Classic Yukon and Alaska | Fly drive holiday

Day 1

Whitehorse

Fly to Whitehorse from the UK, which may require an overnight in Vancouver or similar, which we will, of course arrange for you. On arrival in Whitehorse, collect your car and drive the short 40 minute journey to your downtown hotel.

2 nights in Whitehorse.

Day 2

Whitehorse

Today you have the day to explore Whitehorse and view the SS Klondike, learn the history of the city at the MacBride Museum or maybe take a half-day canoe trip on the Yukon River. Enjoy your evening and maybe live music in one of Whitehorse’s lively bars.

Day 3

Whitehorse to Skagway

Today’s journey will take you south along the Klondike Highway, one of Alaska’s most spectacular with Emerald Lake, Carcross desert and the small community of Carcross. You will cross the Yukon River Suspension bridge, providing amazing scenic views from above. You will cross the Canada/US border (passport and ESTA required) and continue to Skagway, which is part of Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park.

2 nights Skagway.

Day 4

Skagway

Today you have the opportunity to explore Skagway; a Summit excursion trip on the White Pass and Yukon Railway is a must. This forty mile round trip excursion climbs from tidewater at Skagway to the Summit of the White Pass – a 2,885 foot elevation. The fully 2.5 hours narrated tour in a vintage passenger car passes through two tunnels, over sky-high trestles and cascading waterfalls.

Day 5

Skagway to Haines Junction

Today you will head back north along the Klondike Highway to get to Haines Junction, back in the Yukon, for your overnight stop, and the best spot for viewing Kluane National Park. As the park is not accessible by road, we recommend you take a flightseeing tour for the best views and enjoyment of the park.

1 night Haines Junction

Day 6

Haines Junction to Tok

Today you will be heading northwest from Haines Junction back in to Alaska, along the shores of Kluane Lake. As it borders part of Kluane National Park, be sure to keep an eye out for wildlife. Cross the Canada/Alaska border once more and continue on to Tok.

1 night in Tok.

Day 7

Tok to Wasilla

Travel the Tok cutoff through scenic mountain and forest landscape to Glennallen and then you will continue on the scenic Glenn Highway to the Wasilla/Palmer area. Highlights today will include the Matanuska Glacier and Matanuska River Valley; guided glacier hikes and rafting tours are available. On reaching Palmer, you should visit the Musk Ox Farm or take in the hidden but beautiful Hatchers Pass Area.

1 night in Wasilla/Palmer.

Day 8

Wasilla to Seward

You will be back on the Glenn Highway today, heading south to Anchorage and continuing on the Seward Highway. Outside of Anchorage, travel along the scenic Turnagain Arm, known for its bore tides, where sometimes you can see beluga whales or Dall sheep along the highway. A great stop for lunch is the Alyeska Ski Resort in Girdwood. You can take a tram up Mt Alyeska for great views. or maybe stop at the Portage Glacier before arriving into in Seward where you will spend the next 2 nights.

2 nights in Seward

Day 9

Seward

On your full day in Seward, we recommend you take a wildlife and glacier cruise into scenic Kenai Fjords National Park. It’s a wonderful experience to get up so close to the glacier you can hear the ice cracking! Great opportunities to see a variety of marine wildlife, which will vary on the time of year.

Day 10

Seward to Anchorage

If you are looking for some more activity in Seward before heading to the bright lights of Anchorage, you can take a short hike to Exit Glacier which is an easy excursion, suitable for all. You will then be taking the 2-3 hour journey to Anchorage on the Seward Highway.

Anchorage is the large and cosmopolitan centre of Alaska. While not the capital of the state, it is the self-proclaimed gateway for many visitors. With almost 300,000 people calling it home, many people joke that the city is next door to the Alaska wilderness.  You’ll have time for a stroll around the nearby downtown city streets; the quaint log cabin Visitors Centre is a good place to start.

There are several great museums within the city, but the one truly great aspect of Anchorage is the amount of park space throughout the city.

1 night in Anchorage.

Day 11

Anchorage to Denali National Park

Today you will drive the Glenn Highway once more north toward Wasilla. Take time on the way to stop at the Alaska Native Heritage Centre and the Eklutna Indian Village. From Wasilla, continue on the Parks Highway north towards Denali National Park. Drive through the Matanuska-Susitna Valley and Denali State Park or take a side trip to the small gold mining community of Talkeetna – or talk to us about extending your stay to overnight in this fabulous little town – to take a flightseeing tour to the Alaska Range and Mt Denali .

2 nights Denali National Park entrance area

Day 12

Denali National Park

Today you will enjoy a full day bus tour into Denali National Park. This beautiful is inhabited by different animal species such as bears, caribou, moose, sheep, wolves and a variety of birds. The peak of Denali can be seen if the weather is clear.

We can also arrange for you to either spend a night at one of the hotels within the park and to then return to the park entrance the following day on a flightseeing tour, or alternatively you can take the bus tour in and fly out (subject to weather conditions) – ask us for details of these options.

Day 13

Denali National Park to Fairbanks

Today you will continue on the Parks Highway north to Fairbanks. Drive through incredible forest and mountain landscape as you drive through the communities of Healy, Nenana and Ester, an old mining camp.

1 night in Fairbanks

Day 14

Fairbanks to Tok

Today you will drive southeast on the Alaska/Canada highway to the border town of Tok. You will pass through the quaint towns of North Pole and Delta Junction. There are also views of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and the Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge along the route. This scenic drive also follows the Tanana River, one of Alaska’s longest.

1 night in Tok.

Days 15-16

Tok to Dawson City

You will be driving the amazing Top of the World highway today (partly gravel road) which brings you through spectacular backcountry and gold mining areas. When the highway reaches its highest elevation, you will get incredible views over the countryside. Before you reach Dawson City, you cross the Yukon River by state ferry. On arrival in Dawson City, you may feel you have gone back in time; this old Klondike city has a unique feel all of its own.

You will have a full day to explore the Klondike goldfields and enjoying the Gold Rush atmosphere of Dawson City. Visit Diamond Tooth Gertie’s casino, cruise down the Yukon River, or take a walking historical tour.

2 nights Dawson City.

Day 17

Dawson City to Whitehorse

Today you will travel the Klondike Highway east to Yukon’s capital city, Whitehorse. For part of the route, you will follow the Yukon River. You could stop and take the Silver Trail Highway to the silver mining area of Mayo and Keno City.

1 night in Whitehorse

Day 18

Whitehorse

Today you will be saying goodbye to Whitehorse and returning your car for your flight back home.