The Great River Journey - Horizon & Co.

Radical Sabbaticals{ }“Great trips are transformative. Radical trips,like this one, equip you with lessons for life.”~ Ilana Weitzman, Editor in Chief. enRoute Magazine & participant, Horizon Great River Journey 2008

“What happens when you send nine executives out into the wild to fly fish, horseback ride and havesome one-on-one time with a First Nations shaman? Amazing things. The Yukon, with its rich history ofself-reliance, becomes a staging ground for personal revelation. Up in a classic floatplane, hovering overa completely wild landscape, you gain perspective in the most literal sense. A talk about dog mushingteaches you about group dynamics and how to lead your own pack. If you’re lucky, a First Nations chiefwill explain the art of 360 degree awareness, which is how he can spot a boat seemingly a mile off orhear the approach of a grizzly bear. You problem-solve over campfires and bond over bannock”~ Ilana Weitzman, Editor in Chief, EnRoute MagazineReward ~ Employee IncentivesPROBLEM: How to recruit, reward and retain the best employees? According to “The War forTalent”, a recent year-long study by McKinsey & Co., the single most important corporate resourceover the next 20 years will be talented, smart, sophisticated business people who are technologicallyliterate, globally astute, and operationally agile.SOLUTION: Extraordinary travel experiences should be central to any HR strategy that seekscompetitive advantage. On our wilderness safari, we pamper our guests every chance we get,whether it’s a private float plane flight across the taiga, the most advanced riverboat in the Arcticor a candlelight dinner in a remote luxury lodge. We guarantee that this trip will provide braggingrights around the water cooler for the next decade.Re-invent ~ Corporate RetreatsPROBLEM: How to cultivate creativity, innovation and leadership development within yourorganization? Gary Hamel, the world’s reigning strategy guru, identified the most important issueof our time as “building organizations where innovation is both radical and systemic”.SOLUTION: An innovative insight is rarely the product of an individual’s brilliance: innovationtypically comes from looking at the world through a different lens. On our Yukon wilderness safari,we integrate enriched local programming at every opportunity, from the oral story-telling traditionsof local elders to kayaking on one of the world’s great rivers. Nothing changes your perspectivefaster than walking through the wilderness with no one for company but eagles, wolves andprospectors’ ghosts.Recognize ~ Client HospitalityPROBLEM: How do you keep your existing clients and find new ones in a hyper-competitiveenvironment of shifting loyalties and constant change? As Jill Griffin, a leading authority on clientloyalty, points out “Today’s customers are smarter, better informed and more intolerant of “being sold”than ever before.”SOLUTION: Design bespoke hospitality trips to give your clients access to some of the world’smost unique experiences. On our wilderness safari, we expose our guests to so many superlativesthat they will soon exhaust the potential ways to say “wow”. We have the flexibility and localresources to fulfill almost any whim, whether it’s for world class fly-fishing, a 25 year-old scotchor a personal encounter with a grizzly bear.

FamilyTrips{ }“I am beyond excited by this product for families. A trueboutique experience with warm personal service, uniquebreath-taking experiences and great home-made food.”~ Debbie Archambault, Travel Experts (a Virtuoso Agency)& participant, Horizon Great River Journey 2008

We created our family trips in response to the requests of travellers who told us they’d love to share aHorizon vacation with their kids. Rather than just tweaking existing trips, we crafted all new adventureswith families specifically in mind. These trips are all about sharing an appreciation for the diversity of theworld, and showing children the things you don’t discover until you leave home. We find that the combinationof extraordinary landscapes, magnificent wildlife and impassioned First Nations guides can be apowerful catalyst for bridging the generation gap, celebrating special occasions, or simply reconnectingwith loved ones.Flex Time ~ Time Together, Time ApartOur Family trips are about quality time together and quality time apart (all parents know that youneed at least some of the latter to appreciate the former). In addition to experiences for families toenjoy together, there are ample opportunities for young people to embark on supervised, off-thebeatenpath adventures that reflect their own interests. Extra staff leave adults free to pursue cultural,active or restive activities on their own, and allow us to provide different activities for different ages.Your 5-year old can be busy collecting eggs in the chicken coops at Pelly River Ranch while your 8year old learns the mating call of a bull moose from a First Nations guide and your teenager learnsto fly-fish for Arctic grayling on the banks of the mighty river. We focus on the logistics so that youcan focus on your kids - on sharing the sight of bald eagles soaring on arctic thermal or the soundsof moose hide drums keeping beat as local dancers dive and whirl in the open fields.Made to Fit ~ Hand-Crafted Private JourneysTaking a private trip is like having a suit designed by a bespoke tailor - we build the trip fromscratch to produce a unique, one-of-a-kind experience. In our opinion, the best tailoring results froma relationship of intimacy and trust between the client and the tailor, and thus we’ve developed aprocess akin to multiple fittings to ensure that the end result is perfectly attuned to your desires. Westart with a private consultation designed to tease out the subtle nuances of your likes, dislikes andneeds. We learn where your family’s interests lie, we gauge your desired level of activity and thenwe plan every day around you. With a maximum capacity of 10 travellers, this experience is perfectfor private multi-generational trips. Choose a departure date for your extended family, tell us whatyou want to do, and we’ll build the trip of your dreams.Safety First ~ Peace of MindThese trips are designed to take you comfortably to the edge of your comfort zone, and then allowyou to make the decision of whether to step outside or stay within. We do this by minimizing therisk on all aspects of the trip that are actually within our control. Each route is mapped meticulouslyand checked rigorously. Our travel designers have spent the months ahead checking routes, walkingtrails and making changes up until the last minute. Our local hosts are trained in wilderness first aid,and every guide is an expert at looking after young and old alike. All of the equipment is top ofthe line and religiously inspected. Everyone has different boundaries, but whether it’s watching yourdaughter dive into the frigid waters of a glacier-fed stream or watching your grandmother hold hernose as she downs a legendary sourtoe cocktail in Dawson City, it’s always inspiring when someonepushes themselves to a new place for the first time.

LuxuryAdventures{ }“I have been fortunate enough to travel the world in my life, but neverhas any place gotten so deep into my soul as the trip down the Yukonriver with Horizon & Co. and Great River Journey. I will go back and amcertain that each trip will open up a new depth of understanding for me.”~ Jim Hayhurst, CEO, The Right Mountain, Participant, Horizon Great River Journey 2008

These trips are about the perfect combination of calibrated luxury with calculated risk, and thus are moreabout the richness of the experience than the cost of a hotel room, about sleeping under the stars ratherthan slipping between Frette sheets (although we’re not averse to that either). We seek to move beyondmerely seeing the sights or getting away from it all in pursuit of serendipitous moments of personal discoveryand meaning. We make it easy by taking care of all of the details, arranging the necessary props,assembling the local cast of players, and otherwise setting the mise-en-scene for the theatre of travel sothat you can focus on immersing yourself in the moment.Luxury ~ Freedom, Spontaneity & WanderlustLuxury has become an elusive concept, one that has been appropriated by anyone with a marketingdepartment and an eye on higher margins. In our opinion, true luxury lies in creating the space inpeople’s lives where they can experience the joy of a purely spontaneous moment, where the caresof the world slip away and the mind and the body become one. But don’t be fooled into thinking thatwe expect you to rough it - while horsehair shirts may have their place in life, they don’t belong on theroad with us. Upscale accommodation (think “glamping” or the intersection of glamour and camping),accomplished meals (think French chef foraging for wild mushrooms in the forest) and comfortabletravel arrangements (think business class seats transplanted to your private river boat) ensure that youspend your time focusing on the fleeting magic of nature rather than worrying about where your nextmeal is coming from or where you will rest your head.Adventure ~ Risk, Reward & AdrenalinAdventure is another concept that is in serious danger of being cheapened by over-use. In our opinion,adventure is more about challenging people’s internal limits of daring than it is about exposing themto real risks or hardship, and as such it is highly calibrated to the individual. Activities themselves arenot inherently adventurous - they merely provide a catalyst for the true journey that happens within.For some it is the solitude and stillness of dawn on the river as they cast their fly-rod in search of arcticgrayling, for others it is the exhilaration of walking along the knife edge of a soaring cliff as their guidebangs a cow bell to warn off bears, while for others it is the moment of recognition as a First Nationselder embraces them in his gaze and says “ I see you”. Out of your comfort zone, engaged in themoment, looking at the world through a new lens - this is where magic lies and epiphanies occur.Experience ~ Immerse, Engage & Go DeepIn our opinion, the experiences that resonate over time and evolve into lifelong memories are the onesthat are formed through the alchemy of participation and immersion. Thus, we plan our trips on thepremise that the most enjoyable comforts are the ones earned by a little sweat upon the brow, that themost piquant meals are the ones we participated in preparing ourselves, and that the most memorablemoments are the ones preceded by a spontaneous transition from passively observing to actively participating.Whether it’s rolling up your sleeves and massaging flour into bannock cakes over an openfire under the watchful gaze of a First Nations hunter, learning how to pronounce “inye dooch’i” toan elder who cackles with glee at your fumbling, or playing a spirited game of “Indian Bingo” withgiggling teenagers, we guarantee that your senses will be dazzled, your spirit will be moved, andyour mind will be engaged on this unique experiential journey.

Why settle for 5 starswhen you can have 1,000?day 1The epic journey begins in Whitehorse, legendary capital of the Yukon,built along the banks of a mighty river on the site of timeless culturesand the dreams of avaricious prospectors. After exploring the town’smyriad charms, we board our private expedition riverboat for the startof our 8-day, 600 km luxury safari through the heart of Canada’smost pristine wilderness. Accompanied by an expert naturalist,we’ll stop at whim to view wildlife up close,explore ancient archaeological sites, andhike across untouched valleys.- Whitehorse to the Upper Labarge Lodge -Where We Sleep: Our lodge is a magnificent hand-hewn log cabin graced with a river stone fireplace,elegant dining room and strategically located bar overlooking the picturesque lake. Facilitiesinclude a reading room, outdoor fire pit, sauna and hot tub. All cabins have private verandas, gasfireplaces, ensuite bathrooms and separate sitting rooms.

A river runs through itday 2Wake up to the sounds of nature amidst thefabled ancestral lands of the Ta’an KwachanCouncil. Set off before breakfast by canoe tovisit the local beaver and bald eagle populationand spot indigenous arctic loons andmigratory trumpeter swans. Enjoy a gourmetcamp breakfast, then spend the morningfly fishing for arctic grayling on world-classstreams. Head out into the mountains thisafternoon with local First Nations guides andcarve a path through virgin boreal forests pastherds of woodland caribou.- The Upper Labarge Lodge -Where We Play: The ancestral lands of the Ta’än Kwäch’än are rich in stories and abundant in wildlife.Stone tools tell of ancestors from the last Ice Age who harvested salmon and hunted caribou and buffalo.The banks of the river are lined with ancient fish camps, lookout points, hunting trails and burial sites.

Fly like an eagle,let my spirit carry me...day 3Board our riverboat afterbreakfast and venture into the“Thirty Mile” section of the Yukon(designated one of only 28 heritagerivers in Canada), where narrowchannels run through dramatic highcut bluffs. Try your skills at kayakingas we pass by huge shipwreckedpaddle wheelersand overgrown ghostsettlements on the riverbanks. After a gourmetpicnic lunch on SteamboatIsland, board our privatefloatplane for the spectacularflight over the immense and perilous Five-Finger rapids. Arrive at the Homestead in time for sun-downers around the fire.- Upper Labarge to Homestead Lodge -Where We Sleep: It’s hard to imagine a greater contrast than that between the endless ruggedbeauty of the wilderness and the elegant rustic comforts of the Homestead Lodge – the most northerlyviable homestead in Canada. Genuine northern hospitality is matched by log cabins with gasfireplaces, private verandas and huge ensuite bathrooms.

Is that a premier cruin your wine glass...?day 4Travel down river toFort Selkirk, where the logbuildings and early settlerstories are brought alive by theinterpretive expertise of local SelkirkFirst Nation guides. Help out on the ongoingarchaeological dig then break for a traditional lunch. In the afternoon,hike to Pelly Farm, a true wilderness homestead, meet the residentfamily and explore the blacksmith shop, then gather the ingredientsfrom the garden for a hands-on demonstration exploring the lostculinary art of homestead cooking.- Homestead Lodge -WHERE WE PLAY: The ancestral lands of the Northern Tutchone lie at the confluence of the Yukonand Pelly Rivers, where nomadic traditions intersected with the growth of trade in Canada’s north. Atthe centre lies Fort Selkirk, established in the 1840s as the most remote Hudson Bay Company fort inNorth America.

Can you say “glamping”?(where glamour meets camping)day 5Journey north deep into the heart of the sub-Arctic wildernesswhere the great river runs through wide-open valleysframed by looming rock bluffs. This is where the Stewartand White River join the Yukon, bringing with them vastamounts of glacial and alluvial silt, and the great riverturns white, providing a superb opportunity for canoeingor kayaking from the riverboat. This afternoon take aguided walk in search of wildlife or pan for gold in CrystalCreek, then gather round the cook shack for sun-downers,fine food and storytelling around the campfire.- Homestead Lodge to Wilderness Outpost -WHERE WE SLEEP: Nestled on the banks of the river, the wilderness outpost combines nature inher unadorned glory with indulgent creature comforts. The luxury canvas tent platforms blend anauthentic camping experience with structural integrity and convenience of conventional cabins (notto mention the duvet-covered beds, gas fireplaces and ensuite bathrooms).

My, what sharpteeth you have...day 6This morning begins at a leisurelypace with a guided naturalist hikethrough the surrounding wilderness,home to 30 per cent of Canada’sgrizzlies, the porcupine caribouherd and peregrine falcons,and seasonal home to millionsof migratory birds. In thelate morning we continue ourjourney by riverboat, stoppingfor wildlife sightings and for a lastgourmet shore-picnic in the wild.In the late afternoon we arrive inthe fabled Northern Eldorado ofDawson City, where you will have achance to unwind.- Wilderness Outpost to Dawson City -Where We stay: The Downtown Hotel, located in the historic old town, has been completely rebuilt andrefurbished with all modern facilities, yet it preserves an authentic Klondike boomtown atmosphere. TheJack London Grill and the Sourdough Saloon are the watering holes of choice for all the local characters.

Thars’gold inthemtharhills...day 7The cultural richness of Dawson City is a perfect counterpoint to thestark beauty of the preceding days of wilderness. Today we will explore itsEdwardian streets, attend a poetry reading at the home of Robert Service,marvel at the log cabin where Jack London spent his winters, and pan fornuggets at a working mine. For our final dinner, we will enjoy a sumptuousfeast and then celebrate amidst the renowned hospitality of DiamondTooth Gerties, the local hotbed of gambling and cabaret shenanigans.- Dawson City -Where We play: For millennia, Dawson was used by the Hän-speaking people of the Tr’ondëkHwëch’in as a small fishing camp, but everything changed on August 17, 1896, when Skookum JimMason discovered gold. The Klondike Gold Rush had begun and Dawson City was transformed intothe Paris of the North.

Homeward boundday 8The journey ends this morning as we say ourgoodbyes after breakfast in Dawson City. According totraditional First Nations beliefs, each person on earthis given a special gift by the Creator and has a lifelongresponsibility to develop that gift for the benefit of thewhole community. We hope that this journey hasmoved you closer to developing your own uniquegift for the benefit of all. Thanks for everythingand see you again next year.- Departure -Say your goodbyes after breakfast and continue onward with your journey.- Early Booking Special -Book your trip before December 31st, 2008 and receive free return airfare from Vancouver,Calgary or Edmonton (a value of more then $1,000).- Introductory Special -All June departures have been reduced to $5,800 to celebrate our launch and the arrival ofour first guests. Departure dates are June 5, 12, 19, 21, 26 & 28

terms & conditionsReservations: You can reserve a trip at any time through yourtravel professional or by calling us at 1-800-387-2977, faxingus at 416-585-9614, emailing us at admin@horizon-co.comor booking on our website at www.horizon-co.com. We acceptcredit cards or cheques for the initial deposit, and the balancecan be paid by cheque, credit card, money order, or anyother method that suits your convenience. Deposits must bereceived within 7 days of the booking in order to protect yourreservation. Early reservations are recommended, since ourgroup size is limited and some trips sell out far in advance.Note that certain other non-refundable items may require fullpayment at the time of reservation.At reservation................. $2,000 per personAt 90 Days..................... The balance of the trip priceWithin 90 days................ The entire trip priceTrip Prices: All prices are in US dollars. Prices are basedon costs effective on the date noted in the brochure and aresubject to change due to airfare increases, additional taxesand fees, changes in the exchange rate or other factors beyondour control.Participation: We require that all travellers be at least 14years of age on all trips apart from designated family departures.For the benefit of all travellers, Horizon reserves the rightto accept or reject any traveller as a trip participant, and toremove from the trip any travellers whose conduct is deemedincompatible with the interests of the group.Traveller Responsibility: All travel entails risks and rewardsbeyond those encountered at home, and we count on ourtravellers to ensure that they are in good health, to read our pretrip materials, to pack appropriately, and to appreciate that insome destinations, the customs, practices and standards differfrom those provided in North America.Horizon Cancellations: We regret that occasionally it isnecessary to cancel a trip, and Horizon reserves the right tocancel any trip at any time for any reason. In such circumstances,refund of all payments received by Horizon shall constitute fullsettlement. Horizon is not responsible for any additional lossincurred on travel arrangements or air tickets due to a tripcancellation.Traveller Cancellations: If a traveller cancels a trip more than90 days before a departure, we will generally refund the depositminus an administration fee. Cancellations within 90 days aresubject to significant cancellation penalties that correspond tothe timing and scale of the financial risk of Horizon in relationto the departure. If it becomes necessary for you to cancel yourtrip, you should notify us in writing immediately. The cancellationterms are as follows:DateFee Per PersonOutside 90 Days.............. $250 per person0 to 90 days................... 100% of the trip priceInsurance: The trip price does not include any insurance coverage,and Horizon strongly recommends the purchase of travelinsurance to protect your trip investment in the event of medicalemergencies, lost bags, a cancelled trip or any other unforeseenevent. You should also consult your existing insurance policiesand consider supplemental hospital and health insurance foroverseas travel.Transfers & Changes: Travellers may transfer to other tripsoffered by Horizon in the same calendar year for an administrationfee of $50 per person by notifying us no later than 90 days priorto the departure date of their trip. Published itineraries are subjectto change or modification at any time at Horizon’s discretiondue to changing conditions in the field. Any changes to thereservation at the request of the traveller are subject to anadministrative fee of $50 per person.Taxes & Visas: The GST (Goods and Service Tax) is notincluded in the trip prices and all taxes related to airfares (i.e.airport departures taxes) are extra. Please review your invoicefor details.Privacy & Photography: Horizon is committed to controllingthe collection, use and disclosure of personal information providedby our travellers in accordance with the Personal InformationProtection and Electronic Documents Act. Please visit ourwebsite for further details. Horizon reserves the right to takephotographic records on trip for promotional purposes, andtravellers grant Horizon express permission to use their imagesfor such purposes.Travel Services: Horizon provides a variety of travel relatedservices before and after our trips that are arranged and pricedseparately from the trip price (airfare, etc). Any alterations tothese arrangements may be subject to additional costs, and anylosses associated with these alterations may not be coveredby insurance. Horizon acts only as an agent for travellers andaccepts no responsibility for any loss or damages associatedwith these arrangements. The tickets in use by the airline or othertransportation company shall constitute the sole contract betweenthe company and the traveller.Limitation of Liability, Release & Indemnity: In orderto complete your reservation, you must read, complete, signand return Horizon’s Acknowledgement of Risk, Release andIndemnity 90 days prior to your departure. This document willbe sent to you after you have paid your initial deposit as part of theconfirmation package and can be found at our website (www.horizon-co.com). Please read the document carefully. Horizon(and it’s owners, employees. agents or contractors) will not beresponsible for any injury or damage, accident, loss disabilitycaused to person or property in connection with any serviceincluded in the trips. The traveller understands that certainactivities on trips may involve risks or dangers, and by takingpart in these activities they acknowledge and assume therisk inherent therein.Horizon: Copyright © 2009 Horizon Holidays Limited. Theterm Horizon or Horizon & C o. refers to Horizon HolidaysLimited, an Ontario corporation and a tour operator registeredunder the Travel Industry Act of Ontario (registration No.01582982/01943900), which offers and operates all tripslisted herein. All trips are offered subject to Horizon’s standardterms & conditions, which are found in our trip materials, atwww.horizon-co.com and are available on request. Pleasereview the terms and conditions carefully prior to completingyour reservation.Printed in Canada on recycled paper. ® The Horizon logo and Horizon Holidays are registered trademarks.

detailsDAYS 6,7 + 8CanadianWildernessSafariwith Horizon & CO. &Great River JourneyDAY5Departure Dates:Every Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun & Mon betweenJuly 1 and Sept. 15, 2009June 5, 12, 19, 21, 26, 28, 2009All Fri & Sun departures are guaranteedWildernessOutpostSTEWARTCROSSINGDAYS3 + 4Start/finish:Whitehorse / DawsonTrip length:7 nights / 8 daysPrice:June 2009: $5,800 per personJul - Sept 2009: $7,800 per personNo Single SupplementY U K O N R I V E RHUMESFORT SELKIRKHomesteadLodgeCARMACKSDAYS1 + 2FIVE FINGER RAPIDSHOOTILINQNAY U K O N R I V E RWhat’s Included:• All en-suite accommodation inhotels, lodges and luxuryoutpost camps• All meals and non-alcoholicdrinks• All transportation via river boatwith licensed pilot and local guide• All floatplane charters• All outdoor equipment(canoes, kayaks, fishing gear)• All local guides, naturalistsand interpreters• All airport transfersWhat’s Not Included:International or domestic flights, alcoholicdrinks, gratuities, fishing licenses, Goods& Services tax, trip cancellation and medicalinsurance.TAKHINIUpperLabargeLodgeregistration:To register your interest,email us at admin@horizon-co.comAll other terms and conditions governing your bookingwill be on the registration form.Horizon & Co., an Ontario Corporation and tour operatorlicensed under the Travel Industry Act of Ontario(Registration No. 01582982/01943900) operates alltrip listed herein.Photos courtesy of Great River Journey,Horizon and Yukon Tourism.33YUKONBRITISH COLU

There are strange things done in the midnight sunby the men who moil for gold;The Arctic trails have their secret talesThat would make your blood run cold;The Northern Lights have seen queer sights,But the queerest they ever did seeWas that night on the marge of Lake Lebarge}I I cremated Sam McGee.” ~ Robert ServiceHORIZON & CO., (founded in 1963), is a boutique luxury travel companyfocused on providing upscale special interest travel for individuals, smallgroups and corporations. Its mission is to design and stage authentic anddeeply personal travel experiences for discerning travellers.GREAT RIVER JOURNEY is a unique company created to develop afinancially and environmentally- sound, sustainable, long-term tourismbusiness that features Yukon’s finest attributes. Its mission is to provide thepremier high end, low impact river tour experience in North America.478 Queen St. E., Toronto, ON M5A 1T71.800.387.2977 fax 416.585.9614 www.horizon-co.com