A hot springs reset beats a long drive. This half-day tour from Whitehorse pairs the Yukon Wildlife Preserve with Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs, so you get wildlife viewing plus soak time in about 5 hours. I like the simple hotel pickup and drop-off that keeps the day low-stress, and I love how the hot springs feel like your reward after walking the preserve. One thing to consider: wildlife viewing is never guaranteed, and you’ll want to bring your own towel and sandals since they aren’t included.

The small group cap (up to 20 people) helps the guide keep things moving and lets you ask questions without getting lost in the crowd. A local, bilingual guide runs the show, and the schedule is built for comfort rather than speed.

Plan around the afternoon start. Meet at the Sternwheeler Hotel & Conference Centre, Trademark by Wyndham (201 Wood St) around 1:30 pm, with the tour starting about 1:50 pm.

Key things to know before you go

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Whitehorse: no rental car needed
• Yukon Wildlife Preserve (1 hr 45 min): time to walk and spot native rescue animals
• Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs (2 hours): a proper soak block, not a quick dip
• Small group max 20: better pacing and easier questions
• Bring towel + sandals: not included, and you’ll feel happier with them
• Wildlife is unpredictable: some animals may be resting or tucked away

5 hours, two big stops, and an afternoon that feels worth it

This Arctic Day tour is the kind of plan I’d recommend when you want a Yukon highlight without burning a whole day. You’re based in Whitehorse, you’re picked up right from the Sternwheeler area, and you’re back there by the end. The pacing is straightforward: one main wildlife stop, then a long, relaxing hot springs visit.

The total time is listed at about 5 hours, with two clear chunks built in. First you get time at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, then you switch gears completely for Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs. That change of pace is the secret sauce here. Wildlife days can be cool, windy, and tiring. Hot springs take that energy and turn it into calm.

One more practical point: the afternoon timing matters. Starting around 1:50 pm means you’re not rushing your whole morning, and you’re more likely to have comfortable travel and fewer “where did the day go?” feelings.

Yukon Wildlife Preserve: big areas, rescue-focused care, and real Yukon terrain

The first stop is the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, with admission included and about 1 hour 45 minutes on site. This is not a roadside petting stop. It’s set up as a place for native Yukon animals, and it focuses on rescue animals cared for in a long-term setting.

What you’ll likely notice quickly is the space. The preserve covers large areas, including features like cliffs for mountain goats and wetland-style areas where you can sometimes spot moose. The goal is to show animals in environments that make sense for them, not a cramped “look-and-go” layout.

What the preserve is great for

If you like wildlife but also like your expectations to be realistic, this is a good match. The guide can help you understand what you’re seeing—how animals use different parts of the preserve, why some are easier to spot than others, and what’s going on behavior-wise. Even when animals are not moving much, the setting itself helps you connect the dots between habitat and behavior.

The main drawback: hiding happens

Here’s the honest part: wildlife viewing is unpredictable. On some days, animals like fox or lynx may be quiet or hidden. You might walk, pause, look, and get fewer sightings than your dream scenario. That doesn’t mean the preserve is weak—it means you’re dealing with living animals and their daily routines.

If you’re the type who gets disappointed when the wildlife doesn’t perform, you’ll want to adjust your mindset. Think of this stop as an educational look into Yukon native species and their care, with sightings as a bonus.

Time check: use your 1 hr 45 min wisely

At almost two hours, you have enough time to slow down. Don’t treat it like a quick photo mission. Take a few passes: one round for orientation and what looks active, then a second round if something piques your interest.

Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs: two hours of warmth after cold air and walking

Then you head to Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs for about 2 hours, with admission included. This is where the tour turns from “look for animals” into “let your body stop bracing for the cold.”

Hot springs like these are especially satisfying on a day that includes outdoor walking. If the Yukon weather is doing what it typically does—cool, changeable, and a bit brisk—soaking is not just a treat. It’s a reset. You get warmth, relaxation, and time to do nothing but be comfortable.

What makes this stop feel like value

Two hours is the right length. Too short and you’re rushing. Too long and you start wishing you’d planned the rest of your day differently. Here, you’re given a proper window to soak, cool down, and soak again if you want that rhythm.

The tour format also handles the logistics for you. You’re not figuring out when to arrive, where to park, or how to time your ride back. That matters because the best hot springs experience is the one where you don’t feel rushed.

Don’t forget what’s not included

Towel and sandals are not included. That’s the simplest thing to prepare, and it can make a big difference once you’re ready to change and move around.

If you’re traveling light, consider this your reminder to pack the basics before you get picked up.

The afternoon schedule: meeting point timing that actually helps

The tour starts in the afternoon. The meeting point is the Sternwheeler Hotel & Conference Centre, Trademark by Wyndham at 201 Wood St, Whitehorse, YT Y1A 2E4. Start time shows 1:30 pm, and the tour itself is set to begin around 1:50 pm.

So what should you do? Build a buffer and aim to be ready at the pickup spot around 1:30. That way, you’re not stressing over the exact minute when the group rolls out.

Half-day tours live or die by timing. The fact that the schedule gives you a clear wildlife block and then a separate hot springs block means you won’t spend your day guessing what happens next.

Small group max 20: personal service, not private chauffeur vibes

This tour caps at 20 travelers, which is small enough to feel like a group you can actually manage. You’re not dealing with a giant bus crowd. It tends to make it easier for the guide to keep everyone together and to answer questions without turning everything into a whisper-chain of lost people asking the same thing twice.

You’ll also have a local bilingual guide. That’s a big deal in places where wildlife and local context can get nuanced fast. A bilingual guide can help you move from “I saw something” to “I understood what it was and why it mattered.”

One consideration: language comfort

Not everyone measures “guide quality” the same way. Some people care most about fluency and smooth delivery. While the tour is designed for bilingual guiding, if strong English expression is a must for you, it could help to check before you go. The tour description says you’ll be offered in English, and in practice that usually works well—but it’s worth keeping in mind that experiences vary day to day.

Price and value: what $195.91 buys in the real world

At $195.91 per person, this isn’t the cheapest thing you can do in Whitehorse. But you’re paying for a bundled day with transportation, two admissions, and a guide.

Here’s what’s included:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Whitehorse
• Admission to the Yukon Wildlife Preserve
• Admission to Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs
• A local bilingual guide

What’s not included:

• Towel and sandals

Where the money tends to make sense

If you’d otherwise have to pay separately for transport and tickets, the price can start looking fair. The biggest “value moment” for me is the combination of guided wildlife time plus a full soak block. You’re not just buying tickets; you’re buying fewer moving parts.

This tour also saves you the headache of coordinating timing between two different locations. That matters most if you don’t have a car or you don’t want to spend your precious Yukon hours driving.

The fair warning

Some people feel disappointed when wildlife sightings are limited on the day they go. That’s the tradeoff of booking any wildlife experience. If you’re the kind of person who wants a high odds list—like guaranteed fox, guaranteed lynx, guaranteed everything—then a “wildlife preserve + chance of sightings” format may not feel worth it.

The preserve itself still offers educational value and native animal exposure. But if your personal definition of value is purely wildlife sightings, you’ll want to temper expectations.

What to bring: towel, sandals, water, and winter-weather common sense

The tour lists towel and sandals as not included, and I’d treat that as your must-do checklist item. You’ll be happiest if you show up with what you need to move comfortably between stops and use the facilities without improvising.

Also pack like it’s a Yukon afternoon: layers, warm socks, and something water-resistant. Even if the day feels calm, the combo of outdoor walking and hot springs makes your body cycle through temperature changes.

A small but important tip: bring water. Wildlife preserve time and the drive between stops can add up, and water helps you stay comfortable.

If you’re the type who likes photos, bring your phone charger or a power bank. Cold weather can drain batteries faster than you expect.

Who this tour fits best (and who might want a different plan)

This is a strong choice if you want:

• A half-day Yukon activity that fits into a travel schedule
• A guided introduction to native Yukon animals in a care-focused setting
• A hot springs stop that actually gets you time to relax

It’s also a good fit for solo travelers who want a guided plan without having to figure out transport. The small group helps you feel less like you’re “doing it alone.”

Consider a different option if…

If you’re extremely focused on guaranteed wildlife sightings, you may not love the uncertainty. This is a real wildlife preserve. Animals may rest, hide, or remain out of view.

Also, if you dislike guided tours and would rather do everything independently, you might decide to just go to the preserve and hot springs on your own. That’s a perfectly valid style choice. This tour’s biggest strengths are the easy pickup and the guided context.

Should you book Arctic Day: Yukon Wildlife & Hot Springs Tour?

I’d book this if you want an easy, structured Yukon day with two standout experiences: a proper wildlife preserve visit and a long soak at Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs. The best part is how the tour bundles admissions and transportation so you can focus on the experience instead of logistics.

I’d pause or book with adjusted expectations if your main goal is spotting specific animals on demand. The preserve is worth it as an animal-care and habitat experience, but wildlife sightings can be hit or miss on any given day.

If you’re choosing between plans in Whitehorse and you want a day that feels “complete” even when the wildlife isn’t perfectly cooperative, this is one of the most sensible half-day options on the map.

FAQ

What is the duration of the Arctic Day Yukon Wildlife & Hot Springs Tour?

It’s listed at about 5 hours.

Where does the tour pick up in Whitehorse?

Pickup and drop-off are from the Sternwheeler Hotel & Conference Centre, Trademark by Wyndham at 201 Wood St, Whitehorse.

What time does the tour start?

The meeting point time is 1:30 pm, and the tour is scheduled to start at about 1:50 pm.

What’s included in the ticket price?

Included are hotel pickup and drop-off, a local bilingual guide, admission to the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, and admission to Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs.

What should I bring since towel and sandals aren’t included?

Bring your own towel and sandals for the hot springs. It’s also smart to bring water since the preserve visit involves walking and the day runs for several hours.

Is this tour suitable for everyone?

Most travelers can participate, but the minimum age is 19. The tour maximum group size is 20 travelers.

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