There’s a visit to Skagway, the first official Alaskan city, and ferry to nearby Haines, a town nestled on the edge of the ocean. Old man gold panning beginning in Whitehorse, the tour will make its way to Dawson, where Diamond Tooth Gerties’ can can girls will prance across the stage, while you try your luck at blackjack or the slots. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can have a sourdough cocktail, frost-bitten toe and all! You’ll also get to try your hand at gold panning, the ultimate pioneer experience. For a little extra, you can fly onto a glacier, river raft down the Tatshenshini River, take a trip on horseback, or spend a day fishing.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival Whitehorse
Arrival in Whitehorse, airport transfer, meeting of group members, overnight in hotel.
Day 2: Whitehorse - Skagway, Alaska
After breakfast you have the opportunity to discover the famous capital of the Yukon, and your stops should include the MS Klondike, one of the last Yukon sternwheelers still around and a visit to the McBride Museum. Start of the grand voyages is early afternoon, and our van will set track towards Skagway. During this trip we will stop at the smallest desert in the world - the Carcross desert - and we will of course also admire Emerald Lake, called Rainbow Lake; from the locals due to its sensational coloration. Skagway, a hundred years ago the base camp for all Chilkoot Pass travelers is still a historic gold rush town. Many well preserved relics bear witness to its colourful past, including the head of the notorious Chilkoot Trail. In the evening one can relax and get a taste of the gold rush atmosphere in one of the historic bars, for example the Red Onion Saloon once a brothel.
Day 3: Skagway - Haines
Via ferry we travel through the Lynn Fjord and with some luck we can see seals, whales, bald eagles and the giant Alaska brown bears, making this area their home. Haines is known as an important centre of the native Tlingit culture and one can watch Totem pole carvers at work as well as visit the local theatre where ceremonial Indian dances are shown.
Day 4: Haines - Haines Junction
We are following the Chilkat River where during fall salmon migration thousands of majestic bald eagles concentrate. After the Chilkat Pass we can view Million Dollar Falls in a pristine landscape along the Tatshenshini River. Before we arrive at Haines Junction we stop at Klukshu Village, where Indian people still catch salmon in a traditional manner during their upstream migration.
Days 5 - 6: Kluane National Park
Haines Junction, the gateway to Kluane National Park. We are setting up our base camp on the shores of the deep, blue Kluane Lake and explore the immense scenery of the Park during the next days. A hiking trip into one of the park's high alpine valleys may give us the chance to spot wildlife such as dall sheep, moose, caribou and grizzly bear. Depending on the level of interest among the passengers we can also organize a spectacular flight by helicopter over the immense glaciers of the park (optional). This adventure, over a virtually pristine wilderness, is especially spectacular during a clear day. With Haines Junction as a base one has a variety of options: what do you think of a horse back riding trip into the glaciated valley of the Alsek River or a tumultuous rafting tour down the world famous Tatshenshini River? This area is simply an adventure wonderland.
Day 7: Haines Junction - Tok
After leaving Haines Junction we drive besides the shores of scenic Kluane Lake. Mount Wallace, better known as Sheep Mountain is our first stop. Here, you will be able to spot the rare white dall sheep, and if you did not luck yesterday you have the possibility of joining a glacier flight in Burwash Landing. We cross the Alaska border in Beaver Creek and travel towards Tok, home of one of the best breed of husky dogs.
Day 8: Tok - Valdez
An early start via the Glen Highway and through the impressive scenery of the Wrangell Mountains will lead us deeper into Alaska. The Richardson Highway connects with the Pacific Ocean and the little harbor town Valdez is embedded into the beautiful coastal range. High water falls, roughed scenery and magnificent peaks have given this region the name "little Switzerland", and the Trans Alaska Pipeline ends here.
Day 9: Valdez - Whittier - Portage
Today we drive our van onto the ferry and discover the marine world of Prince William Sound, one of the many highlights of this tour. The Columbia Glacier, one of the worlds most spectacular pictures and the variety of marine wildlife shall make this day an unforgettable one: Sea otter, seals, sea lions and puffins are common here, and with some luck you maybe able to spot orcas and humpback whales. Whittier, the end of our sea journey is home to the legendary Portage Glacier.
Day 10: Portage - Anchorage
The drive parallel to Turnagain Fjord towards Anchorage is another impressive highlight. Town day this afternoon.... yet different to most cities. Anchorage the largest city in Alaska is surrounded by impressive mountains and a variety of deep fjords. A metropolitan in the middle of the Alaska wilderness - here city life, yet one hour away is the possibility to spot a grizzly or a moose. Lake hood, the world float plane capital (yes, they really have over one thousand float planes here) with 800 takeoffs per day and the close-by Aviation Museum is a must for every visitor. You need some culture after this wilderness week: Well, downtown Anchorage is as close as you get this in Alaska: Museums, Theaters and Sopping Malls. And after hours, when the town with its many pubs, bars and restaurants comes alive. Our tip: Gwennies, the restaurant with the largest steaks combined with a gold rush thematic atmosphere.
Day 11: Anchorage - Denali National Park
Northbound via George Parks Highway towards Denali National Park, through incredible landscape. We overnight on a campground near the park entrance.
Days 12 - 13: Denali National Park
The next highlight of the tour is a visit to Denali National Park with mighty Mt. McKinley, the highest peak in North America. We spend two days in and around the park and with some luck we will see dall sheep, moose, caribou and grizzly bears.
Day 14: Denali National Park - Fairbanks
We are again on the George Parks Highway and the compass needle is pointed northward. Nenana and the Alaska Railroad Museum is another point of interest en route towards Fairbanks, less than 200 km south of the polar circle. Fairbanks invites you to visit the dog mush museum or the many restaurants specialized in Alaska King Crabs... a true delicacy. Another possibility is to join the tour on a sternwheeler on the Chena River. Or choose the visit of "Crown of Light", a slide show about the northern lights.
Day 15: Fairbanks - Tok
We have reached our most northerly point of this exciting journey and we cross the Tanana River directly abeam the Trans Alaska Pipeline. We also reach mile zero of the Alaska Highway in Delta Junction and we will stop in North Pole, the home town of Santa Claus. Here it seems to be Christmas year round.
Day 16: Tok - Dawson City
We travel via the Top of the World Highway back towards Canada, right through sub-arctic mountain tundra, above timberline. Today we pass the most northern US boarder at Little Gold Creek and small historic towns like Chicken, Action Jackson or Jack Wade Camp. Early afternoon we reach the Yukon River and set up camp next to the shores.
Day 17: Dawson City.
We cross the Yukon River by ferry and start to discover Dawson, the historic gold town and home of many legends. A visit to the Jack London and Robert Service cabins and the gold rush museum are on the program. A highlight is the drive into the Bonanza and Eldorado Creeks where we visit an active gold mine. Later we will drive up the "Midnight Dome", the mountain overlooking Dawson. We can stroll through the quaint little town where so many buildings from the gold rush era are preserved. In the evening we watch Can-Can girls in the casino "Diamond Tooth Gerties". Further recommended is a visit to the Palace Grand Theater with its musical about the gold rush period.
Day 18: Dawson City - Dempster Highway.
We are leaving the fields of the Klondike today and will set up camp near the world famous Dempster Highway. 730 KM of gravel road linking the interior of Yukon Territory with Inuvik at the delta of the huge Mackenzie River in Northwest Territories. We camp at a delightful campground at the base of Tombstone Mountain.
Day 19: Tombstone Mountains.
We do some spectacular hiking in this remarkable landscape of tundra and mountains. The Tombstone Mountains` unique moon landscape has proved early travelers in this region with an unmistakable landmark. Today we spend the last evening around the campfire and in tents.
Day 20: Dempster Highway - Whitehorse.
Via the Klondike Highway we return to Whitehorse, following the mighty Yukon River basin. The Yukon River, over 3500 KM in length is one of the worlds longest water highways. The historic journey of the sternwheelers was only interrupted by the dangerous and infamous Five Finger Rapids - another stop of interest for us. Many relicts like old cabins, abandoned post stations and small settlements help us to relive the gold rush times. Hotel overnight in Whitehorse.
Day 21: Departure Whitehorse- Transfer to airport or connecting program.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- 21 days round trip from/to Whitehorse
- Expert guidance on the entire trip
- Multilingual guides (English, French, German)
- Airport transfers Whitehorse
- Two nights hotel accommodation (Whitehorse)
- Overland transportation
- Ferry Skagway-Haines
- Fees for campgrounds (18 nights)
- 2 person tents and camping equipment
- Historic tour through Dawson City incl. gold panning
- Ferry Prince William Sound
- Entrance fees for national parks
- Guided hiking trip into Kluane-NP, Denali-NP and Tombstone Mountains area
- Entrance fee Diamond Tooth Gerties
- Entrance fee museum in Dawson City
Price Excluded:
- Transportation to Whitehorse and return
- Meals in hotels
- Optional: Glacier flight (appr. Can-$ 80.00/p), Fishing license (Can-$ 20.00), Horseback trip (appr. Can-$85.00/p), Rafting Tatshenshini River (appr. Can-$ 100.00/p), Shuttle Denali NP appr. US-$ 30.00/p), US-Visa fee US-$ 8.00/p), Camp food (appr. Can-$ 75.00/p.p. week).
Also see tour packages in:
Canada
Yukon
Alaska
Ecotourism
Wildlife Viewing
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