For many people a trip to the Yukon is a once in a lifetime experience. People think of the midnight sunsets, endless wildlife and pristine wilderness and little about planning for the journey. As any vacation can either be enhanced or stifled by the amount of planning that one does up-front, when traveling to Canada’s north it becomes even more important. Goods & services that are readily available in your hometown may not always be available in Haines Junction, Watson Lake or Dawson City. Or, if they are available they may be in limited supply or booked solid for the summer. The planning you do before your trip will go a long way in ensuring your Yukon adventure will be all that it should be.

Trip Parameters

- How much time do I have?
- What do I want to see/do? (hiking, fishing, sightseeing, canoeing, all)
- What is my budget?
- How will I travel? (Air , Car, Bus)
- What time of year will you travel?
- What level of accommodation do I need? (Hotel, B&B, Hostel, Camping)
- Do you have Health restrictions?
- Do you need travel insurance?

Once you set your parameters then you can start booking hotels, cars and airfares. Draft an itinerary that you can use to help you with your bookings. The internet is a valuable tool that will allow you to decide what tours, trips and sites that will interest you the most. In addition to the internet there are many publications available that will provide you with additional information. I would highly recommend the Milepost or the Yukon Visitors Guide to anyone planning a trip to the Yukon.

Early Planning (6-2 months ahead)

- Start looking for special deals and other discounts for which you may qualify.
- Do some research on the area you’ll be visiting and on the way you’ll be getting there. This is especially important to start your research early if you are planning a remote tour.
- Check the valid dates on your passport if you are planning on leaving the country.
- Make reservations as soon as possible.
- Pick up a map of the Yukon to assist in planning & reservations.

Final Trip Preparation (8-1 weeks ahead)

- Know the weather, so you’ll know what to expect and can pack accordingly.
- Check the valid dates on your credit card to make sure they will remain valid while you’re traveling.
- Check your driver’s license to make sure it will remain valid while you’re traveling.
- Get traveler’s checks from the bank.
- Check your insurance for expiration dates and coverage for your automobile, home and the valuables that you’ll take with you, as well as those you’ll leave at home.
- If traveling by car, get the car checked and have the oil changed. Don’t wait until the last minute, it may take time to get an appointment and parts may need to be ordered. You also want some time to drive around town and make sure that whatever they fixed stays fixed.

With a little preparation and planning your Yukon adventure can be everything that you want it to be and more. For details on many other outdoor adventures in North America and around the world visit http://www.adventures-outdoors.com

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