FAQ
What we know and what you should know
A trip to the Yukon Alaska region is something very special. It starts with the planning and preparation and ends in many wonderful memories. To help you get started, here is some general information about the trip itself and the region you will visit:
The booking
You can book your trip directly through our website epic-north.com. It starts with the pick up at Whitehorse Airport and ends with the return transfer to this airport. Our day tours start in downtown Whitehorse and/or with pick-up at your hotel in Whitehorse.
Of course, you can also book the tour through many of our travel agencies and event partners. They will surely find you a cheap flight and provide you with a lot of additional information and security.
The best time to book for your Yukon and Alaska summer vacation is certainly fall and winter, the early booking period. Of course, you can still book your summer vacation in spring, but any travel dates may already be fully booked. When booking a winter holiday, however, the summer or autumn time is the ideal timing.
Climate & Weather in the Yukon
The weather in the Yukon-Alaska region is relatively pleasant and not nearly as cool as generally often mistakenly assumed. In summer, temperatures between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius are quite normal, because then the sun hardly sets. It is the time of the midnight sun. Of course, temperatures can drop off quite a bit, but you probably know this from capricious weather in Europe. It is also a fact that up here in the north-western part of Canada there is always quite low humidity, which is very pleasant.
In winter there are often similar Celsius figures as in summer, but then of course with negative signs. It is the time of the northern lights and starry nights. But even at this time of year the humidity is extremely low and the low temperatures are therefore much more pleasant to bear than those in Europe.
If you are wondering what to pack in your suitcase for the trip, we would like to recommend the “onion motto”. From swimming trunks to fleece sweaters, everything is welcome. Also an East Frisian mink for possible rainy weather should be included. The “little black one” can safely stay in the cupboard and be exchanged for an additional pair of jeans. Good footwear material is also recommended.
And in case you forgot something, there are many shops in Whitehorse that carry everything you might need. Even the “little black one”, should you need it for some reason. Specially equipped “outdoor shops” offer everything from sleeping bags, fishing equipment and canoes to bug spray.
Speaking of mosquitoes: Yes, there are these little pests in this region too. In the towns and communities up here, they are certainly not common, but in the wild they are. How bad, depends on the weather. If you catch a rather rainy summer, there are also more of them. If the summer is drier,
there’s no problem. The further north you travel, the more you come to areas where the permafrost soil begins at a shallow depth. If the ground warms up here in summer, small puddles and swamps form, in which the mosquito larvae hatch more often. Especially in areas above the Arctic Circle this can be disturbing. But a good mosquito spray works wonders there. The most effective mosquito sprays are those that you can buy up here.
By the way, the right clothing can also help. Mosquitoes much prefer darker clothes to lighter ones. Dark clothes radiate much more heat than light ones.
The best time to visit the Yukon
The question of the best time to travel to the Yukon Alaska region is very difficult to answer. Because it always depends on what you would like to experience. Wildlife can be seen in any case in every season, but of course, there is no guarantee. But until now, on every trip, a bear, a moose or other animals crossed the highway.
The most common travel time for a summer holiday is between mid May and the end of September. At this time the Condor also flies non-stop from Frankfurt to the Yukon. Here is a short description of our seasons:
Spring: In the time between mid May and mid July the sun almost never sets, nature “explodes”, mostly dry and stable weather conditions prevail and you can often see bears and moose on the highways enjoying the fresh grass and fresh shoots.
Summer: Beginning of July until mid August is the time of our high summer. This is the time when most vacationers will be in the Yukon. All summer activities can be done now and temperatures can even rise above 30 degrees Celsius.
Autumn: Mid August to the end of September is our autumn. The nights are getting longer, you can already see the northern lights. There can also be frost and the nature changes into the “Indian Summer” with all its colours. Berries grow on many bushes and the bears now eat the necessary calories for their long winter sleep.
Winter: Winter begins at the end of October and lasts until April. The best time for a winter holiday is from Christmas until the end of March. All winter activities can be carried out during this period, the northern lights illuminate the starry sky in many nights and the “Winter Wonderland” dominates the landscape. An absolute highlight at this time of year is a drive on the Dempster Highway up to the Arctic Ocean. (LINK)
Our group tours in Yukon & Alaska
Your health and safety is our top priority! Especially because of the Corona Pandemic and the “new reality” that has emerged from it, we at EPIC NORTH Tour Experiences have completely changed our “group philosophy”. From now on the maximum group size is 9 persons, who then travel in a 15-seater van. This guarantees a minimum distance of 1.5 meters per group member. The permanent cleaning of the van with disinfectant solution and the distribution of one face mask per person serve as additional safety measures. By the way, group trips are already carried out with us from 4 persons.
On all our group tours you can also book as a single person for an additional charge.
Your age does not play a role in our travel groups. And should you not want to take part in an activity – no problem. You can also just relax for once. But please let us know if you have any medical problems, because we are usually quite far away from a hospital. By the way, we recommend you to take out a travel and health insurance before you start your journey. (LINK, + extra report)
In addition to our small group guarantee, we now offer a further service. Our guided tours can now also be booked as a self-drive package. Also for your whole family. You drive yourself (completely Corona-safe) in your own rental SUV and at the same time benefit from our German-speaking tour guide, a detailed route book and a radio with which you can contact the tour guide at any time during your trip.
All our tour guides are German and English speaking, local, very experienced and also have first aid training.
Tips in North America
It is quite common throughout North America to give tips. In a restaurant it is usually between 15 and 20% of the bill.
Our tour guides are also happy to be tipped at the end of the tour. Usually they are around CND $ 10 per person per day. But as I said, this is not obligatory for you, it is completely up to you.
Fuel costs in the Yukon
Fuel is definitely cheaper in the Yukon-Alaska region than in Europe, but more expensive than the US. Nevertheless, the further north you drive, the more expensive the fuel becomes.
Languages in Canada
There are two official languages in the Yukon as in all of Canada. English and French. Nevertheless, you will hear German everywhere. In shops, hotels and at tourist information offices. Also in the tourist information centers, most of the information brochures are also available in German.
Electricity/plug/adapter
The power grid in Canada and the USA has a different voltage rating than the German power grid. Instead of 230 to 240 volts in Europe, Canadian and American sockets have only 110 to 120 volts. The frequency is also different. While a frequency of 50 Hz is common in Europe, we have 60 Hz in Canada and the USA. The normal plug or socket shape is also different. You need a special adapter for this. If you forgot yours, we offer such adapters for a small fee.
Banks in the Yukon
Depending on whether you travel in the Yukon or Alaska, the Canadian or US dollar is the cash of choice. The best thing to do is to exchange the money before you leave Europe and bring the appropriate cash with you. Everywhere in North America, the most common credit cards are also accepted for all payments. Especially Visa and Mastercard. If you want to exchange European cash into dollars at banks, you will definitely need your passport as well.
