2017 Yukon Wildlife and Aurora with Jeff Wendorff

The lakes are frozen, the snow clinging to the trees and covering the vast meadows leaves a lasting impression to all that visit. The aurora, when strong, paints the white landscape green and magenta and creates stunning northern light images. And the wildlife... well, it is as exotic as it gets. 

Dates of Workshop:

Workshop #1 is March 4, 2017 to March 8, 2017

Arrivals and departures for all workshops that should be communicated to your attendees: Please schedule your arrivals so you can be picked up before noon on day one of the workshops. Plan your departure on the last on any flight departing. Flights start departing at 5:50am and two more are mid-day and late afternoon.

Flights should be scheduled into Whitehorse Airport. If flying in the day before the attendees should stay at the hotel we are using to minimize movement of luggage.

Instructors

Jeff Wendorff and Kevin Allen Pepper

Payment Information

Price of workshop: $2995USD

Payment Terms: $500USD deposit and balance due 90 days prior to workshops

What’s Included

airport pick up and drop off, transportation, accommodation in a local area hotel equipped with a restaurant, all continental breakfasts, snacks and water while in field, dinner on first night and last night, all park entrance fees, dog sledding, aurora village entrance fees, guides, negotiated access to private lands for aurora viewing opportunities

What’s Not Included?

anything not listed as included, trip insurance, alcohol, laundry, entrance VISA, international flights, items of personal nature.

Photos From Our Location

Itinerary

It is here in Whitehorse where Canada boasts the best location in the world for viewing the aurora borealis. As the nights grow longer, the green, red and mauve lights of aurora borealis, or northern lights, are absolutely brilliant in their dance across the sky. Yukon is also home to some very photogenic animals that we always enjoy going back to photograph.

Day 1 - You will be picked up by our van from the Whitehorse airport and taken to our hotel where we will check in and go for a group dinner to discuss the weeks itinerary.

If the northern lights are out, we will head out for our first night of aurora over one of the many lakes within one hour of our location. I have scouted this territory and now negotiated access to private lands and crown land with 360 degree views over many area lakes. This will ensure the group has northern lights over one of the area lakes or over one of the many cedar forests in the area.

Aurora photography can last from an hour to an all-night outing depending on the group and the lights. When we travel distances based on aurora predictions, predictions that I watch constantly to get hourly updates, we will have heated drinks and snacks, and in some cases firewood to keep warm if the air cools.

Overnight in Whitehorse. (Welcome dinner included)

Day 2 – We travel to the Yukon Wildlife Preserve. The Yukon Wildlife Preserve is a unique wildlife viewing property featuring 13 species of northern Canadian mammals in their natural environment. Encompassing over 700 acres with various natural habitats, the Yukon Wildlife Preserve offers unparalleled wildlife viewing and photo opportunities.

What separates our tour from the normal public tours is our access to the animals. We will take you behind the public viewing areas and get you up close and personal with the following wild animals. Arctic fox, Woodland Bison, Caribou, Elk, Musk Oxen, Moose, Canada Lynx, Mule deer, Dahls Sheep, Mountain Goats and Arctic Hair.

We will have two private tours, both three hour sessions at the Preserve with our own guides. Between our photography session we will head to the Takhini Hot Springs for an outdoor soak in the soothing water of the hot springs. 

Tonight you could watch the Aurora Borealis dance above the teepees of Aurora Village. Relax and take in nature’s most spectacular show in comfort for tonight’s aurora viewing activity at the Aurora Village. Tonight your Aurora-viewing comes complete with warm, wood stove heated teepees, and hot beverages.

Overnight in Whitehorse

Day 3 – Today we head west to Kluane National Park. One of the best kept secrets of the Yukon. This National park offers the photographer stunning locations to take photos of glacier covered mountains and sprawling landscapes that go on forever… into the night we could staying this area, waiting for the aurora as it appears in the northern sky, carving through the skies above landscapes that will be transformed into the perfect canvas of green and magenta reflections coming from the sky. 

Overnight in Whitehorse

Day 4- Today is a day for the dogs. After breakfast we will head out to a secluded area and have a day of fun winter activity and aurora photography. 

Today we will ride through the pristine wilderness of the Yukon by dog sled. Taking frequent stops along the way to photograph the stunning scenery and all the dog teams. Its a day in the wilderness you will not forget.

If the northern lights are out, we will head out for a night of aurora over one of the many lakes within one hour of our location. I have scouted this territory and now negotiated access to private lands and crown land with 360 degree views over many area lakes. This will ensure the group has northern lights over one of the area lakes or over one of the many cedar forests in the area.

Aurora photography can last from an hour to an all-night outing depending on the group and the lights. When we travel distances based on aurora predictions, predictions that I watch constantly to get hourly updates, we will have heated drinks and snacks, and in some cases firewood to keep warm if the air cools.  

Overnight in Whitehorse

Drive times are up to 90 minutes to the ice road and up to 90 minutes at night for aurora photography.

Day 5 - With that all things must come to an end…. A shuttle bus will pick you up at your hotel in order to get you to the airport to make your flights home.

Last year, some were driven right to the airport after a 6 hour northern lights show that ended right before sunrise. ;-)

Airport is 15 minutes from our hotel location.

Gear Suggestions: For wildlife at least a 300mm telephoto lens. For landscapes a medium telephoto in the range of 24mm. For aurora photography a wide angle is preferable and an aperture of f2.8 is suggested. A sturdy tripod and wired shutter release cable.

Clothing Suggestions: Temperatures will be between +10C during the day to -10C at night. Base layers, mid layer sweaters and a three in one winter jacket. Winter hat and a thin pair of gloves are recommended. For boots, winter boots to keep your feet warm up to -10C.

Ready to come and yell mush under the northern lights? Email me at kevinapepper@outlook.com or click on the button below to contact us and we will see you up north