To the north an eerie, sulfurous-green sheen begins to ripple into the night sky. It arcs itself into an ebb and flow, slowly growing, then suddenly bursts across the full expanse of the night sky waving and dancing as if it were happy. It’s the spectacular and mystical Northern Lights and viewings such as the one above are common in the Yukon.

Accommodation is included in Whitehorse, however the Northern Lights viewing takes place at a cosy, heated, traditional wall-tent located 20 minutes north of Whitehorse with an unobstructed (no mountains or trees) and undisturbed (no light pollution) view due north. Hot drinks and snacks are provided. During the day you can book optional activities such as dog sledding, snow mobiling, or visiting the Yukon Wildlife Preserve.

No need to get up too early, there will be plenty of time for a relaxing breakfast!  At 10.30am we depart the hotel on a City Tour including Main Street, the Train Depot of the White Pass and Yukon Route, the Log Skyscraper, the Log Church, Sternwheeler SS Klondike, Fish Ladder and Schwatka Lake. 

The afternoon is free time for you to relax or explore further at your leisure. 

At 9.30pm we depart the hotel on our second night of Aurora viewing at our cosy, heated wall-tent.  Return to hotel around 1.30am.

What is the best month to see the Northern Lights?

In northern regions like the Yukon, the best time to view the aurora is from late August to mid-April. During the summer months the night skies are not dark enough to see the aurora borealis even at times when the solar wind activity is strong.

What is the best time of night?

Under average conditions, observations around midnight are most likely to yield the best results.

Am I guaranteed to see the Northern Lights?

Please keep in mind that you have a great chance of seeing this display of colour when you travel to the Yukon from late August through April.  However, it is mother nature who ultimately decides whether you will witness this amazing natural phenomenon.  Unfortunately, as much as we would like to, we cannot guarantee to what extent you will see the Northern Lights.

Accommodation for this tour is included in a very comfortable hotel in Whitehorse.  For an additional cost you may substitute one night in Whitehorse for one unforgettable at the purpose built "Caribou Tent", where you can watch the Northern Lights from the comfort of your own private viewing facility. We will take you out after dinner at 9:30pm to this stylish and unique Northern Lights viewing facility just twenty minutes north of town. The insulated and heated wall tent is equipped with a double bed and linen, two comfortable chairs, wash basin, propane cooking stove and an oil fed heater. We also provide you with a homemade continental breakfast of muffins, fruit, yoghurt, tea and coffee for you to prepare yourself at the Caribou Tent. After a beautiful night we will pick you up again at 9:00am and take you back to Whitehorse.  Please speak with your Kumuka consultant or travel agent for further details.

Your passport is a valuable document and you should exercise care in keeping it safe. It should be valid for at least six months after the end of your tour and it must have at least one blank page for each visa required. We advise that you take photocopies of your passport in case of loss or damage. Alternatively, you can scan copies of these pages and email them to yourself so that you can access them if you happen to lose your passport whilst abroad and have to apply for a new one at your nearest Embassy.

If you wish to spend a few additional days in your starting or finishing city, then we can arrange accommodation for you. All our accommodation is carefully chosen, conveniently located, clean and comfortable. (All rates per person per night and subject to availability).

In North America tipping is a way of life and very much expected, as well as appreciated. For many, receiving tips is a means of supplementing their salary which is usually based on minimum wage. The standard amount in restaurants and bars is 15% of the total bill (please note that sales and service taxes are automatically imposed in some restaurants and bars).  Chambermaids usually receive $1 or $2 per night in a hotel, simply left on the bedside table.

It is also customary in North America to show appreciation of your Tour Leader by tipping him/her at the end of the tour.

Whilst on tour you will probably want to stay in touch with family and friends. There are several ways of doing this:

Mobile Phone – Before departing your home country check with your phone supplier to see if it compatible with the mobile phone networks in the countries that you are traveling to, and how much will it cost to use abroad.

Email – Internet Cafes are very cheap and popular, and you are sure to come across several during your tour. If you haven’t done so already, set up a free Google Mail, Hotmail, or Yahoo email account which you can then access from any computer. Internet Cafes will charge a nominal fee for using their computers. Within Europe some hotels charge a wifi connection fee and we cannot guarantee a wifi connection at all hotels we use.

Twitter – A method of communication that is rapidly gaining in popularity on the Internet especially amongst travelers. Twitter allows you to send short messages and update your friends and family with where you are on tour and what you are doing. Create your free account at http://twitter.com. Visit Kumuka’s page on Twitter at http://twitter.com/kumuka

Facebook – Very popular website that allows you to upload stories, get in touch with fellow travellers before and after your Kumuka tour, upload photos and videos to share with other travellers, your family and friends. To create a free account, go to www.facebook.com and then become a fan of Kumuka’s Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/Kumuka-Worldwide/26617121087?ref=ts

Postcards – The good ol’ fashioned postcard. But you will probably get home before the postcard does!

Under no circumstances are any illegal drugs allowed on any part of the trip. Anyone discovered in possession of any such drugs, will be asked to leave the tour immediately without question or refund.