Launches February 17

Yukon Alpine Lakes Fly-In Backpacking

Hike through untouched wilderness surrounded by alpine lakes, caribou, jagged peaks, and complete solitude.

 August 15 – 22 | 6 Spots Max | 8 Days

There's a land where the mountains are nameless and where trails don’t exist.

A breathtaking alpine adventure in southern Yukon, featuring pristine lakes, jagged peaks, and abundant wildlife, accessible only by floatplane.

About the adventure.

A truly wild experience for those who want to explore off the beaten path.

Join us for six days of hiking on a pristine and remote mountain plateau within the Boundary Mountain Range, guided by Dani Marie Lister and Jake Wykes. We’ll be dropped off in the northernmost extent of the Boundary Range, an area visited by very few hikers each year. Due to its remoteness, there are no existing trails; however, being in the alpine makes travel across the landscape easier. We will backpack alongside several alpine lakes surrounded by towering peaks. It is likely you'll see more caribou than people. We believe the magic of hiking in the Yukon is the ability to go at our own pace, thanks to the midnight sun. We strive to balance movement and adventure with relaxation and solitude, allowing you to deeply appreciate the landscapes. Immerse yourself in untouched wilderness, enhance your outdoor skills, and create lifelong connections with like-minded adventurers.

Highlights:

  • Camp along the shores of pristine alpine lakes

  • View Yukon wildlife - (potential of caribou, moose, bears and sheep)

  • Challenge yourself mentally and physically

  • Experience the untouched beauty of Yukon’s backcountry

  • Fly in and out on a float plane

There is no glacial travel


Dates:
 August 15 – August 22, 2025

Price:
$5,425 CAD per person (or $3796.88 USD) Payment plan and installments option available

+5% GST

Duration:
7 days (6 days of hiking)

Guide Ratio:
1 Guide / per 3 Guests (2 guides total)

Start Point:
Erik Neilson International Airport in Whitehorse, Yukon. 10 min Taxi into Downtown Whitehorse

Impact:
100% Leave No Trace. We pack out everything we bring and minimize our impact on the land.

Skill Prerequisites:

1:3 guide to guest ratio

Hiking Difficulty: Moderate


You must be capable of carrying a 40lbs backpack for long distances of up to 15km on loose and un-even terrain. This route is not on a groomed trail so you should be confident moving on boulders, loose rock and scree.

Camping Experience:


Previous backcountry camping experience is required. Must be comfortable in wilderness settings off-grid.

Above all is a “Can-do” attitude! Positive attitudes are essential for maximum enjoyment of all.


Good Attitude:

Safety is our top priority but just like anything in the backcountry — there are risks.

Feeling unsure? Please contact us, we are happy to answer your questions :)

info@yukonexplored.com

About the Boundary Mountains.

The northern extent of the Boundary Range, nestled within Kusawa Territorial Park, has been a vital part of local First Nations history for thousands of years. This land holds deep cultural and ecological significance, serving as a traditional travel route and a source of sustenance for Indigenous communities. Shaped by ancient glaciers, the landscape is defined by striking lakes, rugged peaks, and sweeping valleys. It is home to a rich diversity of wildlife, including caribou, Dall sheep, grizzly bears, and countless bird species. Its vast alpine terrain offers endless hiking opportunities, making it an ideal destination for those seeking true wilderness adventure.

On the traditional territory of the Carcross/Tagish First Nation, Kwanlin Dün First Nation, Champagne and Aishihik First Nations

Itinerary.

  • Welcome to the wilderness city of Whitehorse, Yukon! Please arrive at your accommodation in Whitehorse. (We suggest coming a day earlier if you can, to truly see the town and settle in before the trip). We will meet up for a group dinner in the evening. (Airport Transportation, accommodation and meals are not provided for day 0). 

  • Good morning! After breakfast (not included), you will be picked up from your accommodation. We will drive 1 hour from Whitehorse to an area known as the Southern Lakes. We will spend the afternoon exploring the small town of Carcross and learning about the Carcross/Tagish First Nation Culture and history before heading to our accommodation for the night. Once we have arrived at the lodge, we will have an opportunity to relax and conduct our gear check to ensure everyone has the equipment they require for the hike. Dinner is included and there’s a hot tub for anyone that’s interested!

  • After breakfast at the lodge, we will travel back to Whitehorse in time to catch our flight! As we load the float plane and say goodbye to civilization, we are transported high into the Yukon alpine where we will start our multiday trek. Once we have landed, we will set up camp along the lakes shore at approximately 1,650m (5,400 ft). We will spend the afternoon exploring close to camp without the burden of our heavy packs. As we watch the sun begin to set, we will share our first hot meal in the alpine.

  • Wake up to the sun rising over the jagged peaks and the smell of coffee! Today we will remain at the same camp and spend the day exploring the surrounding mountains and glaciated terrain. Since we will not be moving camp today we can choose a more relaxing day hike or something a little more ambitious based on the groups desire. We will keep a look out for Caribou which regularly travel though this area. In the evening, we will return to our camp and prepare for the journey ahead! 

  • Time to lace up! This morning, we will break down camp and begin trekking down the valley. Our hike today will take us from one alpine lake to another over the span or 6-7 hours. We will start by descending approximately 275m into a wide valley that was carved out by glaciers. As we travel through the valley following a crystal-clear creek, we will take in the beauty of the towering peaks that surround us. After lunch, we will begin our climb up to our camp for the night. We have approximately 260m of elevation to regain before we have reached our destination. Once we have arrived at camp, we can kick off our hiking boots and get into some comfy camp clothes. We will spend the evening soaking in the beauty, sharing stories of the day and planning for the day ahead! 

  • The choice is yours! There are a few options for today as we will not be moving our camp. Based on the group’s ability and eagerness, we can choose a route that best fits our goals for the day. Whether that’s exploring the nearby lakes or summitting a peak the choice is yours! We will discuss the night before and come up with a plan for how we want to tackle the day! On a clear day, we might get a glimpse of the second tallest mountain in North America, Mt. Logan!

  •  Today we will pack up our camp and begin our journey to our final lake and pick up spot (for the following day). The terrain today is relatively easy as we traverse the open alpine before descending to our final camp. We will cover approximately 12 kilometers throughout the day and endure some bushwhacking before arriving at camp. Its not an authentic Yukon hike without a little bushwhacking! We’ll enjoy our final evening camped on a beach with a strong sense of accomplishment and gratitude.

  • Today marks the last day of the trip. As we wait for our flight, we can spend the morning relaxing on the lake shore, swimming or exploring the beach. We will pack up our camp and shortly after lunch our pilots will touch down on the lake. As we load up our gear and fly high through the valleys, we will say goodbye to the wilderness taking nothing but photographs, memories and friendship. When we arrive in Whitehorse you will be dropped off at your accommodation to check in, drop your gear and freshen up. We will then pick you up and head 25 minutes north of Whitehorse to soak at the Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs.  We will spend about 2 hours relaxing in the hot springs before heading back to Whitehorse. We will once again drop you off at your accommodation. Later that evening we will meet one last time for a group dinner at a local restaurant in downtown Whitehorse. (Accommodation and Dinner is not provided on day 7.

    It is recommended you book accommodations for yourself as soon as possible.

Elevation + Distance

What’s Included?

  • Guide Services

  • Fees and Park Permits

  • Transportation

  • Accommodations as indicated in the itinerary

  • All meals from Day 1 onwards. We will be eating gourmet dehydrated meals while in the backcountry

  • Water filtration

  • Camp dishware and utensils

  • Bush plan pick up + drop off

  • Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs Admission

  • Luggage storage during the expedition

  • Bear spray & Bear bags

  • Extensive First Aid Kit

  • Satellite Communication devices

What’s Not-Included?

  • Airfare to and from the Whitehorse, Yukon

  • Trip cancellation insurance or any other travel insurance

  • Alcohol at meals

  • Day 0 and Day 7 accommodations in Whitehorse (due to hotel capacity in Whitehorse group reservations aren’t possible, please book ahead of time!)

  • Meals in Whitehorse

  • Personal gear (see packing list)

  • Tips for the guides (it is not required, but it is appreciated)

Experience the land of the midnight sun.

Meet your guides.

  • Guide

    Hey I’m Dani 👋 I’m a born and raised Yukoner whose developed a passion for experiencing our wild and remote landscapes through hiking, paddling, skiing and camping. It always brings me a deeper connection to nature and a source of inspiration. I’m stoked to share my home, get covered in dirt and make memories together


  • Lead Guide

    Hey, I’m Jake, a certified and experienced whitewater guide. I received my training through the Canadian Outdoor Leadership Training (COLT) Program and have 6 years of experience guiding multi-day expeditions on the Tatshenshini-Alsek Rivers. I was born and raised in the Yukon, and have a passion for adventure. Committed to safety and environmental stewardship, I’m excited to share my love of the Yukon with you!

How to get to the Yukon?

Map Credit to Tourism Yukon

While the Yukon is remote it’s actually very accessible to get to. The easiest and quickest method is by flying.

📍 Fly into Erik Neilson International Airport - Whitehorse, Yukon.

  • From Canada
    Direct flights are available from major airports such as Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Toronto.

  • From USA
    There are no direct flights however you can easily get a connection through Vancouver or Calgary and connect there to Whitehorse

  • From Europe & Overseas
    Direct flights are available from Frankfurt on Condor. Otherwise, we recommend flying through Vancouver and connecting to Whitehorse.

Get connecting fairs to Whitehorse for $99 CAD via Air North - learn more here

(It won’t show up in flight search engines but AirNorth is the most affordable airline to the Yukon)

 Personal Packing List

    • Rain Jacket 

    • Rain Pants

    • Hiking boots with ankle support (no running shoes or trail runners)

    • Hiking Pants 

    • Hiking Shirts x2 (not cotton)

    • Light Fleece Top

    • Light Down jacket 

    • Wool Hiking Socks x3

    • Light Gloves (or glove liners)

    • Ball Cap/Sun Hat 

    • Toque/Beanie

    If you are a cold sleeper we recommend sleeping in a base layer top and bottoms with wool socks.

    Packing tip - To keep things organized and clean we strongly recommend packing cubes, dry bags or stuff sacks to contain your personal items.

  • Multi-day backpacking requires lightweight and compact gear.

    • 55L - 85L Backapck (you will be required to carry up to 20 L of group gear)

    • 3lbs-5lbs backpacking tent (1p or 2p) - the MSR Hubba Hubba is our go to. Needs to be strong in high winds.

    • Sleeping bag with a comfort rating of 0C to -10C / 32F - 14F Sleeping bag - Down is our preference.

    • Water proof compression sack for sleeping bag

    • 3 Season Sleeping pad (for backpacking)

    • Optional - Pillow (we prefer the inflatable ones for backpacking)

    • Hiking poles

    • Water bottle (1 L min.)

    • Headlamp

    • Foam seat/pad for at camp

    • Eye mask for sleeping

    • Swim suit

    • Multitool

    • Small Binoculars

    • Bug jacket or head net

    • Small Notebook & Pen

    • Camera

    • Lightweight day bag for side hikes - if your backpack doesn’t already have a built in day bag. Enough space to carry water, snacks and an extra layer.

    • Sunscreen

    • Moisturizers & lip balm (scent free) - some find the climate and exposure drying on their skin

    • Biodegradable soap for washing your face or body.

    • Small quick drying towel

    • Personal Medications

    • Toiletties

    • All non-Canadian residents will be required to have proof of Travel Insurance. Check out World Nomads

    • Health Card and Insurance

  • Somethings casual and comfortable to wear in Whitehorse. We’re pretty informal people so hiking pants and fleece also works!

    This will be securely stored with your luggage and other personal items while in the backcountry.

Rewild yourself with nature.

“We need to embrace discomfort as a powerful catalyst for change and self-discovery.”

Step away from the modern world and exist presently with the force of nature. We have a strong belief that nature is always trying to teach you a lesson and that you will come out of these trips stronger mentally and physically. For us, there’s nothing that makes us feel more present.

What our guests are saying about Yukon Explored trips:

“Worth every wet sock in the world.”

— Steffi \\ Germany

“This trip is perfect for those looking for the ultimate, remote adventure! What an absolute honour to be able to see this side of the Yukon. Dani and Jake are wonderful guides, and accounted for absolutely everything needed for this adventure. They are diligent, and ensure that you are feeling confident and well prepared for every step of the journey. This adventure was everything I ever wanted and MORE, I could not recommend it enough!”

— Cali \\ Canada

“Dani and Jake are incredible guides and the level of care we received exceeded any expectations by far. We paddled the most beautiful landscapes, learned about the ecosystem, and ate incredibly well every day. This was one of the most unique experiences I’ve ever had.”

— Urvil \\ USA

“I didn’t know my true power until this trip. Dani and Jake made me feel like I could take on the world on this adventure. As an artist, it’s really important I’m thrown out of my comfort zone and was able to do that through this experience while feeling safe and supported. The vastness of the Yukon is life altering and sticks with you, trickling into all aspects of your inner world. ”

— Celina \\ Canada

Prepare for the experience of a lifetime.

Reconnect with nature, explore and make memories.

Things to know.

Bears, bugs & wildlife?

We are grateful to share our landscape with an abundance of wildlife such as moose, bears, wolves, eagles and more. Thankfully there’s a lot of space to roam for all of us. Encounters are always a possibility but generally, the animal is more scared than you are and they run away quickly.

Bear awareness is very important for our safety and the protection of bears. All food is stored in certified bear-resistant bags away from our camp. We carry bear spray at all times. We have yet to have a bad bear encounter and when travelling in large groups it is unlikely they will be anywhere near us. We will go over what to do in potential scenarios.

Yes, we do have mosquitoes but every season is different and certain locations will be “worse” than others. If there’s wind (or if you’re on the river) they won’t be around. If they are out, we do recommend bug spray and covering up! They do not carry any harmful disease but they might make you slightly itchy. Some people choose to take an antihistamine if they are feeling bothered.

What is the weather like?

Yukon summers have a wide range of emotions! The weather is often changing quickly. You can be hot in a T-shirt one moment and then cold in a down puffy the next. That’s why we recommend you pack in layers and be prepared for anything. Temperatures can range from 10C to 30C. At night while the sun does stay up, temperatures can still drop! That’s why we recommend a 0C-rated sleeping bag so you can stay warm and cozy. This particular area can be quite windy due to the glaciers and large mountains. A buff and sunglasses are nice to protect your face from the elements.

Leave no trace?

Our trips are 100% leave no trace so we pack everything out and minimize our impact to the landscape. This is important for preserving the area for generations to come. Leave no trace are principles we always follow when recreating outdoors and we hope you do too!

Forest fires and trip interruptions?

There’s always a small chance that forest fires and other environmental interruptions could occur. Thankfully we will be in close communication with our ground operations should anything arise and they will help us safely extract if necessary.

Questions? Get in touch.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are happy to help :)