Whitehorse, Klondike (Canada)
Whitehorse is the capital of the Yukon Territory. This is a harsh northern region: the Arctic Circle passes through the Territory, and winter frosts can reach -50 degrees. The main attraction of the area is its nature. From Whitehorse you can travel down the Yukon River on the old paddle steamer Klondike. The journey passes through picturesque places with wild nature and ancient areas where the Indians settled since ancient times. To the north of Whitehorse is the first city of gold miners – Dawson. Here you can learn about the history of the Klondike Gold Rush. Kluane National Park
is located 160 km west of Whitehorse in the southwestern part of the Yukon Territory.. The park has an area of 21980 sq. km. 82% of its territory is occupied by mountains and glaciers. This region is very popular among mountaineers, because here is the highest point of the country – Mount Logan (5959 m). Climbers get to mountainous areas by plane or by helicopter from the city of Haynes, helicopter tours are also arranged from here. The park is home to caribou, baribals, bighorn goats, wolverines, lynxes, red foxes, wolves, muskrats, sables, marmots, beavers, otters, American hares, squirrels and over 100 species of birds. Grayling, trout and pike are found in local rivers and lakes, which attracts fishing enthusiasts. In addition, the park has opportunities for hiking and rafting. They mainly raft along the Alsek River, which is known for its numerous rapids. On the Alsek River, a very popular place in the area of the Lovell Glacier, where glacial blocks, breaking off, fall into the water.
In the far northwest of the Yukon Territory, along the coast of the Beaufort Sea, there are two other national parks. They are located about 800-900 km from Whitehorse, from where planes. These are actually wild northern regions, where there are no specially equipped hiking trails and places to stay, so tourists should take care of everything in advance. The main event that attracts tourists to these parts is the seasonal reindeer migration, when herds of more than 100,000 individuals migrate in search of food. Seasonal migrations occur in winter and summer.
Vuntut National Park was founded in 1995. Its name in the language of the local Indians means “land of lakes”. In the southern part of the park, the ancient plains of Old Crow stretch with 2000 lakes and many rivers surrounded by mountains with an altitude of about 1500 m. The local lakes are the nesting place for more than 500,000 birds, both permanently living in this region and migratory. In general, the park covers an area of 4345 square meters. km. On its territory there are grizzly bears, elk, reindeer, wolverines and muskrats. In the park, you can go canoeing on the Old Crow River, as well as go hiking, however, there are no specially equipped trails here.
North of Vuntut Park on the Beaufort Sea is Ivvavik National Park.. More than 90% of the territory of the park is occupied by mountains with heights up to 1800 m. Here are the northernmost habitats of elk and Dall sheep. The park is also inhabited by musk ox, grizzly bears and baribals, red arctic fox, wolverines, in winter the polar bear comes here to hunt. Basically, water excursions are organized for observing animals, because there are no special hiking trails in the park. Rafting is also very popular on the Furse River, which runs through valleys, canyons and along the coast of the Beaufort Sea.
Churchill, Manitoba (Canada)
According to Philosophynearby, the city of Churchill is located in northwestern Manitoba on the shores of Hudson Bay in the Churchill River Delta. It is known throughout the world as the “capital of polar bears”. The city’s suburbs are home to the southernmost polar bear habitats, as it stands on the polar bear migration route from the tundra to Hudson Bay. Between September and November, bears rush to the freezing waters of Hudson Bay, from the ice of which they hunt seals. Tours are organized from Churchill to observe not only bears, but also the large inhabitants of Hudson Bay and birds. The best time for bird watching is from May to August. More than 200 species of birds live here, including hawks, falcons, snowy owls, swans, terns and gulls. June-August at the mouth of the river Churchill, you can see beluga whales entering warmer waters from Hudson Bay. Walruses and seals are also found in coastal waters. From December to April, the Northern Lights are observed over Churchill. In addition to wildlife, Churchill is notable for being Canada ‘s only subarctic deep water port.
South of the city of Churchill on the coast of Hudson Bay on an area of 11475 square meters. km stretches Vapusk National Park. This is one of the largest wintering grounds for polar bears in North America. The park also organizes bird watching tours and marine animal watching tours.
