Small Groups Yukon - Alaska Grand Discovery
Highlights : Prince William Sound, Denali

	Yukon-Alaska Grand Discovery Tour Map
Whitehorse - Whitehorse 20-day fully guided small group tour (max 9 guests)

Retrace the big Klondike Gold rush of 1898 and discover some of the most spectacular areas of Alaska and the Yukon. Starting in Whitehorse, we travel on the historic White Pass railway to beautiful Lynn Canal, explore remote Kluane National Park and continue into Alaska. We will discover old mining towns, the fascinating marine life (orcas, puffins, whales, and many others) of Kenai Fjords and Peninsula and travel to Denali National Park with the highest mountain North America’s, majestic Mount Denali/McKinley. Less frequently used roads in the interior lead deeper into the wilderness and let you experience the incredible vastness of Alaska. Dawson City, main show place during the big gold rush, offers plenty of fascinating history and legends, a charming atmosphere and is a highlight on this Discovery Tour through the magic North of the American Continent.

Day 1 Arrival and overnight in Whitehorse. Your guide meets you at the airport and invites you to a welcome drink at the hotel. Discover the capital city of the Yukon and its surroundings.

Day 2 Travel through amazing scenery via Carcross to Fraser. Travel the legendary White Pass on a historic train to Skagway/Alaska. From here, over hundred years ago, gold seekers started their gruesome trek over the Chilkoot and White Passes. Overnight in Skagway, fascinating little town full of reminiscences from the Gold Rush.

Day 3 By ferry we cross beautiful Lynn Canal. Enjoy the spectacular surroundings of Haines or take a scenic flight to stunning Glacier Bay. Early afternoon we continue along the Chilkat Reserve, where thousands of bald eagles meet in early winter to feed on salmon. Crossing Haines Pass we enjoy magnificent views of the surrounding mountains and arrive at Kluane National Park where we stay in comfortable, rustic cabins for 3 nights.

Day 4&5 Guided hike into Kluane National Park (incl.), a UNESCO world heritage site. Visit of a small native village where, depending on the time of the salmon run, we may observe the locals fishing for and preparing salmon. Other options: raft the world famous Tatshenshini river, take a scenic flight to Mount Logan, the highest mountain Canada's, or just simply relax and enjoy the peace and solitude.

Day 6 We travel along beautiful Kluane Lake and take the time to do short hikes before crossing the border. Overnight in Tok.

Day 7 Today, an adventurous road takes us further into Alaska and the Wrangell-St. Elias Mountains. We spend 2 nights in the charming „wild west“ town of McCarthy.

Day 8 We visit Kennicott and tour this fascinating little ghost-town and its old copper mines with a local guide (incl.). In the afternoon, there is time for a hike or to enjoy an unforgettable scenic flight into the awe-inspiring splendor of the Wrangell-St. Elias Mountains.

Day 9 We cross spectacular Thompson Pass with its many waterfalls and arrive in the small town of Valdez which became famous as the end destination of the Alaska Pipeline. There is time to try sea-kayaking.

Day 10 Early morning, we leave Valdez and travel by ferry through the extraordinary glacier world of Prince William Sound. You’ll enjoy the sight of the imposing Columbia Glacier and may spot some marine wildlife. From Whittier we continue across the Kenai Peninsula towards Seward. Two nights in comfortable cabins.

Day 11 Today, you have again several options to explore this area of the Kenai Peninsula. Highly recommended is a boat trip into the amazing Kenai Fjords National Park. With a bit of luck you will not only be able to observe a wide variety of sea birds, like puffins, but also whales, Orcas and marine mammals in this, their incredible natural habitat and you may even witness the calving of a glacier. Other possibilities are hikes, guided sea kayaking tours, or try your hand at deep sea fishing.

Day 12 Driving along beautiful Turnagain Arm towards Anchorage, Alaska’s biggest city, we may be able to spot Beluga whales. Short visit of the city of Anchorage and of Lake Hood, „the world’s largest and busiest seaplane base“.

Day 13 Before continuing through the fertile Matanuska valley, well known for its giant vegetables, we visit a famous Iditarod dogsled race champion and will get a guided tour of the kennels (incl.). On our way to Denali National Park you have the possibility to take a scenic flight to, or even around North America’s highest mountain, Mt Denali/Mt McKinley. 2 nights in cozy cabins near the park.

Day 14 Early start for a full day trip with the official parks bus into Denali National Park where we have excellent opportunities to observe the incredible wildlife such as grizzlies, moose, caribous and perhaps even a wolf. With good weather we will also be able to see majestic Mt Denali (6200m) in its full splendor.

Day 15 The little traveled Denali Highway takes us further into Alaska’s immense and rugged wilderness towards Tangle Lakes und Tangle River, where you can enjoy canoeing or go for a hike.

Day 16 Along the famous Alaska Pipeline, which crosses the vastness like a giant serpent, we drive towards Tok where we spend another night before crossing the border into the Yukon.

Day 17 The trip across the „Top of the World Highway“, probably one of the most interesting roads North Americas, is just simply stunning. Long ago abandoned cabins, dredges and tools, are remnants of the big gold rush which made over 100000 people world-wide leave their homes and head north to seek their fortune. A few sleepy little towns like Chicken are the only human signs in this area. We take the ferry across the Yukon River and spend 2 nights in Dawson City.

Day 18 On a short guided tour through a still active gold mine you learn more about modern techniques to extract gold. Then try your luck gold panning in a local creek. There is time to explore Dawson City and its fascinating history. In the evening, we will visit famous Diamond Tooth Gertie’s Saloon und Casino and enjoy a show (incl.).

Day 19 The Klondike highway takes us back to Whitehorse, past old roadhouses and through sleepy native villages. Along the way, take a short hike to the 5 Finger Rapids of the Yukon River, a major obstacle for boats during the gold rush. Overnight in Whitehorse.

Day 20 Individual departure or extend your stay in Canada (see various options below) ''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Yukon-Alaska Grand Discovery Tour Map
(small group min 6, max 9 participants)

A wide variety of activities is included

The package includes :
- 19 nights in hotels, lodges, cabins, 5 x breakfast, 2 x BBQ
- all tours and excursions by van (max 9 ) as described
- Guide for the complete tour from/to Whitehorse
- Train trip White Pass
- Ferry travel from Skagway to Haines and
- Ferry from Valdez to Whittier through Prince William Sound
- Guided Hike in Kluane National Park
- Trip to and guided tour through Kennicott ghost-town and copper mine
- Visit and guided tour Idatorid champion
- Full day trip into Denali National Park with the parks bus
- Use of canoes Tangle Lakes
- Visit and Tour of active goldmine, gold panning
- Entrance fees Diamond Tooth Gerties Saloon and show.
- National Parks fees
- local taxes and GST

Extra costs :
Travel to and from Whitehorse
Meals and beverages
Optional excursions and activities (boat trip, kayaking, scenic flights etc.)
Gratuities , Entry form fees USA

You might be interested in extending your stay with :
- a ferry trip or cruise through the world famous Inside Passage
- a stay in a fly in wilderness lodge in the Yukon
- a visit to beautiful Vancouver
- a trip through the Rockies and on the Alaska Highway from Calgary to Whitehorse or Whitehorse-Calgary

We reserve the right to change parts of the tour description if necessary due to circumstances that are beyond the control of A-ZitaTours. All changes will be replaced by same or better options.