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Home > Where We Go | How We Travel | Where We Stay > Klondike
Tour
For
those with some time on their hands and a hankerin' to get away
from it all, this 29 day adventure tour of BC, the Yukon and Alaska
can't be beat! The Klondike camps, hikes and explores some of the
finest country in nothern North America.
After leaving Vancouver, we detour into the Caribou Mountains to
the restored goldrush town of Barkerville. We’ll visit the
K'San Indian village near Hazelton before descending step walled
canyons to Bear Glacier, and get "Hyderized” in an old
Alaska saloon. The nearly abandoned towns of Faro and Keno offer
a real time look into the life of 100 year old mining towns and
a chance to meet colourful locals. After a night at Takhini Hot
Springs, we visit the Alaskan port city of Skagway before arriving
in the frontier town of Whitehorse.
Then it’s north to Alaska! We take you into the heart of Alaska's
wilderness regions all the way to the Arctic Circle, where we’ll
hike on the tundra, keeping an eye out for herds of caribou. Along
the way, we hike in the Wrangell, and St. Elias mountain ranges
and Denali National Park, home to North America's highest mountain,
Mt. McKinley. After a soothing soak at Chena Hotsprings, we take
the “Top of the World Highway” to the former goldrush
town of Dawson City. Wildlife abounds on this journey, including
grizzly and black bear, moose and wolves.
Note: This tour combines the 14 day Yukon
Trek and the 14 day Alaskan Arctic
Circle tours. By booking both tours at the same time you receive
$100 off from the price of the two tours, 2 nights hostel accommodation
in Whitehorse on Day 14 and day D8, and a flight to Vancouver on
Day 29.
| Duration: |
29
days / 28 nights |
| Activity Level : |
Easy
to moderate. Hikes average 4 to 6 hours in length. |
| Accommodation: |
25
nights camping and 3 nights hostel |
| Meals: |
Food
kitty on all days (local payment to guide of $168 CAD and $168
US) |
| Tour Dates: |
Tour # 1. June 10 - July 07
Tour # 2. June 24 - July 21
Tour # 3. July 08 - August 04
Tour # 4. July 22 - August 18
Tour # 5. August 05 - September 01 |
| Departs: |
Vancouver,
BC (Day 1 @ 8:00 AM) |
| Arrives: |
Vancouver,
BC (Day 29 @ 10:30 AM) |
| Price: |
$2950
CDN (July & Aug. Departures)
$2800 CDN ( June Departures)
plus local payment |
| Included: |
- services of a driver/leader
- customized 15-passenger van
- all camping fees
- 3 nights hostel accommodation
- entrances to provincial, state, recreational and national
parks and preserves
- the Keno Mining
Museum
- entrance to Chena Hotsprings
- bus tickets to Eilson Visitor centre in Denali
- entrance to Diamond
Tooth Gerties Gambling Saloon in Dawson City
- gold panning
- entrance to Takhini
Hotsprings
- One-way flight
to Vancouver from Whitehorse on day 29
|
| Not Included: |
Optional
activities, gratuities, and 7% GST. |
| Optional Activities: |
-
glacier flights
- kayaking
- canoe and bicycle rentals
- fresh and salt water fishing
- white water rafting
- scenic flights to Mt. McKinley
- ice climbing
- ice walks |
Reservations
Top of Page
Klondike Itinerary
Vancouver, BC return
Day
1. Clinton, B.C. Travelling from Vancouver, our adventure
tour leaves the lush Coastal Mountains and Pacific Ocean and follow
the Trans Canada Highway to the arid landscape of the Fraser Canyon.
The highway through the Fraser Canyon is an engineering marvel that
includes tunnels, dramatic ascents and descents, and splendid views
of the Fraser and Thompson rivers. After passing through the Fraser
Valley, we arrive in Clinton where we overnight next to a scenic
lake.
Day 2 & 3. Barkerville, B.C. From Clinton we
continue north along the Gold Rush Trail to Quesnel. Here we turn
east and head into the Cariboo mountains to Barkerville. Between
1862 and 1870, over 100,000 people travelled the Cariboo Wagon Road,
named the 'Eighth Wonder of the World', converging on the goldfields,
and the bustling boomtown of Barkerville. Today, Barkerville endures
as a town of discovery, with unique streetscapes, over 125 heritage
buildings, the Theatre Royal shows, exhibits, entertaining street
theatre, and unique shops filled with Victorian-era merchandise.
Not far from Barkerville lies Bowron Lake Provincial Park. A wildlife
sanctuary of 149,207 hectares, this park offers a wide variety of
outdoor adventures including, canoeing, fishing, hiking and swimming.
A wide variety of wildlife lives in the park, including moose, deer,
mountain goat caribou, black bear, grizzly bear, waterfowl, beaver,
and otter. Rainbow trout, lake trout, bull trout, Rocky Mountain
whitefish and Kokanee salmon inhabit the lakes.
Day 4. Paaren's Beach Provincial Park, B.C. Continuing
north we turn west onto the Yellowhead Highway at the town of Prince
George and make our way to Paaren's Beach Provincial Park. On route
we will stop at Fort St James Historical Park. Established by Simon
Fraser for the North West Company in 1806, Fort St James was the
first post in the territory of the Carrier Indians. Ft. St. James
was once the hub of fur trade transportation and communication routes.
Nestled on the shore of Stuart Lake, many of the original buildings
are still standing. After visiting Fort St James we continue another
11 kms along the road to set up camp at Paaren's Beach Provincial
Park. Situated on the south-west shore of pristine Stuart Lake,
Paarens Beach is a small provincial park that few people outside
of the area know about.
Day 5. K'san, B.C. We head west to the Stewart
Cassiar Highway. We make camp at K'san located along the Skenna
River, an area rich in the cultural northwest Canadian First Nations
People. Here we will tour the Historical Village of Ksan. As a replicated
ancient village, 'Ksan illustrates many features of a Gitxsan village
from the distant past. The large decorated house fronts and totem
poles of the village are visible from the water along the Skeena
River. In conjunction with other features, such as the smoke house
and food cache, 'Ksan illustrates characteristics typical of a past
Gitxsan village. After we set up camp we tour the other surrounding
native villages. Nearby is the ancient village of Gitanmaax at the
confluence of the Bulkley and Skeena Rivers in the community of
Hazelton. Gitanmaax has for centuries maintained communities at
important canyons and junctions on the Skeena River. This location
was an important fishing site and transportation hub. The grass-covered
hill at Kitwanga was the scene of fierce First Nation tribal battles
two centuries ago, which resulted in the destruction of the Gitwangak
Fort and cedar dwellings that once stood to protect the Gitksan
people, their fishing sites and the active trade routes in the region.
At Kitwancool we visit some of the oldest totem poles in Canada,
many of them made famous by the renowned Canadian painter
Emily Carr.
Day 6 & 7. Hyder, AK. Our journey continues
north along the Stewart Cassiar Highway with striking views of the
Coastal and Cassiar mountain ranges. Here we cross the only
unmanned border between Alaska and Canada. Crossing into Alaska
we make camp near the tiny village of Hyder, Alaska. This area is
heavily populated with black and grizzly bears. As we drop down
to the coast, we make stops at Bear Glacier and several of the giant
waterfalls that line steep mountainous road. Stopping at the town
of Stewart, we're able to view Canada's most northerly ice-free
port.While in Hyder we may be able to view grizzlies fishing for
salmon in the nearby river and bald eagles soaring on the thermals.
On Day 2 we drive into the mountains through Tongass National Park
for sweeping views of the Salmon Glacier and hike in the nearby
mountains. In the evening travellers can try their luck consuming
(and keeping down!) a local brew. This local tradition is known
as being "Hyderized."
Day 8 Boya Lake Provincial Park, B.C. Travelling
north along the Stewart-Cassiar Highway we're surrounded by snow-capped
mountain peaks of the Coastal Range, vast expanses of Canadian wilderness
and small pristine lakes. Arriving at Boya Lake Provincial Park
in the early afternoon, we set up camp before exploring the area.
Boya Lake at 4,597 hectares offers a wide variety of water recreation
with its superb water clarity and colour, beckoning the traveller
to explore its many islands and bays. Boya Lake is situated on the
Liard Plain, an area carved out by glaciers 20,000 years ago. The
area is characterized by elongated ridges, or drumlins and eskers.
It is also one of the few lakes in the north that is warm enough
for swimming. Boya Lake offers two hiking trails, a mountain bike
trail and limitless bays and islands to discover by canoe.
Day 9. Frances Lake Territorial Park, YT. Our next
destination is Watson Lake, home of the Signpost Forest, a collection
of sign posts numbering over 20,000 which was started by a homesick
US Army soldier in 1942. We follow Yukon tradition by erecting our
own sign at the Watson Lake Signpost Forest. We then venture off
the Alaska Highway and plunge into the Yukon wilderness to set up
camp on Frances Lake, a sacred native gathering place.
Day 10. Faro, YT. From Frances Lake we make our
way to Ross River and the abandoned native village of the Pelly
People. From here we travel into the southern center of the Yukon
Territory to the tiny town of Faro. This town is tucked away in
a mountainous setting in the Tintina Valley and is a tranquil place
where visitors find a warm welcome and old fashioned hospitality.
Situated in one of the most densely concentrated wildlife areas
in North America, its abundance of clear blue lakes, mountain ranges,
winding rivers and lush green valleys, make Faro an ideal base for
wildlife viewing.
Day 11 & 12. Keno, YT. Travelling northwest
we turn east and head off the beaten path to the tiny settlement
of Keno. Keno City lies nestled in the mountains at the end of the
Silver Trail, a small frontier community of 25. Here we can explore
the great back country by hiking, fishing, rock-hunting, gold panning,
and photography. Our tour leader will take the group on a
walking tour through Keno City including the Keno Mining Museum
and Alpine Interpretive Centre. On Day 2 we drive up Keno Hill to
the famous signpost. The road winds its way to an elevation of 6000
feet, and the view from the top is well worth the trip. A network
of trails criss-crosses the landscape through historic mine sites,
offering some of the most spectacular mountain vistas in the North.
Day 13. Takhini Hot Springs, YT. From Keno we travel
south towards the city of Whitehorse. We make camp at Takhini Hot
Springs. A swimming pool fed by natural hot springs and surrounded
by rolling hills and hiking trails, the developed Takhini Hot Springs
might be just what you need as we near the completion of our journey.
After swimming, we can refresh ourselves at the restaurant. Optional
activities include horseback riding, hiking, and wagon rides.
Day 14. Whitehorse, YT. via day trip to Skagway, AK.
Before finishing the tour we take a day trip south to the Alaskan
Town of Skagway. Stopping at Carcross fro a brief visit of Emerald
Lake and the tiniest desert in the world, we make our way across
the moonscape territory leading down to the Lynn Canal. Passengers
have free time to explore this goldrush boomtown before returning
to Whitehorse. In the evening passengers will overnight in a hostel
in Whitehorse before starting leg 2 of this 29 day journey.
Day 15. Tok, AK. The tour begins in Whitehorse,
which is just a short 2-hour drive from Kluane NP. We travel west
along the Alaska Highway and through Kluane National Park, reaching
the Sheep Mountain trailhead in the late morning. Here your guide
will lead you on a half-day hike up Sheep Mountain, which provides
great views of the area and is often, a place for spotting wildlife.
In the late afternoon we continue our drive to Tok, where we set
up camp for the night.
Day 16 & 17. McCarthy, St-Elias – Wrangell, AK.
We reach the town of McCarthy via a gravel road that was once an
old railway bed. Along route we make a number of picture stops including
the abandoned super structures of railway bridges. After we set
up camp we head out to explore the village of McCarthy. On Day 17
you have the option to go for a guided glacier ice-walk on the Root
Glacier or for the more adventurous you may want to try ice climbing.
Later we explore the old copper mine of Kennicott and go for a hike
on one of the numerous trails to be found in the Wrangell-St.Elias
Preserve. Grizzly bears are often seen in this area.
Day 18 & 19. Valdez, AK. Valdez is located
on the north shore of Port Valdez, a deep water fjord in Prince
William Sound. It is the southern terminus of the Trans-Alaska oil
pipeline. The Richardson Highway, Alaska's first road, passes through
the magnificent scenery of the Chugach Mountains. On route we visit
Keystone Canyon. On day 19 travellers have the opportunity to do
a cruise out into Prince William Sound or to try some great sea-kayaking
among the glaciers and “iceberg bits” known as “burgies”.
Day 20. Anchorage, AK. The drive to Anchorage is
punctuated by numerous scenic stops, including the Matanuska Glacier
and the Palmer Valley. Anchorage is the largest city in Alaska and
is situated at the headland of Cook Inlet. Surrounded by mountains
on all sides, Anchorage makes a great stop to re-furbish our supplies
before we head out to Denali. While in Anchorage passengers can
visit the world famous “Chilkoot Charlies” rustic saloon,
and sample a bit of the traditional Alaskan nightlife.
Day 21 & 22. Denali National Park, AK. We drive
the scenic George Parks Highway with spectacular views of Mt McKinley
and stop at the village of Talkeetna, the starting point for some
of the great climbers of the Alaska Range. Later we visit the information
centre at Denali National Park and pick up our park and bus tickets.
Our tour leader orientates the group to the park area. On Day 22
we spend a full day in the park. This tour includes bus tickets
to Eielson visitor centre. From here we can explore the vastness
and true wilderness of Denali National Park
Day 23. Arctic Circle, AK. From Denali we head
north through the city of Fairbanks and along the Elliot Highway
(a single lane gravel road) to the isolated tundra of the Arctic
Circle, en route we stop at the village of Nennana . At the Arctic
Circle we will expereince almost 24 hours of daylight. Our campsite
is very rustic, and passengers should be prepred to really “get
away from it ALL.” Great views of the Brooks Range.
Day 24 & 25. Chena Hot Springs, AK. From the
Arctic Circle we drive southeast to the scenic resort of Chena Hot
Springs. Your tour includes entrance to Chena Hot Springs where
passengers can enjoy a soak after their night on the tundra. These
mineral based hot springs include two indoor whirlpools and large
swimming pool, and a large outdoor rock lake pool and whirlpool.
Optional activities include, bike and ATV rentals, horsebackriding,
or pampering yourself at the resort with a relaxing massage.
Day 26. Delta Junction, AK. Leaving Chena Hotsprings
we make our way to Fairbanks where we visit downtown and the University
of Alaska. After touring Fairbanks we drive east to Delta Junction,
the official ending of the Alaska Highway.
Day 27. Dawson City, YT. After the descent from
the Top of the World Highway we reach the Klondike gold rush boomtown
of Dawson City. Our camp overlooks the Yukon River and Dawson City.
In Dawson City passengers have the option to visit the abandoned
Gold Dredge #4, pan for gold and enjoy the nightlife at Diamond
Tooth Gertie’s Gambling Saloon. Free time is given to explore
local hiking trails, a sternwheeler graveyard, the Palace Grand
Hotel, Gaslight Follies and the Klondike Goldrush Museum.
Day 28. Whitehorse, YT. We leave Dawson City to
make our way south to Whitehorse. At Moose Creek Lodge, an original
roadhouse built during the gold rush years, we visit an authentic
trapper's cabin. We also stop at Five Finger Rapids for a short
hike down to the Yukon River, where dangerous rapids made it difficult
for the sternwheelers to plough the waters. We arrive in Whitehorse
at approximately 5:00 PM. Overnight accommodation in Whitehorse
is provided.
Day 29. Vancouver, BC. Return morning flight
to Vancouver. Arrive at Vancouver airport at 10:30 a.m.
Reservations
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Call toll free
1-800-255-5057
for info on tour availability
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