Road Scholar : Home
Adventurer's Alaska and Yukon

Program Number: 20504RJ
Start and End Dates:
9/4/2012 - 9/18/2012; 7/23/2013 - 8/6/2013;
Duration: 14 nights
Location: Whitehorse, Yukon
Price starting at: $5,597.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: On the Road; National Parks
Meals: 39; 14 Breakfasts, 13 Lunches, 12 Dinners    

The wilderness of Alaska and the Yukon share a vast frontier waiting to be explored — stunning snow-capped mountains, cascading waterfalls, crystal clear rivers and sparkling glaciers pervade each memorable day of this journey. At magnificent national parks and landmarks of Gold Rush history, experts regale our intimate small group with stories, history and culture. Experience unforgettable wildlife viewing — grizzlies, caribou, moose, bald eagles and more — as you adventure 60 miles into Denali National Park. Ferry in fjords, explore native villages and add a little urban flair with excursions in Whitehorse, Anchorage and Fairbanks.




Highlights

Pan for gold as you learn about the impact on the region of the Klondike Gold Rush.
Marvel at views of Mount Denali (McKinley) and mountain-clad Kluane National Park.
Hear from Natives about the rhythms of life in the Yukon and drive the “Top of the World Highway,” overlooking 100 miles of scenic beauty.



Activity Particulars

Walking up to three miles per day over varied terrain. Getting on/off coach. Elevations up to 4,127 feet.




Date Specific Information

7-23-2013

Roommate matching is available on this date.
Enjoy the latest in hearing technology — listening devices — on this date.



Itinerary Summary

Arrival Whitehorse, Yukon, 2 nights; coach to Haines Junction, 1 night; coach to Tok, Alaska, 1 night; coach to Valdez, 1 night; coach to Anchorage, 2 nights; coach to Denali National Park/Healy, 2 nights; coach to Fairbanks, 1 night; coach to Tok, 1 night; coach and ferry to Dawson City, Yukon, 2 nights; coach to Whitehorse, 1 night; departure.



Coordinated by Road Scholar.




Haines Junction

For many thousands of years, the area of present-day Haines Junction was home to seasonal hunting camps and was part of a trade route between the coastal Tlingit and Southern Tutchone people. The area’s days as a thoroughfare continue, as the current town is located at the junction of the Haines Highway and the Alaska Highway.



Tok

Tok is a small community in eastern Alaska that serves as the trade center for the surrounding Athabascan Native villages. It was created in 1942 as a camp for those who worked on the construction and maintenance of the Alaska Highway. Tok is a center of sled dog breeding, training and mushing and home to the annual Tok Race of Champions.



Anchorage

Situated between boreal forest, tundra, temperate rainforest and a marine environment, Anchorage was established when the Alaska Railroad was constructed to connect the interior with the coast. The area is home to almost half the state’s population. 



Denali National Park

Established in 1917, this 6 million-acre wilderness is home to 20,320 foot Mount McKinley, and wildlife such as moose, caribou, Dall sheep and grizzly bear, and is considered one of the most intact sub-arctic ecosystems in the world.



Fairbanks

The indigenous Athabaskan tribe had fished in the local area for centuries before it was settled in 1903 as a trading post for riverboats and gold prospectors. Fairbanks today is an important player in interior Alaska’s oil fields and pipelines.



Dawson City

Dawson City, Yukon, was at the heart of the world-famous Klondike Gold Rush. Today this small town has been preserved to look much as it did when tens of thousands of pick-and-shovel miners and prospectors descended on the Yukon at the end of the 19th century. It was the wild scene on these streets that inspired the author Jack London.



Valdez

Valdez is the northernmost ice-free port in the United States and provides superior access to the interior of the state, the Pacific Northwest and other remote trade routes. In addition to being the southern terminus of the trans-Alaska oil pipeline, Valdez is home to the Last Frontier Theatre Conference, attracting attendees from around the U.S..



Whitehorse

Named for the nearby rapids that resemble the mane of a white horse, the city of Whitehorse is both the capital and largest city of the Yukon. Its location near the northern range of the Rockies offers a mild climate and allows residents easy access to outdoor activities such as canoeing, kayaking and hiking.
Accommodations
Whitehorse: Newly renovated inn. Haines Junction, Tok and Denali: Comfortable motels. Valdez: Hotel with indoor pool and spa. Anchorage: Inn overlooking Lake Hood. Fairbanks: Boutique-style hotel. Dawson City: Newly renovated inn.
Meals and Lodgings
   High Country Inn
  Whitehorse, Yukon 2 nights
   Alcan Motor Inn
  Haines Junction, Yukon 1 night
   Young's Motel
  Tok, AK 1 night
   Mountain Sky Hotel
  Valdez, AK 1 night
   The Coast International Inn
  Anchorage, AK 2 nights
   Motel Nord Haven
  Healy, AK 2 nights
   Bridgewater Hotel
  Fairbanks, AK 1 night
   Young's Motel
  Tok, AK 1 night
   Westmark Inn Dawson City
  Dawson City, Yukon 2 nights
   High Country Inn
  Whitehorse, Yukon 1 night
 High Country Inn
Type: Inn
  Description: The High Country Inn is only a block away from one of the Yukon’s greatest attractions: the historic and mighty Yukon River as well as being the closest major hotel to the Yukon Territorial Government Offices and the Yukon Tourism Visitor Reception Centre. With incredible views from most rooms, you can gaze out to the flowing rapids and marvel at their white caps in the shape of a horse’s head - the origin of Whitehorse’s name. A few minutes walk away is the National Historic Site of the S.S. Klondike, one of the last surviving paddle-wheelers of the Klondike era – a must see! Along the river, you will find paved walking trails that lead over to another noteworthy site: the longest fish ladder in the world. Located near the damn, this site is a brief 30 minute walk away along some of the most tranquil areas of the river. Walking in the opposite direction, you will arrive in the historic downtown of Whitehorse near the shopping district of Main St. You are bound to come across the local paddlers in their kayaks, anglers, maybe an eagle, and watch the salmon swim by during their annual trek in late summer.
  Contact info: 4051-4th Ave
Whitehorse, YK Y1A 1H1 Canada
phone: 800-554-4471
web: www.highcountryinn.yk.ca
  Room amenities: Each of the 81 hotel rooms include access to wireless high-speed Internet, cable television, telephones, fans, and complimentary tea or coffee. Non-smoking rooms on non-smoking floors.
  Facility amenities: The High Country Inn offers free high-speed wireless Internet, free airport shuttle, close to Yukon River and waterfront hiking trails, exercise facilities, ATM in lobby, 24-hour front desk service, guest laundry, same-day dry-cleaning service, full service restaurant and “The Deck” pub (the Yukon’s largest year round patio).
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: Contact hotel for rate Group rate will not apply to pre and post night reservations. To reserve pre and post nights contact Dylan Soo, Director of Accommodations. He can be contacted by phone at 1-867-668-4500, ext. 121 or by email reservations@yukonhotels.com. Refer to Booking Code RSBOT5.
  Check in time: 3:00 PM
  Additional nights after: Contact hotel for rate Group rate will not apply to pre and post night reservations. To reserve pre and post nights contact Dylan Soo, Director of Accommodations. He can be contacted by phone at 1-867-668-4500, ext. 121 or by email reservations@yukonhotels.com. Refer to Booking Code RSBOT5.
  Check out time: 11:00 AM

 Alcan Motor Inn
Type: Inn
  Description: Panoramic views of the majestic St. Elias Mountains & beautiful Kluane National Park.
  Contact info: Junction of the Alaska & Haines Highway
Haines Junction, YK Y0B 1L0 Canada
phone: 867-634-2371
web: www.alcanmotorinn.com
  Room amenities: All 23 rooms include fridges, hair dryers, microwaves, irons, in-room coffee and Satellite T.V.
  Smoking allowed: No

 Young's Motel
Type: Motel
  Contact info: 1313 Alaska Hwy
Tok, AK 99780 USA
phone: 907-883-4411
web: www.youngsmotel.com
  Room amenities: Satelite T.V., free wifi.
  Facility amenities: Free high-speed Internet and onsite restaurant.
  Smoking allowed: No

 Mountain Sky Hotel
Type: Full Service Hotel
  Description: At the head of the Azure waters of the Prince William Sound, nestled beneath the Chugach Mountains.
  Contact info: 100 Meals Ave
P.O. Box 1297
Valdez, AK 99686 USA
phone: 907-835-4445
web: www.mountainskyhotel.com
  Room amenities: 103 spacious rooms and suites include cable TV, free high speed wireless Internet, microwave, refrigerator, alarm clock, coffee maker, hair dryer and iron.
  Facility amenities: Downtown location, spa, indoor pool and cardio center, guest laundry and complimentary business / computer center.
  Smoking allowed: No

 The Coast International Inn
Type: Inn
  Description: Overlooking scenic Lake Hood, the Coast International Inn Anchorage is the closest hotel to Ted Stevens International Airport, and is located minutes from business centers, shopping, entertainment and downtown Anchorage, Alaska.
  Contact info: 3450 Aviation Avenue
Anchorage, AK 99502 USA
phone: 907-243-2233
web: www.intlinnanchorage.com
  Room amenities: All rooms include voice mail and modem access, desk, coffee maker with complimentary coffee and tea, hair dryer, iron and ironing board, cable television with pay per view movies and individual climate control.
  Facility amenities: Onsite restaurant and lounge, complimentary airport shuttle service, exercise room (including sauna, bike, stair master, treadmill, rowing machine and universal gym), business center, ice and vending machines on each floor and guest laundry facility.
  Smoking allowed: Yes

 Motel Nord Haven
Type: Motel
  Description: Located 12 miles from entrance to Denali National Park and Preserve.
  Contact info: 249 George Parks Highway
Healy, AK 99743 USA
phone: 907-683-4500
web: www.motelnordhaven.com
  Room amenities: All 28 non-smoking rooms are decorated with Alaskan art and include a phone, TV and wireless DSL.
  Facility amenities: A comfortable sitting room is furnished with a library of books about Alaska, natural history, and Denali National Park. A computer is available for guest use.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes

 Bridgewater Hotel
Type: Full Service Hotel
  Description: The Bridgewater Hotel overlooks the Chena River where you can watch canoes and kayaks meander down the slow moving water. Or enjoy the outdoor flower gardens and sitting area while relaxing in the warmth of the midnight sun. The quaint lobby is decorated with Alaskan art and a gift kiosk displays Native arts and crafts. Bridgewater Hotel is within easy walking distance of the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center and numerous restaurants, Alaskan gift shops, and museums.
  Contact info: 723 1st Ave
Fairbanks, AK 99701 USA
phone: 800-528-4916
web: www.fountainheadhotels.com/bridgewater-hotel/index.cfm
  Room amenities: Air conditioning, cable TV, complimentary tea and coffee with coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron and ironing board (upon request).
  Facility amenities: Complimentary wireless Internet access, Internet kiosk in the lobby, complimentary shuttle service is provided between the airport and Alaska Railroad depot and complimentary trolley service to all hotel guests during the summer season. The trolley follows an around-town route with scheduled stops at Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum, University of Alaska Museum of the North, Pioneer Park, and downtown.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes

 Westmark Inn Dawson City
Type: Inn
  Description: The newly renovated Westmark Inn Dawson City provides visitors with spacious and comfortable accommodations in the heart of this lively gold rush community. The inn is in the heart of downtown, just blocks from the legendary Diamond Tooth Gertie's gambling hall.
  Contact info: Fifth and Harper Streets
Dawson City, YK Y0B 1G0 Canada
phone: 867-993-5542
web: www.westmarkhotels.com/dawson-city.php
  Room amenities: TV, phone, hair dryers and coffee makers.
  Facility amenities: Free Internet access in lobby, guest computer, full service dining room, lounge, outdoor deck / courtyard, coin operated guest laundry, and gift shop.
  Smoking allowed: No


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Hotel check in begins at 3:00 PM. Orientation begins at 6:00 PM. You will be staying at High Country Inn that night.
  End of Program:
10:00 AM after breakfast. Hotel check out by 11:00 AM. You will be staying at High Country Inn the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. Participants are asked to complete a Participant Background Information Form and a Shuttle Information Form. We’ve included a copy of the "Agreement of terms of participation" for you to review in advance of the program. You will be required to sign this agreement onsite before participating in the program activities.
  Parking availability:
Parking is available at the airport for $1.50 per day at the Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Whitehorse, Yukon
  From End of Program
  Location: Whitehorse, Yukon
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

High Country Inn, Whitehorse, YK

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Ruby Range Adventure, Road Scholar provider
phone: 888-667-2209
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Free
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

10 minutes 
 

Distance:

 

3.5 miles
   

Ruby Range Adventure, the Road Scholar provider, will provide free shuttle service from the airport or bus station between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Make sure you indicate on your forms what time you will arrive and whether you would like this shuttle service. If you arrive outside these hours, you can contact the hotel for free shuttle service.

 

High Country Inn, Whitehorse, YK

 

From Bus Terminal

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Ruby Range Adventure, the Road Scholar provider
phone: 888-667-2209
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Free
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

5 minutes 
 

Distance:

 

0.5 mile
   

Ruby Range Adventure, the Road Scholar provider, will provide free shuttle service from the airport or bus station between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Make sure you indicate on your forms what time you will arrive and whether you would like this shuttle service. If you arrive outside these hours, you can contact the hotel for free shuttle service.
 

High Country Inn, Whitehorse, YK

 

To Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Ruby Range, Road Scholar provider
phone: 888-667-2209
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Free
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

10 minutes 
 

Distance:

 

3.5 miles
   

Ruby Range, the Road Scholar provider, will provide free shuttle service to the airport or bus station between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM. To make your reservation, indicate on your participant information form whether you would like this shuttle service and what time your flight/bus departs. If you are departing outside these hours, you can contact the hotel for free shuttle service.
 

Whitehorse, YK

 

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle

   

Air Canada (888-247-2262; www.aircanada.com) serves Vancouver and Whitehorse. Whitehorse-based Air North (800-661-0407; www.flyairnorth.com) serves Dawson City, Old Crow, Inuvik in the NWT, Fairbanks in Alaska, and Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary. Whitehorse airport (YXY; 867-667-8440; www.gov.yk.ca) is five minutes west of downtown off the Alaska Hwy.
 

High Country Inn, Whitehorse, YK

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Hotel Shuttle
phone: 867-667-4471

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Free
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

10 minutes 
 

Distance:

 

3.5 miles
   

The High Country Inn shuttle greets every commercial flight that lands in Whitehorse. The shuttle will be right in front of the terminal. It is marked Gold Rush Inn / High Country Inn.
 

High Country Inn, Whitehorse, YK

 

From Bus Terminal

 
 

Service:

 

Hotel Shuttle
phone: 867-667-4471

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Free
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

5 minutes 
 

Distance:

 

0.5 mile
   

Alaska Direct Bus Line (867-668-4833; www.alaskadirectbusline.com; 501 Ogilvie St) and Greyhound Canada (867-667-2223, 800-661-8747; www.greyhound.ca; 2191 2nd Ave) have scheduled stops in Whitehorse. White Pass & Yukon Route (Whitehorse ticket office, Front St) offers a delightful rail and bus connection to / from Skagway (one daily, May to mid-September). The transfer point is Fraser, BC. Yukon Alaska Tourist Tours (867-668-4414; www.yatt.ca; 102 Lambert St). Call the hotel upon arrival.
 
Driving Directions
  High Country Inn in Whitehorse from the south The world-famous Alaska Highway provides excellent, all-season access to the territory from southern Canada, and presents the opportunity for an unforgettable road trip. If you are driving across Canada, you must get to Yukon 1 (also known as Alaska Highway), via the southern junction of Yukon 1 and Highway 37 (also known as Stewart-Cassiar Highway and Dease Lake Highway), which comes from further south in British Columbia, connecting with Interstate 5 out of Washington.
Elevation Note: Elevation up to 4127 feet at the Top of the World Highway

Equipment Requirements: No special equipment is needed but sturdy walking shoes, a daypack and an umbrella are strongly encouraged.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Welcome to the Yukon!/Orientation/Get Acquainted
(Tuesday, September 4)
   
 Arrive To: Whitehorse
 Afternoon: Welcome to an adventure of a lifetime! Alaska and Yukon wonders all await you in your upcoming exploration!

Your group leader will meet you at the airport and assist your transfer to the hotel. Make sure you let us know what time you're arriving!

At 6:00 PM, we'll gather for introductions and a briefing on your exciting trip ahead.

 Dinner: At the hotel.
 Evening: Get some rest or take a stroll through town and pick up anything you might have forgotten to bring.
   
Accommodations: High Country Inn
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Whitehorse Discovery
(Wednesday, September 5)
   
 Breakfast: At hotel
 Morning: Begin the day with a city field trip, learning the history of Whitehorse and its role in present day politics as the capitol of the Yukon.

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

Travel to the restored sternwheeler SS Klondike moored next to the Yukon River. It is a perfect representative of the city as it reflects an age when Whitehorse served as a major transportation hub for this entire region, taking miners, their families and those excited Gold Rush adventurers into the Klondike.

 Lunch: In Whitehorse
 Afternoon: Enjoy free time this afternoon to explore the city at your leisure before we head out tomorrow. An option might include a boat trip through Miles Canyon at the headwaters of the Yukon River.
 Dinner: Gather back together for dinner in Whitehorse.
 Evening: Presentation: Great Parks of the Yukon and Alaska; What Lies Ahead!

Days of presentations may vary.
   
Accommodations: High Country Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Whitehorse to Haines Junction/ Scenic St. Elias Mountains
(Thursday, September 6)
   
 Breakfast: At hotel
 Morning: Onward to Haines Junction today. A short stage on the Alaska Highway begins the unfolding of the incredible scenic beauty you will encounter day-by-day throughout your travels, including the 7,000-9,000-ft. summits of the Kluane Frontal Range that run parallel to the highway.

Abundant scenic points beg us to stop - and we will - several times - as we head for Haines Junction, which lies right next to Kluane National Park.

 Lunch: In Haines Junction in early afternoon
 Afternoon: Arrive at Kluane National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is still largely unexplored and pristine and hosts a phenomenal variety of wildlife. You'll get to stretch your legs as we take off on a short hike into the Park.

A little free time follows. Optional activity possibilities: a flight on a bush plane to the impressive glaciers within the park or a helicopter flight to deserted areas.

 Dinner: In Haines Junction
 Evening: Free for optional activities
   
Accommodations: Alcan Motor Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Haines to Tok/ Spectacular Kluane National Park
(Friday, September 7)
   
 Breakfast: At the hotel
 Morning: Travel along the scenic shore of the vast Lake Kluane, with its spectacular mountain views! Stunning snowy peaks rise on all sides. This magnificent park contains 10 of the 20 highest peaks in Canada. Combined with several adjoining parks, Kluane is part of the largest internationally-protected area in the world.

Sheep Mountain Visitor Center is our first stop. Chances are you will spot some of the scarce snow-white dall sheep on the surrounding mountains.

On the southwest shore of beautiful Kluane Lake is an area rich in First Nation's culture and history. Explore the native community of Burwash Landing, and the Kluane Museum of Natural History. Here you'll find a world-class wildlife exhibit, with realistic diorama displays of over 70 animals, birds and fish native to the Yukon, as well as displays of the Southern Tutchone First Nation peoples' artifacts, clothing and tools. Sheep Mountain Visitor Center is our first stop. Chances are you will spot some of the scarce snow-white dall sheep on the surrounding mountains.

 Lunch: At Beaver Creek, Canada’s most westerly community.
 Afternoon: Cross the border into Alaska, as you travel northwest to the small community of Tok. Local Native arts and crafts can be found readily here, and we'll stop for the night.

 Dinner: In Tok
 Evening: Presentation: Alaska Highway and World War II
   
Accommodations: Young's Motel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Tok to Valdez/ Wrangell-St. Elias National Park/ Worthington Glacier
(Saturday, September 8)
   
 Breakfast: At hotel
 Morning: Everything is big in the Yukon!

Skirt the Wrangell-St. Elias National National Park (a UNESCO world heritage site) throughout the morning, with breathtaking views along countless rivers, lakes, glaciers and finally the majestic Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Four major mountain ranges meet here, and in this high country, land is snow-covered year around resulting in extensive ice fields and glaciers.

 Lunch: Picnic lunch
 Afternoon: Valdez, or "Little Switzerland" as it is nicknamed, is our destination this afternoon. This charming little fishing port is situated on the Pacific coast. Crossing the coastal range via the Thompson Pass is spectacular, with thundering falls right next to the road. Stop just outside of Valdez at the Chugach Mountains to see the snowiest place in Alaska, recording 551.5 inches of snow a year on average.

Ready for a little hike? Worthington Glacier is one of the most accessible glaciers in Alaska, passing within a few feet of the parking lot and viewing shelter right off the Richardson Highway. Hike the one-mile Moraine Trail to get up-close to the blue ice. Explore the cracks and pools at the glacier terminus. Climb the Ridge Trail to explore the alpine tundra and drink in a spectacular view of the grand valley.

Arrive at Valdez, in its mesmerizing setting, enframed by mountain peaks and nestled along the sea coast. It's also the terminus for the famous Trans Alaska Pipeline, evidenced by the big oil tankers moving in and out of its harbor.

 Dinner: Restaurant in Valdez
 Evening: Presentation: Effects of Climate Change on Wildlife Populations
   
Accommodations: Mountain Sky Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Valdez to Whittier to Anchorage/ Ferry in Prince William Sound/ Portage Glacier/ Tidal Bores
(Sunday, September 9)
   
 Breakfast: At the hotel.
 Morning: Head out early today to catch our ferry on the Alaska Marine Highway, traveling the Prince William Sound. Without a doubt, this is a highlight among the scenic beauties of Alaska. The route is close to the Pacific coast, passing calving glaciers, the Columbia Glacier probably being the most spectacular of them all. Odds are you will spot a variety of wildlife. With a little luck you will be able to take pictures not only of otters and puffins, but of sea lions and even whales, too.
 Lunch: On the ferry
 Afternoon: Ashore again, travel through a series of tunnels beginning in Whittier, a photographer's paradise, and on to the Cook Inlet. The next stop is Portage, where we will view the Portage Glacier and explore the well-known Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, a refuge for orphaned and injured wildlife.

As you travel the Turnagain Arm along the Cook Inlet into Anchorage, you'll be passing through a massive inlet with the highest tidal bores in the world, rolling in at up to 35 feet. Along this journey look for Beluga whales riding the waves chasing salmon.

Get an overview of Alaska's largest city on our afternoon field trip.

 Dinner: Meal on own to explore local fare in Anchorage.
 Evening: Evening will be free for you to explore Anchorage at your leisure.
   
Accommodations: The Coast International Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7: Anchorage to Seward RoundTrip/ Kenai Fjords
(Monday, September 10)
   
 Breakfast: At the hotel
 Morning: Kenai Fjords in Seward are our destination today and a gem that cannot be missed! Kenai is the playground of Alaska, with its cascading waterfalls, crystal clear rivers and snow-capped mountains encompassing the city.

Travel along the Kenai Peninsula to Coopers Landing, viewing charming villages as we head to our destination of Seward.

 Lunch: In Seward
 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 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.

As the day at Seward closes, you'll head to the toe of Bear Glacier to catch the awesome sight of massive chunks of ice calving off. Then head back into Anchorage again for the evening.

 Dinner: In Seward
 Evening: Rest and refresh!
   
Accommodations: The Coast International Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Anchorage to Denali National Park/ Matanuska Valley/ Iditarod Musher
(Tuesday, September 11)
   
 Breakfast: At the hotel
 Morning: Leaving the Pacific coast region, travel today northbound to Denali National Park. Pass through the Matanuska Valley, a charming valley at the end of a glacial flood plain. You’ll clearly understand why it is called the breadbasket of Alaska, as you view the lush terrain dotted with cows, sheep, barns and silos. The breathtaking landscape offers constantly changing panoramic views with distant glaciers and beaver dams in the nearby river.

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 gain greater insight into how a large kennel works and the sport of dog sledding, as well as have the chance to see him hook up a team. As the dogs take off, you'll understand clearly that they "live to run!"

 Lunch: Restaurant in the quaint village of Talkeetna, home to legendary bush pilots.
 Afternoon: The afternoon will bring you to the Visitors Center at Denali National Park and then to your hotel. With time on your own this afternoon, take advantage of fascinating options such as a one-hour glacier flight to Mount McKinley, plus many other levels of outdoor activities of your choice.
 Dinner: Restaurant near Denali
 Evening: Rest and refresh!
   
Accommodations: Motel Nord Haven
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Denali National Park/ Incredible Wildlife Field Trip
(Wednesday, September 12)
   
 Breakfast: At the hotel
 Morning: Without a doubt this is another highlight of your 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 via a park-owned shuttle.
 Lunch: Picnic lunch at Eilson Visitor Center, where on a low pass you get a glimpse of 40-50 miles of Denali National Park.
 Afternoon: Get an amazing view of majestic Mount McKinley, 20,318 feet high, the highest mountain in the U.S.A, (weather permitting). It's also not uncommon to see wildlife on the surrounding hillsides at Eilson.

Denali National Park is probably the closest to an African Safari experience in North America that one would ever have outside of Africa, with the incredible variety of wildlife you will see. With a little luck, you will see wolves, Dall sheep, moose, caribou, coyotes, bald eagles and grizzly bears. Admire Wonder Lake, a beautiful and immense lake located in the middle of the park, where one often also finds a great variety of wildlife.

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

 Dinner: Restaurant near Denali
 Evening: On own to relax, explore, refresh
   
Accommodations: Motel Nord Haven
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Denali National Park to Fairbanks/ Alaska Railroad Museum/ Cruise on Chena River
(Thursday, September 13)
   
 Breakfast: At the hotel
 Morning: Back on the George Parks Highway, stop in Nenana, where the last spike of the Alaska Railroad was driven, to visit the Alaska Railroad Museum, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Fairbanks, about 198 miles south of the Arctic Circle, will be reached early in the afternoon.

 Lunch: Restaurant in Fairbanks.
 Afternoon: On you go for a cruise on the Chena River via sternwheeler. Explore a native fishing village, and watch a float plane taking off.

Mid-afternoon, stop by the University of Alaska at Fairbanks to learn about the aurora borealis from scientists at the Geophysical Institute. What causes those amazing colors? Why do researchers study it?

 Dinner: Dinner on own to explore local fare in Fairbanks.
 Evening: Evening on your own to explore Fairbanks. Perhaps you'd like to take a pleasant stroll along the Chena River!
   
Accommodations: Bridgewater Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 11: Fairbanks to Tok/ Museum of the North/Trans-Alaska Pipeline
(Friday, September 14)
   
 Breakfast: At the hotel
 Morning: Explore the magnificent University of Alaska/Fairbanks Museum of the North as we start the day, with its research collections containing 1.4 million artifacts and specimens, representing millions of years of biological diversity and thousands of years of cultural traditions in the North.

"Must-sees" are the 2,000 year spectrum of Alaska art, from ancient ivory carvings to contemporary paintings and sculpture; the state?s largest public display of gold; and Blue Babe, a 36,000-year-old mummified steppe bison.

Then on your way southbound, pass innumerable lakes and rivers in this beautiful landscape.

 Lunch: At Rika’s Roadhouse, located right by the river. You'll be transported back in time to "farm days," with the help of their living history impersonators.

 Afternoon: Continue on to Tok and the Trans-Alaska Pipeline comes into view, crossing the Tanana River right next to the highway. In Delta Junction, you arrive at the terminus of the Alaska Highway and visit the local visitor center.
 Dinner: Café in Tok
 Evening: Presentation: Native History and Culture
   
Accommodations: Young's Motel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12: Tok to Dawson City/ Spectacular Top of the World Highway
(Saturday, September 15)
   
 Breakfast: At the hotel
 Morning: It's going to be an exciting day scenery-wise! The journey continues via the Top of the World Highway, and 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 farther from civilisation than here between Tok and Dawson City. 100-mile views are a photographer's paradise from the Top of the World Highway.

Beyond the timberline, we will pass through beautiful tundra scenery and cross the border from Alaska back into the Yukon at Little Gold Creek. This is the highest crossing between the two coutries. On this stretch enjoy the strange sounding names of villages like Chicken and Action Wade Camp.

 Lunch: Picnic lunch en route
 Afternoon: In the afternoon, ferry across the Yukon River and arrive in Dawson, a national historic site. You've come to the heart of the 1898 Klondike Gold Rush.

You'll feel like you've taken a step back into history in Dawson, as the amazing atmosphere of turn-of-the-century excitement of the gold rush remains. The last great adventure of the era took place here, where in a brief period of 6 years, 50,000 people arrived to seek their fortune.

 Dinner: In Dawson City
 Evening: At Midnight Dome, high above Dawson City, watch the midnight sun and the changing colors of the night sky. Remember 18-20 hours of sun will be normal during your travels!
   
Accommodations: Westmark Inn Dawson City
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13: Dawson City/ Gold Diggers Museum/ Pan for Gold/ Diamond Tooth Gerties
(Sunday, September 16)
   
 Breakfast: At the hotel
 Morning: Enjoy a full day in Dawson City. Begin with a field trip exploring the city?s history, gold fields and dredge operation. The remarkable Dawson City Gold Diggers Museum is a "must," as we round out the morning.
 Lunch: Restaurant in Dawson City
 Afternoon: 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, and you’ll have your own chance to pan for gold!

Exploration of Bonanza Creek, and the Jack London cabin are on the agenda following our gold-panning fun.

Afterwards you may want to stroll around town with its lovely buildings, some of them still original, some affectionately restored.

 Dinner: Restaurant in Dawson City
 Evening: "Diamond Tooth Gerties Casino and Cancan" dance girls are on your entertainment card for the evening.
   
Accommodations: Westmark Inn Dawson City
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14: Dawson City to Whitehorse/ Mighty Yukon River
(Monday, September 17)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel
 Morning: Today, we’ll follow the mighty Yukon River, one of the longest waterways in North America at about 1,988 miles, back to Whitehorse via the Klondike Highway. Meander by Gold Rush-era villages, and stop at a quaint lodge for coffee.
 Lunch: Picnic lunch en route
 Afternoon: Stop at the infamous Five Finger Rapids - mighty rapids posing a threat to many sternwheelers navigating the Yukon in the past. Take a 1 mile walk right above the rocks on the river for a great view.
 Dinner: Final dinner in Whitehorse celebrating our adventure!
 Evening: Share your personal highlights of the trip, and think about where your next adventure will take you…back to other great sites in the wilds of Alaska or the Yukon we hope!
   
Accommodations: High Country Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15: Farewells/ Departure
(Tuesday, September 18)
   
 Breakfast: At the hotel
 Morning: Our staff will provide transfers to the airport. Thanks for coming to the "Land of the Midnight Sun!"
   
Meals Included: Breakfast

Free Time Opportunities
  
  Whitehorse, Yukon Copperbelt Railway and Mining Museum
Ride into history on a genuine mining locomotive. Discover the pivotal role of copper and rail in Whitehorse history. Open daily June to Sept. Covered picnic and play area. Location: 91928 Alaska Highway, Whitehorse Y1A 5B7 Phone: 1 (867) 667-6198 For additional information, visit www.yukonrails.com
  MacBride Museum of Yukon History
Yukon adventure starts here! From gold rush fever to the birth of Whitehorse, the MacBride Museum offers a complete view of the people and events that built Canada’s Yukon. Gold panning! Family Fun! Open all year. Location: 1124 First Avenue Whitehorse Y1A 1A4 Phone: 1 (867) 667-2709 For additional information, visit www.macbridemuseum.com
  Old Log Church Museum
Experience Yukon’s spirited history within one of the oldest buildings in Whitehorse. Carry away a sense of the passion of the early pioneers and missionaries who helped shape Yukon’s history. Location: Third Avenue and Elliott Street Whitehorse Y1A 6K8 Phone: 867-668-2555 For additional information, visit www.oldlogchurchmuseum.ca
  Waterfront Trolley
Rolling alongside the Yukon River on our 1925 trolley is a delightful way to hear the fascinating stories of Whitehorse and the Yukon River. Open June to September. Location: 1127 First Avenue Whitehorse, YT Y1A 0G5 Phone: (867) 667-6355 For additional information, visit www.yukonrails.com
  Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre
Explore the Ice Age history of the Yukon. Meet Woolly Mammoths and other large extinct animals. Hunt in our spear-throwing range. Enjoy our two films. Guided tours. Open daily May to September. Location: Km 1423 Alaska Highway Whitehorse Y1A 1H2 Phone: 1 (867) 667-8855 For additional information, visit www.beringia.com
  Yukon Transportation Museum
A Moving Experience. True Yukon stories live here. Come and experience big, impressive modes of transportation—dramatic, authentic, and personal stories of Yukon ingenuity and self-sufficiency. Location: Beside the Whitehorse Airport, 30 Electra Crescent Whitehorse Y1A 6E6 Phone: (867) 668-4792 For additional information, visit www.goytm.ca
  Yukon Wildlife Preserve
The Yukon Wildlife Preserve, located 25 minutes north of Whitehorse, offers visitors self-guided walking and skiing tours, as well as interpretive bus tours, while viewing 10 major species of northern animals in their natural habitat. Location: Km 8 (Mile 5) Takhini Hotsprings Road Whitehorse Y1A 7A2 Phone: 1 (867) 456-7300 For additional information, visit www.yukonwildlife.ca
  Anchorage, AK Alaska Native Heritage Center
Alaska's premier Alaska Native cultural center. The center shares the heritage of Alaska's 11 major cultures. Visitors experience Alaska Native cultures first-hand through stories, dance and more. Location: 8800 Heritage Center Dr. Anchorage, AK 99504-6100 Phone: 907-330-8000 For additional information, visit www.alaskanative.net
  Anchorage Museum
A world-class museum in downtown Anchorage. The state's largest museum includes the Alaska History Gallery, Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center, science exhibits, shop and full-service restaurant. Location: 625 C St. Anchorage, AK 99501-3544 Phone: 907-929-9201 For additional information, visit www.anchoragemuseum.org
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


After the Ice Age: The Return of Life to Glaciated North America


Author: E. C. Pielou


Alaska: An American Colony


Author: Stephen Haycox


All poetry by


Author: Robert Service


Call of the Wild


Author: Jack London


Gold Diggers: Striking it Rich in the Klondike


Author: Charlotte Gray


Klondike: The Last Great Goldrush


Author: Pierre Berton




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