Yukon Photography Workshop for Women
Location: Whitehorse, Kluane National Park, Carcross, Dawson, Tombstone Territorial Park, Tuktoyaktuk
Investment: Double Occupancy $8285 | Single Occupancy $9085 with a $1500 non-refundable deposit to secure your spot due May 1, 2026.
Dates: August 27, 2027 - September 5, 2027
Duration: 10 days
Availability: 6-8 participants
In collaboration with…
Origin Travels is a small-group travel company helping you step away from your desks and into meaningful global experiences. We design community-focused trips that blend must-see highlights with hidden gems, mild adventures, and immersive local moments. Rooted in sustainable tourism, we partner with local guides, support community projects, and stay in locally owned accommodations to ensure every dollar benefits the places we visit. Our goal is to create transformative journeys that spark connection, broaden perspectives, and leave travellers with lifelong memories. We believe your body was made for more than spreadsheets—and that you don’t need to quit your job to explore the world. What keeps us going are the people we meet, the stories we exchange, and the once-dreamed-of experiences we share along the way. TICO number 50027095 and reach out to travel@origin-travels.com with any questions.
The Yukon Arctic Exploration: 10-Day Women-Led Photography Retreat
This is your turn. The creative identity you shelved 10 years ago—the one your busy life and point-A-to-point-B travel schedule steamrolled—is waiting for you in the Yukon. This isn't just a photography workshop; it’s a much-needed, non-negotiable investment in your creative self.
We will transform your dusty camera into the ultimate tool for intentional observation and dopamine detox with the trip of a lifetime.
What You’ll Be Photographing
Southern Yukon’s Iconic Views
Emerald Lake: also knowns as “Rainbow Lake",” a stunning multi-hued waters that make this one of the most photographed lakes in the Yukon.
The Southern Lakes & Carcross: photographing the beautiful, mountainous lakes of the region, with spectacular fall colours.
The Carcross Desert: we’ll find interesting compositions in the “world’s smallest desert",” with sand dunes and a backdrop of mountains and pines.
Yukon Wildlife Preserve: a chance to photograph all the known animal species in the North (except bears) in a near-natural environment, including elk, caribou, moose, and mountain goats.
Kluane National Park
Kluane National Park and Reserve Visitor Centre: a stunning, world-class building dedicated to artifacts, art, and digital displays about Kluane. We’ll visit a lake or two and get some epic shots of one of the most incredible national parks with valley glaciers, boreal forests, sparkling lakes, iconic northern wildlife, and Southern Tutchone cultural heritage.
Gold Rush History
Dawson City: we’ll photograph the historic capital of the Great Klondike Gold Rush, brimming with character and unique street scenes.
Gold Rush Relics: Photograph the massive scale of the industry, including the giant excavator Dredge No 4 and the historical Discovery Claim at Bonanza Creek.
Five Finger Rapids: Frame the historic river and incredible rocks, a humbling sight that shows the power of the Yukon River.
Unspoiled Wilderness of the Dempster Highway
The Tombstone Mountains: Photograph the jagged, dramatic peaks covered in the most spectacular fall colours of the tundra.
Ogilvie Ridge & Richardson Range: Stand in awe of the vast, open tundra and sweeping vistas as we journey deeper north toward the Arctic, a place you might never stand on again.
The Arctic Circle: Mark your achievement with celebratory photos at the 66th parallel north lookout point.
The Edge of the World: Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk
Inuvik: We’ll establish a base in this remote community, providing opportunities for community and cultural photography.
Tuktoyaktuk (Arctic Ocean): The ultimate destination. You will photograph the Arctic coastline at the “edge of the world,” securing bucket-list images you’ll cherish forever.
The Yukon is Your Pathway to Creative Freedom and Unshakeable Confidence
You keep thinking, "I should pick up my camera." You scroll Instagram and feel that familiar pang of longing at the awe-inspiring landscapes. You've got the gear, the time is finally opening up (thank you, empty nest/retirement), but the technical rust and the fear of slowing others down create too much resistance.
This 10-day women-only Arctic adventure is the cure.
Your workshop leader is a former Yukon resident and a professional landscape photographer. We are building the backbone you need for solo photography adventures and independent travel photography.
The Spark Difference: Presence Over Performance
Forget the hustle. We structure the itinerary to honour slow observation and prioritize animal sightings. We are here to get the shot, but on your terms. No more feelings of guilt or “slowing the group down.” We’re here for it all.
No Point-A-to-Point-B Rushing: Our private tour status means we will stop the car, take the shot, and wait for the perfect light and the perfect wildlife moment. No permission needed.
Manual Mode = Mandatory Presence: It’s the essential practice that forces slowness, quiets the noise, and delivers a true nervous system reset. We’ll teach you the skills.
Deep Immersion: The itinerary includes 7+ hour drives (like the Dempster Highway) specifically designed to be moving classrooms for observing light, line, and composition.
The Ultimate Itinerary: Landscape Photography from Whitehorse to the Arctic Circle
This private, 10-day Arctic Exploration tour is custom-built to maximize photography opportunities and prioritize wildlife sightings. We adapt the daily schedule to the light, the weather, and your creative pace.
Locations You Will Photograph:
Southern Lakes: We chase the fall colours (late August/Early September) at Carcross, the unique Carcross Desert, and the Emerald Lake for stop-you-in-your-tracks compositions.
Kluane National Park: The long, rewarding day trip to Kluane offers dramatic landscapes and the highest chance of jaw-dropping wildlife sightings.
Dawson City: Step back 120 years to the Klondike Gold Rush. This historic town gives us unparalleled opportunities for street, history, and low-light urban photography.
The Dempster Highway: The fabled road to the Arctic. The fall colours here are SPECTACULAR. We’ll take two intentional days to drive this route, maximizing our time for landscape photography and mindful observation.
Inuvik & The Arctic Circle: The final destination and proof of your new capabilities.
Our guides are professional drivers and regional experts. They will maximize daylight hours for photography while ensuring safety and adherence to legal driver limits.Accommodation & Meals (Focused on Presence)
Our guides handle the logistics so you can focus on photography.
Hotels: Hand-selected for regional comfort and character.
Whitehorse: Sternwheeler Hotel
Dawson City: Eldorado Hotel
Eagle Plains: Eagle Plains Hotel
Inuvik: Nova or Capital Suites
Meals: Only the Welcome Dinner and Farewell Dinner are included. All other meals are at your leisure. Whitehorse offers the best food selection, ranging from standard Italian to pub fare and fish and chips. This gives you the freedom to eat at your pace and budget.
Women-Led Photography Instruction & Regional Familiarity
Your creative reclamation deserves leadership that understands both the technical challenge and the emotional investment of this trip. Our team is focused on providing psychological safety and expert knowledge across every kilometre of the Yukon.
Cobi Sharpe: Your Expert Guide & Creative Catalyst
Cobi isn't just a photographer; she’s a former Yukon resident who lived in Watson Lake and knows the territory intimately. This is not a typical tour guide experience—it’s hands-on, women-led instruction from someone who has spent significant time getting to know location.
Regional Mastery: Cobi has personal photographic experience across all key areas: Whitehorse, Carcross, Kluane National Park, Dawson City, and the dramatic peaks of Tombstone Territorial Park.
The Solo Perspective: Having lived here, Cobi deeply understands the commitment and confidence required for independent travel photography in the North. Her instruction builds your technical and mental backbone.
Focus: Taking you boldly from "I used to shoot" to "I am a photographer" while exploring the edge of the Arctic.
Jennifer: Logistics & Digital Support
Jennifer is your reliable anchor for smooth operations and post-production assistance.
Support Role: Jennifer ensures all logistics are seamless, allowing Cobi to focus 100% on instruction and photography.
Alternative Perspective: As an avid photographer herself, Jennifer connects with the learning curve, making her an excellent resource for basic technical questions and workflow support.
The Pathway to Freedom: Stop the "I Used To" and Start the "I Am"
This isn't an expense; it’s an investment in your creative reclamation. You’re not just buying a trip; you’re buying the unshakeable confidence to travel the world and create stunning images on your terms, with no waiting and no permission needed.
What’s Included in Your Investment:
10 Days / 9 Nights: All accommodation included in listed hotels.
Women-Led Instruction: Expert-led photography guidance from a former Yukon resident.
Private Tour Status: Custom, flexible itinerary designed to prioritize light and wildlife.
Manual Mode Master: Deep, confidence-building training in exposure and composition.
Bucket-List Destinations: All transportation to Carcross, Dawson, Dempster Hwy, and Inuvik.
Essential Meals: Welcome Dinner (Whitehorse) and Farewell Dinner (Inuvik/Whitehorse).
Small Group Max 6-8: Personalized coaching and critique (no one gets left behind).
Investment: $8285 single occupancy, $9085 double occupancy
DEPOSIT & URGENCY: To secure the lowest possible pricing for this once-in-a-lifetime trip, a $1500 non-refundable deposit is required before May 1, 2026. This ensures you lock in your spot and your creative future. Another payment is due October 2026, and final payment due April 2027.
Payment Schedule:
May 1, 2026: $1500 non-refundable deposit required
October 2026: 30% deposit required
April 2027: remaining balance
If paying by credit card, there will be a 4% charge added, otherwise you can e-transfer travel@origin-travels.com.
What’s Not Included:
Travel Insurance: recommended.
Air fare.
Travel to and from Whitehorse, Yukon: and related unscheduled flights.
Meals before, during, and after: except for welcome and farewell dinner.
Personal items.
Alcoholic beverages.
Admission to any additional places we may visit.
Medical evacuation insurance: recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions (Mastery, Rustiness, and Confidence)
Is my camera too old for this trip?
No. If it shoots in Manual Mode, it’s the perfect camera. Our focus is on the mindfull observation behind the lens, not the gear. We teach you to master the camera you already own.
I feel pretty rusty. Will I slow everyone down?
Absolutely not. We specialize in taking women who haven't touched their camera in 10 years and rebuilding their confidence from the foundation up. Groups are intentionally kept small (max 6-8) to ensure personalized instruction. We move at the pace of the light and the wildlife, not a rigid schedule.
What is the weather like in the Yukon in early September?
The weather is generally cool and crisp—perfect for long days of photography. It is the absolute peak of the autumn colours, offering the most dramatic and vibrant landscapes for your images. Pack for all conditions, from cool mornings to potentially freezing nights (for aurora viewing).
Can I justify spending this money on myself?
This is an essential question. We reframe this as a non-negotiable investment in your mental health, self-care, and creative identity. You are moving from "I used to" to "I am"—that transformation is priceless.
