River near Whitehorse, Yukon
River near Whitehorse, Yukon
St Elias Mountain range, Yukon
St Elias Mountain range, Yukon
Whitehorse, Yukon
Whitehorse, Yukon
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In the Footsteps of the Yukon Pioneers Self-Drive Tour

10 nights from £2,199 per person Including Flights

Overview

A richly varied flydrive itinerary that begins and ends in Whitehorse, you will travel off the beaten track and discover the beauty and history of the Yukon – described as the last pristine wilderness areas left on earth. This itinerary takes you in the footsteps of the pioneers - in 1896, a few prospectors discovered gold along a creek near Dawson City, triggering the Klondike Gold Rush. Within two years thousands of miners had struggled over the mountains through the Chilkoot Pass, built boats by hand and floated them northward down the Yukon River to Dawson City.

You will visit charming and unique Dawson City, where you will have the opportunity to pan for gold and enjoy saloon bars and stores of a bygone age. On a visit to the Kluane National Park you will discover pristine lakes and forests with hiking trails which are seldom rambled. Take a ferry across the Yukon River and journey along the aptly named Top of the World Highway. Throughout this self-drive tour, you will discover unique communities, extraordinary landscapes and fascinating history.

This itinerary can be extended to drive north of Dawson City on the Dempster Highway to the edge of the Arctic Circle. En route you can visit Tombstone Territorial Park, you will follow the path of Canada's longest waterway - the Mackenzie River, and stay in Inuvik, where Canada's oldest nations - the Inuit have lived for thousands of years. (JV)

Highlights

  • Travel the Alaska Highway into the interior of the Yukon and discover unique experiences en route, such as the “Signpost Forest” at Watson Lake and the First Nations Daku Cultural Centre in Haines Junction
  • Enjoy time in Dawson City, where you can take a walking tour through the historical buildings with period actors, experience gold-panning and have fun at Diamond Tooth Gerties Gambling Hall
  • Visit Bonanza Creek, centre of the Klondike Gold Rush, with two designated National Historic Sites of Canada - Discovery Claim and Dredge 4
  • Explore the spectacular Kluane National Park, where you will find snow-capped mountains, glaciers, lakes and forests
  • This holiday is available from late May to early September, where the days in this northern territory are long and perfect for a touring adventure. This is the land of the Midnight Sun – where on the summer solstice 21 June, the sun doesn’t set above the Arctic Circle.

Itinearary Overview

Fly to Whitehorse 1 night - Watson Lake 1 night - Carmacks 1 night - Dawson City 2 nights - Beaver Creak 1 night - Haines Junction 2 nights - Whitehorse 2 nights - fly home

Or for the 14 night itinerary extending north of Dawson city to Inuvik at the edge of the Arctic Circle:

Fly to Whitehorse 1 night - Watson Lake 1 night - Carmacks 1 night - Dawson City 1 night - Eagle Plains 1 night - Inunik 2 nights - Eagle Plains 1 night - Dawson City 1 night - Beaver Creak 1 night - Haines Junction 2 nights - Whitehorse 2 nights - fly home

Whats included?
  • Flights & taxes
  • Accommodation
  • Checked baggage
  • ATOL protection
  • In resort assistance & 24 hour contact centre
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Day 1

Whitehorse

Arrive at Whitehorse airport, pick up your hire car and then drive to your hotel. Whitehorse is a charming town, filled with historical and cultural remnants of the days of the Gold Rush.

Day 2

Whitehorse – Watson Lake 272 miles

Pick up the Alaska Highway and drive into the interior of the Yukon, passing through small towns and villages that have carved unique communities out of the rugged wilderness. Arrive in Watson Lake and visit the Signpost Forest – a collection of over 10,000 signposts donated from all around the world. The World War II display at the airport is also worth a visit.

Day 3

Watson Lake – Carmacks 381 miles

This morning turn northwards onto the Campbell Highway, following the path of several rivers and long lakes. If time allows, stop off in Faro, a small town set to a backdrop of mountains. Here you can visit the former zinc mine, once the largest in the world, and visit the Campbell Region Interpretative Centre to learn about the history and geography of the area. Arrive this evening in Carmacks.

Day 4

Carmacks - Dawson City 220 miles

Continue northbound and enjoy a day of discovery, travelling through the wilderness of the Yukon heartland, home to moose, caribou and grizzly bears. Arrive into the former prospector town of Dawson City where you will stay for two nights. Enjoy an evening in one of the characterful eateries to be found in the town.

Day 5

Dawson City

You have a full day to immerse yourself in the excitement of the bygone days of the Gold Rush. The town comes alive with costumed actors taking walking tours of the historical buildings. Visit an interactive gold-panning station at Claim 33, to enjoy a taste of the past. You could also visit the two National Historical Sites on Bonanza Creek – Discovery Claim and Dredge 4, where you will find an in-depth look into the industry that made the town famous. This evening you could visit Diamond Tooth Gerties Gambling Hall or perhaps take a Historical Pub tour.

Day 6

Dawson City – Beaver Creek 270 miles

Your day begins with a short crossing of the Yukon River by ferry, then your journey will take you along a picturesque route following the Top of the World Highway and the Taylor Highway as it traverses the wilds of Yukon over the border to Alaska USA. The small crossroads town of Chicken provides the ideal midway point to stop and experience a slice of local life. Then loop back into Canada and arrive into the small town of Beaver Creek for the evening.

Day 7

Beaver Creek – Haines Junction 180 miles

Head towards Haines Junction on the Alaska Highway visiting Kluane National Park en route. Here you could perhaps take a hiking trail to discover the parks pristine beauty close up. Kuane is home to the world’s largest non-polar icefields and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue to Haines Junction, where you will be spending two nights.

Day 8

Haines Junction

A day to relax and learn more about the region. You may want to visit the First Nations Daku Cultural Centre or the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations Da Ku Cultural Centre, celebrating the history, culture and art of the indigenous people.

Day 9

Haines Junction – Whitehorse 96 miles

A short drive to Whitehorse where you spend two nights will allow ample time to explore this frontier town, now the capital of the Yukon Territory.

Day 10

Whitehorse

The day is free to discover more of the area, and visit some of the local sites such as the SS Klondike, Beringia Centre, the Transportation Museum or the MacBride Museum.

Day 11

End of tour

Drop your hire car off at Whitehorse airport and fly home.

  • International return flights
  • Hotels accommodation in 10 nights - or 14 nights if extend the intinerary from Dawson City to travel north to Eagle Plains and Inuvik
  • Car rental
  • Electronic road book
  • Claim 33 Gold Panning experience
  • Yukon River ferry crossing

What's Not Included

  • Meals
  • Entrance to Parks and Attractions
  • Fuel and parking

Alan Facer
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