Yukon & Alaska Summer Explorer

Welcome to the “Land of the Midnight Sun”. Whitehorse is the capital of the Yukon Territory and at 22,000 people is the largest city in Canada’s North.

Experience frontier hospitality in the rustic town. There’ll be time to browse native art and craft shops or visit the Takhini Hot Springs, the Whitehorse Rapids and the sternwheeler SS Klondike II, a visit to the impressive MacBride Museum is highly recommended to introduce you to the history of Yukon before setting out on the open road.

Stay: Best Western Gold Rush Inn 

Today travel the South Klondike Highway which connects the Yukon Territory with the Inside Passage ferry system in Alaska. Also known as the Skagway - Carcross Road, today’s drive offers some spectacular scenery as it descends from the White Pass to Skagway

Stay: Westmark Inn, Skagway

Spend the morning in Skagway and explore the old town buildings. Take the afternoon Alaska Ferry to Haines. It is a spectacularly scenic and relaxing ferry ride along the Lynn Canal, a fjord that is as beautiful and pristine as any in the world. Fjord walls steeply rise from sea level to 7,000 feet.

Stay: Hotel Halsingland, Haines

The Haines Highway winds from Haines over the Chilkat Pass - the highest summit on this highway. Pass Klukshu, a native summer fishing camp offering great photo opportunities. Drive through the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve before arriving at Kluane National Park. 

Wexas Recommendation: Relax and lake a short walk at Kathleen Lake in Kluane National Park, and perhaps take a scenic flight over Canada's highest peak Mount Logan and the non-polar ice fields and glaciers of Kluane National Park

Stay: The Raven Hotel, Haines Junction

This morning go on a short hiking trip before driving north along the shores of beautiful Kluane Lake. Stopover at Sheep Mountain and look out for Dall sheep gracing alongside the mountain slopes. Your journey continues on the famous Alaska Highway through endless wilderness areas. Arrive in Tok, often referred to as the “Dog Mushing Capital of Alaska”. Welcome to Alaska

Stay: Cleft of the Rock B&B, Tok

Your journey continues on the Glenn Highway, offering an impressive view of the Wrangell Mountains. Stopover at the historic roadhouse in Copper Center and watch native fish wheels at the nearby Copper River, providing an excellent salmon run. Shortly afterwards the Worthington Glacier peeks into view where a boardwalk leads to the toe of the glacier before arriving in Valdez.

Next day enjoy a free day in Valdez. Take a cruise into Prince William Sound to Columbia or Meares Glacier on which you also have a chance to see sea lions and even Humpback whales. Or enjoy a guided kayaking or rafting tour (not included)

Today you will drive back north on the Richardson Highway with great views of the Wrangell Mountains as you return to Glennallen (weather permitting). Here you follow the Glenn Highway towards Palmer / Anchorage until you reach Sheep Mountain Lodge. The rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy the scenic mountain views or recreational activities in the area. There are nearby trails perfect for exploring. Birds and wildflowers abound. Maps are provided in each cabin for self-guided hiking

Stay: Sheep Mountain Lodge, Sheep Mountain

Drive the Glenn Highway south to Anchorage. Highlights on this part of today’s trip include the Independence Mine in beautiful Hatcher Pass and the many communities in the Mat-Su Valley. This valley contains many farms with the remarkable growing season in Alaska and offers beautiful views of the Chugach Range.

Explore Alaska’s largest city by yourself and visit the many points of interests. Take a walk on the Coastal Trail along Cook Inlet to Earthquake Park with a magnificent view of the Alaska Mountain Range in the distance. Don’t miss a delicious lunch at one of Anchorage’s top seafood restaurants.

Stay: Westmark Anchorage

Drive the Glenn Highway north to Wasilla and on to Talkeetna. Stops can include a visit to the Alaska Native Heritage Centre. Talkeetna serves as a base camp for Mt. McKinley climbers; the community of 857 residents is located at the confluence of the Talkeetna and Susitna Rivers.

Stay: Susitna River Lodge, Talkeetna

Today, explore Denali’s south side or depart early for the drive to Denali National Park. You’ll have as much time as you like to experience the majesty of Denali National Park, take in the sights of the George Parks Highway or arrive at your hotel near the park entrance to take advantage of an optional excursion or a visit to the Denali Visitor Centre.

Stay: Denali Grizzly Bear Resort, Denali

A full-day escorted trip explores the entire 92 miles of the restricted Denali Park Road on your way to the Denali Backcountry Lodge. Your experienced driver-guide will help in the search for bear, moose, caribou, Dall sheep and other wildlife. Return to the park entrance via a flightseeing tour in a small bush plane. If weather permits, you will fly close to Mount Denali

Stay: Denali Grizzly Bear Resort, Denali

Short drive via Nenana to Fairbanks. Fairbanks, known as the Golden Heart City of Alaska, is the gateway to the interior and features almost 24 hours of daylight during the summer months. This afternoon you may want to visit the renowned Alaska University Museum featuring Alaska’s best natural history collection.

In Fairbanks you have the unique chance for an optional day tour to cross the Arctic Circle and to visit the vast interior

Stay: Rivers Edge Resort, Fairbanks

Heading south, the Richardson Highway passes through stands of White birch and Black spruce, often photogenically close to the Tanana River. Soak up the raw beauty of the drive into the central Alaska Range, often paralleled by the Alaska pipeline.

Stay: Cleft of the Rock B&B, Tok

The Top of the World Highway (please note this is a partly gravel road) brings you through spectacular backcountry and gold mining areas. When the highway reaches its highest elevation incredible views into farreaching countryside open up. Before you reach Dawson City, you’ll cross the Yukon River by the government-run ferry. Tonight relax at Diamond Tooth Gertie’s with legal gambling tables and “ CanCan” floor shows throughout the evening.

Stay: Aurora Inn, Dawson City

A full day to visit the various historical sights of Dawson City: SS Keno – the laststeamer to run the Yukon River from Whitehorse, the Jack London Interpretive Centre with the poets original cabin, the city museum with audiovisual presentations, much of the city is preserved by Parks Canada, and you can join free guided tours throughout the day. Just out of town you can visit Bonanza Creek and Dredge #4 built in 1912 to work gold from the creek bed. Do not miss the short drive on the Ridge Road to the top of the Midnight Dome with excellent views over Dawson, the Ogilvie Mountains, and the Yukon and Klondike Rivers.

Stay: Aurora Inn, Dawson City

Going south, enjoy the raw beauty of the surrounding landscape. Stopover at the Five Finger Rapids and hike down to the shore of the Yukon River. In late afternoon you will reach Yukon’s capital city, Whitehorse.

Stay: Westmark Inn, Whitehorse

After check-out of your hotel, return your car at the airport and your Yukon adventure comes to an end, take the short flight from Whitehorse to Vancouver where your overnight flight back to the UK awaits