Yukon Wildlife & Aurora Explorer Tour
A four-day escorted journey to Whitehorse, where Gold Rush history meets the aurora borealis.
Aspire Canada Tours invites you on a thoughtfully planned Yukon journey to Whitehorse, the capital city of Canada’s Yukon Territory, with fully escorted touring, three nights at the Gold Rush Inn, and three consecutive evenings to watch for the aurora borealis. Return flights are included from your choice of Vancouver, Kelowna, Calgary, or Edmonton, so you can join from the gateway that suits you best.
The Yukon has a distinct character, shaped by wide landscapes, Gold Rush history, and the long autumn nights of the North. For many travellers, part of the appeal is not only the scenery, but the sense of story, folklore, and atmosphere that comes with travelling north of 60.
For others, the draw is the Northern Lights, and rightly so. Standing in the silent, cool dark while ribbons of green and violet dance overhead is a striking northern moment.
But at Aspire Canada Tours, we believe a tour should not 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 rewarding even during the daylight hours.
Three nights planned for reasonable viewing opportunity
Wildlife, Gold Rush history, and Yukon landscapes beyond the aurora
Air North gateways, Whitehorse base, and escorted touring
Headline photo: Green aurora curtains sweep across the night sky above Whitehorse, while the lights of the city reflect in the still waters of the Yukon River below.
At-a-glance
Dates:
September 4 to 7, 2026, Friday to Monday, Labour Day
October 15 to 18, 2026, Thursday to Sunday
Duration: 4 days and 3 nights
Start and end: Your selected gateway airport, Vancouver (YVR), Kelowna (YLW), Calgary (YYC), or Edmonton (YEG)
Pace and mobility: Easy. This journey is designed with comfort in mind. Walking is limited overall, and at most sites you can choose the amount of walking that suits you. The main walking route is between the hotel and the MacBride Museum, approximately 1.1 km round trip on flat, level ground through downtown Whitehorse. Guests should expect up to 45 minutes of standing at the museum. Some aurora viewing locations may have uneven ground and limited lighting, so you should be comfortable walking with care in the evening. You may also choose to skip an aurora-viewing evening if you prefer. Regular washroom breaks are provided throughout the tour.
Accessibility: This tour is not wheelchair accessible at this time.
Group size: 25 guests, accompanied by one Aspire Canada Tours tour conductor and two local guides.
Included: Round-trip airfare from your selected gateway aboard Air North, Yukon’s Airline, with generous baggage allowance, warm inflight hospitality, and a light meal; ground transfers in Whitehorse; three nights’ accommodation; escorted touring with an Aspire Canada Tours tour conductor and two local guides; admission to the MacBride Museum, including Sam McGee’s Cabin; admission to the Yukon Wildlife Preserve; one boxed lunch; and gratuities for your Aspire Canada Tours tour conductor and local guides.
Optional add-ons: Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs and a basic winter clothing package
Dietary requests: Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free requests can usually be accommodated for bookings made at least 14 days in advance.
Who this is best for: This tour is designed with adults in mind, though mature teens tend to enjoy it equally well based on the operator’s experience. Teens 16 and up are welcome at parents’ discretion, keeping in mind the late-night viewing schedule.
October operational note: Some sightseeing stops may vary due to seasonal road access.
1. We don’t ask you to "rough it."
Adventure does not have to mean discomfort. Your tour begins with Air North, where a light meal and warm inflight hospitality help set a welcoming tone from the start.
On arrival, we transfer to the Best Western Gold Rush Inn, your comfortable base on Main Street in downtown Whitehorse for the next three nights. It is a practical, well-located place to rest between sightseeing days and late-evening aurora outings.
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 rushed days.
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We take a short, flat stroll down Main Street to the MacBride Museum.
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We include time along the Yukon River waterfront, where the river corridor and Gold Rush setting help place Whitehorse in context.
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We enjoy easy step-out stops during the Southern Lakes day, including time for photographs and fresh air as conditions allow.
3. The legacy of the Gold Rush.
The Klondike Gold Rush still shapes how the Yukon is understood today. It brought profound change and disruption to First Nations communities whose presence, governance, and history in this region predate that period by thousands of years. During our museum visit, a MacBride Museum representative helps place this history in broader context.
You then visit Sam McGee’s Cabin and hear a short reading from Robert Service, adding a literary dimension to Whitehorse’s story. As Robert Service wrote, “There are strange things done in the midnight sun...”
Arctic fox
Canada lynx
Wood bison
These photographs were taken at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve near Whitehorse, where your visit offers a meaningful opportunity to see northern wildlife in a spacious natural setting.
4. Meaningful wildlife viewing by day.
While the aurora is elusive, subject to weather and sky conditions, your second day adds a worthwhile daytime wildlife element at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve.
This is a large Yukon setting designed for interpretive enjoyment as much as sightseeing. From the comfort of our tour vehicle, with step-in and step-out opportunities for fresh air and photographs where appropriate, you have a reasonable opportunity to look for northern species such as arctic fox, Canada lynx, wood bison, muskox, moose, and elk. It is a comfortable, measured way to engage with Yukon wildlife during the day.
Picture: Along the Southern Lakes route, you arrive at Emerald Lake, one of the day’s most memorable stops, known for vivid green tones that feel especially at home on an aurora journey.
5. The Landscape of Legends.
On Day 3, we follow the Southern Lakes route through some of the Yukon’s most distinctive landscapes. Part of the day takes us along the storied Alaska Highway, one of the North’s most recognised travel routes and a defining feature of the Yukon itself.
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Where seasonal access allows, you visit Miles Canyon, known for its dramatic water and canyon views.
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You also visit Emerald Lake, known for vivid green tones that feel especially well suited to an aurora tour.
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We continue to Marsh Lake, Jakes Corner, Tagish, and historic Carcross, with time for short stops and photographs along the way.
6. The Hunt for the Aurora.
We have scheduled three consecutive nights of viewing, from 10:45 p.m. to 3:00 a.m., to give guests a reasonable opportunity to see the aurora. Each evening takes you away from the city lights into darker sky territory better suited to viewing.
If the lights appear, the moment is memorable. If they do not, guests still have the chance to experience the quiet, darkness, and distinctive atmosphere of a northern night.
7. Everything is handled.
From your airport transfers to your Southern Lakes excursion boxed lunch, Aspire Canada Tours (ACT) handles the details throughout the journey. Your ACT tour conductor is there to help keep the trip running smoothly, so you can focus on the northern sky, the changing light, and the quiet character of the Yukon.
High-Level Itinerary
4 days, 3 nights in Whitehorse
Day 1, Arrive in Whitehorse
Arrival day
Arrive from your selected Air North gateway and settle into the Best Western Gold Rush Inn.
The Gold Rush Inn sits on Main Street in downtown Whitehorse. Stretch your legs, browse the shops and cafés, stroll to the Yukon River waterfront, or simply settle in and enjoy a slower pace. There is no set agenda that afternoon. That is intentional.
7:00 p.m. Meet your tour conductor at the Gold Pan Saloon, located off the Gold Rush Inn's lobby
10:45 p.m. Northern Lights viewing excursion
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, including a city tour and the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, plus the option to add a 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. Planned highlights include Marsh Lake, Tagish, historic Carcross, Carcross Desert, Bennett Beach, and Emerald Lake. Where seasonal road and site access allow, the day includes Miles Canyon. Routing may vary on the October departure.
10:45 p.m. Northern Lights viewing excursion
Day 4, Depart Whitehorse
Departure day
Enjoy some free time in Whitehorse before your airport transfer and return flight to your gateway city.
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1. Relax in the mineral pools of Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs.
Located 20 minutes from Whitehorse, Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs offers a quiet, adults-only retreat for guests aged 19 and up. Recently rebuilt, the facility pairs Japanese onsen-style design with natural rock, mineral water, and a setting created for deep rest.
Guests who choose this add-on should allow approximately 2.5 hours for the visit. Round-trip ground transfer between our group’s hotel and the hot springs is included. The atmosphere is centred on quiet soaking and the Nordic cycle. It is calm, orderly, and intentionally protected, with cell phones generally kept in lockers and used only in designated areas.
The Nordic cycle includes:
- Begin in the hot mineral pools, letting the warmth ease tired muscles and settle you into the rhythm of the experience.
- Continue the warming phase in the eucalyptus-infused steam room or in one of the cedar saunas.
- Then revive circulation with cold hydrotherapy, whether by taking a cold shower, using the cold plunge, or, in winter, stepping into the snow.
- Finish in the Relax Centre on heated loungers, accompanied by nature sounds and music by Yukon musician Mathew Lien.
2. Leave your bulky winter clothing at home.
A common concern among prospective travellers is how to pack for cool night temperatures in Yukon. Many worry about buying heavy gear they may use only once. We have addressed that issue.
Through The Base Yukon, we offer a professional-grade basic package of clothing rentals. This is not standard ski wear. It is expedition-quality equipment designed to help keep guests comfortable and safe.
The Basic Package, suited for evening fall temperatures, provides five essential items:
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An 800-fill power down jacket of professional-grade quality.
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Down pants with a triple-layer construction to keep the icy wind out and the warmth in.
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Fully waterproof snow boots, rated to withstand temperatures of -40°C.
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Heavily insulated mitten gloves to protect your hands from the chill.
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A proper winter beanie.
You do not need to haul this gear through the airport. The Base Yukon delivers the rental package to our group's hotel and collects it there at the end of the rental period. You simply provide your measurements in advance, and your freshly cleaned gear will be waiting for you when you arrive.
Pricing
How to book
Use the options below to begin your booking or review the waiver and booking terms before reserving your seat. The booking button opens our secure online booking system in a new window, where you can select your preferred departure date.
Four days in the Yukon can leave you with more than photographs. They can leave you with a stronger sense of the North, its wildlife, and the quiet drama of aurora season.
September 4 to 7, 2026, and October 15 to 18, 2026.
Please read the waiver and booking terms before reserving your place.
Travellers in the same reservation may choose different gateway airports. For example, one guest may depart from Vancouver and another from Calgary. Guests may also choose a no-flight option if they prefer to book their own flights or redeem reward points. Pricing for alternative air arrangements will be quoted during the online booking process.
Prefer to speak with us before booking? Contact Aspire Canada Tours and we will be pleased to help.
A deposit of $350 CAD per person is due at the time of booking.
Final payment is due 60 days before the tour.
Travel insurance recommendation: Appropriate travel insurance is strongly recommended to help protect your payments if your plans change unexpectedly. Because this tour involves advance supplier commitments, the deposit is non-refundable, and final payment made within 60 days of the tour is also non-refundable. Full details are set out in the waiver and booking terms.
Travel agent bookings
If you prefer to work with a travel advisor, this tour may also be booked through your travel agent. Travel agents are welcome to contact Aspire Canada Tours for product details, availability, and booking support.
Whitehorse climate, packing, wildlife viewing and photography guidance
Weather in the Yukon can vary. These averages are provided as a practical guide for packing.
Air North baggage allowance
| Baggage type | Included | Maximum size | Maximum weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carry-on bag | 1 | 54 x 22 x 38 cm | Must be light enough for the guest to place in the overhead bin unassisted |
| Personal item | 1 | 41 x 15 x 33 cm | Must fit under the seat in front of you |
| Checked bag | 2 | 157 cm linear dimensions maximum, length + width + height | 23 kg, 50 lb, per bag |
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.
Learn more on Air North’s baggage and carry-on page.
Connecting flights to Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
If you are travelling from an airport outside our Air North gateway network, we recommend connecting through Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Connecting flights to and from YVR are not included in the tour price and may be booked independently.
You may compare fares using Google Flights. Before booking, please review the baggage transfer and through-check table below, as baggage handling arrangements vary by airline.
Baggage transfer and through-check
| Airline | Baggage transfer / through-check | Conditions / notes |
|---|---|---|
| Air Canada | Yes | Available for most same-day domestic connections. This is handled through a domestic baggage transfer agreement and Air Canada through-check exemption. Minimum connection time: 75 minutes. |
| Alaska Airlines | Yes | Available for most same-day connections before midnight local time. Minimum connection time: 120 minutes. |
| Condor | Yes | Available for same-day connections before midnight local time. Arrival and departure dates must match. Minimum connection time: 2 hours. |
| Philippine Airlines | Yes | Available for same-day connections before midnight local time. Arrival and departure dates must match. Minimum connection time: 90 minutes. |
| WestJet | Yes, with conditions | Available for same-day connections before midnight local time only when both flights are booked on the same ticket or itinerary. If booked separately, baggage is not automatically tagged through. Minimum connection times: domestic 75 minutes, transborder 2 hours, international 2 hours. |
Baggage transfer and through-check arrangements are subject to airline procedures and minimum connection times. Guests should review the current Air North guidance before booking independent connecting flights.
Learn more on Air North’s baggage and carry-on page.