Self drive holiday in the Yukon

Yukon and Alaska Wilderness Self Drive Adventure

Discover the very best of the Yukon on an epic self drive of the vast territory. With your camera at the ready, hit the road for a awe-inspiring journey through picturesque mountain ranges, to historic gold rush towns and alongside mighty rivers. The last frontier of Canada is home to diverse scenery, including wild rivers, crystal clear lakes, vast glaciers, endless boreal forests and arctic tundra, offering a natural environment perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. The varied ecosystems and sparse human population make the Yukon a haven for wildlife including grizzly and black bears, wolves, caribou and  moose. Choose to travel during summer to experience the midnight sun or early autumn for the seasons first northern lights. With epic scenery at every turn, a wealth of outdoor excursions, a rich, diverse history and amazing wildlife viewing opportunities, the Yukon is calling out to be explored.

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SUGGESTED ITINERARY

WHAT, WHERE & WHEN

Day 1:

Arrive into the capital of the Yukon, Whitehorse, where your adventure into Canada’s wild north begins. Whitehorse, known as the ‘Wilderness City’, is the base for exciting outdoor adventures, gold rush history and vibrant city culture.

The itinerary allows you to choose to stay in the quirky small city or venture out into the wilderness spending your first two nights in a cosy cabin.

Day 2:

Wake up to the fresh Yukon air, grabbing breakfast from one of the local coffee shops before spending the day exploring the best of what the region has to offer.

With the great outdoors on its doorstep, the “Wilderness City” has hundreds of marked trails that can be enjoyed by hikers or cyclists alike. Choose to follow in the footsteps of gold rush pioneers, paddling down the know calm waters of the Yukon river before taking in cultural highlights in the city such as the S.S. Klondike sternwheeler, Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre, the MacBride Museum and the White Pass and Yukon Route train station.

The creative city explodes into life throughout summer with a range of public art installations, live performances and dining experiences. Independent shops offer everything from local artwork, outdoor gear and uniquely Yukon products.

Day 3:

Before leaving the Whitehorse region, visit the Yukon Wildlife Preserve. The unique wildlife viewing preserve features native northern Canadian wildlife such as lynx, muskoxen, moose and arctic fox, in their natural environment. Encompassing over 700 acres, with various natural habitats, the Yukon Wildlife Preserve offers unparalleled wildlife viewing and photo opportunities.

Hit the open road for your first day of driving the quiet roads of the Yukon. Heading north on the Klondike Highway, enjoy the spectacular beauty of the surrounding wilderness. Choose to take a short hike at Five Finger Rapids, grab lunch at a traditional ‘road house’ and keep an eye out for bears foraging on the roadside. Arrive into Dawson City this evening.

Day 4:

Spend today exploring the gold rush town of Dawson City. Choose to visit the historical sights, including SS Keno, the Jack London Interpretive Center and the Danoja Zho First Nations Cultural Centre. Take in panoramic views of the city and rivers from the Midnight Dome.

Once the sun goes down Dawson comes alive. Visit Canada’s first casino hall, Diamond Tooth Gerties, enjoy a cocktail at Bombay Peggy's or dare to try the sourtoe cocktail! From late August it is possible to join an aurora hunt from the city, searching for the northern lights.

Day 5:

Choose to venture further from Dawson City today to get a true taste of ‘gold rush’ fever! A short drive from the city is Discover Claim, where a single nugget sparked a gold rush. Stop by Claim 6 to pan for your very own piece of gold.

For those want to explore the remote wilderness, the magnificent Tombstone Territorial Park can be explored as part of a day excursion from the city. Witness picturesque rugged peaks, permafrost landforms and a wide array of unique flora and fauna during a the drive along part of the Dempster Highway to the park.

Day 6:

Prepare for a day of panoramic vistas as you travel along the Top Of The World Highway. Whilst most roads in the north travel along lower elevations and valley floors, this breathtaking drive winds along the top of the mountain range. Have your camera ready, as every turn presents expansive views like no other. Have passports at the ready for the border crossing into Alaska, USA.

Stop off at the small town of Chicken, Alaska, population approx 17, for lunch before making your way to Tok.

Day 7:

Return to Canada today, heading for the adventure town of Haines Junction. Keep a keen eye on the wilderness over the next few days for sightings of one of Canada’s most famous residents - the grizzly bear. The nearby Kluane National Park is home to the highest concentration of grizzly bears in North America.

Arriving into Haines Junction, make some time to visit the Da Ku Cultural Centre and Parks Canada Visitor Centre. The multipurpose centre celebrates the vibrant culture of the local First Nations, exhibits the natural treasures of Kluane and is the ideal starting point for adventures into the wilderness.

Day 8:

An outdoor lovers paradise, Haines Junction is located on the edge of Kluane National Park which contains Canada’s highest peak, Mount Logan, and the world’s largest non glacier icefield. Choose to explore the vast wilderness today, visiting one of the many hiking trails, whitewater rafting or wildlife viewing. Soar over Kluane National Park’s mountain peaks and glaciers on an awe inspiring flightseeing adventure. This once in a lifetime excursion provides breathtaking views of the vast landscape, passing over the frozen glaciers speckled with icy blue pools. Spot native wildlife such as bears, moose, mountain sheep and wolves, this is truly a must do experience!

Day 9:

Today your journey returns to Alaska, leaving Kluane and Haines Junction behind the drive travels along scenic alpine roads. Whilst navigating the Haines Pass take some time to enjoy a picnic next to the azure waters of Kathleen Lake, stretch your legs with a short hike at Million Dollar Falls or soak up First Nations culture at Klukshu Village.

Haines, Alaska sits at the northern end of the Inside Passage alongside sister community Skagway, both established during the Klondike Gold Rush. The small town is an amazing base for activities including kayaking, bird watching, whale watching and hiking. Known as The Valley of the Eagles, Haines has resident bald eagles year round, but Autumn see’s a surge in numbers to feast on salmon.

Day 10:

Begin the day with a scenic ferry ride to Skagway - the gateway to the Klondike Gold Fields. Keep an eye out for eagles soaring above, bears feeding in the creeks and whales in the Lynn Canal, North America’s longest and deepest fjord.

The starting point for many of the 40,000 gold rush prospectors, Skagway is a historic, colourful town. Stroll along restored wooden sidewalks, passed historic shop fronts and visit the ghost town of Dyea. The town also serves as the departure point for one of Alaska’s most popular backpacking adventures: the Chilkoot Trail, a four-day hike following the route that the stampeders took on their way to the Klondike Gold Fields near Dawson City.

A trip aboard the historic White Pass and Yukon Route railroad, provides scenic vistas of mountain peaks, gorges, glaciers and waterfalls. Built in 1898 to offer safe passage to Gold Rush prospectors, the railroad climbs to the White Pass, the international boundary between the United States and Canada.

Day 11:

Leave Alaska behind today, heading back to Whitehorse on your final road trip adventure. The journey to Whitehorse is simply spectacular, travel over the White Pass steeped in gold rush history, pass through the small ‘desert’ and First Nations settlement of Carcross, before viewing the turquoise waters of Emerald Lake.

Your trip comes to an end where it began, Whitehorse. All of our holidays can be tailored to meet your needs, please get in touch with the team to plan your very own Yukon self drive adventure.

BUDGET

From £1495 per person, based on two sharing (excluding flights)

This roughly converts to: 1,719 EUR | 1,958 USD

Remember that each trip we craft is unique, and you'll receive a personalised trip proposal based on your travel dates and preferences, and in the currency of your choice (GBP, USD, or EUR).

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Additional Info

This trip has flexible daily departures

Many of trips can be tailored to your requirements and departure dates. Please get in touch with us for a tailored quotation and details of availability for your preferred travel dates. All trips and departures are subject to availability.

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IDEAL TRIP LENGTH:

10 nights

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