Welcome/Orientation/ Presentation on Highlights of Our Upcoming Adventure

Afternoon: Welcome to an adventure of a lifetime…..spectacular landscapes and National Parks of Alaska and the Yukon all await you in your upcoming educational exploration. This trip offers the best of both worlds – extraordinary scenic travel by coach and the personal exploration of hikes into the rugged beauty of this fascinating part of the world unseen and inaccessible by any other means.

The program will begin at 6 p.m. with a brief introduction to your fellow travelers before dinner.

Dinner: At the hotel

Evening: Get ready for the trip as your guide details highlights of your upcoming journey and provides an orientation to the program.

Lodging: High Country Inn

Meals Included: Dinner

Breakfast: At the hotel

Morning: Begin the day with a city field trip, learning of the history of Whitehorse, and its role in present day politics as the capital of the Yukon.

Each day your study leader will enhance your travels as they explore the history, geology, natural cultural history, of each particular area with you. Discussions abound, anecdotes flow and your leader will make sure to capitalize on whatever fun event presents itself!

Travel to the restored sternwheeler SS Klondike which sits on the banks of the Yukon River. It’s the perfect representative of the city as it represents an age when Whitehorse served as a major transportation hub of this entire region, and a large fleet of sternwheelers carried miners, traders, and many other people, including tourists, to the Klondike and other mining areas along the Yukon River and its tributaries.

Lunch: In Whitehorse

Afternoon: Enjoy free time this afternoon to explore the city at your leisure before we head out tomorrow. Options might include a boat trip through Miles Canyon, a dramatic, basalt-walled canyon through which the Yukon River flows.

Dinner: Gather back together for dinner at the hotel.

Evening: Our experts prepare you for the wealth to be found in the great National Parks of the Yukon and Alaska in this evening's presentation.

Lodging: High Country Inn

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: Today's hike is an easy 2 hour hike with elevation gains of 500' (maximum elevation of 3100').

Breakfast: At the hotel

Morning: Today you’ll experience one of the outstanding highlights of the North! Head out for a 2.5 hour drive through the lovely coastal mountains to Fraser where you’ll catch the White Pass Railway for a spectacular ride to Skagway.

En route stop at the Carcross desert, affectionately called the smallest desert in the world, with its series of northern sand dunes formed by a glacial lake. Admire the beauty of Lake Emerald, the most photographed lake in the Yukon Territory. It’s fabulous intense water colors have earned it the name “Rainbow Lake,” by the locals.

Then off to the Sam McGee trail on Montana Mountain for our first hike, where you’ll have a great lookout to the Lakes Nares and Bennet.

Lunch: Box lunch on the trail.

Afternoon: Arrive at Fraser, and put on your adventurer’s cap for the upcoming unforgettable ride to Skagway aboard the “Scenic Railway of the World.” Experience a breathtaking panorama of mountains, glaciers, gorges, waterfalls, tunnels, trestles and historic sites from the comfort of vintage rail cars on the 1.5 hour ride aboard the White Pass & Yukon Railway.

Arrive in Skagway, once the gateway to the greatest gold rush of all time! The Chilkoot Trail was once the way leading to the gold rivers.

Dinner: At the hotel

Evening: Tonight is a perfect time for strolling through town. You’ll feel like you went back in time to the Old West as you wander its charming streets.

Lodging: Westmark Inn Skagway

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: Today's hike is a moderate 3 mile round trip hike with minimal elevation gain.

Breakfast: At the hotel

Morning: This morning, you'll have an opportunity to really get to know the town. Hop aboard a 1927 sightseeing bus and join the city tour that has been continuous since 1923. Learn a century of history in this Gold Rush town, including behind-the-scenes tales of small town life.

Our next hike will be a portion of the Chilkoot Trail, one of the two main routes to the Klondike. Spend approximately three hours exploring the beautiful surroundings for a few miles on this relatively easy part of the trail.

Lunch: On the trail

Afternoon: An afternoon departure on the ferry will take you 15 miles through the Lynn Canal, the deepest fjord in North America and one of the deepest and longest in the world as well. (The schedule may vary on this day due to ferry departure times.)

As you cruise this regal landscape, you’ll be awed by hanging glaciers, towering waterfalls and majestic mountains. Much coastal marine life is to be seen on our ferry ride also to the harbour of Haines.…eagles, sea lions, whales, kittiwakes, just a few.

Haines is beautifully set, surrounded by green slopes and glaciers, a spectacular sight! In historic Haines, explore the old Fort Seward, the first military base in Alaska, with it’s turn-of-the-century architecture and Victorian clapboard houses.

Dinner: In Haines, AK

Evening: Enjoy views of Portage Cove and the Lynn Fjord from your motel room or take a little jaunt to explore this quintessential Alaska town.

Lodging: Captain's Choice Motel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: At the hotel

Morning: Continue on to Haines Junction by coach. Spectacular rare views today! Plenty of opportunities en route to see breathtaking views of the mountains, as well as Lakes Dezadeash and Kathleen along the border of Kluane National Park.

Lunch: Picnic lunch at Kathleen Lake.

Afternoon: Arrive in Haines Junction mid-afternoon. We'll head over to Sheep Mountain, home to one of the highest concentrations of wild sheep in the Yukon, where you might get a glimpse of Dall sheep on the lower slopes. Visit the Tachal Dhal Interpretive Center and Soldier's Summit, where the Alaska Highway was dedicated in 1942.

Dinner: In Haines Junction

Lodging: Alcan Motor Inn

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: Today's hike is a moderate 4.5 mile, 4 - 6 hours with elevation gains of 1300' (maximum elevation of 3800'). This hike starts in spruce and aspen forest, branches into a loop, and climbs up to the sub-alpine above Haines Junction. Some bridges over creeks.

Breakfast: At the hotel

Morning: Get on your hiking shoes today as you’ll spend the day in the awesome beauty of Kluane National Park, Canada’s largest national park. We'll hike approximately 6 hours on the Auriol Trail through spruce forest, over creeks and into meadows that are ideal places to spot a moose.

Lunch: On the trail

Afternoon: In the late afternoon we will continue on the two hour drive to Whitehorse via the Alaska Highway, stopping at Champagne, a small Native Village,

Dinner: At the hotel

Evening: Presentation: Effects of Climate Change on Wildlife Populations

Lodging: High Country Inn

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: At the hotel

Morning: Today, we’ll follow the mighty Yukon River, about 1988 miles long and thus one of the longest waterways in North America, via the Klondike Highway to Dawson City

Lunch: Picnic lunch en route to Dawson City.

Afternoon: Continue our journey, meandering by Gold Rush-era villages and arrive just before dinner in Dawson City. Stop at a quaint lodge for coffee en route.

Arrive late afternoon in Dawson City. Before dinner, you may want to stroll around town with its lovely buildings, some of them still original, some affectionately restored.

Dinner: On your own in Dawson City to explore local fare.

Evening: "Diamond Tooth Gerties Casino and Cancan" dance girls are on your entertainment card for the evening.

Lodging: Westmark Inn Dawson City

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: Today's hike is 5 miles, 2 - 4 hours with elevation gains of 2100' (maximum elevation of 5200 feet). This hike is very popular for several reasons. It is the fastest route into the Tombstone Range from the highway, and allows hikers to climb quickly above treeline where they are rewarded with spectacular views of the mountains, including Mount Monolith.

Breakfast: At the hotel

Morning: Today gives us many opportunities to study the natural history of this magnificent land. An early start from Dawson City gets us on the road up the Dempster Highway.

After a scenic 1.5 hr ride, start your hike at the foot of the Tombstone Mountains, named thus because their rectangular shape resembles grave stones. The Yukon may encompass more undiscovered wonders than any other part of Canada, and the rugged Tombstone Range is among the territory’s crown jewels.

Lunch: Picnic lunch on trail

Afternoon: Continue our exploration of this fascinating mountain range. This area was not glaciated during the last ice age, and these mountains are some of the newest on the continent as evidenced by their sharp peaks.

Dinner: At the hotel

Evening: Free time

Lodging: Westmark Inn Dawson City

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: At the hotel

Morning: Enjoy a full morning in Dawson City, beginning with a field trip to exploring the city’s history and it’s gold fields and dredge operation. The remarkable Dawson City Museum is a “must!”

People still dig for gold in this historical town located where the Klondike flows into the Yukon River. See the site where gold was discovered. Billions of dollars of gold were taken out of the river here! Exploration of Bonanza Creek, and the Jack London cabin are also on the agenda.

Lunch: In Dawson City

Afternoon: Ferry across the Yukon River this afternoon as we leave the Klondike and head on to some of the most beautiful and spectacular high roads of North America. Beyond the timberline, pass through beautiful tundra scenery and cross the highest borderline between Canada and the U.S. at Little Gold Creek. Stop for short hikes along the way.

Travel on to the " Top of the World Highway", which snakes along rolling mountain domes with a road, sometimes partially gravel, built on top of them. You’ve come to the real “frontier of Alaska!” You cannot get much further from civilisation than here between Dawson City and Tok. 100-mile views are a photographer’s paradise from the Top of the World Highway.

Dinner: In Tok

Evening: Lecture: Native History and Culture

Lodging: Young's Motel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: At the hotel

Morning: Travel today further west into one of the most remote regions of the North…first along the famous Alaska Highway, built to aid the Pacific Front during WWII, then along the incredibly scenic Denali Highway. The Denali Highway offers an almost cinematic wilderness panorama. The route takes us through a vast glacial floodplain; the road in fact is high above the flood plain, built on glacial eskers as it travels to the border of Denali National Park.

Lunch: A restaurant in Fairbanks

Afternoon: Journey on headed to Denali National Park. Watch for caribou as we travel in the shadow of the Alaskan range. Possibly catch your first glimpses of Mt. Denali (formerly called Mt. McKinley)!

Dinner: Near Denali National Park

Evening: Optional activities: perhaps a scenic one hour glacier flight that will provide a chance in good weather to view Mt. Denali, North America’s tallest peak (over 20,318 feet!)

Lodging: Motel Nord Haven

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: At the hotel

Morning: Without a doubt this is another highlight of this tour….one of the most scenic landscapes in North America. In the morning head 60 miles deep into the Park on a Denali wildlife field trip, guided by a naturalist and via a park-owned shuttle.

Lunch: Picnic lunch at Eilson Visitor Center, where on a low pass you get a glimpse of of 40-50 miles of Denali National Park.

Afternoon: Get an amazing view (weather permitting) of majestic Mount Denali (formerly called Mt McKinley), 20,318 feet high, the highest mountain in the U.S.A. Watch for wildlife on the surrounding hillsides at Eilson.

Denali National Park is probably the closest to an African Safari experience with the incredible variety of wildlife you will see. With a little luck you will see all the wildlife on your list including wolves, Dall sheep, moose, caribou, and even the mighty grizzly bear. Smaller animals such as fox and coyotes are often spotted on their forays while golden eagles and other birds of prey soar overhead.

This is the Alaska of your dreams!

Admire Wonder Lake, the largest lake in the surroundings, located approximately in the middle of the park, where one often finds a lot of variety of wildlife.

Back to the hotel late afternoon and some time on your own for optional activities.

Dinner: Near Denali National Park

Evening: On own to relax, explore, refresh

Lodging: Motel Nord Haven

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: At the hotel

Morning: Say goodbye to Denali and travel along the George Parks Highway through the interior towards Anchorage. Stop at Willow to learn about life frontier-style from an Iditarod musher and to get some one-on-one time with his 75 sled dogs. You’ll have gained greater insight into how a large kennel works and the sport of dog sledding by the time we head out once again. As the musher hooks up a team and off they go on the trail, we’ll also head onward on our journey.

Lunch: En route to Seward

Afternoon: Kenai Fjords in Seward are our destination this afternoon and a gem that cannot be missed! Kenai is the playground of Alaska, with its pristine waterfalls, and snow-capped mountains embracing the city.

Travel along the scenic Turnagain Arm, named by Captain Cook after yet another unsuccessful attempt to find the Northwest Passage. The spectacular tides, among the highest in the world, attract the all-white beluga whales who hunt salmon in the murky waters.

Continuing onward to Seward, cascading waterfalls, crystal clear streams, emerald pine forests and snow-capped mountains appear around every corner!

Dinner: In Seward

Lodging: Breeze Inn

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: Today's hike is 4.5 miles along the Coastal Trail, from Lowell Point to the recreation area, ending at North Beach. Sections of this trail are accessible only at low tides of four-foot or lower. Historic trails following old Army roads take hikers to Fort McGilvray and onto South Beach.

Breakfast: At the hotel

Morning: Today we’ll plan a hike in the Seward area. The Exit Glacier is one of our favorite hiking locations in the beautiful area around Seward. This glacier is considered by some to be in a class all by itself. You can walk to within a stone’s throw of its landlocked base for the most incredible views and photos you can ever imagine.

Lunch: On cruise vessel

Afternoon: Head out on a tour vessel to view the Kenai Fjords National Park. With its protected marine environment, you’ll see an abundance of wildlife and marine birds and animals. Seals, sea otters, Dall’s porpoises, and perhaps an Orca humpback whale, are all within your view. Along the shore, you’ll see Sitka and blacktail deer, nesting bald eagles, black bears, as well as an stunning variety of marine waterfowl…….murres, puffins, kittiwake rookeries and cormorants …and of course sea lions on the rocks. Our vessel offers us an excellent view as it noses right into the rookeries.

Dinner: At the hotel

Evening: Presention: TBD

Lodging: Breeze Inn

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: At the hotel

Morning: Today the journey takes us back along the Kenai Peninsula to the scenic Turnagain Arm. Keep an eye open for the white beluga whales, which can often be seen here frolicking in the shallow waters! Arrive in Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, and take a city highlight field trip to get your bearings in this thriving metropolis.

Lunch: On your own to explore local fare.

Afternoon: Free time to explore this lovely city. There are many interesting things to discover including Lake Hood, which is home to the largest float plane base in the world. Each day, some 800 floatplanes take off and land from this location in central Anchorage! Nearby is the Aviation Museum, where many legendary bush aircraft are on display. Another great option is a great hiking experience just above the city.

Dinner: Gather together at dinner, followed by our finals celebration of the wonders of the Yukon and Alaska. Share your own special highlights and enjoy those of your new friends!

Lodging: The Coast International Inn

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Breakfast: At the hotel

Morning: Farewell!

Transfer to the airport by hotel shuttle.

Thanks for joining our adventure!

Meals Included: Breakfast