Transfer and Other Options:

Our itineraries and routes are kept fairly flexible so that we can customize the speed and difficulty of the trip according to our guest's interests and abilities. We generally cover between 15-30 km/day. Although we attract mostly keen riders interested in experiencing wilderness and wildlife, we have had many people come with no previous experience. We feel comfortable teaching people how to ride, and confident in our horses. We appreciate hearing from our guests prior to their arrival about their previous outdoors/riding experience so that we can better plan our trips around our guest's abilities.

We have a lifetime of experience with horses and the Canadian wilderness, and have traveled extensively on the land, finding routes and exploring thousands of kilometers of country. Our longest trip as a family was in 2000, where we journeyed non-stop over 2500 km with four horses through the wildest road less regions in the Yukon the Northwest Territories.
We would like to offer you the opportunity to join us and our kind, well-trained horses on a journey through remote, undeveloped wilderness.

7 Day Wilderness Ride - 5 Riding Days

Day 1: Arrival in Whitehorse and afternoon transfer to the ranch. The ranch comprises of log cabins, log bunkhouses, tack sheds, hitching rails and many horses! It is here you will meet your guides for the trip. Nice get together for an excellent dinner and then a good night sleep in a comfortable bed.
Day 2: Breakfast at 8 AM.  Pack up the horses with gear then ride to Beaver Dam Lake where you can try your hand at fishing for grayling here.  Enjoy a picnic lunch at Beaver Dam Lake then ride to Grizzly Camp where we'll unpack the horses.  Settle into camp and learn how to care for the horses in a camp setting.  Enjoy a tasty suppethe campfire.
Day3: Breakfast at 8 AM then we saddle up and head out on a day ride into the mountains and learn about moose, thier habits and what they eat.  Return by early evening to untack and care for the horses.  Supper by the campfire and then take part in a campfire Storytime from the locals.
Day 4:  Breakfast 8 AM, then we saddle up and head out on a day ride in the opposite direction from previous day. Spot some more wildlife and enjoy lunch high in the mountains.   Identify native plants and learn about the ecosystems in the area then return to camp.  Care for and feed the horses and get ready to taste a meal cooked from a dutch oven the traditional way.
Day 5: After breakfast at 8 AM, we pack up our gear and ride to High Camp where we will spot sheep on the mountainside along the way.   Enjoy lunch along the trail and then head for an afternoon dip in a crystal clear moutain lake (weather permitting).  Arrive at High Camp by mid afternoon, unpack our gear and care for the horse.  Then take some time to enjoy the scenery and relax as well you can spot some wildlife right from camp.  Enjoy a short hike from camp and veiw the surrounding areas and lakes.  Back to camp for a tasty supper and then sit by the fire and sip a freshly brewed cup of cowboy coffee.
Day 6: After breakfast, we saddle up the horses and head out on a day ride into the mountains.  Where we will veiw the workings of a functioning beaver dam and moose sheds left behind at their wintering grounds.  Than we head back to the ranch and overnight in one of our cabins.
Day 7:  After breakfast, transport back to Whitehorse.

9 Day Expedition- 7 Riding Days

Day 1:  Arrival in Whitehorse and afternoon transfer to the ranch. The ranch comprises of log cabins, log bunkhouses, tack sheds, hitching rails and many horses! It is here you will meet your guides for the trip. Nice get together for an excellent dinner and then a good night sleep in a comfortable bed.
Day 2:  Enjoy a hot cup of coffee or tea with a scrumptious breakfast. Guides will fill you in on items you need on the saddle horse and items to pack on the pack horses.
Next, your guide will match you with a horse best suited for your needs, riding ability, height, experience in the wilderness, etc. You can now spend some time getting acquainted with your horse. Your guide will then provide you with a short riding lesson in our riding arena, so you can feel very confident riding out on the trail. Our horses are quiet, responsive and enjoyable to ride.  Most of them are hardy mountain horses, giving them good endurance for climbing mountains. During the morning, you can experience your first day of observing the guides pack the pack horses, balance loads and throw a “diamond hitch” or “box hitch” over each pack.  These are special ways of tying packs on horses.
Once the horses are packed, it is time to hit the trail.  Enjoy the sights and sounds of the Yukon Wilderness, as we wind our way through spruce trees and along the edge of small lakes on our way to Beaver Dam Lake.  This is where we will stop for a picnic lunch.  You can take in the beautiful mountain vistas across the lake in the distance or watch the sandpipers and various species of ducks in the lake. 
After lunch, we will continue to ride on to our first base camp.  We call it Grizzly Camp, as it overlooks Grizzly Mountain.    We usually arrive here by late afternoon, so we have plenty of time for getting settled in to camp.
(Our base camps are complete with wall tents and stoves for sleeping, a cook tent, a fire pit and seating, and a hitching area for saddling horses.  We also have a cache (log structure high in the trees to keep supplies safe from visiting wildlife while we are away). Once in camp, there are many things you can do.  Enjoy a cup of tea, coffee or juice by the campfire, spot dall sheep on the mountainside above us, help feed the horses, try out our camp shower by the creek, or just relax and enjoy the hint of wood smoke in the air.
In the evening, we will serve up a hearty meal of traditional stew and bannock, or steak and all the trimmings among other favorites.  We can also cater to special dietary needs, such as vegetarian, celiac, etc.
Day 3:  We start with a hot breakfast before we organize to head out on the trail to our next camp.  Moving to a new camp gives us the opportunities to cover more country and see more wildlife.  Our next camp is called Skip’s camp and is nestled in among some big old spruce trees along a bench of land.  It overlooks a long grassy meadow, where we can graze the horses after a ride.  In the background are the high peaks of the Miner Range.  It is a beautiful place for a horse camp.  Usually by mid afternoon, we would embark on a short afternoon ride to spot some wildlife.  We will travel along a valley seam watching for moose, bears or other smaller critters.  We may even be able to watch beavers working on their dams.  We will often see a porcupine waddling towards a tree to get to safety.  Once we return to camp, we will put the horses out to graze.  Then we can enjoy our own supper by the glow of the campfire. 
Day 4:  We will embark on a ride into the mountains.  The scenery is spectacular the higher we go.  We will get up high on some mountain ridges to view breathtaking country all around.  We will pack a picnic lunch for this trip, and return to Skip’s camp by evening.  This is a great day to view dall sheep and take pictures from higher vantage points.  You will learn to put your trust in your horse partner as he confidently travels over the rocks and rough terrain in the mountains.
Day 5:  After breakfast, we will head out on an old moose trail in the opposite direction from the previous day.  We will picnic beside a small lake nestled in the mountains.  The long grass beside the shore of the lake provides a welcome snack to your 4 legged friend.  This is great moose country on this trip, so as we travel along creeks, game trails and on hill sides; keep your eyes peeled for a moose feeding in the willow bushes or near water. Your guides will also point out the different species of native plants and explain the ecosystems in the different areas we will ride through.  You can cover a lot of ground riding a horse in the wilderness. Once we return to camp, you can taste a meal cooked from a Dutch oven the traditional way.  Some wonderful meals have emerged from this small outdoor oven.
Day 6:  We will enjoy a leisurely breakfast and make plans to move to our high camp.  The ride up to high camp is varied and interesting.  You will travel through the spruce trees and mossy terrain, and then as we wind our way up higher, the trees will fade away.  We will ride through short willows and then short vegetation spotted with tiny alpine flowers.  High camp is situated right next to a crystal clear mountain lake.  You can view sheep from camp, take a cool swim in the lake if the weather permits, or enjoy a short hike up to a lookout point above camp.  It is a nice open camp, with short trees around the wall tents, and many moose trails all around.  The scenery is spectacular right from your tent door. 
Day 7:  We will wake up to sunshine streaming in the tents.  Cowboy coffee will be ready on the fire and those brave enough to take a swim before breakfast are welcome to do so.  Once we have had breakfast, we will ride out into the mountains for a day ride.  We will head towards a huge valley with little streams flowing down the center of it.  This is a great place for moose to spend their early winter, as it affords them protection and feed during the colder months.  Here we will find moose sheds (moose drop their antlers every year in the winter, and begin to grow new ones for the next fall breeding season).  Some of these moose sheds are definitely great for pictures, as they are impressively large and whitened from the sun.  We will also travel over a mountain pass and eventually make our way back to camp, creating a big loop.  This is a great night for stories over the campfire after supper, reminiscing about the days’ events and stories from the whole trip.  Of course the guides will always share stories from a lifetime of experiences in the Yukon Wilderness.  Everyone will go to sleep in their tents with tales of the Yukon swimming in their heads.
Day 8:  This morning will find us enjoying our last breakfast beside our crystal clear lake in the outdoor mountain air.  Once we are finished breakfast, we will pack up our gear on the pack horses and ride down the home trail back to the ranch.  We will stop at an old campsite and enjoy a campfire lunch along the way.  The ride down travels through meadows and across a couple small streams coming from the mountains.  Often you will see grayling in these streams in small pools.  It is a relaxed ride and a nice finish to the trip.  We usually arrive back at the ranch around 5 pm.  From here we can unpack the horses, and get your gear organized. Time to take a shower and get cleaned up. The last dinner is taken in the main lodge, followed by a good night sleep in a comfortable bed.
Day 9  Say your goodbyes to your horse partner and friends you made on the trip.  Transportation will then pick you up and take you to Whitehorse.

 *Highlights of these two trips
-view wildlife in their natural surroundings
-learn the flora and fauna of the area
-experience being in and understanding the different ecosystems within our area
-learn to properly care for and feed  your horse in a camp setting
-develop a true partnership with your horse after a week of riding and working with them everyday
-experience different horse camps on one trip
-See new country everyday
-learn to navigate through the mountains safely  by horseback

       Subject to changes

Weather in southern Yukon can change rapidly, especially in the mountains.  Be prepared during June, July and August for warmer weather during the day (20c to 25c) and cooler weather during the evening (5c to 10c).  It can also freeze at anytime during the summer months- although rarely.  During September expect temperatures of 10c to 20c during the day and 5c to -5c during the night. 

Be prepared for generally sunny weather with short mountain rain showers during June, July and August.  September can have more wind compared to the summer months and can be cloudier at times.  However, the colors of the leaves during September are beautiful and wildlife tends to move around a bit more during this time, allowing guests better wildlife viewing opportunities.

We ask that you respect a 40 lb limit on your gear.

Please try and pack your gear in light weight, preferably waterproof duffles or stuffsacks.

On our 7 and 9 day Safaris we travel light and leave little, bringing our camp with us as we go. Clients stay in our horse camps in the mountains with wall tents and stoves.  We only use the dome tents when we are travelling and doing spike camps (satellite camps from our base camp).  This only takes place  during 1 or 2 nights on the whole trip. in the middle of the beautiful wilderness and cook over an open
fire.

Tack:		Western
Horses:		Quarter/draft cross, Morgan and Yukon mountain cayus
Pace:		Slow and steady, some long riding days, river crossings and steep trails | Walk | Trot |
Level:		(2.5 to 3 out of 5)    Good Novice+
Riders:		Min 2 riders	Max 8 riders

The majority of the trip is at a walk due to the mountain terrain and the packhorses.

Passports
Passport valid for at least one day beyond the intended departure date from Canada required by all nationals referred to in the chart except the following:
(a) 1. Canadian citizens holding a Canadian Certificate of Identity, Canadian birth certificate or a certificate of Canadian citizenship;
(b) permanent residents of Canada with proof of status, ie Permanent Resident Card, Record of Landing, Returning Resident Permit or a Refugee Travel Document issued by the government of Canada to refugees who have been resettled in Canada;
(c) 2. citizens of the USA holding proof of citizenship (eg US birth certificate or US naturalisation papers).
Note: As of 23 January 2007 all persons, including US citizens, travelling by air between the USA and Canada, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport or other approved document when entering or re-entering the USA. Similar requirements for those travelling by land or sea will be introduced as early as 1 January 2008. For further details about the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, visit the website of the US Department of State: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html.
(d) persons entering from St Pierre & Miquelon or the USA who are legal permanent residents of the USA and hold a US alien registration card (Green Card);
(e) 3. citizens of France who are residents of and entering from St Pierre & Miquelon.
Note: (a) Children under 18 years must have information with them on the people responsible for their welfare, if travelling alone; this includes a letter of permission to travel from guardian(s), and also a letter from the custodian in Canada. (b) Depending on circumstance and nationality, certain applicants may need to undergo a medical examination in order to receive their visas; this must be carried out by a physician on Canada's list of Designated Medical Practitioners.
Passport Note
Visitors to Canada must satisfy an examining officer at the Port of Entry that they are genuine visitors, in good health, with no criminal convictions, and have sufficient funds to maintain themselves during their stay in Canada and to return to their country of origin, as well as evidence of confirmed onward reservations out of Canada. Persons under 18 years of age who are unaccompanied by an adult should bring with them a letter from a parent or guardian giving them permission to travel to Canada.

Identity/travel documents issued to non-national residents of the country of issue, refugees or stateless persons are recognized for travel to Canada.

Visas
Not required by all nationals referred to in chart above (visitor or transit) for stays of up to six months except the following:
(a) 4. holders of passports endorsed ‘British Subjects’ and ‘British Protected Persons’;
(b) 5. nationals of Bulgaria and Romania;
(c) those visiting Canada who, during that visit, also visit the USA or St Pierre & Miquelon (a French Overseas Territory) and return directly to Canada as visitors within the period authorised on their initial entry (or any extension thereto).

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the high commission to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Visa Note
The Government of Canada refuses admission to: (a) holders of passports issued by the UK Government entitled 'British Temporary Resident's Passport'.

(a) A single-entry visa is still valid if used to visit the USA. (b) Persons wishing to attend a course of six months duration or less, at any level, do not require a study permit. However, if there is the possibility that you will extend your period of study in Canada, or if you are a full time student and wish to work on campus, you may apply for a study permit.
Types of Visa and Cost
Visitor: C$75 (single-entry); C$150 (multiple-entry). Family: C$400 (for families of six or more persons). Transit: free. Transit visas are necessary for all nationals who require a visitor visa. Although transit visas are not required by British citizens, they may be required by foreign nationals with British passports; check with the embassy or high commission for details. For further information on payment methods, contact the high commission. Prices are subject to frequent change.
Validity
Up to six months depending on circumstances of individual applicant. The determination regarding length of stay in Canada can only be decided by the examining officer at the port of entry, but visas cannot exceed the validity of the passport and cannot be longer than five years. If no actual departure date is indicated within the visitor’s passport, then the visitor will be required to depart within three months from the date of entry. Visitors must effect their departure from Canada on or before the date authorised by the examining officer on arrival. If an extension of stay is desired, an application must be made in writing to the nearest Canada Immigration Centre at least three weeks before the expiry of the visitor visa. Multiple-entry visas cannot be valid longer than passport. Transit visas are only allocated if a national's flight/onward journey is continuing within 24 hours. Single-entry visas can be used multiple times by nationals of St Pierre & Miquelon and the USA.
Applications to:
Consulate (or consular section at embassy or high commission)
Working Days Required
10 days are required from receiving applications, but applications should be made at least one month prior to the intended date of departure. Certain nationals are subject to longer processing times. For urgent applications it is advised to apply in person. Same-day processing is available for applications made in person and 24-hour processing for those using the drop-in service.