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Hans Gatt "Chance of a Lifetime Tour" - Yukon
9 nights
Hans has been racing sled dogs and building Gatt racing sleds for 22 years. He is the only musher in the world to have won top races in all classes of dog sledding: Sprint, Stage, Mid Distance and Lond Distance; in both Europe and in North America, including winning the Yukon Quest, the European Championship and the Wyoming Stage Stop four times each.
Hans is the current record holder in the Yukon Quest, after obliterating the previous record by 23 hours in 2010.
This tour is a very rare chance to go on a multi-day dog sledding trip with one of the World's super-elite mushers. It is the first time Hans has had led a professional tour. For this year only; Hans Gatt, in partnership with Sky High Wilderness Ranch, will be offering three - 8 day tours.
Hans will be driving his racing sled and will be using his champion racing team. If you would like to be introduced to a new level of dog sledding by a multi-champion musher, check out his equipment and techniques, and share the trail with some of the most talented champion sled dogs in the world, this is your chance of a lifetime!
Built in the height of the Klondike Gold Rush by prospectors who had survived the strenuous Chilkoot Trail from Skagway, Whitehorse is now the largest town in the Yukon. The area surrounding Whitehorse is still largely unspoiled and the mountain wilderness provides a fantastic backdrop for winter and summer activities alike.
Holiday idea
| Day 1 |
Arrive Whitehorse and transfer to the High Country Inn in Whitehorse for one night – room only. |
| Day 2 |
You will be picked up at your hotel at 10am in the hotel lobby. As a group you will do some last minute shopping and pick up any items missing from the packing list. Afterwards you will drive to Sky High Wilderness Ranch, 20 km south of Whitehorse where you will be outfitted with your expedition clothing. Enjoy a hot lunch and then you will be introduced to your 4 legged companions for the week. Now you will learn the basics of; dog care, checking their feet and shoulders, dog massage, sledding and parts of the sled. Harness your team, hook up and go for your very first run! After taking care of the dogs we can enjoy the sauna, have a shower, hot dinner and cozy up by the fire. (L,D) |
| Day 3 |
While the morning sun lifts slowly over the magnificent horizon, you say good morning to your new canine friends and ensure they are fed, watered and happy. You will then enjoy breakfast in the comfort of the lodge dining room and plan your day. Today you will cover approx 35km in distance driving towards secluded Jackson Lake. The only sound will be the runners in the snow, the working dogs, and your words of encouragement. This is the day that you begin to know each dog's personality and form a bond that only man and dog can understand. Relax in the sauna before retiring for the night at Sky High Wilderness Ranch. (B,L,D) |
| Day 4 |
Today your team will pull you east of the ranch. As you climb in elevation you are heading onto an old abandoned mining road on McIntyre Mountain. Enjoy the rugged landscape of the coastal mountains nestling Fish Lake in it's valley. Keep an eye out for wildlife - you never know what you might see! Return to Sky High lodge for the night. Take care of the dogs then curl up by the fire or sit around the dinner table recounting your adventures with others. There is a gravity fed shower waiting for you in the main lodge. (B,L,D) |
| Day 5 |
This day takes you towards beautiful Bonneville Lakes, west of the ranch. The trails are narrower here with some challenging ups and downs. The scenery is breathtaking and the coastal mountains are always in view to the south and west. Part of the trip you are above tree line and easily cover 20-30km. In harmony with the running rhythm of your team you will enjoy nature like you have never experienced it before. There is a gravity fed shower and sauna waiting for you in the lodge. (B,L,D) |
| Day 6 |
Imagine yourself years ago when only dogsled was used for transportation. Head out into the untouched wilderness for 3 days of winter camping at our wall tent camp at Dry Creek. A surge of new life creeps into your soul as you journey farther into the amazing landscape surrounding the Fish Lake Area. The trail on this day follows the shores of Fish Lake, climbs and heads into the coastal mountain range to the south. Enjoy the crisp freshness of this day and don't forget to take photos! Curl up at night by the woodstove for a cozy sleep in our wall tents. (B,L,D) |
| Day 7 |
At dawn enjoy a hearty camp breakfast in the wall tent kitchen. From your camp, weather permitting you will make a run to the top of the mountain above the tree line to Ptarmigan flats where there is a good chance of seeing large flocks of these beautiful white birds. Overnight at the Wall tent Camp. (B,L,D). |
| Day 8 |
Wake up with the sun, say good morning to your team as they enjoy their morning meal. After a hearty breakfast, you will start your final day of mushing. The dogs will pull you westbound with the Costal Mountains ahead of you. Return to Sky High Wilderness Ranch for a hot lunch. Late afternoon you will transfer to the Inn on the Lake for two nights. |
| Day 9 |
Inn on the Lake at leisure. |
| Day 10 |
Afternoon departure for your flight home. |
More information
| Available Dates | 18-25 January and 17-23 March 2012 |
| Prices | From £2215 per person |
Price includes Accommodation, transfers from and to Whitehorse, meals from dinner on Day 2 to breakfast on Day 8, breakfast on Days 9 and 10, dinner on Days 8 and 9. Use of personal sled and 3 to 6 Huskies, winter boots.
Price Excludes: International flights, meals not listed, alcoholic beverages, winter clothing rental, gratuities, items of a personal nature, excess baggage.
There is a maximum of 4 spaces on each trip so please book early to avoid disappointment.