EU, Australian, New Zealand and US citizens
do not need a traveller's visa to enter Canada. However, a traveller's
passport is required. US Citizen have to show a proper ID. The passport
must be valid for at least six months after the date of entry into
Canada. When entering the USA (Alaska), for EC, Australian and New
Zealand citizens a visitor visa is being issued, valid for three months.
A fee of US$ 6.00 is charged for the visitor visa. Customs declaration
forms will be handed out by the flight attendant during the flight to
Canada. This form must be filled out and given to a Canada Customs
Official at the port of entrance.
The import of groceries or plants into Canada and the United States is strictly
prohibited. Special regulations apply to the import of fire arms and
ammunition into Canada and the United States. Contact the Canadian and
American embassies in your country for information concerning these
regulations.
Important: When entering the USA machine-readable
passports are required and fingerprints and digital photos are being
taken.
2. Immunization
No immunization shots are required for EU, Australian and New Zealand
citizens travelling to Canada or the United States of America.
3. Means of Payments
It
is recommended that you bring approximately $ 150.00 in Canadian
currency and $ 150.00 in American currency, as well as traveller's
cheques. Credit cards are extremely convenient and are
used extensively as a means of payment in both Canada and the United
States. In Canada and the United States, VISA and EUROCARD/MASTER
CARD can even be used for a small purchase such as a meal in a
restaurant or a taxi fare.
NOTE: American
Express credit cards are often not accepted in the Yukon and Alaska.
Medical
attention in Canada and the United States is more costly than in Western
Europe or Australia. If a visitor to Canada or the United States
requires medical treatment, a credit card payment is usually mandatory.
4. Driving and Licensing
When renting
a vehicle, a credit card number or a large security cash deposit is
required. The cash deposit can range in cost from $ 1,000.00 to $
3,000.00, depending on the rental agency.
EC/Australian/New Zealand
driver's licenses are acknowledged in both Canada and the United States.
If you booked a tour to Canada, and the United States of America, it is
necessary that you bring your drivers license. If extenuating
circumstances arise, where you have to part company with the tour
group, you may find it necessary to drive a vehicle. Traffic signs and
regulations are similar to those in Western Europe//Australia/New
Zealand. In the Yukon and Alaska, you are allowed to make a right turn
at a red light provided you have come to a complete stop and the turn is
safe to complete.
5 a Luggage and travel bags
Please limit your luggage to one piece (maximum weight of 20 kg) and one
carry on bag.
The storage capacity of our vans is limited. Excessive luggage will
be inconvenient for you and other members of the tour when travelling in
the van. When going on canoe trips you should try to pack wisely for the
trip and avoid taking excess items. Excess items can be stored at a
hotel, in a private storage facility in Carmacks, or if necessary in the
van.
5 b Luggage on Hotel Round
Trips
There is no luggage limit for Hotel Round Trips.
6. Canoe tours
Big Salmon River Canoe
Tour
On day one the guide will introduce members of the tour to
easy and enjoyable lessons covering the basics of canoeing. These
instructions take place on Quiet Lake. Paddling time on the Big Salmon
River varies. Day one has a maximum of six hours paddling time, day two
has five hours, and all remaining days are approximately plus or minus
four hours paddling time. Extended paddle times are necessary on day one
and two because of impenetrable brush and swamp areas encountered along
the river. The Big Salmon River has a moderate current with some rapids
followed by long stretches of calm current.
Yukon River Canoe Tour
On day one the guide will introduce members
of the tour to easy and enjoyable lessons covering the basics of
canoeing. The daily paddling time on the Yukon River ranges from four to
five hours per day. The Yukon River has a fast, continuous current with
rapids encountered only at Five Finger Rapids. These rapids can be
easily navigated by a novice canoeist in a matter of less than five
minutes.
Upper Liard River Canoe Tour
On day
one the guide will introduce members of the tour to easy and enjoyable
lessons covering the basics of canoeing. These instructions take place
on Caribou Lakes. Paddling time for the Upper Liard River averages about
four to five hours daily. The Upper Liard River has a fast current and
is scattered with numerous rocks and boulders. The river has gentle
bends, and only a few sweeper areas will be encountered. Wide channel
ways will provide the canoeist ample time for setup when encountering
sweeper areas.
Special Note: Extreme run-off conditions as well as extreme wind and rain may require
special caution or even a cancellation of a canoe trip. This concerns
all rivers of the Yukon.
7 a Hiking and Trekking
All hiking takes place during daytime hours and hiking time can vary
between five and seven hours. The hiking guide can change the difficulty
level of the trail depending upon the group's average level of fitness.
The group must stay together for safety reasons, pacing itself to that
of the slowest group member. Under no circumstances are the hikers
allowed to split into separate groups. During the hike, the guide will
provide you with information on the trail's history, geology, plant
life, and animal life. Feel free to ask the guide any questions you may
have. Special requirements apply to the Chilkoot Trail (s. tour
description Chilkoot Trail).
7 b Hiking Tours Hotel Round Trip
The duration of
hiking tours during Hotel Round Trip may vary between one and three
hours. The hikes are being conducted on typical forest and mountain
trails. Gains in elevation are not worth to be mentioned. However, all
trails require solid and broken in hiking boots.
8 a Food and Accommodation
during Tent Round Trips
To guarantee an organized camp life, the
guide will cook the meals for the group but the group is expected to
chip in and assume responsibility for camp chores. The chores will
include collecting firewood, washing dishes, grocery shopping, assisting
in meal preparation, and other common camp chores. To ensure that chores
are equally shared, the group will be divided into two member teams and
a rotating chore schedule will be put in place. If not included in the
tour price all group members will contribute money into a food kitty to
cover the cost for camp groceries. Cost will be approximately CA$ 75.00
per person and week. When staying overnight at a hotel, meals can be
purchased in a restaurant. A breakfast can cost between $ 8.00 and $
10.00 per person, and a main meal is usually between $ 15.00 and $ 25.00
per person. Group members will be accommodated in middle class hotels or
campgrounds.
Sometimes it is necessary to set up a camp in the
wilderness. This situation is unavoidable during canoe trips. Only a few
campgrounds have excellent sanitary facilities complete with showers,
toilets and wash basins. The itinerary of the tour group will provide
the individual with ample time to shower and clean up. Government
operated campgrounds are usually very scenic and tend to be our
preferred choice. Tour members are expected to set up their own
tents but the guide will assist if difficulties occur.
8 b Meals during Hotel Round
Trips
For meals you have to calculate the following prices:
| Alaska |
Breakfast |
approx. |
US$ |
8.00 |
-
10.00 |
|
Yukon |
approx. |
CA$ |
8.00 |
- 10.00 |
| |
Lunch |
approx. |
US$ |
10.00 |
- 15.00 |
|
|
approx. |
CA$ |
10.00 |
-
15.00 |
| |
Dinner |
approx. |
US$ |
15.00 |
-
25.00 |
|
|
approx. |
CA$ |
15.00 |
- 25.00 |
9. Termination of Travel
Contract and Travel Conclusion
CANADIAN WILDERNESS TRAVEL LTD.
reserves the option to restrict any tour participant without notice and
prior warning at any time during the tour of further participation with
the tour if:
1. the participant strongly
bothers or molests other tour participants
2. the participant is disregarding
travel terms and conditions
3. the participant is disregarding
guide instructions
4. the participant behaves
unlawfully, in particular by excessive alcohol consumption or drug
misuse.
Any and all costs and expenses
caused by such a tour exclusion including such cost that are caused by
additional travel expenses are to be paid solely by the excluded
participant. Any tour participant understand and agrees that he/she
waives any right in claims of reimbursement of the tour price or a
portion thereof or any other possible claims related to or resulting
from said termination of the travel contract or travel exclusion.
10. Insurance and Liability
Expenses arising from medical treatment in North America
are usually not reimbursed by EC mandatory insurance or Health Care
Insurances of other countries. It is urgently advised that you get
standard travel and health insurance including coverage for search and
rescue before travelling to North America. We also recommend you obtain
travel cancellation insurance. Search and rescue expenses arise in cases
where an injured or sick person has to be medically evacuated from a
remote area by helicopter or air plane.
Cost for such a rescue can easy
exceed $ 5.000.00.
Cost examples for medical treatment:
Non serious injuries requiring a short stay at a
hospital (US$ / CA$ 800.00 to 1,200.00).
More serious injuries requiring hospitalization
(+/-US$ /CA$ 2,000.00 per day, not including cost for a physician).
PLEASE NOTE:
Any additional activities you participate in, that
are not part of your booked tour, will be conducted at your own risk.
The tour operator is not liable for any activity or excursion which is
not part of the booked tour.
11. General
Information
Climate: The climate in the
Yukon and central Alaska is a typical continental climate with very
little precipitation. Summer temperatures range between - 5 C/+ 23 F (at
night) and 35 C/95 F. Long dry periods occur between begin of June to
end of July (semi-arid).
Alaska's Pacific coast (Skagway
and Anchorage) has a typical coastal climate with moist air. Summer
temperatures range between 20 C/68 F and 28 /82 F. The weather on
Alaska's Pacific coast can change rapidly giving way to prolonged
periods of wind and rain.
| Time: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Yukon: |
= Pacific Time |
= MEZ minus
|
9
hrs. |
Sydney Time minus |
18
hrs. |
New Zealand Time |
minus 20 hrs. |
| Alaska: |
= Alaska Time |
= MEZ minus |
10
hrs. |
Sydney Time minus |
19
hrs. |
New Zealand Time |
minus 21 hrs. |
Due to the proximity to the Polar Circle, the Yukon and Alaska
experience 24 hours of daylight from mid May to end June. At other time
in the summer the sun will set just below the horizon for as short
period giving 22 to 23 hours of daylight.
Tipping and Gratuities: In North America it is common practice to
tip a waitress/waiter, bartender, taxi and bus/van driver. Tips are not
calculated in the price of a meal or a taxi fare, as they are in Europe.
Since the base salaries of these public servers are low, they depend on
tips as port of their income.
CANADIAN WILDERNESS TRAVEL Ltd.
P.O.
Box 114, Carmacks, Y0B 1C0, Yukon Territory, CANADA
Phone:
867 863 5404, FAX: 867 863 5405
e-mail:
