22 Day Yukon and Alaska Gold Rush Canoe, Van Tour RRA13 Print

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22 Day Yukon & Alaska Gold Rush Tour
Adventure ID: RRA13
Location: Yukon Territory, Alaska
Activity: canoe, hiking, eco-tourism, camping
Lodging: hotel & camping
Fitness Level: 2
Price: $2645 CAD plus 7% GST (federal tax)
optional additional costs: add $395 (+ 7%) for single room and tent

Summary
Are you ready for an adventure that leads you into one of the worlds most remarkable wilderness regions? If yes, come and explore with us Canada's Yukon and Alaska and relive the Gold Rush of 1898! Discover the land of the midnight sun, the land of the magic and mystery, the land of rivers, deep blue lakes and magnificent alpine scenery. The land that inspired both Jack London and Robert Service to write their stories and poems, the land which created their characters who are still around out here - come and see it for yourself.

This canoe-van combination tour begins with a 9 day canoe expedition down the Teslin and Yukon Rivers. Far from civilization, paddle down these mighty streams deep into the wilderness. Follow the trail of history, explore abandoned settlements and find relics from the gold rush trail. Wildlife is abundant: black bear, moose and bald eagles. All meals are prepared on open camp fires, and fresh trout, pike or grayling enliven the day's menu.
Explore Dawson City, once the heart of the gold rush; visit a gold mine and Diamond Tooth Gertie's Gambling Hall. See the Tombstone Mountains from your campsite and experience sub-arctic mountain tundra above the timberline along the Alaska Range. Alaska Highlights include Kluane National Park with the world's largest non-polar icefields, a hiking trip into one of the high alpine valleys, home to dall sheep, moose, caribou and grizzly bear and a raft trip down the wild Tatshenshini River where the rich vegetation of the Alaskan coastline is in enormous contrast to the tundra of the Yukon. With a bit of luck you'll see seals, whales, bald eagles and giant Alaska brown bears.

Adventure Fit
Are you ready for an adventure that leads you into one of the worlds most remarkable wilderness regions? If you are, come and explore with Canada's Yukon as well as Alaska and relive the Gold Rush of 1898. Discover the land of the midnight sun, the land of the magic and mystery, the land of rivers, deep blue lakes and magnificent alpine scenery that inspired both Jack London and Robert Service to write their stories and poems The land which created their characters who are still around out here - come and see it for yourself.
There is no minimum or maximum age, but children must remain in the company of at least one of their parents. Each participant on our canoeing and rafting trips must be able to swim.

Additional Costs not included in package price
This adventure can include three optional side trips:

You may decide whether to participate in these activities any time up to their departure; there is no need to pre-book.

Wildlife
Black bears are quite common in the Yukon valley and are often seen by our guests. Watch the ridges of the cliffs along the river to spot the busy mammal. Moose are numerous in the forested foothills, and bald eagles nest along the river banks. Beavers are busy getting their winter supplies in, and several times we have seen grizzly bears strolling along the shoreline.

Languages Spoken
We tailor our guides to each group, right down to the language used. English? French? German? All you have to do is ask.

Itinerary Changes
Adventure travel is, after all, an adventure. Every attempt is made to adhere to published itineraries, but travelers must acknowledge and embrace the possibility of unexpected route and itinerary changes due to factors beyond the control of the operator.

Lodging
Hotel (4 nights); tent. Optional additional costs: add $495 (+ 7% GST) for a single room and tent

Pre & Post Trip Lodging Suggestions
Lodging for the nights prior to departure and following the package's conclusion is not included in the tour package cost.

Answers to Common Questions
Our expertise goes beyond just guiding. We co-ordinate airport transfers, set-up hotel accommodations and take care of many more individual needs, such as reservations for ferries and trains or organize flights with bush-planes and helicopters.

If you are not sure what you need to bring, simply ask us, and we will provide a list of everything you need to safely and comfortably enjoy your trip. We can even tailor trips to your desires. Remember, we have been doing this for years, so use our knowledge and experience to your advantage. We are available to answer questions, no matter how big or small your concern.

If you plan to do any fishing, you will require a valid fishing licence (about $20; we can assist you in obtaining one).

About Your Guides
We have been guiding visitors to the Yukon and Alaska for many years. We bring unmatched experience and a genuine love of the North to every trip we lead. Our guides are qualified to lead you into the deepest wilderness and knowledgeable enough to explain the rich history of the communities that dot the landscape.

Post Trip Suggestions
Your trip ends on day 22. We will deliver you to the airport in plenty of time for your return flight.

Environmental Perspective
The environment is what our livelihood is based on, so we work to protect the very special balance between Man and Nature, while providing you with a true northern natural experience. Because we limit the size of our groups, we are able to guarantee exclusive, one-of-a-kind experiences that will stay with you throughout your life. The small groups also help us ensure the environment goes unharmed.

Other Items
Please note that the tour operator requires you to sign and return to them an Agreement of Terms. You will receive this after booking.

Day 1
Arrival Whitehorse and meet group members. Take the opportunity to discover the capital of the Yukon; visit the SS Klondike, one of the last Yukon sternwheelers still around and the McBride Museum. Overnight in hotel.

Day 2 - 9
Van-transfer to Johnsons Crossing, start of canoe tour down the Teslin, later the Yukon River. We spend 9 days on these magnificent rivers, traveling downstream approximately 360 kilometers.

Day 10
Arrival in Carmacks on the Yukon River. We part with our canoes and travel by van via the Klondike Highway towards Dawson City.

Day 11
Discover Dawson City, the historic gold town and home of many legends. A visit to the Jack London and Robert Service cabins, the theatre and Diamond Tooth Gertie's Gambling Hall are on the program. We drive to the Bonanza and Eldorado Creeks and visit an active gold mine.

Day 13
There is spectacular hiking in this remarkable landscape of tundra and mountains. The Tombstone Mountains` unique moon landscape has provided early travelers in this region with an unmistakable landmark. We spend the evening around the campfire.

Day 14
We drive back to Dawson City and crossing the Yukon River by ferry. We travel via the Top of the World Highway towards Alaska, right through sub-arctic mountain tundra, above timberline. Today we pass the most northern US-border crossing at Little Gold Creek and small historic towns like Chicken, Action Jackson or Jack Wade.

Day 15
Via the Alaska Highway we cross the Alaska Border in Beaver Creek and drive beside the shores of scenic Kluane Lake. Mount Wallace, better known as Sheep Mountain is one of our stops. Here, you will be able to spot the rare white dall sheep and have the option of joining a helicopter glacier flight.

Day 16 - 17
Haines Junction, the gateway to Kluane National Park. We set up our base camp and explore the scenery of the Park during the next days. A hiking trip into one of the park's high alpine valleys may give us the chance to spot dall sheep, moose, caribou and grizzly bear. Depending on the level of interest among the passengers we can also organize a spectacular flight by bush plane over the immense glaciers of the park (optional). This adventure, over a virtually pristine wilderness, is especially spectacular during a clear day. With Haines Junction as a base one has a variety of options: What do you think of a horse back riding trip into the glaciated valley of the Alsek River? This area is simply an adventure wonderland.

Day 18
White water Rafting on the Tatshenshini River, a tumultuous rafting tour down this world famous river. Another highlight of the tour! We overnight at Million Dollar Falls Campground.

Day 19
We drive south via Haines Road to Haines, Alaska. We cross Chilkat Pass in a pristine landscape and follow the Chilkat River where during the autumn salmon migration, thousands and majestic bald eagles concentrate. We spend the rest of the day in front of the snow covered Chilkat Mountain Range. Haines is known as an important centre of the native Tlingit culture and one can watch Totem pole carvers at work as well as visit the local theater where ceremonial First Nations dances are performed.

Day 20
Via ferry we travel through the Lynn Canal and with luck we can see seals, whales, bald eagles and the giant Alaska brown bears, who make this area their home. Skagway, a hundred years ago the base camp for all Chilkoot Pass travelers, is a historic gold rush town. Many well preserved relics bear witness to its colorful past, including the head of the notorious Chilkoot Trail. In the evening one can relax and get a taste of the gold rush atmosphere in one of the period bars, for example the "Red Onion Saloon," once a brothel.

Day 21
Sightseeing in Skagway in the morning. Optional ride on the famous Whitepass railroad. During today's trip back to Whitehorse we will stop at the smallest desert in the world - the Carcross desert - and we will also admire Emerald Lake, called "Rainbow Lake" by the locals due to its sensational coloration. Overnight in hotel.

Day 22
Departure from Whitehorse; transfer to airport or connecting program.