Overview
Join our expedition boat tour on the Yukon River, immersed in the golden hour of the Midnight Sun. Experience the river’s haunting atmosphere—profound silence cloaking the wilderness, pierced only by soft ripples. The magical light casts a timeless glow, making you feel like a time traveler amid untouched splendor. Navigate braided channels and visit a serene island, where we gather around a crackling fire, sipping hot beverages under the luminous sky. Soak in the quiet majesty of cliffs and vast horizons. This tour blends adventure, introspection, and cozy warmth, capturing the Yukon’s wild, radiant essence.
Easy booking
Pick-up offered
Mobile ticket
Optional bilingual: English, German
What to Expect
Welcome aboard our guided boat tour on the legendary Yukon River!
Every tour with us starts with a short, but important, safety briefing consisting of
instructions for an emergency, behavioral rules and some interesting knowledge
about the river and its specific features.
Stretching over 3,000
kilometers from British Columbia to the Bering Sea, this mighty waterway unveils a
tapestry of history, culture, and nature. Prepare for an unforgettable adventure
blending discovery, thrill and learning experience in a journey on one of the world most
famous rivers. Hear about its seasonal changes, learn about the river dynamics and its
shaping forces.
Our expedition boat navigates the Yukon River’s upstream archipelago, a
complex of
hundreds of islands formed by sediment deposition and hydraulic processes.
These islands, from small gravel bars to larger, vegetated forms, display distinct
features: silty banks anchored by willow roots, flood-scoured margins, and stratified
sediment revealing past flow shifts. Driftwood deposits and exposed gravel beds mark
seasonal hydraulic changes, while shallow channels reflect ongoing erosion and
deposition. As we traverse this geomorphologically active system, the river’s
relentless
currents visibly sculpt the islands, offering a direct study of the Yukon’s
evolving
fluvial landscape.
Dawson City, at approximately 64°N, experiences the Midnight Sun from mid-May to
mid-July, with peak 24-hour daylight around the summer solstice (June 20–21). The sun
skims the horizon but never sets, creating extended periods of golden hour
lighting—soft, warm, and ideal for photography—lasting hours or even all night due to
the sun’s low angle.
During the Midnight Sun, the prolonged golden hour bathes the Yukon River, and
surrounding landscapes in a glowing, reddish-orange hue. This enhances the visual appeal
of Dawson City’s surrounding wilderness and the river’s glistening
currents, making
it a photographer’s paradise.
Our expedition boat docks at a Yukon River island, where we have set up a rustic
bush
camp on
the shore. As the Midnight Sun's golden hours settles, gather around a crackling fire.
Sip steaming hot chocolate, coffee or tea,
the warmth cutting through the crisp air, while the river’s gentle flow hums in
the
background. For convenience, a dry toilet outhouse stands discreetly among the shrubs,
offering a simple, eco-friendly solution. This island stop, amidst the Yukon’s
shifting
archipelago, blends raw wilderness with cozy comfort, inviting guests to unwind in
nature’s embrace.
On a short walk, we explore a Yukon River island, treading across soft, sometimes
stony or mossy ground.
Fresh animal tracks crisscross the earth, hinting at hidden
wildlife. Beaver-chewed saplings jut from the soil, evidence of recent work. Clear,
shallow streams meander nearby, their gentle ripples inviting you to slip off your shoes
and wade in the cool water. This quick trek reveals the island’s lively ecosystem,
a
microcosm of the Yukon’s dynamic riverine world, where subtle signs of life pulse
beneath the surface of its untamed landscape.
As we navigate the Yukon River’s braided channels and quiet sloughs under the
midnight
sun’s golden glow, we enter sanctuaries pulsing with life, sheltered from the main
stream’s swift currents. These offshoots—countless islands and side channels—form
havens
where biodiversity flourishes. In Steamboat Slough and beyond, slow waters sustain
wetlands, nurturing beavers, otters, and spawning salmon. Bald eagles roost above, while
moose forage in reedy shallows, bathed in twilight’s endless light. Scientists
probe
these ecosystems, analyzing how silt and shifting banks shape unique habitats. Far from
the Yukon’s rush, these tranquil sloughs teem with resilient life, illuminated by
the
surreal, unending day.
Immerse yourself in the Yukon River’s essence through our educational
content, stories,
and folklore. Discover the science of the river’s dynamic flow and vibrant
ecosystems,
unraveling its environmental significance. Engage with captivating narratives of the
people who’ve lived and traveled its waters, their lives etched into its banks.
Indigenous and local folklore weaves tales of mystery and wisdom, passed down through
generations. This fusion of factual insights, historical accounts, and mythical lore
brings the river’s past and present to life, offering a deeper understanding of
its
timeless role as a lifeline of culture and nature.
MAGICAL
Duration
3 - 3.5 hours
Price
CA$119 /adult
CA$79 /teen
CA$49 /child
Season
mid-May to
mid-July
Book here or call +1 (867) 687-4023
Location
Dawson City, Yukon Territory, Canada
Meeting and Pickup
- Dawson City Visitor Center (~15min before tour start)
- River front, directly at our boat dock
What's included
- Professional guide/s (English and German speaking)
- Boat ride
- Safety equipment
- Dry toilet outhouse stop
- Trained professional in Swift Water Rescue, Wilderness First Aid, Marine Safety, certified commercial captain
What to bring
-
Rain gear (can be provided)For obvious reasons, but rain gear/wind breaker also help greatly deflecting upcoming stronger winds.
-
Warm extra clothingThis is the Yukon, severe temperature drops due to weather changes should always be expected
-
BeveragesBoating causes more air movement on your skin - which means more evaporation and the need for replacement of water loss in your body. Bring a good amount of drinking water.
General Information
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Seats can only be garanteed if booked in advance
- Cancellation fee is 10% of ticket price. Rescheduling is free.
- We do not take infants on a boat tour (due to size of safety gear)
- Not wheelchair accessible (but, talk to us)
- This tour will have a maximum of 6 adult travelers
- No dogs aboard, no exceptions