Self-Drive Classic Yukon and Alaska

Day 1

WHITEHORSE
Arrive in Whitehorse where you will be met by a local representative to greet and assist you with any questions that you may have upon arrival. With time free in afternoon to explore this pleasant city, which is the capital of the Yukon Territory and situated in a scenic location on the banks of the Yukon River and surrounded by the mountains of the Coastal Range. As a historic staging post for the Stampeders on their path to the North and the Gold Fields of the Klondike, a visit to the SS Klondike National Historic Site or one of the several museums located in the downtown area is a must.
Hotel: Inn On The Lake

Day 2

DAWSON CITY
With a morning to perhaps visit one of the numerous coffee shops and bakeries, the drive north will be a pleasant affair through the Yukon and Stewart River valleys. Passing many large lakes and through several small communities, the next stop of interest is the Five Finger Rapids on the Yukon River. With several interpretive signs and viewing platforms, these large rock islands form a daunting challenge to river travelers as the Yukon River surges through several channels created by the rock islands. Shortly before entering Dawson City the remains and current mining operations will begin to show themselves as rock tailings line the road into Dawson and the one time “Paris of the North”.
Hotel: 2 nights at Bombay’s Peggy’s Inn - Suite

Day 3

DAWSON CITY
Leave you car parked for the morning as the best way to explore this town is on foot. The Commissioners residence, Palace Grand Theatre and Red Feather Saloon are all great examples of the City. Dawson was the centre of the greatest gold rush that the world had ever seen at the turn of the 20th Century, and much has still been preserved. For the evening take a chance to experience the lore and tall tails that still exists with a visit to the historic Diamond Tooth Gerties, a casino, dancehall and performance centre.

Day 4

TOK
This morning, you’ll cross the mighty Yukon River by ferry. Once on the road you will quickly see this is one of the truly great wilderness drives in North America, and well worth the patience. Take your time as the road climbs to the ridge tops and continues through some more mining areas of Forty and Sixty Mile.
The stunning Top of the World highway traverses mountaintops and ridges and enters Alaska before dropping into a series of river valleys. The road then descends from the ridge tops and passes though the unique mining community of Chicken before joining famed Alaska Highway for a short trip into Tok, the “Main Street of Alaska”.
Hotel: Westmark Inn

Day 5

FAIRBANKS
The drive today is short so take the time to watch the scenery unfold as you pass along the broad river valley of the Tanacross River with the looming ranges of several mountains to the south. This corridor is particularly well known for spotting wildlife so keep aware to see Moose, Bear and small animals. As you continue north towards Fairbanks, the valley becomes quite broad along the Tanana River and you will see for the first time the great Alaska Pipeline which traverses the state form the oilfields of Prudhoe Bay to Valdez on Prince William Sound.
Fairbanks is Alaska’s second largest city and is situated at the confluence of the Chena and Tanana Rivers. A paddlewheel cruise on the Chena River is another interesting local experience.
Hotel: Pikes Waterfront Resort

Day 6

DENALI
As you make your way towards Denali, you will notice that the looming Alaska Range is drawing closer. Due to the location and nature of the range, it is often the case that weather obscures the peaks from view. With the heights of the mountains and the ranges’ location between the coast to the south and the interior basin to the north, it is a special treat to be able to see the top of McKinley/Denali. On a good day, you will catch glimpses of the mountains as you make your way south.
Hotel: 2 nights at Denali Grande Hotel - View Room

Day 7

DENALI
A wildlife tour into the Denali wilderness will be a trip highlight. This full day tour will take you along a road closed to regular traffic and drive deep into the heart of Denali National Park on a guided tour with a naturalist. Sightings of caribou, grizzly bears, Dall sheep, moose, wolves and foxes eagles, and other birds of prey, are all possible today. Views of Mt. McKinley and the Alaskan Range will complete the day.

Day 8

ANCHORAGE
Depart at your leisure this morning on the George Parks Highway. Enjoy more Denali-area activities or give yourself more time to slowly make your way to Anchorage exploring the many small villages along the way. Anchorage is the large and cosmopolitan centre of Alaska.
Situated on the Pacific Ocean on Cook Inlet and moderated by the ocean, the city does not often get the extreme weather that much of Alaska is renowned for. A vibrant and unique city on the edge of the Alaskan wilderness, parks, trails, and moose all combine to make for a unique setting and you have plenty of opportunities for exploring if you choose.
There are several great museums within the city, but the one truly great aspect of Anchorage is the multiple of park space throughout the city. From small neighbourhood parks to the system of connecting pathways along the ocean, the city is full of them.
Hotel: Millennium

Day 9

SEWARD
This is a scenic and wonderful drive, which we recommend you take your time to explore and see many of the sites. Crossing the width of the Kenai Peninsula, the Seward highway is a dramatic road that showcases an outstanding assortment of scenic, natural, historic, cultural archaeological and recreational opportunities.
You will begin to climb into the mountains and alpine that lies at the centre of the Peninsula. After crossing Moose Passl,you will pass through a scenic section of road along lakes and forests before descending into Seward.
Hotel: Windsong Lodge

Day 10

VALDEZ
Perhaps take the time to see or stop at something that you did not notice on your trip down to Seward, or at a favorite spot. At Portage, follow the signs to the Whittier Tunnel, a toll road that travels 4km through the mountains to the coastal town of Whittier.
After checking into the ferry, take the time to look around Whittier, this is a favorite recreation spot for residents from Anchorage for fishing. While on the ocean and the ferry keep your eyes open for whales and other sea life!
Hotel: Aspen - Executive Suite

Day 11

MCCARTHY/KENNICOTT
Shortly after departing from Valdez, Keystone Canyon offers some stunning views of the river and several waterfalls that cascade from above. Shortly after that the route begins to climb to the top of breathtaking Thompson Pass (elev. 843m) and Worthington Glacier.
As you continue west, you can’t help but be impressed with the spectacular mountains of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park is home to 9 of the 16 highest peaks in North America. The unique thing about McCarthy is that it is inaccessible by vehicle; you will you’re your hotel before crossing a small footbridge and you will be greeted by the hotel staff that will transport your luggage as you make you way to the hotel and the historic mining community of McCarthy and Kennicott.
Hotel: 2 nights at Kennicot Lodge - View Room

Day 12

MCCARTHY/KENNICOTT
This magical location is the furthest road extension in the massive Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. With only a handful of year round residents, the area is attracting a growing number of people looking to experience Alaska as they imagine it, a mix of solitude and scenery.
The park is the largest in the United States National Parks system and contains several of the tallest mountains in the country and the greatest concentration of glaciers in North America.

Day 13

BEAVER CREEK
Plan a relatively early start to your day as your route is on quiet, well maintained, and paved highway once you return to Chitina. Keep an eye on the national park to the west…these are some of the best vistas in Alaska! In fact, for the next portion of the drive from McCarthy all the way to Haines Junction in Yukon, you will be driving the circumference of the largest protected area in the world. The combined area of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Glacier National Park, Kluane National Park and the Tatshenshini-Alsek Park are a UNESCO world heritage site and contains 14 of the 17 highest mountains in North America. You will cross back into Canada after rejoining the Alaska Highway at Tok and arrive into the most westerly community of Canada, Beaver Creek.
Hotel: Westmark Inn

Day 14

KLUANE
We suggest an early start to the day today. Your route today passes through some of Canada’s most spectacular scenery, that few Canadians have even had the opportunity to experience. Kluane National Park forms the other ½ of the UNESCO World Heritage Site designation with Wrangell St. Elias National Park in Alaska.
Hotel: Dalton Trail Lodge

Day 15

WHITEHORSE
With a short drive to Whitehorse, the morning provides a great chance for wonderful wildlife viewing. There are several nice places to stop along the way. You will see several signs for campgrounds, which are usually located on lakes. Pine Lake and Kusawa Lake are the best examples.
The tour terminates today at Whitehorse airport where you will return your car before boarding your flight back to the UK.

Day 16

Arrive in the UK at your chosen UK airport.

What's Included

• 14 nights accommodation in high quality 4 star hotels as listed above or similar standard
• Meet and assist on Day 1 in Whitehorse
• Denali wildlife guided tour with a naturalist
• Kenai Fjords wildlife cruise with lunch
• Rail/ferry passage Portage-Whittier-Valdez
• Breakfast Day 15