Canoe and Kayak Trips

Who do we cater to?

Kluane Airways Ltd caters to the Do It Yourself type client who is trying to save a dollar and is planning a wilderness trip in the Eastern Yukon or Western NWT.

Where are we located?

Our main base of operations is on Finlayson Lake, on the Robert Campbell Highway, 150 road miles north of Watson Lake.

What can we supply?

Kluane Airways offers a full service to the canoers or kayakers including:
• Shuttle service from Whitehorse to the point of departure, Finlayson Lake.
• Rental of canoes, kayaks, paddles, life jackets, throw ropes, pack barrels, fire boxes, bear spray and other camp gear.
• Assistance with planning information on rivers in our area
• Flights via float plane to the river of your choice
• Shuttle service at the end of your trip back to Whitehorse or wherever.

What rivers do we specialize in?

Due to our unique location on the east side of the Yukon and only 40 miles from the NWT, we service the Eastern Yukon and Western NWT.

What taxes are applicable?

Only the 5% GST will be added to any costs with regards to your trip.
Sample pricing is for 2024 trips in Canadian funds.
 


Preparing for your trip

Flying:

A good rule of thumb in preparing for any fly in trip is to drive as close to the river as possible. Air charter is very expensive and you want to minimize the distance you must fly, especially if you have more than one load. Remember, when you are chartering an aircraft, you are paying by the mile or the hour for the aircraft to fly both ways. Always know your exact weights when you arrive at a charter operator’s base. Make sure you have each piece tagged with the weight to reduce time the pilot will have to spend weighing everything.

Gear:

Try to pack your gear in smaller, soft bags, these are much easier to load in an aircraft. In the case of pack sacks or boards, do not tie things such as shoes, canteens, helmets or other small objects on them. This makes them difficult to load and upsets the pilot. Weigh your gear and persons so we have an near exact number for weight calculations.
 
In calculating the weight of your canoes or ours for the purpose of flying them, you alway double the weight to make up for the extra drag an external load creats..

Bear Spray or firearms:

Always notify the pilot if you have either of these objects. In the case of bear spray he may want to place it in the float hatch. The last thing you would want is a can going off inside the aircraft.
 

Great information to read in trip Planning:

The best book available for information on the Rivers in the Yukon and Western NWT is Rivers of the Yukon. It can be bought via YukonBooks.com or Mac's Fireweed Books In Whitehorse Yukon.
Rivers of the Yukon
 
The internet is obviously the finest resource for obtaining information on rivers anywhere. Dial up the river you are thinking about and there is probably great information out there just waiting for you.
Getting a copy of Rivers of the Yukon may also be bought over the Internet.

Bringing your own canoes:

If you are bringing your own canoes and you wish to haul two of them on the same flight, the canoes must mate. In other words, on the larger canoe, if you remove the end plates, cross braces and seats, the other canoe should fit inside this one. They can then be hauled on one side of the aircraft.

Rescue Insurance:

On a remote trip, especially in our area, getting a rescue can cost a lot of capital. Many times it will require a helicopter and then costs go through the roof. You could drop
$ 5,00015,000 very easily.
Check out Global Rescue 

Communications:

Consider bringing or renting a satellite phone or an Inreach. We find the Inreach to be the best. Once you are on the river, this is the only manner in which you will be able to contact anyone. Something as simple as a sprained or broken ankle can be very serious if you still have 7 – 14 days before you reach your destination.
Rentals in whitehorse available at: Total North Communications, 867-668-5175
Iridium Phone: Day  $ 25.00  Week $ 125.00 Month  $ 400.00
Inreach Explorer; Day  $ 15.00  Week $ 80.00 Month  $ 290.00

Booking your Trip

To confirm a trip with us, phone or email us at the address listed below. We require a 50% deposit to confirm any date or rental. Balance is due 30 days prior to arrival.
We have a limited supply of rental gear and flying time during the summer months, so book your trip early so we can handle your rental gear requirements and your flying requests.

Cancellations:

If we are notified at least 15 days in advance of your departure or rental, we will transfer the full amount to a later date, that year or the next.
Contact:
Kluane Airways Ltd
Phone:  Winter: 250-860-4187 
             Summer: 867-969-2127  
Email: info@kluaneairways.com
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