In the Footsteps of the Yukon Pioneers Self-Drive Tour
Overview
A richly varied flydrive itinerary that begins and ends in Whitehorse, you will travel off the beaten track and discover the beauty and history of the Yukon – described as the last pristine wilderness areas left on earth. This itinerary takes you in the footsteps of the pioneers - in 1896, a few prospectors discovered gold along a creek near Dawson City, triggering the Klondike Gold Rush. Within two years thousands of miners had struggled over the mountains through the Chilkoot Pass, built boats by hand and floated them northward down the Yukon River to Dawson City.
You will visit charming and unique Dawson City, where you will have the opportunity to pan for gold and enjoy saloon bars and stores of a bygone age. On a visit to the Kluane National Park you will discover pristine lakes and forests with hiking trails which are seldom rambled. Take a ferry across the Yukon River and journey along the aptly named Top of the World Highway. Throughout this self-drive tour, you will discover unique communities, extraordinary landscapes and fascinating history.
This itinerary can be extended to drive north of Dawson City on the Dempster Highway to the edge of the Arctic Circle. En route you can visit Tombstone Territorial Park, you will follow the path of Canada's longest waterway - the Mackenzie River, and stay in Inuvik, where Canada's oldest nations - the Inuit have lived for thousands of years. (JV)
Highlights
- Travel the Alaska Highway into the interior of the Yukon and discover unique experiences en route, such as the “Signpost Forest” at Watson Lake and the First Nations Daku Cultural Centre in Haines Junction
- Enjoy time in Dawson City, where you can take a walking tour through the historical buildings with period actors, experience gold-panning and have fun at Diamond Tooth Gerties Gambling Hall
- Visit Bonanza Creek, centre of the Klondike Gold Rush, with two designated National Historic Sites of Canada - Discovery Claim and Dredge 4
- Explore the spectacular Kluane National Park, where you will find snow-capped mountains, glaciers, lakes and forests
- This holiday is available from late May to early September, where the days in this northern territory are long and perfect for a touring adventure. This is the land of the Midnight Sun – where on the summer solstice 21 June, the sun doesn’t set above the Arctic Circle.
Itinearary Overview
Fly to Whitehorse 1 night - Watson Lake 1 night - Faro 1 night - Dawson City 2 nights - Beaver Creak 1 night - Haines Junction 2 nights - Whitehorse 2 nights - fly home
Or for the 14 night itinerary extending north of Dawson city to Inuvik at the edge of the Arctic Circle:
Fly to Whitehorse 1 night - Watson Lake 1 night - Faro 1 night - Dawson City 1 night - Eagle Plains 1 night - Inunik 2 nights - Eagle Plains 1 night - Dawson City 1 night - Beaver Creak 1 night - Haines Junction 2 nights - Whitehorse 2 nights - fly home
