Yellowknife
Yellowknife is a place where traditional indigenous culture blends together with modern amenities, for a truly remarkable experience while discovering the mystery of the Aurora Borealis. On winter nights the Aurora Borealis is often so vivid it seems close enough to touch. Far from city lights, watch the night sky light up. It’s a marvel that seems to embody the mysteries at the crossroads of Heaven and Earth in all of its elegance and raw beauty.
Please Note: Aurora Viewing happens late at night, typically between 10:00 pm and 2:00 am.
As a responsible tour operator, we believe in creating experiences that not only enrich your life but also contribute to the well-being of our planet and its communities. That’s why we will be planting one tree for every passenger that travels with us.
Embark on a travel experience that will stay with you forever. We offer a blend of culture, adventure, and tranquility, ensuring every moment is filled with wonder. Whether you’re seeking thrill or relaxation, we create journeys that are truly unforgettable.
THE JOURNEY BEGINS
Welcome to Yellowknife, the capital city of the Northwest Territories and the Diamond capital of North America! Yellowknife is a place where traditional indigenous culture blends together with modern amenities, for a truly remarkable experience while discovering the mystery of the Aurora Borealis. On winter nights the Aurora Borealis is often so vivid it seems close enough to touch. Far from city lights, watch the night sky light up. It’s a marvel that seems to embody the mysteries at the crossroads of Heaven and Earth in all its elegance and raw beauty. Begin your journey with a complimentary shuttle service once you arrive, and tonight, there will be a tour briefing and our first group dinner with our Tour Leader to prepare us for the adventures to follow. Depending on the flight arrival time, we may go out and get our winter clothing package this evening and be prepared for our adventures over the following days.** Meet your Tour leader in the hotel lobby by 5 PM for meet & greet and for welcome dinner **
We begin our time in Yellowknife with an exciting City Tour, featuring over 7 amazing stops that highlight the best this northern city has to offer. There’s something for everyone! From rich history to vibrant culture, you’ll get to experience Yellowknife’s unique charm and stunning natural beauty. Once you're picked up from your hotel or selected BnB, our journey kicks off at the Northwest Territory Legislature. Here, I’ll share insights into our non-partisan government and explain the significant historical and present-day events that have shaped this region. Next, you will head to the Yellowknife Historical Museum at the Giant Mine site, where you will dive into the city’s mining heritage. Your visit helps preserve and share this important history. Afterward, we’ll make a stop for a great photo op at Max Ward’s Bristol Freighter and the Yellowknife welcome sign. For Ice Pilots fans, we have a special treat in store! We’ll visit the Buffalo Hangar, the home of the popular show, where you’ll have a chance to browse through their unique gift shop. No trip to Yellowknife would be complete without a visit to Nature’s North Wildlife Gallery. Here, you will meet a variety of northern species, including the famous Grolar Bear – a cross between a polar bear and a grizzly bear – along with other fascinating wildlife. After that, you will head to the NWT Diamond & Jewelry Centre, where you’ll discover why Yellowknife is known as the 'Diamond Capital of North America'. If time allows, we’ll stop by the Yellowknife Visitor Centre. Next, you will explore Old Town, the quirky heart of Yellowknife. It’s a charming and historic neighborhood that adds to the city’s unique character. During the winter months (January to March), there’s even the option to drive on the ice road to visit the ice castle (weather permitting). To finish off the tour, you can choose to spend more time exploring Old Town and enjoy a delicious meal at Bullocks Bistro (reservations recommended), or I can take you back to your hotel or BnB.
After an easy morning, we start late to drive out to one of the many frozen lakes outside of Yellowknife, hear the ice crack as we drive on the lake, and try and catch our own northern Canada freshwater fish!! On our way, we will see the Yellowknife-Dettah Ice Road, the Highway of Ice. Our local guides know the best spots and have been commercial ice fishing on these frozen lakes for years. Unlike traditional ice fishing, you will get the opportunity to help chisel through the pre-drilled hole that has had a net in the water for at least a day. Together, you will work with the guides to help pull the fishing net out using traditional commercial fishing methods as they explain the process. Not only is this a unique experience but it also increases the likelihood of catching bigger and more fish for the fresh fish fry! Following our adventures, we have some time at our leisure, with time to explore Yellowknife or relax before tonight's dinner. After dinner on your own, we go to Aurora chasing today. Yellowknife is the best place in the world to view Aurora! If the skies are clear, you have a 98% chance to see Aurora! However, if the skies are cloudy, the chances are low. We aim to increase our chances to see the aurora and go out and “hunt” for the aurora! When we reach a suitable viewing place, we park, and view and talk all about the aurora, identify some stars, the Milky Way and maybe even see wildlife while driving from location to location! Each night we don’t exactly know where we are going, as it depends on the weather and the aurora, and where we go there is nothing but wilderness, wildlife, and Aurora. Depending upon weather conditions, we may choose to substitute our second or our last night’s Aurora viewing outings.
After a late breakfast and again an easy morning, we set out for our Indigenous dogsled tour. Watch as our guides take the excited dogs one by one from the dog kennels and harness them up to the sled. Get to know and pet the dogs, learn their names, and get a photograph with them. Every dog is friendly and likes to meet new people. We then get into the dog sleighs and get ready to hit the trail. We will team up the dogs and head out on the frozen lake for a 20-minute dog ride along a secluded and well-maintained dog trail. We end the tour in a heated teepee or trapper’s camp with hot beverages and Bannock as we listen to stories about how the dog teams played an important role in the daily lives of both the Indigenous peoples and western settlers in the old days, and how they helped people survive. The dogs were like family and are still treated that same way today. This activity is carried out in collaboration with an indigenous family business that wants to keep the cultural traditions and teachings that they have learned from their grandparents and have decided to share them with others in an enjoyable way. Through their dog sledding, they aim to promote respect for Indigenous culture and share the survival ways of people living in the cold subarctic areas. Tonight, after dinner, we head to the Skydome to experience an authentic Indigenous aurora experience that offers the comfort of a hot wood burning stove, couches, lounge chairs and tables for eating the fresh bannock and hot beverages. Spend an evening among the Dene people, with northern lights, storytelling, Dene history, and legends, traditional drumming, hand games demonstration, and samples of traditional foods such as local Great Slave Lake fish, and freshly made Bannock.
Our northern Canadian Yellowknife experience comes to an end this morning. Following breakfast (If departure flight is after 10:00 am) take the complimentary shuttle to the airport for your return journey home. **Shuttle departure times are posted at the front desk**
CAD (does not include 5% tax).
Flights can be booked to arrive and depart at any time.
OUR KEY TO EARNING TRUST IS
4 nights of accommodation (3.5 - 4 star, or best available)Professional Tour LeaderTransportation from local company10 meals: 4 breakfasts, 2 lunch, 2 dinners and 2 light snacks3 day winter clothing rental (includes jacket, boots, snowpants, mitts, polar fleece balaclava)Roundtrip airport transfers in Yellowknife
5% provincial tax on top of tour base rateGratuities to driver (Recommend $3-$4 per person per day)Gratuities to guide (Recommend $5-$7 per person per day)Meals not listed Attractions not listed Credit card payment fees, where applicable Airfare - domestic and international (unless specified)Travel insurance (strongly recommended, ask us for a quote!)
If you still have questions or need more information, feel free to ask! Simply fill out the form below, and our team will get back to you with the answers you need
Ask A Questionor
YOU CAN CALL US ATEmbark on a travel experience that will stay with you forever. We offer a blend of culture, adventure, and tranquility, ensuring every moment is filled with wonder. Whether you’re seeking thrill or relaxation, we create journeys that are truly unforgettable.
THE JOURNEY BEGINS
Welcome to Yellowknife, the capital city of the Northwest Territories and the Diamond capital of North America! Yellowknife is a place where traditional indigenous culture blends together with modern amenities, for a truly remarkable experience while discovering the mystery of the Aurora Borealis. On winter nights the Aurora Borealis is often so vivid it seems close enough to touch. Far from city lights, watch the night sky light up. It’s a marvel that seems to embody the mysteries at the crossroads of Heaven and Earth in all its elegance and raw beauty. Begin your journey with a complimentary shuttle service once you arrive, and tonight, there will be a tour briefing and our first group dinner with our Tour Leader to prepare us for the adventures to follow. Depending on the flight arrival time, we may go out and get our winter clothing package this evening and be prepared for our adventures over the following days.** Meet your Tour leader in the hotel lobby by 5 PM for meet & greet and for welcome dinner **
We begin our time in Yellowknife with an exciting City Tour, featuring over 7 amazing stops that highlight the best this northern city has to offer. There’s something for everyone! From rich history to vibrant culture, you’ll get to experience Yellowknife’s unique charm and stunning natural beauty. Once you're picked up from your hotel or selected BnB, our journey kicks off at the Northwest Territory Legislature. Here, I’ll share insights into our non-partisan government and explain the significant historical and present-day events that have shaped this region. Next, you will head to the Yellowknife Historical Museum at the Giant Mine site, where you will dive into the city’s mining heritage. Your visit helps preserve and share this important history. Afterward, we’ll make a stop for a great photo op at Max Ward’s Bristol Freighter and the Yellowknife welcome sign. For Ice Pilots fans, we have a special treat in store! We’ll visit the Buffalo Hangar, the home of the popular show, where you’ll have a chance to browse through their unique gift shop. No trip to Yellowknife would be complete without a visit to Nature’s North Wildlife Gallery. Here, you will meet a variety of northern species, including the famous Grolar Bear – a cross between a polar bear and a grizzly bear – along with other fascinating wildlife. After that, you will head to the NWT Diamond & Jewelry Centre, where you’ll discover why Yellowknife is known as the 'Diamond Capital of North America'. If time allows, we’ll stop by the Yellowknife Visitor Centre. Next, you will explore Old Town, the quirky heart of Yellowknife. It’s a charming and historic neighborhood that adds to the city’s unique character. During the winter months (January to March), there’s even the option to drive on the ice road to visit the ice castle (weather permitting). To finish off the tour, you can choose to spend more time exploring Old Town and enjoy a delicious meal at Bullocks Bistro (reservations recommended), or I can take you back to your hotel or BnB.
After an easy morning, we start late to drive out to one of the many frozen lakes outside of Yellowknife, hear the ice crack as we drive on the lake, and try and catch our own northern Canada freshwater fish!! On our way, we will see the Yellowknife-Dettah Ice Road, the Highway of Ice. Our local guides know the best spots and have been commercial ice fishing on these frozen lakes for years. Unlike traditional ice fishing, you will get the opportunity to help chisel through the pre-drilled hole that has had a net in the water for at least a day. Together, you will work with the guides to help pull the fishing net out using traditional commercial fishing methods as they explain the process. Not only is this a unique experience but it also increases the likelihood of catching bigger and more fish for the fresh fish fry! Following our adventures, we have some time at our leisure, with time to explore Yellowknife or relax before tonight's dinner. After dinner on your own, we go to Aurora chasing today. Yellowknife is the best place in the world to view Aurora! If the skies are clear, you have a 98% chance to see Aurora! However, if the skies are cloudy, the chances are low. We aim to increase our chances to see the aurora and go out and “hunt” for the aurora! When we reach a suitable viewing place, we park, and view and talk all about the aurora, identify some stars, the Milky Way and maybe even see wildlife while driving from location to location! Each night we don’t exactly know where we are going, as it depends on the weather and the aurora, and where we go there is nothing but wilderness, wildlife, and Aurora. Depending upon weather conditions, we may choose to substitute our second or our last night’s Aurora viewing outings.
After a late breakfast and again an easy morning, we set out for our Indigenous dogsled tour. Watch as our guides take the excited dogs one by one from the dog kennels and harness them up to the sled. Get to know and pet the dogs, learn their names, and get a photograph with them. Every dog is friendly and likes to meet new people. We then get into the dog sleighs and get ready to hit the trail. We will team up the dogs and head out on the frozen lake for a 20-minute dog ride along a secluded and well-maintained dog trail. We end the tour in a heated teepee or trapper’s camp with hot beverages and Bannock as we listen to stories about how the dog teams played an important role in the daily lives of both the Indigenous peoples and western settlers in the old days, and how they helped people survive. The dogs were like family and are still treated that same way today. This activity is carried out in collaboration with an indigenous family business that wants to keep the cultural traditions and teachings that they have learned from their grandparents and have decided to share them with others in an enjoyable way. Through their dog sledding, they aim to promote respect for Indigenous culture and share the survival ways of people living in the cold subarctic areas. Tonight, after dinner, we head to the Skydome to experience an authentic Indigenous aurora experience that offers the comfort of a hot wood burning stove, couches, lounge chairs and tables for eating the fresh bannock and hot beverages. Spend an evening among the Dene people, with northern lights, storytelling, Dene history, and legends, traditional drumming, hand games demonstration, and samples of traditional foods such as local Great Slave Lake fish, and freshly made Bannock.
Our northern Canadian Yellowknife experience comes to an end this morning. Following breakfast (If departure flight is after 10:00 am) take the complimentary shuttle to the airport for your return journey home. **Shuttle departure times are posted at the front desk**
CAD (does not include 5% tax).
Flights can be booked to arrive and depart at any time.
OUR KEY TO EARNING TRUST IS
4 nights of accommodation (3.5 - 4 star, or best available)Professional Tour LeaderTransportation from local company10 meals: 4 breakfasts, 2 lunch, 2 dinners and 2 light snacks3 day winter clothing rental (includes jacket, boots, snowpants, mitts, polar fleece balaclava)Roundtrip airport transfers in Yellowknife5% provincial tax on top of tour base rateGratuities to driver (Recommend $3-$4 per person per day)Gratuities to guide (Recommend $5-$7 per person per day)Meals not listed Attractions not listed Credit card payment fees, where applicable Airfare - domestic and international (unless specified)Travel insurance (strongly recommended, ask us for a quote!)Get Full Itinerary with all includes and exclusions
If you still have questions or need more information, feel free to ask! Simply fill out the form below, and our team will get back to you with the answers you need
Ask A Questionor
YOU CAN CALL US ATExpert Guidance at Your Fingertips
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