Amazing travel experience on the historic Yukon River.

unique partnership has given rise to creation of a world class geotour that combines the adventure of the Yukon's unspoiled wilderness with a journey of personal discovery.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

The Great River Journey is enjoying a good response to its first year of operation.

Great River Journey is a corporation jointly owned by a consortium of four Yukon First Nations Development corporations, and Great Northern Journeys Inc., a group of private sector investors.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

The First Nation owners are Ta'an Kwach'an Council, Kwanlin Dun First Nation, Tr'ondek Hwech'in and Selkirk First Nation. All are located in or near Whitehorse. The government of Canada also contributed, with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada providing one million dollars, and the Yukon government kicking in $500,000 in implementation funding.

It is hoped assistance will continue from all levels of government, including Yukon Tourism and the Canada Tourism Commission as the project is marketed internationally in the months to come.

Claire Festel, director of marketing and sales for Great River Journey, explained that George Asquith, the corporation's president, saw the potential in the area as a wilderness tourism operation. Based on his many years in the tourism industry, he inspired a shared vision, passion and commitment of the First Nation and private sector partners who joined in the project.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Implementation costs for development, facilities construction, marketing, staffing, training, and familiarization tours have been expended and the program is now up and running.

"This year we'll have two piloted riverboats, which will carry groups of 10 people, accompanied by an experienced local guide, on an eight-day journey through the traditional lands of the four First Nations partners, who are the very people who will be hosting, guiding and caring for guests," she said. "Frequent landings are made to view wildlife, explore the wilderness and historical sites, rest and relax."

The small group size and wide variety of Yukon attractions permit each tour to be personalized to accommodate special interests, such as nature photography, bird watching, and participating in cultural and interpretive programs, she said.

"This year is our product-testing year and next year, when the project is in full operation, the price will be vastly different," she said. "For 2007 only, the patron's tour price is $3,000 CDN, but next year it will be more like $7,800."

Accommodations along the way are in small, private, remotely situated lodge facilities, and each has been designed with themes to harmonize with and accentuate the unique wilderness and historical aspects of the surrounding area, she said. Meals featuring local ingredients and traditional foods will be served throughout the journey.

The adventure begins in Whitehorse and travels to Upper Labarge Lodge, where participants stay overnight and enjoy a range of activities, such as a leisurely walk through the Ta'an village, hiking, fishing, kayaking and biking. Guests are met by a floatplane on day three, which takes them on a one-hour flight over the Yukon River to Homestead Lodge near Fort Selkirk, an historic site that is proving popular.

Days five and six find visitors at a wilderness outpost where they tent and enjoy a truly wild section of the journey. Arrival at Dawson City gives the travellers an opportunity to view the many historical, cultural and natural attractions in the capital city. Here the travellers reluctantly end their journey, with most visitors flying home or travelling on by riverboat to Alaska, or enjoying a side trip to Inuvik.

"Great River Journey trips are all inclusive, from the moment you are picked up at the Whitehorse airport or at your hotel. The trip fee includes meals, accommodations, float plane charter, group equipment and guide services," she said. "Tours depart four times a week, beginning on June 1, with the last departure on Sept. 15." More information is available at www.greatriverjourney.com or 867-456-2421.

"Great River Journey targets the growing number of affluent international travellers who seek unique and authentic experiences that provide them with a true sense of place," concluded Festel. "It provides our clients with the opportunity for a personal journey of discovery of the Yukon, its people, land and culture, history, wildlife and geography, and it's unique to North America."

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]