Hot springs plus real Yukon wildlife time. This small-group tour rolls in with hotel pickup from Whitehorse, then visits the Yukon Wildlife Preserve and ends with a soak at Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs. I like that the preserve is built for native animals (often rescue animals) across big enclosures, so it feels more serious than a quick pit stop. My only caution is that wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, and on a quieter day some animals may be tucked away.

You get about five hours total, with two structured parts: a long wildlife preserve visit and a two-hour soak. It is a nice way to add Yukon nature to a trip schedule without eating an entire day. Just plan ahead for comfort, because the tour does not provide towels or sandals.

Key Points Before You Go

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Whitehorse keeps the day simple, especially if you are short on time.
• Yukon Wildlife Preserve admission included means you can focus on the animals and the experience instead of ticket logistics.
• Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs for two hours is the payoff, with a real chance to reset after cold-air walking.
• Maximum 20 travelers helps you get personal attention from your guide.
• Bring water, plus towels and sandals (not included) to avoid the common end-of-day scramble.

What You’re Really Buying on This Half-Day Arctic Escape

This is not just transport to two stops. You are buying time plus interpretation. The rhythm is deliberate: you spend the first chunk learning and watching at the preserve, then you switch gears and let your body thaw in the hot springs.

That matters in the Yukon. Wildlife time is outdoors and it can be colder than you expect, even on a bright afternoon. Hot springs time feels like the reward, but it is also practical. After you have walked, stood, and watched for a while, soaking is the difference between leaving chilled and leaving happy.

I also like how the tour is built for an easy afternoon. You do not have to rent anything, plot a route, or try to guess parking. Your biggest job is to show up ready to walk.

Whitehorse Pickup and Timing, So You Don’t Feel Rushed

The tour starts at the Sternwheeler Hotel & Conference Centre, Trademark by Wyndham (201 Wood St) in Whitehorse. Your day begins around 1:30 pm at the hotel, and the activity itself starts at 1:50 pm at the meeting point. It ends back at the meeting point.

That schedule is a sweet spot if you are arriving in town or you want to keep the rest of your day flexible. It also means you get daylight and then a warm reset later, instead of jumping straight into the evening.

One logistics note to keep in mind: this is a half-day that still takes real energy. You are outdoors at the preserve for about 1 hour 45 minutes, plus you will change temperatures between cold air and warm water. Wear layers you can adjust quickly.

Stop 1: Yukon Wildlife Preserve and the Reality of Wildlife Viewing

The first stop is the Yukon Wildlife Preserve. You get 1 hour 45 minutes there, and admission is included. This is one of those places where the setting helps you understand what you are seeing.

The preserve feels large and intentionally built for animals, not just a small lineup behind fences. One standout from the experience is that the enclosures include dramatic terrain features, including cliffs-style areas where mountain goats can be active, plus larger wetland-style areas that can attract moose. You are also not just looking at animals on display for entertainment. The preserve primarily houses rescue animals, and the care and setup reflect that.

Now for the part you should know up front: wildlife viewing can be uneven. On a perfect day, you might spot a lot. On a quieter day, animals may be in hiding or moving less. Even the review experience that praised the preserve noted that some animals were not visible when they were hoping to see them, and a different perspective called the day more like a zoo visit when sightings were limited.

So, manage expectations. You are not guaranteed to see lynx, fox, or moose at any given moment. What you can count on is the chance to learn how Yukon animals are housed and cared for, and the chance to watch for movement across a big property.

Practical tip I’d follow: bring water. Walking and watching takes longer than you think, and cold weather makes thirst sneaky. Even if you are not exerting much, you will likely appreciate having water for that preserve block.

Stop 2: Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs, Two Hours to Thaw Out

After the preserve, you shift to Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs for about 2 hours. Hot springs admission is included. This is the moment your body starts to feel like it is on vacation instead of endurance training.

The hot springs stop is also why this tour works well as a half-day. Without a soak, a wildlife outing can feel long and cold by the end. With the soak, you leave with a clear payoff, not just photos and memories.

What you should plan for is comfort and small essentials. Towel and sandals are not included, so you will want to bring your own. If you wear boots or shoes you can slide off easily, you will have an easier time transitioning into the hot water environment.

Also, plan your time inside the springs. Two hours can pass quickly, especially if you are talking with your guide or enjoying the quiet. Use that block to actually relax, not just rush through for a quick dip.

Guides and Group Size, Plus the English Comfort Factor

A local bi-lingual guide is included, and the tour can be operated by a multi-lingual guide. The tour is offered in English.

I like the small-group format because it tends to make the day feel less rushed. With a maximum of 20 travelers, you are not fighting for attention or trying to hear over a crowd. In the positive experiences, guides were described as kind, prompt, and able to explain what you were seeing.

Still, here is the honest caution. One experience raised a concern about English fluency, saying the guide struggled to express information clearly. That can happen when a guide is bi-lingual but English is not their first language. If you are the type who really wants deep detail and you strongly prefer easy, flowing English, you may want to keep that in mind.

My advice: treat the guide as part of the value, but keep your expectations flexible. Even if explanations vary in how smooth they are, you will still be experiencing the preserve setting and the hot springs, which are the core value drivers.

Price Check: Is $195.91 Worth It for What You Get?

The price is $195.91 per person for an approximately 5-hour tour, including hotel pickup and drop-off, wildlife preserve admission, and hot springs admission.

At first glance, it looks pricey compared to a basic self-guided entry fee. One review even suggested skipping the guided portion and paying just the entrance fee directly, because they felt wildlife sightings were limited and the tour cost was steep. That criticism is fair if your main goal is maximum wildlife spotting, and you expect the guide to guarantee sightings.

But if you zoom out, the value is in three places:

1. Transportation plus timing in Whitehorse, so you do not spend your day figuring out logistics.
2. Two paid admissions bundled into the tour, including the preserve and the hot springs.
3. A guide and small-group pacing, which can make the preserve visit more meaningful even when wildlife is not dramatically visible.

So, is it worth it? I think it is worth it when you want a guided structure plus warm comfort built in. It is less compelling if you are confident doing this on your own, you hate group schedules, or you are mainly chasing guaranteed wildlife sightings.

If you are a solo traveler, this tour also tends to feel easier because pickup is handled and the day already has a plan. One positive experience described the pickup as prompt and the bus as comfortable, which is exactly what you want when the day starts in the afternoon.

What to Expect at the Wildlife Preserve, Beyond the Checklist

The preserve is where the tour earns its name. You are not just walking past a building. You are spending time in a place designed with animal movement in mind, including terrain and habitat features that help match Yukon reality.

You can also expect a “rescue animals first” focus. That changes the tone. Instead of a purely performative visit, you get the sense that the animals’ care and long-term needs drive the setup.

For you, that can mean two things:

• If you enjoy animal welfare and habitat design, the preserve will feel more satisfying than a simple viewing stop.
• If your goal is peak wildlife action, you may feel disappointed on a day when foxes and lynx are hidden.

The best way to enjoy it is to shift from a hunt for specific sightings to a mindset of observation. Look for activity patterns. Notice how animals use different terrain. And accept that sometimes you will see fewer animals and still learn more than you expected.

Who This Tour Fits Best

This tour fits best if you want a Yukon day plan that is simple, warm, and structured.

You will probably love it if:

• You like wildlife settings but you do not want to manage transport on your own.
• You want a hot springs soak planned into the schedule, not something you add later.
• You prefer a small group experience with personal guidance.

You might skip it if:

• You only care about guaranteed sightings and you are convinced you will see specific animals.
• You are comfortable with a self-guided visit and want to reduce costs.

If you are traveling with limited time in Whitehorse, this works especially well because it is half-day timed and you return to your start point.

Should You Book Arctic Day: Yukon Wildlife & Hot Springs?

I’d book this if you want the best of both worlds: a serious wildlife preserve visit followed by a practical, relaxing hot springs reset. The pricing makes sense when you treat it as bundled admissions plus transport and interpretation, not as a guaranteed wildlife-watching machine.

Just pack like it is cold and spend like it is unhurried. Bring water. Bring your own towel and sandals. Arrive ready to watch, not just to hope for a perfect sighting. If you go in with that mindset, this is a very solid way to experience Yukon animals and warm up fast.

FAQ

What time does the tour start in Whitehorse?

The tour starts at the meeting point at 1:50 pm. Pickup begins from the Sternwheeler Hotel & Conference Centre, Trademark by Wyndham, starting at 1:30 pm.

How long is the Arctic Day: Yukon Wildlife & Hot Springs Tour?

The tour is approximately 5 hours.

Where do I meet the tour?

You meet at the Sternwheeler Hotel & Conference Centre, Trademark by Wyndham, 201 Wood St, Whitehorse, YT Y1A 2E4, Canada. The tour ends back at the meeting point.

What is included in the ticket price?

It includes a local bi-lingual guide, hotel pickup and drop-off, admission to the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, and admission to Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs.

What is not included?

Towel and sandals are not included.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 20 travelers.

Is there a minimum age?

Yes, the minimum age is 19 years.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. Free cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before the experience start time.