Yukon- An Adventure Like No Other!

Upon arrival at the Whitehorse International Airport, you will be transferred to your hotel.  Your hotel for the duration of your stay is the Sternwheeler Hotel Whitehorse, conveniently located just steps from historic Main Street and the Yukon River.  The remainder of your afternoon will be free for you to acquaint yourself with the unique flavours of Whitehorse.

Overnight at the Sternwheeler Hotel Whitehorse.

Whitehorse, Yukon Wildlife Preserve, and Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs

We will begin our day with a guided city tour of Whitehorse.  Whitehorse itself is a relatively small city of just over 30,000 people, however its fascinating and eclectic history and attachment to the gold rush era is ever-present.  Your tour will illuminate many of the city’s famed gold rush sites, its connection to Indigenous heritage, as well as the breathtaking surrounding natural landscapes.

This afternoon you will have the opportunity to travel along part of the Alaska Highway en route to the Yukon Wildlife Preserve.  This landmark highway was constructed during World War II over a period of only 9 months, and is considered to be one of the great engineering marvels in Canadian and American history.  Upon arrival at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, you will have a guided tour of its 350-acre landscape that is home to many of the native species that make up the territory’s wildlife such as Thinhorn Sheep, Arctic Foxes, Canada Lynx, Wood Bison, and Woodland Caribou.  Your tour will offer you the chance to meet some of its resident animals while learning about the centre’s rehabilitation and research activities.  We will then travel to the nearby Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs where you can experience their relaxing and rejuvenating outdoor mineral hot spring pools.

Upon arrival back to the hotel, the evening in Whitehorse is at your leisure.

Overnight at the Sternwheeler Hotel Whitehorse (B).

Today we will head west along the Alaska Highway to the village of Haines Junction and its neighbouring Kluane National Park.  We will begin our adventure at the Kluane National Park Visitor Centre and the Da Kų Cultural Centre, where you will have the opportunity to learn about the Indigenous peoples of this region and their culture.  We will then visit sites within the park itself, where you will have free time to enjoy some of the park’s stunning natural attractions.  Kluane National Park is home to 17 of Canada’s 20 highest mountains, including Mount Logan, the tallest mountain in the country.  It is also home to the largest non-polar icefields in the world and is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Carcross

This morning we will travel south along the Klondike Highway to the Carcross/Tagish First Nation and the beautiful village of Carcross.  Previously known as Caribou Crossing, this area is steeped in sandy dunes and gold rush history.  We will visit the “world’s smallest desert” (Carcross Desert), as well as make a stop to visit the shops along Bennett Lake.

This evening we will have a farewell dinner together in Whitehorse.

Overnight at the Sternwheeler Hotel Whitehorse (B).