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Winter – Aurora Fireside

Winter - Aurora Fireside_My Backyard Tours _2026

Our evening begins at our cozy camp anchored to Joliffe Island amongst the houseboat community. Complete with heated and powered facilities (including a washroom) that’s within city limits but surrounded by the beauty of Great Slave Lake.

Gather around the fire, warm up with hot tea, and enjoy bannock on a stick with local jams and syrups as the night settles in. From here, guests can explore nearby trails, snowshoe or hike on Joliffe Island, and take in unique winter views of the houseboats and the famous Snowcastle. Throughout the evening, our guides keep an eye on the skies. When conditions are right, we may venture beyond Yellowknife by vehicle to chase clearer skies and stronger aurora displays, giving you the best chance to experience the northern lights in all their brilliance.

Proudly Indigenous-owned, our tours reflect northern hospitality, warmth, and a welcoming spirit. Whether you’re gathered by the fire at basecamp or out exploring the landscape under the stars, you’ll experience the aurora in a relaxed, authentic way. This is an evening built around comfort, curiosity, new friendships, and the magic of the northern sky — with a fireside home to return to.

A minimum 4 guests will be required for this tour to proceed, and we reserve the right to cancel with at least 48 hours notice. If your group is bigger than 8 guests, please reach out at info@mybackyardtours.com for booking information and special rates.

Contact Us for availability on alternative dates at info@mybackyardtours.com or 867-444-8788.

Fall – Aurora Fireside

Fall - Aurora Fireside_My Backyard Tours_Fall 2026

Experience Naka — the Northern Lights — with a warm campfire, beautiful northern landscapes, and the flexibility to follow the skies when conditions are right.

Your evening begins in Yellowknife before we head out along the Ingraham Trail, or towards the Tłı̨chǫ community of Behchokǫ̀, one of the best ways to experience the natural beauty surrounding the city. We’ll make our way to a scenic day-use area where you can relax around the fire, enjoy hot tea, and take in the peaceful surroundings as the evening settles in.

Our guides will keep a close eye on the skies. When the aurora begins to appear, we’ll take time to get away from artificial lights and find the best viewing opportunities possible. Depending on conditions, we may drive to different areas in search of clearer skies and stronger aurora displays. This experience is about more than simply watching the Northern Lights. It’s about being outside, sharing stories around a fire, enjoying the northern landscape, and experiencing the night at a relaxed pace. As conditions allow, we can incorporate exploring, photography, and other outdoor activities into the evening.

Proudly Indigenous-owned, My Backyard Tours is rooted in northern hospitality and a genuine love for sharing the land with our guests. Whether you’re gathered around the fire or standing beneath a sky filled with stars and aurora, we want you to feel comfortable, welcomed, and connected to the North.

Please note: The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and sightings are never guaranteed. Our guides will do their best to find the best viewing conditions available each evening. If you’re looking to book outside of our allocated time slot, please email us at info@mybackyardtours.com or give us a call. We may be able to accommodate your preferred time. If your group is bigger than 8 guests, please reach out to info@mybackyardtours.com for booking information and special rates.

A minimum of 4 guests is required for this tour to proceed. We reserve the right to cancel with at least 48 hours’ notice when minimum numbers are not met or circumstances require cancellation.

Niqiqyuaq Outfitting & Tourism

Niqiqyuaq Outfitting & Tourism Logo_2026

Experience the Northwest Territories’ incredible Arctic landscape with a big game outfitter based in Paulatuk, NT. Specializing in muskox and other big game experiences, we offer unforgettable opportunities to explore the region’s remote wilderness.

Reach out to learn more about our experiences.

Dene Way Adventures

Dene Way Adventures_Yellowknife_2026_Herman Gahdële

Dene Way Adventures is owned and operated by Herman Gahdële.

Dene Way offers land-based trips and cultural learning rooted in Łutsël K’é Dene knowledge, language, and teachings. We operate primarily in Thaidene Nëné (the East Arm of Great Slave Lake), with departures also available from Yellowknife, on Chief Drygeese Territory (Yellowknives Dene First Nation).

Herman wants to create safe, respectful opportunities for people to experience the land through the Dene worldview he learned from his grandparents, family, and Elders. Having grown up traditionally on the land, he looks forward to taking people out, sharing his knowledge, and spending time together on the water, on the land, and along the winter trails.

We offer day boat trips, fishing lessons, and multi-day adventures on the water with world-class fishing. Travel with Herman along his ancestral routes as he shares Dene stories, teachings, and traditional knowledge, while experiencing a traditional camp on the land. We also offer snowmobile guiding, school programs and community workshops.

If you’re looking for a day on the water or a longer experience on the land, please reach out to learn more about our guided adventures and custom experiences here.

Yellowknife City Tours

Yellowknife City Tour_Package 2026

Explore the capital of the Northwest Territories with our guided Yellowknife City Tour, led by knowledgeable indigenous guides and offering a rich blend of scenic beauty, history, and storytelling. From the colorful charm of Old Town to the heart of downtown, you will visit iconic landmarks, cultural sites, and natural viewpoints that paint a vivid picture of Yellowknife’s past and present. Whether you’re visiting Yellowknife for the first time or looking to experience the city in a more meaningful way, this tour will provide you with a deeper understanding of the land, its people, and its transformation over time. Exposing you to the unique Dene perspective of the city which has been passed down through generations.

Tour Includes

  • Convenient pick-up and return transportation from any hotel in Yellowknife.
  • Guided bus tour through Yellowknife’s Old Town, Downtown, and Uptown areas, as well as the indigenous communities of N’dilo and Dettah.
  • Visits to key landmarks and historical sites, including the Prince of Whales Northern Heritage Centre (museum), Northwest Territories Diamond Center, Bush Pilot’s Monument – where you can have a breathtaking view of Yellowknife, and the famous Ice Castle on top of the frozen lake if your tour is during the winter season.
  • Historical overview and cultural insights along the way, with opportunities to engage, ask questions, and learn about life in Yellowknife from an Indigenous or First Nation perspective.
  • Ample opportunities to stop and take beautiful photographs at scenic viewpoints and key landmarks across the city.

Dene Cultural Tours

B Dene Cultural Tour_Package 2026

Step into the heart of the North and connect with the land, people, and traditions that define the Dene Nation. Our Dene Cultural Tour offers a rare opportunity to experience the life of indigenous people through the eyes of the Dene people – rooted in storytelling, land-based practices, and timeless traditions that have been passed down through generations.

Led by local knowledge-holders, this immersive cultural experience walks you in the footsteps of the Dene people. It includes activities like gathering around the fire for stories and knowledge-sharing, taking part in hands-on activities like traditional fishing and trapping, hiking the wilderness terrain, traditional drumming performances, and enjoying a warm traditional meal of Bannock and fresh fish from the Great Slave Lake.

Tour Includes

  • Convenient pick-up and return transportation from any hotel in Yellowknife to our B.Dene Adventures tourism camp in Dettah; via the highway or the famous ice road.
  • Cultural storytelling  and knowledge-sharing with tour hosts and Elders, including histories, stories, and legends of indigenous people.
  • Traditional drumming performances that give an unforgettable connection to the land and spirit of the North.
  • Snowmobile drive to the lake for traditional ice-fishing, and onward to our B.Dene Adventures tourism camp.
  • Snowshoeing walks and fun in the brisk snow.
  • Delicious local refreshments including fish and locally-made Bannock that will be cut, cooked, and prepared during the tour.
  • Boat Tour includes checking fish net, along with touring the islands and learning the history of the area. Available for the summer months.
  • Cozy wooden cabins and teepees that provide the perfect space and atmosphere for relaxation and other traditional tour activities.
  • Multiple opportunities to take beautiful photographs, both on the way and in our camp within the scenic northern wilderness.

2-Bedroom Cedar Log Cabin

Castaway Cottages_2026

Castaways Cottages & Campground sets itself apart by offering year-round cottage rentals located right along the sandy south shores of the Great Slave Lake. The Northwest Territories are renowned for their breathtaking Northern Lights in the cooler months and spectacular Midnight Sun in the warmer months, Hay River being the perfect location year round. Let Castaways Cottages & Campground be your home north of the 60th parallel!

Our charming 2-bedroom cedar log cabin has 2 queen-size beds and can comfortably accommodate up to four guests, providing a relaxing and cozy atmosphere during your stay. This cozy cottage includes a large jacuzzi tub, fully equipped kitchen, washer and dryer, and an outdoor deck, making the perfect spot to watch the northern lights dance across the Great Slave Lake.

Mighty Sherp Package

Sherp Package_Castaway_2026_Hay River

Discover the wild beauty of Great Slave Lake like never before with an exhilarating Sherp ATV adventure! Built to handle the toughest terrain, this rugged, all-terrain vehicle glides over sand or icy shores, powers through shallow waters and snow, and takes you deep into the breathtaking northern wilderness.

Feel the rush as we navigate the northern landscapes, taking in stunning panoramic views of Canada’s North. Whether you’re splashing through crystal-clear shallows or rolling over rugged trails, every turn promises an exciting experience. Keep an eye out for wildlife and soak in the vast, open skies as you explore one of the most remote and spectacular regions on Earth.

Perfect for adventurers and nature lovers alike, a Sherp ride is the ultimate way to experience the raw beauty of the Arctic frontier. Don’t just visit—dive into the adventure. Book your Sherp ride today and make unforgettable memories on the shores of Great Slave Lake!

The mighty Sherp tour is perfect for friends and family to enjoy a unique tour together; max group size of 8. 

The Pingo Snowmobile Tour

Noksana Mushing Tour_Snowmobiling Tours_Western Arctic_ 2026

The Pingo Snowmobile Tour takes an average of 2 hours. The tour includes a snowmobile, a tour to the pingos and an interpretive hike up the pingos. The tour continues on the ocean around the perimeter of the community into the harbor and returning to the starting venue to have tea and Bannock in the warm shelter. It also gives guests time to talk about the dogs and learn more about them from their owners.

Helpful Info + What’s Included

  • Tea and Bannock in the tent
  • Warm clothing is available in various men’s and women’s sizes (at a small cost) – Snowsuits, Winter boots, Elbow length mitts
  • Additional winter, spring, and summer activities are available upon request (igloo building, sliding, ice fishing, community interpretative tour by bus or by snowmobile, etc.)
  • Fully insured for all tours and equipment

Group bookings can include tours, activities, accommodations, and food catering. Email noksanamushingtours@gmail.com or Call Michèle at 867-340-0123 for more information and to book for your group.

Combined Dog Sled and Snowmobile Tour

Noksana Mushing Tours_Dogsledding_Package1_2026_western Arctic

Experience the thrill of dogsledding with Noksana Mushing Tours. Many of our guests choose to combine a dog sled tour with an exciting snowmobile ride, all in one unforgettable afternoon or evening. This 3–4 hour adventure also includes a traditional food tasting for a true taste of the North.

Helpful Info + Included in Tour

  • Traditional food tasting included
  • Duration 3 – 4 hours
  • Additional winter, spring, and summer activities are available upon request (igloo building, sliding, ice fishing, community interpretative tour by bus or by snowmobile, etc.)
  • Fully insured for all tours and equipment
  • Fun for the whole family: We are the only tour operator in Tuktoyaktuk offering activities for kids/families!

Group bookings can be arranged for accommodations and catering.

Group bookings can include tours, activities, accommodations, and food catering. Call Michèle at 867-340-0123 or email at noksanamushingtours@gmail.com for more information and to book for your group.