Explore one of the few pristine wildernesses left in the world on this horseback pack-trip into the Yukon. Full days are spent exploring the mountains, camping along the way on old trails forged by animals over the years. View wildlife, enjoy breathtaking views of the mountains, and step back in time to experience pure clean air and untouched wilderness, all from horseback.
Ride alongside lakes, across plateaus and through wide valleys and have the chance to spot local wildlife such as bison, moose and bear. Horseback riders will be fully guided and outfitted while traveling along this old cowboy trail.
This is an ideal equestrian ride for all levels who want to explore the Yukon wilderness on a short pack-trip, but allow time to take part in other activities in the area. The pace of these rides is walking only with the emphasis on spotting wildlife and discovering an area only accessible by horseback.
Please Note: The opinions expressed in these reviews are the author's and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unicorn Trails Ltd. These reviews are "directly from the horses mouth" and unedited. Unicorn Trails may make additional comments for clarification clearly identified in red.
Review received from SP of PORNICHET on 29/08/2022
We suggest that guests arrive at Whitehorse Airport the day before the ride starts (overnight in Whitehorse) in order to transfer to the ranch in the early morning of the trip.
The below itinerary is an example of the 4-day ride. It will be adapted for 3-day or 5-day rides.
Day 1
Morning transfer from the Whitehorse International Airport or hotel to the ranch. The trip starts approx 9.30 am. Meet the fellow riders and hosts before heading out on a guided afternoon ride from the ranch to base camp nestled in the spruce trees next to a stream. The evening meal is cooked over the campfire before retiring to the tents for a good nights sleep.
Day 2
Today the group ride on to the second base camp, nestled behind a lake on a mountain pass. Meandering through the wilderness is the perfect opportunity to get to know the horses as the trail follows along open grassy ridges and along small lakes. The region is beautiful and there is a good possibility to see some wildlife such as moose and bison along the way.
Day 3
Ride and explore the area and trails on these two days, returning to base camp each night. The guide will outline different day trip options during the stay and riders will get to choose.
Day 4
Return to the ranch with new adventure stories. The trip ends approx 4pm. Say goodbye to the horses and guides before transferring back to Whitehorse (hotel or airport).
Please note: All itineraries are given for your guidance only and it may be altered on the ground and in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.
These pack trips use mainly Percheron and Quarter Horse crosses meaning they can accommodate heavier riders up to 300lbs or 135 kilos. There are 12 horses available to choose from, all are experienced trail horses and all use Western tack. Hard hats are available to borrow and anyone under the age of 19 must wear a helmet when riding.
The riding on this trail is at a walk and the emphasis is on exploring this vast landscape and spotting wildlife. It's suitable for beginners onwards although a good level of fitness is required in order to enjoy the 4-6 hours in the saddle each day. Walking on foot while on the trail is basically optional. Your guides will tailor the rides to suit the group (there are 2 guides). The terrain is steep in places, but there are no steep drop-offs as such and walking on foot is not required unless people want a break from being in the saddle.
This ride is suitable for beginner riders onwards. Due to the terrain all of the riding is at a walk. All riders will have a short lesson before heading out onto the trail. The horses at this destination are extremely well-mannered and reliable. You will need to be able to mount and dismount but instruction will be given.
A good degree of general and riding fitness and a sense of adventure would ensure that riders get the most out of their holiday - there are long hours in the saddle and basic camping/facilities at night.
The weight limit for this ride is 255 lb/116 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
When out on the trail the riders be staying at the host's base camps in 3-4 man tents. Base camps will already be up when guests arrive so there is no need to assist in putting up/breaking down camp each day. The camping is fairly basic and made up of one large cook tent with wood stove and the sleeping tents which are 3-4 man dome tents. There is no possibility to request a single tent and all riders will share tents. Riders will be provided with thermarest mattresses to sleep on and cooking is done over the campfire or a portable stove. There are no toilet or shower tents but your hosts can take along shower bags if requested. Riders can wash in the nearby cool natural streams and lakes.
The meals are hearty camp meals consisting of chilli and cornbread, salad, meat and potato style meals with bread rolls and dessert. Riders do not need to help prepare meals (unless desired), the cook/guide will do this. Tea, coffee, water and iced tea are all available on the trail. No alcohol is provided but if you are welcome to purchase your own wine or beer in town and bring it with you. Please note that excessive drinking is not encouraged on this trail.
Vegetarian or other dietary requirements within reason can be accommodated with advance notice. Please contact Unicorn Trails with requests before booking.
Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct documentation in place for your trip. NB: Be sure to check the COVID status of the country you plan to visit including entry procedures and requirements while travelling. Dependent on your country, Passport and Visa requirements can change from regularly depending on diplomatic relations. Please request information from the appropriate Consulate in your home country. Visa-exempt foreign nationals who fly to or transit through Canada are expected to have an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Exceptions include U.S. citizens and travellers with a valid Canadian visa. To visit Canada, you will need to meet some basic requirements, such as: • Have a valid travel document, such as a passport • Be in good health • Have no criminal or immigration-related convictions • Convince an immigration officer that you have ties—such as a job, home, financial assets or family—that will take you back to your home country. • Convince an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your visit, and have enough money for your stay. (The amount of money you will need can vary. It depends on things such as how long you will stay, and whether you will stay in a hotel, or with friends or relatives). Unicorn Trails will assist with any questions you have or supply any necessary supporting documents as required by the consulate should you need a visa. In the UK the British Foreign Office gives advice: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/canada In the US: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Canada.html
Another useful resource is Sherpa - this summarises any travel and vaccination requirements based on when you are travelling simply by entering your home country followed by your destination country: https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restrictions
While the average winter temperature in Yukon is mild by Canadian arctic standards, no other place in North America gets as cold as Yukon during extreme cold snaps. The temperature has dropped down to −60 °C (−76 °F) three times, 1947, 1954, and 1968. Unlike most of Canada where the most extreme heat waves occur in July, August, and even September, Yukon's extreme heat tends to occur in June and even May. Yukon has recorded 36 °C (97 °F) three times. The first time was in June 1969 when Mayo recorded a temperature of 36.1 °C (97 °F). 14 years later this record was almost beaten when Forty Mile recorded 36 °C (97 °F) in May 1983. The old record was finally broken 21 years later in June 2004 when the Mayo Road weather station, located just northwest of Whitehorse, recorded a temperature of 36.5 °C (97.7 °F).
COVID: Be sure to check the latest COVID regulations for travelling in any country you visit.
Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.
The cost of medical treatment can be very expensive in Canada. For emergency health care you can go to a hospital’s emergency room or to a large number of walk-in clinics where an appointment is not required beforehand.
Giardiasis is present so do not drink water from streams. Tap water is safe to drink.
Rabies is endemic in Canada, do not approach stray dogs.
Lyme disease can be a risk in wooded regions; it is a rare tick borne disease.
Please refer to your country’s latest health guideline for travel in Canada and contact your own GP for up to date advice on vaccinations and prophylaxis prior to travel.
There are not many bugs but there are some mosquitoes and black flies around so you may want to bring some insect repellent.
In Canada the supply voltage is 120V. If the appliance or its power supply are not dual voltage rated, the single voltage appliance will have to be used alongside a voltage transformer or converter to allow the appliance to work safely and properly (unless the appliance operates at 120V).
Electricity is available on the first and last nights, when staying at the ranch. There is no electricity out on the trail and mobile phone reception is extremely patchy. If you want to bring a GoPro please be advised that you will have to have permission from all other guests and guides that they are willing to be filmed.
Luggage should be packed in a soft duffle bag, preferably waterproof
- Riding hat- we strongly recommend that you wear a properly fitted riding helmet of the current standard which is PAS015 or BSEN1384 (compulsory if under 19, these are available on site if you would prefer to borrow)
- Leather gloves
- Jeans
- Waterproof boots - it is important to have correct shoes or boots for horse riding. Jodhpur or ankle boots with a rubber sole are recommended but sturdy shoes with a definite heel are acceptable (such as walking boots)
- Knitted hat for night time
- Camp shoes
- T-shirts
- Jumper
- Waterproof trousers and rain coat
- Sleeping bag rated to -10c
- Empty pillow-case (to stuff with clothes and use as a pillow)
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Small towel and face cloth
- Environmentally friendly soap
- Personal Items - toiletries, any medicines you require and please be sure to take insect repellent
- Refillable Water Bottle - it's very important to drink a lot of water when it's hot, especially when doing physical activities
- Head torch
- Camera, spare Batteries/Chargers - an absolute must! It is also a good idea to take a camera case you can strap around your waist or onto a belt for whilst you are riding
Provided by hosts
Riding hat
Saddlebags are provided
4d / 3n programme with 4 riding days OR 3d / 2n programme with 3 riding days. Available on set dates. Other trip lengths not available for 2024.
2025 4-Day: 17 Jun; 28 Jul; 5, 19 Aug,
2025 3-Day: 1, 24 Jul; , 26 Aug
2025 5-Day: 11 Aug
No of days/nights |
Riding days | Product item description | £ | |
2025- 4 days/3 nights | 4d/3n | 4 | double pp | 1,435 |
2025- 3 days/2 nights | 3d/2n | 3 | double pp | 1,075 |
2025 - 5 days/4 nights | 5d/4n | 5 | double pp | 1,789 |
No of days/nights |
Riding days | Product item description | € | |
2025- 4 days/3 nights | 4d/3n | 4 | double pp | 1,719 |
2025- 3 days/2 nights | 3d/2n | 3 | double pp | 1,289 |
2025 - 5 days/4 nights | 5d/4n | 5 | double pp | 2,149 |
No of days/nights |
Riding days | Product item description | US $ | |
2025- 4 days/3 nights | 4d/3n | 4 | double pp | 1,845 |
2025- 3 days/2 nights | 3d/2n | 3 | double pp | 1,385 |
2025 - 5 days/4 nights | 5d/4n | 5 | double pp | 2,305 |
No of days/nights |
Riding days | Product item description | SEK | |
2025- 4 days/3 nights | 4d/3n | 4 | double pp | 20,125 |
2025- 3 days/2 nights | 3d/2n | 3 | double pp | 15,095 |
2025 - 5 days/4 nights | 5d/4n | 5 | double pp | 25,159 |
- Talking at the Woodpile by David Thompson. This is a humourous collection of short stories, revealing the charm and grit of life in the Yukon. A blend of fact and fiction, history and the contemporary and intriguing stories that begin as long as 10,000 years ago.
There are plenty of other activities at this destination. You can spend time enjoying photography, fishing and/or hiking, experience swimming in pure, pristine wilderness lakes and enjoy barbecues at the ranch on your first and last night. You can also take part in boat rides or rent a kayak for the day and paddle around the lake or down the creek next to the ranch.
The Fox Lake / Lake Laberge area contains diverse ecosystems of wetlands (perfect conditions for many species of waterfowl, particularly in the spring), semi-arid foothills and large areas of new growth from past forest fires. This creates some excellent habitat for various species of waterfowl (ducks and geese), birds of prey (owls, hawks, eagles), herbivores (elk, deer and moose) and carnivores (coyotes, wolves and bears). Being in the rain shadow of the coastal mountains, the ranch is blessed by warm, dry summers.
People migrating from Asia crossing the Bering Strait first settled on the North American continent. They formed a number of tribes that can be distinguished by language: the Algonquian in the eastern sub-arctic and maritime areas spreading into the prairies and plains of the mid-west; the Iriquioian speaking tribes mostly in the St Lawrence Valley and around Lakes Ontario and Erie; the Salishan, Athabascan and other linguistic groups lived along the rivers and coastline of British Columbia. Small, isolated Inuit bands developed a unique culture in the harsh environment of the Arctic. John Cabot, a Venetian working in the service of the English sailed to Newfoundland in 1497. This and later explorations formed the basis of the English claim to Canada. The Frenchman Jacques Cartier undertook a series of explorations, mainly along the route of the St Lawrence River during the 1530s and 1540s and he claimed the land for France. It's the edginess between Canada's indigenous, French and British traditions that gives the nation its complex three-dimensional character. Add to this a constant infusion of US culture and a plethora of traditions brought by migrants, and you have a thriving multicultural society. Canada is between 3.5 and 8 hours behind GMT depending on where you are in the country. They use the metric weights and measures system, so kilometres and kilograms instead of miles and pounds. There is approximately 1.6 kilometres in a mile and 2.2 pounds in a kilogram. The international dialling code is +1.