating "Nordic cycle":

First, you warm your body in the hot springs, which flow naturally at 385 litres per minute at a soothing 42°C (108°F).
Alternatively, you can breathe deeply in the eucalyptus-infused steam room or relax in one of the two cedar saunas.
Next, you stimulate your circulation with cold hydrotherapy by using a cold shower, plunging into cold water, or even rolling in the winter snow.
Finally, you rest on heated loungers in the Relax Centre, listening to nature sounds and music created by Yukon musician Mathew Lien.

2. Leave your bulky winter clothing at home.

A common anxiety among prospective travellers is how to pack for the Subarctic. They worry about spending hundreds of dollars on heavy gear they will only wear once. We have solved this problem.

We have partnered with The Base Yukon to offer a professional-grade "Basic Package" of winter clothing rentals. This is not standard ski wear; it is expedition-quality equipment tested to keep you comfortable and safe in extreme conditions, rated down to -40°C.

The Basic Package provides five essential items:

An 800-fill power down jacket of world-class quality.
Down pants with a triple-layer construction to keep the icy wind out and the warmth in.
Fully waterproof snow boots, rated to withstand temperatures of -40°C.
Heavily insulated mitten gloves to protect your hands from the chill.
A proper winter beanie.

Best of all, you do not need to haul this gear through the airport. The Base Yukon provides free delivery and pick-up of your rental package directly to our group's hotel. You simply provide your measurements in advance, and your freshly cleaned gear will be waiting for you when you arrive.

Whitehorse climate averages

Month	Typical daytime temperature in Whitehorse	Typical late-night temperature for aurora viewing, 10:45 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.	Packing guidance
August	16°C to 21°C	6°C to 10°C	Light layers, long pants, closed shoes, fleece or light insulated jacket. A light hat is useful on cooler nights.
September	9°C to 15°C	1°C to 6°C	Sweater or fleece, insulated jacket, gloves, toque, warm socks, closed footwear.
October	-1°C to 9°C	-7°C to 2°C	Winter layers, insulated coat, gloves, toque, scarf or neck warmer, warm socks, insulated footwear.

Air North baggage allowance

For guests travelling on Air North’s Boeing 737 service, your fare includes one carry-on bag, one personal item, and two checked bags. The maximum carry-on size is 54 x 22 x 38 cm, and the personal item should not exceed 41 x 15 x 33 cm. Each checked bag may weigh up to 23 kg (50 lb), with maximum linear dimensions of 157 cm (length + width + height).

Additional, oversized, or overweight baggage may be subject to Air North’s current fees and is accepted subject to aircraft space and weight limits. Guests travelling with special items should review Air North’s baggage policy before departure.