Yukon & Alaska Explorer

Experience frontier hospitality in the rustic town of Whitehorse. 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.

The drive along the Klondike Highway provides glimpses of the mighty 3,500km Yukon River. The area forms the traditional hunting grounds of the Kaska Indians and is a good place to spot bears, wolves, lynx and moose. Thanks to the Gold Rush, Dawson City was once one of North America’s liveliest towns. See the well preserved buildings, wooden sidewalks and unpaved roads, pan for gold at an authentic working gold claim or take a drive along the Dempster Highway for fantastic views of the Tombstone Mountains.

The rugged Top-of-the-World Highway takes you into Alaska via Little Gold Camp, the highest border crossing between the US and Canada. Fairbanks, the hub of Alaska’s interior, is located less than 200km south of the Arctic Circle. A sternwheeler cruise on the Chena and Tanana Rivers is among the daytime attractions as well as Cripple Creek, a restored ghost town of frontier buildings.

Mount McKinley, North America’s tallest mountain signals your arrival in Denali National Park. Enjoy a full-day wildlife watching tour for opportunities to see moose, caribou, grizzly bears and Dall sheep.

The drive south takes in woodlands of spruce, burch and aspen before reaching the fertile Matanuska River Valley. Explore the modern city of Anchorage, take a three-hour glacier hike to Matanuska Glacier, or spot beluga whales on a trip to mountainous Turnagain Arm. Nearby Eklutna allows you to experience a Dena’ina village.

Rustic villages and the Chugach Mountains mark the journey to the Wrangell-St Elias National Park, home to 16 of the tallest peaks in North America. Eagles, black bears and Dall sheep can be spotted here.

The route back into Canada takes in Kluane National Park and Mount Logan, Canada’s highest mountain, before returning to Whitehorse.