Yukon - Shine Valley

  • Open Jun-Sep
  • Set arrivals
  • 12 nights / 9 days of riding | 4 to 7 hours riding per day | Nearest airport:Whitehorse
  • Weight limit: 17st 12lbs (114 kg) (250 pounds)
  • Usual maximum: 6

Yukon Shine ValleyYukon’s natural features are what set this place apart. This is a land rich with mountain vistas, wild rivers and clear lakes. Close to 80 per cent remains pristine wilderness. The southern part of the Yukon is covered by coniferous boreal forest, mountains and a network of rivers and lakes. In the north, arctic tundra stretches to the Arctic Ocean.

In June, the midnight sun shines over the boreal forest, while later in the summer, the autumn colours are a great opportunity for photography. On this expedition, you follow the paths of wild animals such as moose, caribou and wolves, and in the footsteps of the last trappers of the Yukon.

Originally from Quebec, your guide Pierre Fournier has lived in Yukon for the last 20 years. He runs horse expeditions in the summer months and dog-sledding in the winter time. Trained as a trapper, Pierre has developed a great knowledge of the land and animals, and is always enthusiastic to share these wilderness skills.

Everything on the trail is carried by pack horses.

For this trail you should be comfortable at all paces on varied terrain and fit enough to spend long hours in the saddle. This horse adventure will be at a walking pace due to the pack horses and, at times, difficult terrain.

These trail rides are not suitable for children. Teenagers who are competent and confident riders may be considered if booked as part of a private group.

Yukon - tackThe horses are hardy and surefooted, fit for the mountains and rugged terrain and will reliably carry you on the trail. They range in height from 14.2hh to 16.2hh. On some of the steep ascents and descents it may be necessary to get off and lead the horses on foot.

You will be responsible for the care of your own horse (saddling, grooming etc) and involved in learning the techniques of horse packing.

The tack and riding is Western style.

Hard hats are mandatory.

 

Your base camp at Shine Valley is small two or four-man log cabins without electricity and running water at 1600m high in the boreal forest. Please note that sleeping arrangements in the cabins may be mixed sex. There is a communal short drop loo.

On the trail you stay in two man tents and perhaps a trapper cabin. Guests will usually have a single tent at no supplement unless they have requested to share or have booked as a couple.

Single cabins at Shine Valley are not available.

On this ride you are expected to help with the camp chores: pitching tents, gathering firewood, fetching water, washing up, grooming, saddling/unsaddling the horses and packing up camp.

Accommodation Gallery

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Upcoming Dates

Set arrival and departure dates.

Holiday Experience LevelExp Lvl Arrive - DepartArr - Dep   Price Itinerary Availability
Pack Trip 2 Jun 2024 - 14 Jun 2024 12 nights 12 ngts £3,093.68 View (.pdf) Full
Pack Trip 22 Jun 2024 - 4 Jul 2024 12 nights 12 ngts £3,093.68 View (.pdf) Full
Pack Trip 13 Jul 2024 - 25 Jul 2024 12 nights 12 ngts £3,093.68 View (.pdf) Full
Pack Trip 2 Aug 2024 - 14 Aug 2024 12 nights 12 ngts £3,093.68 View (.pdf) Full
Pack Trip 22 Aug 2024 - 3 Sep 2024 12 nights 12 ngts £3,093.68 View (.pdf) Full
Pack Trip 6 Sep 2024 - 18 Sep 2024 12 nights 12 ngts £3,093.68 View (.pdf) Book

Prices

INCLUDES Twelve nights accommodation; full board (except 1 lunch & dinner in Whitehorse); riding; English/French speaking guide; camping equipment (except sleeping bags and mats); pack horses; airport transfers.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT Single tents are available at no supplement for single travellers. Single rooms at the lodge are not available and you should be prepared to share.

PAYABLE LOCALLY Drinks; lunch & dinner in Whitehorse; tips.

NEAREST AIRPORT Whitehorse.

TRANSFERS included from Whitehorse.


Getting There

Return transfers are included from Whitehorse airport on the first and last days of the ride. Flights can arrive at any time on the first day but we recommend you arrive in the afternoon at the latest.

To minimise the risk of flight delays spoiling your holiday we strongly recommend arriving into Vancouver or Whitehorse one day before the ride is due to start.

Flights can depart at any time on the last day, but an afternoon flight will avoid too early a start.

In The Saddle Gallery

Client Photos

Location

The Yukon is a territory in northwest Canada.


Weather & Climate

Yukon’s dry, continental climate results in a wide variety of weather year round. Humidity is very low, so summers can be hot and dry while the winter coldness is less harsh than in damper climates.

In summer, the Yukon is comfortably warm and sunny with temperatures often in the 20s°C. Summers are shorter and cooler than in southern Canada, with the peak summer period being mid-May to September. Daylight hours are longer, though. In some parts of the Yukon the midnight sun shines all night long.

Only the highest mountains in the Yukon have snow all year. In most of the territory, there is usually no snow between the end of April and the end of October. However, the trails in September could see cold nights and clear skies, and you should pack for cold weather.

At times the weather in Yukon can be extreme and unseasonal, and so you should always pack for the unexpected.

 

 

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Guest Review

The Shine Valley Riding experience is an amazing trip, the scenery is stunning and the horses certainly know their jobs. Vero and Pierre are fantastic hosts supported by a small and very hard working team. It’s a trip not to be missed!

Helen ,Norfolk

4.5 star rating Overall rating: 4/5

Ride Report

Abigail Wood
Read ITS guest Sophie's journal from her trip in May 2023 - this is a real off-grid expedition for adventurous souls only.

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