Porcupine River Canoe Adventure

Our tour starts where once the manhunt of the "Mad Trapper" stopped- at the Eagle River. This area is known for it's "drunken forests"- upcoming permafrost is pushing the trees out of the upright position. We are crossing the Arctic Circle before the Eagle meets the Bell River and continue later on the Porcupine River. This is the area where the Porcupine Caribou Herd migrates between their calving grounds and winter territory. With 160.000 heads is herd is considered the largest in the world and it is an unforgettable adventure to witness the congregation that is taking place for thousands of years. In Old Crow- where some of the First Nation culture has been preserved- we will see nothing but undisturbed nature on our return flight.

The Eagle-, Bell- and Porcupine River are paddle rivers and ideal to enjoy the wilderness of the north. Apart from Civilization we paddle north of the "Arctic Circle" through impressive permafrost scenery of the Yukon. The river is known for frequent wildlife spotting and with a bit of luck we can watch caribous and grizzly bears along the river bench.

Porcupine River Canoe Trip - Itinerary

Whitehorse
We meet you at the airport and transfer you to your downtown hotel. In the evening the canoe guide will introduce himself and explains the details of the tour.

Whitehorse to Eagle River Bridge
In the morning we start our tour by driving north on the Klondike Highway and later on the Dempster Highway, about half way between Dawson and Inuvik. Passed the impressive Tombstone Mountains we reach our launch point, the Eagle River Bridge. Here we set up our camp for the first night.

Canoeing the Eagle-, Bell River
After a delicious breakfast we start our paddling adventure on the Eagle River. The Eagle River is a relatively slow moving river with muddy banks that flows into the Bell River. We canoe passed the "drunken forest" and through the untouched permafrost landscape. In the first few days we cross the "Arctic Circle" before entering the Bell River. We are so far north that the sun does not set, also called the "Midnight Sun". We paddle the Bell for only a short stretch (one to two days), and then enter the Porcupine at a place where the vista of the mountains, river and fields is truly stunning.

Canoeing the Porcupine River
The Porcupine is one of the largest tributaries of the Yukon River and a historically important travel route. Single-channeled and clear-flowing, this mostly flatwater river flows through the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge past beautiful steep-walled canyons, rolling hills, and cliffs before meandering across the vast wetland basin of the Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge to its confluence with the Yukon River.

The Porcupine River area is the wintering home of the Porcupine Caribou Herd. In a pattern of migration established centuries ago, the caribou of the Porcupine herd arrive each spring on the Coastal Plain of the Arctic Refuge. This awe-inspiring wildlife spectacle evokes images of the long-gone buffalo herds of the Great Plains and spectacular gatherings of wildlife on Africa's Serengeti Plain.

The caribou travel up to 400 miles from the wintering grounds in northeastern Alaska, the central Yukon, and the Richardson Mountains of the Northwest Territories. The herd congregates on the Coastal Plain where the cows will give birth. It is a cycle that has gone on undisturbed for thousands of years.

Habitats along these river sections are typical of the eastern interior of Alaska and the west central Yukon. White and black spruce of various sizes are the most common forest types, usually within a matrix of aspen, dwarf willow, and birch. Although we never leave the treeline, one of the interesting things you will see is how the trees get smaller and smaller the farther north you paddle. This is due to the cold, less sunlight, and permafrost.

Slowly we are getting closer to the Old Crow Mountain Range. Old Crow, an inhabited settlement founded by the Gwich'in people is located just below the mountain range and marks the end of our tour. Old Crow's location was prized by this subsistence tribe for its strategic proximity to excellent fishing and the seasonal migratory routes of the Porcupine caribou. You may have an opportunity to interact with remaining residents of Old Crow, and glimpse life 350 miles from the nearest road.

Old Crow to Whitehorse
From Old Crow we fly back to Whitehorse. This flight offers incredible views of the rivers and the various mountain ranges in between. In Whitehorse check in your hotel for one more night. We meet in the evening for a farewell dinner (not included).