Day 1: Vancouver - Clinton
This one way camping adventure tour from Vancouver follows the historic gold rush trail to Whitehorse, a route that weaves through lands as diverse as they are pristine.   We visit the historic 1860's restored town of Barkerville in central BC before journeying north-east to K'san, where we encounter longhouses and totem poles. Connecting with the Stuart Cassiar Highway, we begin a wilderness journey of over 700 kilometers to join the main trunk Alaska Highway. A short walk from the roadside brings us to the unspoiled wilderness that still belongs to the wolf packs, the grizzlies and mountain goats. Along the way, we detour into Alaska to visit Hyder to spot grizzly bears fishing for salmon. Joining the Alaska Highway, we explore the almost abandoned mining towns of Faro and Keno.  After a night at the hot springs, we head for the Alaskan port city of Skagway before arriving in Whitehorse. The sheer beauty of this part of North America, its thin, magical light, the short, star speckled summer nights and the mountains laced with snow and glittering waterfalls, is hard to exaggerate.  Travelling from Vancouver, we leave 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 - Day 3: Clinton – Barkerville/Bowron Lakes
From Clinton we continue north along the Gold Rush Trail to Quesnel. Here we turn east and head into the Cariboo mountains to Barkerville. On the way, we can stop in at Cottonwood House, an original 1860’s Cariboo Road House, now preserved as a living museum. 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. The Bowron Lakes are also a major stopover on the bird migration route, so bring your binoculars and telephoto lens.

Day 4: Barkerville – Paarens’s Beach Park
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. With uncrowded campgrounds, and a large beach, it is an ideal base from which to explore the rich history and enjoy the multitude of recreational opportunities around Stuart Lake.

Day 5: Ksan/Hazelton
From Paaren’s Beach we continue along the Yellowhead Highway – west to the Stewart Cassiar Highway. We make camp at K’san located along the Skeena 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 view some of the oldest totem poles in Canada, many of them made famous by the Canadian Painter Emily Carr.

Day 6 - Day 7: Ksan – Hyder/Alaska
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 7 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
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. Optional canoe rentals.

Day 9: Boya Lake – Frances Lake
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. Optional Northern Lights Show in Watson Lake

Day 10: Frances Lake - Faro
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.

Day 11 - Day 12: Faro - Keno
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: Keno – Takhini Hot Springs
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: Takhini Hot Springs – Skagway - Whitehorse
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. For those passengers wanting to disembark here for the Alaska Marine Ferry, the tour guide will be happy to drop you off with your luggage at your hotel or hostel. Passengers should note that prior arrangements should be made for accommodation and transportation before this tour ends. Passengers not disembarking from the tour will be dropped off in Whitehorse at about 5:00 pm.
Hostel Accommodation.

Day 15: Whitehorse
Tour Ends