Day 1: Whitehorse
Individual journey of the participants to Whitehorse. Welcome to Canada's Yukon. At the airport, you will be welcomed by your tour-guide. Transfer to the hotel. Meeting with your fellow travellers. (Overnight accommodation in Whitehorse).
Day 2: Whitehorse – Haines Junction
After breakfast you will get a general view of the Yukon's capital. Part of it may be a visit to the restored sternwheeler MS Klondike next to the Yukon River. The big roundtrip will begin with a first short stage on the Alaska Highway westbound. You will encounter scenic points of interest inviting you to stop before reaching Haines Junction - situated right next to Kluane National Park - early in the afternoon. Kluane National Park not only is Canada's biggest national park, here you will find apart from a variety of wildlife the largest glacier area of the world outside North and South Pole. Even today, most of this huge national park is still unexplored and pristine. Depending on the weather and the group wishes a guided small hike into the national park can take place. Another possible attraction is a flight with a bush plane to the impressive glaciers within the park or a flight with a helicopter over deserted areas (optional). (Overnight accommodation in Haines Junction).
Day 3: Haines Junction - Tok
Today we drive along the scenic shore of the huge Lake Kluane. A first stop is planned at the Sheep Mountain Visitor Center. Chances are you will spot some of the scarce snow-white dall sheep on the surrounding mountains. In Tok you may visit a sled dog demonstration. (Overnight accommodation in Tok).
Day 4: Tok - Valdez
The first part of today's stretch will lead us via the Glenn Highway along countless rivers, lakes, glaciers and finally the majestic Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Then we will drive the Richardson Highway southbound to the small seaport of Valdez at the Pacific coast. The crossing of the coastal range via the Thompson Pass is spectacular, with thundering falls right next to the road. Valdez, called little Switzerland by its inhabitants, is enframed by alpine surroundings. The town is also known for the world famous Trans Alaska Pipeline that ends here and the big oil tankers taking a load. (Overnight accommodation in Valdez).
Day 5: Valdez – Prince William Sound - Anchorage
Today we travel the Prince William Sound via ferry. Without a doubt this is a highlight among the scenic beauties of Alaska. The route is close to the Pacific coast, passing calving glaciers, the Columbia Glacier probably being the most spectacular of them all. Odds are you will spot a variety of wildlife. With a little luck you will be able to take pictures not only of otters and puffins, but of sea lions and even whales, too. Ashore again, the next stop is the Portage Glacier, which is almost accessible by car. Concluding this eventful stage, we drive along the Turnagain Arm into Anchorage. The tidal wave rolling into Turnagain Arm twice a day is said to be spectacular. (Overnight accommodation in Anchorage).
Day 6: Haines Junction - Tok
This day in Alaska's biggest city is at your free disposal for sightseeing in and around Anchorage. There are many interesting things to discover: Lakes Hood and Spenard, the largest marine airport. In summer, up to 800 floatplanes take off and land here daily. Nearby is the aviation museum where you can admire several legendary aircraft. In downtown Anchorage you will find the Art Museum, the Museum of History and Art and of course the typically American shopping malls. Maybe you would like to visit one of the bars or microbreweries which offer various kinds of beer brewed in the house. For night people, Anchorage still has one or the other surprise to offer.
For example a very special dinner at the restaurant "Gwennies", they not only offer the biggest and best steaks - gold digger style - you may admire the history of the origins of Anchorage there, too. Another very nice option to spend the day is a trip south to Seward including a tour into Kenai Fjords National Park (optional). (Overnight accommodation in Anchorage).
Day 7: Anchorage – Denali National Park
Today we leave the Pacific coast region and its particular climate. Via the George Parks Highway we travel northbound towards Denali National Park. The breathtaking landscape offers constantly changing panoramic views with distant glaciers and beaver dams in the nearby river. Late afternoon, there is the opportunity for a one hour glacier flight to Mount McKinley for all those who would like to go for it (optional). This is a very recommendable adventure, in particular when the weather is fine. (Overnight accommodation close to the park).
Day 8: Denali National Park
Without a doubt this is another highlight of this tour. In the morning we will go on a Denali wildlife tour. A park owned shuttle bus takes us deep into one of the most scenic landscapes in North America. Weather permitting you will get to see majestic Mount McKinley, 6193 meters high, the highest mountain in the U.S.A.. The variety of wildlife is very impressive, too. With a little luck you will see wolves, dall sheep, moose, caribou and grizzly bears. Admire Wonder Lake, the largest lake in the surroundings, located approximately in the middle of the park. Here in particular you will find lots of wildlife. (Overnight accommodation close to the park).
Day 9: Denali National Park - Fairbanks
Back on the George Parks Highway, we will stop in Nenana to visit the Alaska Railroad Museum. Fairbanks will be reached early in the afternoon. The remainder of the day is reserved for the places of interest in and around this town located about 320 km south of the Arctic Circle. Perhaps you would like to visit the Alaska Dog Mushing Museum, or treat yourself with the local delicacies in one of the numerous restaurants. You really should try the king crabs! And there is more. Particularly recommendable is a sternwheeler cruise on the Chena River, the Crown of Light show, a photo symphony covering the aurora borealis, or the Gold Rush show at the Malemute Saloon (optional). (Overnight accommodation in Fairbanks).
Day 10: Fairbanks - Tok
After strolling through downtown Fairbanks in the morning we are on our way southbound passing innumerable lakes and rivers in this beautiful landscape. Today we are going to see the Trans-Alaska Pipeline again, crossing the Tanana River right next to the highway. In Delta Junction we meet the Alaska Highway and visit the local visitor center. (Overnight accommodation in Tok).
Day 11: Tok – Dawson City
The journey continues via the Top of the World Highway. Beyond the timberline we will pass through beautiful tundra scenery and cross the border at Little Gold Creek, which is the checkpoint with the highest elevation between Canada and the U.S.A.. On this stretch villages with strange sounding names like Chicken, Action Wade Camp are to be seen until in the afternoon we will cross the Yukon River by ferry to reach Dawson City. (Overnight accommodation in Dawson City).
Day 12: Dawson City
People still dig for gold in this historical town located where the Klondike flows into the Yukon River. You may try your luck panning for gold yourself. A visit to Bonanza Creek, the Jack London cabin, and the Midnight Dome, Dawson City's very own mountain, are on the agenda, as is the remarkable Gold Diggers Museum. Afterwards you may want to stroll around town with its nice buildings, some of them still original, some affectionately restored. Diamond Tooth Gerties Casino and Cancan _ dance girls will entertain us in the evening. The Palace Grand Theatre - offering musical entertainment, turn-of-the-century style - is another option. (Overnight accommodation in Dawson City).
Day 13: Dawson City - Whitehorse
Today it is back to Whitehorse via the Klondike Highway. You will repeatedly see the mighty Yukon River, about 3200 km long and thus one of the longest waterways in North America. Of course there is a stop to visit the infamous Five Finger Rapids - mighty rapids posing a threat to many sternwheelers navigating the Yukon in the past. Old post offices, roadhouses and small villages constantly bring back to mind the gold rush era 100 years ago. (Overnight accommodation in Whitehorse).
Day 14: Whitehorse
Yukon's capital offers you a variety of options on the last day of your trip, for example excursions into the surroundings of Whitehorse or a final visit to some local places of interest like the longest wooden fish ladder of the world or the Transportation Museum. Equally recommendable is a boat trip through Miles Canyon at the headwaters of the Yukon Rivers. He who simply prefers to relax at the end of this long roundtrip with lots of fresh impressions or would like to do a little shopping before returning home still has plenty of time and opportunity to do so. A very nice way to spend the day is an excursion to the old gold rush town and seaport Skagway, Alaska with the opportunity to take a spectacular train ride over the infamous White Pass (optional). Transfer to airport or connecting program.
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