Pelly River

Put-in: Faro Take-out: Pelly Crossing Previous moving water experience recommended. The Pelly River was first explored by Robert Campbell, a Canadian fur trader and explorer, for the Hudson Bay Company in 1840. He set up trading posts along the Pelly River with the best known of these being Fort Selkirk. As we canoe the Pelly River, we will be experiencing a landscape that has seen little physical change since Campbell’s epic 1840 journey.

Overview

Our Pelly River canoe trip begins in Faro, Yukon and ends at Pelly Crossing. The Pelly River meanders through the Tintina Trench, a significant component of Yukon geology. To the north, rocks date to many millions of years. The terrain is characterized by rolling uplands, worn down mountains, broad valleys, all evidence of the last great ice age. To the south are younger, higher, craggy mountains. The Pelly River is fast flowing but manageable for most paddlers. Some rapids will satisfy the adrenalin minded. Campsites along the shore and river islands, and wilderness scenery, provide the sense of isolation and Yukon grandness that have drawn past travelers of adventure and economy,and that continue to excite paddlers to this day. Wildlife abounds. There are wolves, bears, eagles and a significant population of lynx. As the Tintina Trench is along a major pathway for migratory birds, many species can be seen later in the summer. Not as well known as some of Yukon’s other rivers, the Pelly will leave you wondering how it has managed to remain so.

Dates & Prices

Difficulty: Class 1+ Intermediate Cost: Cdn: $1695 + 5% GST [Federal Tax]

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$1,695.00

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A non-refundable deposit of 30% of the trip fee is required to hold your reservation.The balance of the fee is due 60 days prior to commencement date of the trip. As a significant portion of our trip costs is already committed well in advance of each trip, there is no refund after 60 days. If payment is not received when due, Sea to Sky Expeditions reserves the right to treat the reservation as cancelled. Sea to Sky Expeditions will refund both deposit [less a small administrative fee] and full balance of payment, if we can replace your spot with another participant, less any non-refundable moneys from third party deposits. Cancellation notice must be received in writing. Please note that all tours in B.C and the Yukon. are subject to a 5% GST federal tax. No one may depart on a trip unless all payments and necessary documents (including medical and liability release forms) are received by Sea to Sky Expeditions. Due to the nature of operating in the wilderness and international destinations, prices are subject to change [rare]. Where necessary to change a price, we will try to provide as much notice as possible, and offer you the choice of another trip, or to cancel, with full refund. Our prices are quoted in Canadian dollars. If you choose to pay by credit card, we have to process the payment in Canadian funds. Your credit card company will automatically change it to your currency based on their exchange rate. If you paid your deposit in Canadian funds, please continue to make all further payments in Canadian funds to avoid any confusion in the daily changing exchange rate. Sea to Sky Expeditions reserves the right to alter itineraries or cancel any trip prior to departure for any reason whatsoever, including insufficient booking levels or logistical problems that may impede trip operations. A trip cancellation due to insufficient booking levels will generally occur at least 30 days prior to departure. Sea to Sky Expeditions is not responsible for expenses incurred by trip members in preparing for the trip (i.e. non refundable airline tickets, visa fees, equipment, etc.).

Itinerary

PELLY RIVER ITINERARY & PELLY TO DAWSON ITINERARIES

A complete itinerary along with maps, clothing and equipment list, will be issued upon registration.

Included: Transportation from the point of origin and return, camping fees, cooking gear, camp stoves, tents, meal preparations, canoes, canoe carts, paddles, life jackets, canoe dry bags, meals/snacks/beverages on the expedition, tarps, major first aid supplies, emergency radio or satellite phone, and professional guides. Meals: All meals while on the river.

Excluded: Transportation to point of origin, transfers, accommodation and food other than included in the itinerary, and personal equipment.

Gratuities are not included. Our guides make every effort to ensure your holiday is all you expected and more. Recognition of a job well done is always appreciated; $10-20/day per guide is recommended.

Day 0: Arrival in Whitehorse. We will meet at 7:00 pm at the Yukon Inn to discuss the adventure ahead, distribute life jackets and dry bags, and answer last minute questions. We will leave a message at your selected accommodation with specifics about our meeting.

Day 1 – 6: We will leave around 7 am for our 4 hour drive to the town of Faro and our put-in. From Faro to Pelly Crossing, the river follows the Tintina Trench, a major geological fault and travel corridor for migratory birds. It offers great variety and abundance of plant and animal life typical of boreal forest. With the Anvil Range to the north and the Glenlyon Range to the south, mountain vistas are spectacular, offering glassing opportunity for Stone sheep. Bears can often be viewed on the open grass slopes. Granite Canyon and Fish Hook Rapids can be challenging for novice paddlers depending upon water levels, but should provide no navigable problems in August.

Day 7/8: We will arrive in Pelly Crossing [where Klondike Hwy crosses Pelly River] late on Day 7 or early on Day 8. We will take the van back to Whitehorse on Day 8.

Getting Here

Whitehorse Air Canada has daily flights to Whitehorse. Air North has scheduled flights from Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver to Whitehorse. Please check with your travel agent for details. Air Condor has one direct flight per week from Frankfurt, Germany.