Price: $3275 + gst

Dates: August 30th – September 6th, 2023

Lead Guides: Norm Hann & Kalin Pallett

Location: Whitehorse, YT

Whats Included:

  • 6 days fully guided expedition with an additional arrival and departure day.
  • Nutritious and delicious meals from lunch on day 2 to lunch on day 7.
  • Expedition Guides Norm Hann (NHE) and Kalin Pallett (Eddyline Outdoors)
  • Transportation from Whitehorse to Nisutlin Landing & from Teslin Lake back to Whitehorse.
  • All paddling equipment including inflatable paddleboards, paddles, pfd’s, leashes.
  • Hotel accommodations on evening of Day 1 and Day 7
  • Airport shuttle from Whitehorse International Airport to trip hotel.

What’s Not Included:

  • Travel from your home to Whitehorse, YT and return
  • All items on packing list.
  • Tent and dry bags for packing. Rentals available at time of booking.
  • Gratuities
  • Lunch and dinner on arrival day 1, dinner on evening of Day 7 and any meals on departure Day 8.

Payment

A $500 deposit is required at the time of booking to secure your place on the expedition with the balance to be paid 60 days prior to trip departure. Full payments can be made via email transfer to explore@normhann.com. 

Cancellations

Read about our cancellation policy here. Please email explore@normhann.com if you need to cancel at any time.

A River Trip to Explore the Land and Wild of the South Yukon.

Tucked up in the northwest corner of Canada, the Yukon Territory is a paddler’s paradise. Vast, pristine landscapes, unparalleled wildlife viewing, rich First Nations culture and fascinating colonial history make this a “must do” trip for paddlers of any ability. Join us this summer for an unforgettable journey in one of the last true wild places.

The Nisutlin River, located in the southwest corner of the Yukon, is the one of the only south flowing rivers in the Yukon and it meanders gently towards the Nisutlin River Delta National Wildlife Area, Yukon’s most significant staging area for migratory waterbirds every fall. This tour is the perfect option for someone’s first multi day, pack your own gear, river SUP trip. Easy paddling, ample beach sites, bird and wildlife viewing opportunities, fishing and more await you on this paddling journey. Most importantly you will have the time to reconnect with the land and water of the wild Yukon Territory.

Our eight day trip begins in Whitehorse, Yukon where we will enjoy the history and culture of this northern town before being shuttled the following day to the Nisutlin River. There we will spend six days paddling south on our way to Nisutlin Bay on the north end of massive Teslin Lake before our take out and shuttle back to Whitehorse.

Norm Hann Expeditions has partnered with Kalin Pallett of Eddyline Outdoors. Kalin’s primary focus has been to help design and deliver bespoke wilderness experiences, of the highest quality, for discerning clients to the Yukon Territory. Eddyline Outdoors is a trusted member of Yukon’s wilderness tourism sector, with 18 years of industry knowledge and experience. We are excited to have Kalin supporting our trip and co guiding with Norm on this northern adventure.

Weather

While late August and early September in the Yukon can be warm and sunny, you can expect to have a few cooler and wet days. For maximum enjoyment on your trip in all types of weather please bring the items listed below and be prepared for all types of conditions.

It is important that your clothing be made of synthetic materials or wool to retain their warmth when wet. Most synthetics also have the advantage of being quick drying. Avoid cotton clothing because they lack warmth if wet and take a very long time to dry. Please reach out if you have questions about our packing list.

For this trip you will be packing and carrying your own gear and some of the group gear. You will need a system of dry bags to carry your personal clothing and camping gear. You will be rent a 2-3 person tent and a set of dry bags for your trip if needed.

Paddling Equipment

  • All paddling equipment will be provided for you including inflatable boards, paddles, leashes and PFD’s
  • Suggested: Dry Bags: Your largest dry bag, 40-60L should fit your sleeping system including your tent, sleeping bag and thermarest, clothing etc.  A smaller day bag, 25-25L can be used for easy daily access and to carry your essential gear. And a small dry bag (5-10L) can be for used for smaller personal items like sunscreen, sunglasses, snacks etc. The personal system that NHE uses are three 35L Mustang Greenwater Drybags. 

What to Wear for Paddling (suggested)

  • Water shoes like a Teva or Chaco, and or/neoprene booties for cooler mornings, days. 
  • Clothing Option 1: For upper and lower body clothing system I personally wear Vaikobi V Cold Storm Pant and V Cold L/S Base with a pair of board shorts or waterproof shorts worn over the storm pants. This is a cooler weather system and maybe nice on the cooler, rainy days. Clothing Option 2: For warmer days you may be paddling in board shorts with a t shirt or long sleeve shirt. Morning will/can be cool so a layering system will work well for the day’s paddle.
  • Fleece or synthetic hooded mid layer jacket
  • Waterproof jacket and pants
  • Mid Layer with extra down jacket
  • Baseball Cap and Toque
  • Paddling gloves for cool days or if hands are sensitive
  • Buff

Other Clothing

  • Hiking shorts
  • Bathing suit
  • Hiking pants
  • Long sleeve Icebreaker
  • Long underwear Icebreaker
  • 2 short sleeve shirts
  • 1 sweater or sweatshirt
  • 2 pair of wool/synthetic socks
  • 2 pair of underwear
  • Camp shoes

Camping Gear

  • 1-3 person lightweight tent
  • Compressible 3 season sleeping bag
  • Sleeping pad or Thermarest
  • Small packable pillow
  • Knife, Spoon, Mug
  • Small foldable camp chair
  • Optional: Fishing Rod & Freshwater fishing license

Personal items

  • Water bottle
  • Small Thermos
  • Small personal first aid kit
  • Toiletries
  • Sunscreen
  • Sunglasses
  • Prescription eyeglasses or contacts with spares
  • Small packable towel
  • Personal Medication
  • Insect repellent & bug headnet
  • Book
  • Headlamp and batteries
  • Camera (optional)
  • Extra digital storage and batteries

Bugs: Generally bugs aren’t too much of a problem that time of year we are paddling and shouldn’t be much of a problem when we are paddling. Having said that, this year up to this point has been pretty bag due to the amount of snow/water from the winter season.  the worst year in the 19 summers I’ve been here for mosquitoes. As such, I do have a brand new Eureka NoBugZone CT 13 shelter ready to go for the trip, so that guests have somewhere to eat dinner/breakfast/read books/play games if they wish. I tend not to use any bug spray or bug repellent but prefer a bug jacket instead. It’s compact, lightweight, easy to use and never runs out.



Itinerary

Day 1 August 30th: Travel to Whitehorse, Yukon where the Edgewater Hotel shuttle will be organized for you to pick you up and to take you to the hotel. We will be organizing a group dinner this evening so we can get together for a meet and greet and to answer any final questions. Relax and explore the sights and sounds of  downtown Whitehorse, Yukon’s quaint capital city.

Day 2 August 31st: Today starts bright and early with a group meeting at your hotel. You will be on your own for breakfast. After a final  gear check, our shuttle takes us down the Alaska Highway and up the historic South Canol Road to Nisutlin Landing (3hrs). Once there, we’ll rig the boards, get changed, have lunch  and spend the afternoon paddling to Camp 1. (L/D)

Day 3 – 6  September 1st – 4th:  Did you know the Nisutlin is one of the only rivers in the Yukon that flows south! Most of our days we will be paddling between 5-7 hrs. Usually we are on the water early after a hearty breakfast and we hope to get into camp in the afternoon giving you time to relax, read, fish and to watch for wildlife. As the week builds you’ll be feeling stronger and more confident and your skills will continue to sharpen. Towards the end of the week we will paddle past the beautiful Wolf River, a great fishing area, where you will have the chance to experience some fun, splashy rapids on our way to our final campsite.

Day 7 September 5th : Our final day of paddling, we’ll be up early to SUP through the Nisutlin River Delta  National Wildlife Area, cross beautiful Teslin Lake, and meet our return shuttle to Whitehorse. We’ll be sure to keep our eyes open for the plethora of migratory birds that call this special part  of the Yukon home! After a 2 hour drive back to Whitehorse, a group dinner and a night in a  hotel are the perfect end to a memorable trip! (B/L)

Day 8 September 6th: The inevitable conclusion, but lots of happy memories! Hotel shuttle to the airport for  your departure home, or on to your next trip!