Road Scholar : Home
Alaska and Yukon Landscapes: Discovery Hikes and Adventures

Program Number: 20527RJ
Start and End Dates:
6/15/2013 - 6/29/2013; 8/24/2013 - 9/7/2013;
Duration: 14 nights
Location: Whitehorse, Yukon
Price starting at: $5,895.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Walking/Hiking; National Parks; On the Road Activity Level: t (see description)
Meals: 40; 14 Breakfasts, 12 Lunches, 14 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian    

Explore the stunning landscapes of Alaska and the Yukon on this unique adventure. Sparkling glaciers, snowy mountain peaks, deep fjords and lush forests unfold before you each day on hikes amid breathtaking views. Feel yourself surrounded by the history and excitement of the Gold Rush as you stroll the quaint streets of Dawson City, and then journey to the Top of the World Highway, named for its vast, 100-mile panoramic views of the Land of the Midnight Sun. Enjoy the still-thriving frontier lifestyle as you meet an Iditarod dog musher and his huskies, and immerse yourself in the charm, culture and history of modern-day Anchorage and Whitehorse.




Highlights

• Hike in Kluane National Park, home to more than half of the highest peaks in Canada.
• Spot an incredible range of wildlife, including wolves, Dall sheep, moose and grizzly bears, on a full day in Denali National Park.
• Ferry in the Kenai Fjord and watch whales chasing for salmon.



Activity Particulars

Moderate hiking with light day pack 3-9 miles, 4-8 hours. Elevations up to 4,127 feet. Extensive road trips between hike locations by maxi van.




Date Specific Information

6-15-2013, 8-24-2013

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



Itinerary Summary

Arrival Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, 2 nights; maxi van to Skagway, Alaska, 1 night; ferry to Haines, Alaska, 1 night; maxi van to Haines Junction, Yukon, 1 night; maxi van to Whitehorse, 1 night; maxi van to Dawson City, 2 nights; maxi van to Tok, Alaska, 1 night; maxi van to Denali National Park/Healy, 2 nights; maxi van to Seward, 2 nights; maxi van to Anchorage, 1 night; departure.



Coordinated by Road Scholar.




Skagway

The Klondike Gold Rush of 1897 took Skagway by storm as prospectors poured in seeking riches. Today, this seaside town in the southwest Alaskan corner retains much of its mining era charms, including a historic downtown and narrow-gauge railroad.



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.



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.



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.



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.



Seward

Situated at the head of Resurrection Bay on the Kenai Peninsula, Seward is one of Alaska’s oldest and most picturesque communities. Founded in 1903, it is named for William H. Seward, the Secretary of State who negotiated the purchase of Alaska (originally derided as “Seward’s Folly”). Seward serves as a gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park.



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
Comfortable inns, hotels and motels in pristine environs.
Meals and Lodgings
   High Country Inn
  Whitehorse, Yukon 2 nights
   Westmark Inn Skagway
  Skagway, AK 1 night
   Captain's Choice Motel
  Haines, AK 1 night
   Alcan Motor Inn
  Haines Junction, Yukon 1 night
   High Country Inn
  Whitehorse, Yukon 1 night
   Westmark Inn Dawson City
  Dawson City, Yukon 2 nights
   Young's Motel
  Tok, AK 1 night
   Motel Nord Haven
  Healy, AK 2 nights
   Breeze Inn
  Seward, AK 2 nights
   The Coast International Inn
  Anchorage, AK 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 Please make reservations for additional nights by email- reservations@yukonhotels.com. Refer to booking code RSAYE3 when booking additional nights.
  Check in time: 3:00 PM

 Westmark Inn Skagway
Type: Inn
  Description: Close to shopping and entertainment and adjacent to the historic district
  Contact info: Third and Spring Streets
Skagway, AK 99840-0515 USA
phone: 907-983-6000
web: www.westmarkhotels.com/skagway.php
  Room amenities: 151 guestrooms with cable TV, in-room hair dryers and coffee makers.
  Facility amenities: Free Internet access in lobby for hotel guests. Onsite bar and grill.
  Smoking allowed: Yes

 Captain's Choice Motel
Type: Motel
  Contact info: 108 2nd Ave N
Haines, AK 99827 USA
phone: 907-766-3111
  Smoking allowed: No

 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

 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

 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

 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

 Breeze Inn
Type: Inn
  Description: Breeze Inn is also in the heart of Seward’s busy small boat harbor on Resurrection Bay, within walking distance of most of the activities of this beautiful coastal town.
  Contact info: 303 North Harbor Drive
Seward, AK 99664 USA
phone: 907-224-5237
web: www.breezeinn.com/index.php
  Room amenities: All rooms have cable TVs, refrigerators, coffee makers and complimentary wifi.
  Facility amenities: Meeting space, onsite restaurant and lounge.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes

 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
  Additional nights after: call for best available Reservations can be made by contacting Jack Perry, the manager of the Coast International Hotel. Contact Jack by email (jperry@intlinnanchorage.com) or by phone (907-243-2233). Be sure to mention you are with the "Road Scholar Landscapes Tour."
  Check out time: 12:00 PM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Hotel check-in begins at 3:00 PM. Program begins at 6:00 P.M. You will be staying at High Country Inn that night.
  End of Program:
10:00 AM after breakfast. Hotel checkout by 12:00 PM. You will be staying at The Coast International 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:  Anchorage, AK
  Nearest airport:  Anchorage International Airport
Travel Details
 

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.
 

The Coast International Inn, Anchorage, AK

 

To Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Hotel Shuttle
The Coast International Inn
phone: 907-243-2233

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Free
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

10 minutes 
 

Distance:

 

2 miles
   

Shuttle available 24 hours per day. Make arrangements for the shuttle with the front desk staff at the hotel.
 

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 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/Orientation/ Presentation on Highlights of Our Upcoming Adventure
(Saturday, August 24)
   
 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.
   
Accommodations: High Country Inn
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Whitehorse Exploration
(Sunday, August 25)
   
 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.
   
Accommodations: High Country Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Whitehorse to Skagway/Astounding White Pass Railway
(Monday, August 26)

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.
   
Accommodations: Westmark Inn Skagway
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Skagway to Haines, AK
(Tuesday, August 27)

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.
   
Accommodations: Captain's Choice Motel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Haines to Haines Junction
(Wednesday, August 28)
   
 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
   
Accommodations: Alcan Motor Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Haines Junction to Whitehorse
(Thursday, August 29)

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
   
Accommodations: High Country Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Whitehorse to Dawson City
(Friday, August 30)
   
 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.
   
Accommodations: Westmark Inn Dawson City
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Dawson City/Tombstone Mountain Hike
(Saturday, August 31)

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
   
Accommodations: Westmark Inn Dawson City
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Dawson City to Tok
(Sunday, September 1)
   
 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
   
Accommodations: Young's Motel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Tok to Denali National Park
(Monday, September 2)
   
 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!)
   
Accommodations: Motel Nord Haven
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: Denali National Park
(Tuesday, September 3)
   
 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
   
Accommodations: Motel Nord Haven
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12: Denali National Park to Seward
(Wednesday, September 4)
   
 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
   
Accommodations: Breeze Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13: Seward
(Thursday, September 5)

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
   
Accommodations: Breeze Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14: Seward to Anchorage
(Friday, September 6)
   
 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!
   
Accommodations: The Coast International Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 15: Anchorage/Farewells
(Saturday, September 7)
   
 Breakfast: At the hotel
 Morning: Farewell!

Transfer to the airport by hotel shuttle.

Thanks for joining our adventure!
   
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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