Nature tours
Experiences born out of who I am
At the deepest depths of my heart, I love taking photographs, I love chasing light, and I love to consciously soak up every beautiful moment from nature. In the winter, I cherish the late sunrises, and in the summer, I obsess over the magical overnight light and I deeply resent the mosquitos.
I am forever the one on a road trip who wants to stop every 50 metres for another beautiful view, and to take another photo.
I’m also someone who loves slowing down and sitting quietly at the edge of a lake with a hot coffee. I love feeling the subtle warmth of the winter sun or brutal -20°C wind on my face. You’ll find me observing every beautiful texture of the ice or reaching out to touch the softness of the moss in with the trees. I am, at my core, deeply in love with nature, in sometimes the most simplistic ways.
Times and timing
It’s not a secret that the most beautiful times to photograph are around sunrise and sunset (magic hour). I am hopelessly obsessed with the light around these times, and I want to offer you the opportunity to be out in nature at these times too.
For that reason, I really hesitate to offer any specific departure and return times for the day tours below. I would rather us talk about what experiences matter most to you - if it’s photographing from golden hour through sunset to blue hour, or just maximizing daylight or location visits - and having us build out from there.
Details
All tours will be in my 2023 Toyota Sienna minivan, with comfortable seating for between 5-7 guests.
On all day tours, we will bring with us some warm drinks in individual thermoses and some home baking.
Pick up and drop off will be from, and back to, your accommodation in Whitehorse.
Location Kluane National Park, Yukon, Canada
Experience Scenic drive, easy walking, photography
Time 6 - 9 hours
Distance 400+ kilometres
Home to 17 of the 20 tallest mountains in Canada, pristine lakes, breathtaking highway views, and the largest non-polar ice field, Kluane is a surprisingly quiet, gorgeous escape.
Kluane National Park
Our departure will be from your accommodation in Whitehorse. We will travel the Alaska Highway, taking us through Haines Junction and shortly thereafter to our destination of Kathleen Lake. Here we can walk an approximately 1.5km (out and back) flat trail along the edge of the lake.
Following Kathleen Lake, we can also include a short but rewarding hike up Rock Glacier Trail for spectacular views.
Between Whitehorse and Kathleen Lake, we will have plenty of opportunities to stop for stunning views and photographs, and we’ll never rush.
It’s possible we encounter wildlife both at our planned stops and also along the highway. I’ll always be happy to stop as long as we can pull safely over.
This should be considered a full day trip, especially in the winter when the daylight hours are much shorter.
Optional Kluane add-on
Kluane Lake & Slims River Valley
An approximate 75 kilometre drive from Haines Junction (150 roundtrip), northwest on the Alaska Highway, leads us to Kluane Lake and Slims River in one of the most beautiful valleys imaginable. In the winter, ice will be crunched up on the shore of a completely frozen Kluane Lake, while in the summer, you can appreciate it’s deep teal colour and sandy surround.
Pricing
This tour is offered only as a private tour to provide maximum flexibility and comfort. Prices are total for the group.
1 guest - $400, plus 5% GST (+ $100 for the Kluane add-on)
2 guests - $500, plus 5% GST (+ $150 for the Kluane add-on)
3 guests - $650, plus 5% GST (+ $200 for the Kluane add-on)
4 guests - $800, plus 5% GST (+ $250 for the Kluane add-on)
5 guests - $950, plus 5% GST (+ $300 for the Kluane add-on)
Kathleen Lake in early August
Kathleen Lake in the beginning of November
Kluane Lake in the middle of October
Slims River in the middle of October, looking toward Kluane Lake
Kathleen Lake in the end of December
Kathleen Lake in the end of December
Rock Glacier Trail, Kluane, in early August
Highway views
The Alaska Highway passing over the Slims River
The Slims River Valley looking toward Kaskawulsh Glacier
The Alaska Highway approaching Haines Junction
Location Klondike Highway South, Yukon, Canada
Experience Scenic drive, photography, light exploring
Time 3-5 hours
Distance 150 kilometres
This area, affectionately known as “the magic valley” to me, is maybe my happiest place. Mountains, forest, and water surround us here. It’s just the perfect place to spend quiet, conscious, quality time with nature.
The Southern Lakes
Travel on the south Klondike Highway will be scenic and dynamic. Rounding corners and small elevation changes will yield dramatic mountain views along the way before we begin on an even more stunning side road.
This tour provides spectacular scenery without much walking necessary. There are opportunities to wander off a little bit down the river or through some forest to explore different views and photography opportunities, but for the most part, we are able to drive right to our most beautiful views.
Some of this area becomes impassable during the peak of winter depending on snowfall. We will make decisions on a trip by trip basis.
Pricing
This tour is offered only as a private tour to provide maximum flexibility and comfort. Prices are total for the group.
1 guest - $200, plus 5% GST
2 guests - $250, plus 5% GST
3 guests - $325, plus 5% GST
4 guests - $400, plus 5% GST
5 guests - $475, plus 5% GST
