SDR 10 Alaska & Yukon Self Drive Tour

14 Days Alaska and Yukon Driving Tour
Discover the sights and magical places of Alaska and the Yukon. Follow the goldrush trail from Fairbanks, Dawson City, Whitehorse to Skagway. Go hiking in Denali and Kluane National Park and admire the endless vistas of the "Top of the World" Highway.

Day 1: Anchorage

Arrive in Anchorage during the day. Pick up your rental car and check in your hotel in downtown Anchorage. Spend the remaining afternoon to visit the sights of the Alaskan City, explore the busy downtown area or stroll along the coastal trail with splendid views of Mt. Denali and the "Sleeping Lady". We can arrange a guided city sightseeing tour upon request.

Day 2: Anchorage - Denali National Park

Leave Anchorage and drive north on the Parks Highway towards Matanuska Valley. Stopover at Talkeetna whose wilderness location at the base of Mt. Denali and at the confluence of three wild rivers makes an ideal center for outdoor enthusiasts, climbers, and tourists. The mountains, rivers, glaciers, and meadows in the area provide superb sightseeing, especially by air. Ask us for the different flightseeing trips offered to Mt. Denali including an optional glacier landing. The highway travels across Broad Pass, one of the lowest summits along the North American mountain system, but feeling very top-of-the-world, with its alpine valleys and mountain peaks on either side. Continue to Denali Village at the border of Denali National Park.

Day 3: Denali National Park Wildlife Tour

Today experience the wildlife and wonderful sceneries of Alaska's Denali National Park. In the morning drive to Denali Visitor Center where your wildlife tour begins. Pick up your pre-reserved tickets and explore the center if time allows. Board the bus, sit back, enjoy the scenery and look out for wildlife. Your driver informs you about the history of Denali National Park, its diverse wildlife and flora. Once a bear, caribou or another animal has been spotted the bus will stop that everyone can watch and take pictures. Your wildlife tour runs all the way to Eielson Visitor Center, a four hour drive or to Wonder Lake - on request. You can get off the bus anytime you wish and take a stroll, go hiking and enjoy Denali's unique landscape. By hand signal the next available bus will stop for you to get on. Return to Denali Village in the evening.

Day 4: Denali National Park - Fairbanks

Today leave Denali National Park and drive further north to Fairbanks. Visit a former gold mine, cruise aboard a sternwheeler on the Chena River or view the Alaska Pipeline. Fairbanks offers the chance to fly in a bush mail plane over Alaska's vast, roadless interior. Enjoy the scenic flight above the Arctic Circle and experience how the Gwich'in Athabascan Natives live in "Bush" Alaska. Put your hand in the Yukon River, travel through the Wetlands and crest the rounded peaks of the Northern Edge of the Alaska Range looking out for moose and dall sheep. Overnight in Fairbanks.

Day 5: Fairbanks - Dawson City

Drive south along the Alaska Pipeline towards Tok. From here an adventure begins as you travel on the gravel road towards the town of "Chicken". Enjoy scenic views from the "Top of the World" Highway before crossing the mighty Yukon River and reaching Dawson City. Enjoy the long daylight hours and stroll through the historic townsite or along the banks of the Yukon River.

Day 6: Dawson City

There is much to do and explore in the Dawson City area. Visit the gold fields, pan for gold and take a guided tour of the Gold Dredge #4. Drive up to the Dome and enjoy amazing vistas of the Dawson area. In the evening join the "Diamond Tooth Gertie's" gambling hall and show, recreating a atmosphere of a goldrush saloon at the turn of the century.

Day 7: Dawson City - Whitehorse

Say goodbye to Dawson City. As you drive along the Klondike Highway you pass through the small communities of Stewart Crossing, Pelly, and Carmacks. Stop at the Five Finger Rapids and walk down to the Yukon River. Here you can linger just a little longer before finishing your drive to Whitehorse.

Day 8: Whitehorse - Skagway

On your way to Skagway you pass through the historic community of Carcross and past the ruins of the Venus Mine on Windy Arm of Tagish Lake. Near the summit of the Klondike Highway Pass you'll encounter a scene that resembles a moonscape more than any earthly vista. Ancient, twisted trees cling to rocks polished smooth by prehistoric glaciers, or crumbled by years of erosion. Myriad waterfalls, several glaciers and glimpses of the White Pass Railroad and White Pass Trail are among the highlights of the drive from the summit to seaside Skagway.

Day 9: Skagway

A place exists in Alaska where the past lives on, where the cries of "gold in the Yukon" still echo from steep canyon walls, where the sounds of barroom pianos and boomtown crowds ring out in the night. Explore the romance and excitement of yesteryear still lingering around every street corner. Don't miss a ride on the White Pass & Yukon Railroad and join a historic walking tour of Skagway (free) hosted by the local guides.

Day 10: Skagway - Haines - Kluane National Park

This morning board the ferry for a scenic trip across Lynn Canal. From Haines continue on to Kluane National Park, a natural treasure and World Heritage Site. Encompassing breathtaking views of lush valleys, mountain ranges and the world's largest non-polar icefields, the park offers many hiking and walking trails. Tip! Free escorted hiking tours are organized by local Kluane naturalist guides.

Day 11: Kluane National Park - Tok

After leaving Haines Junction drive besides the shores of scenic Kluane Lake. Stop at Mount Wallace, better known as Sheep Mountain where you have the chance to spot the rare white dall sheep. Continue on the Alaska Highway, cross the Alaska border in Beaver Creek and travel towards Tok, home of one of the best breed of husky dogs.

Day 12: Tok - Valdez

The Glen Highway offers a impressive scenery of the Wrangell Mountains. Visit the historic roadhouse in Copper Center before the Washington Glacier peeps into view. Arrive in Valdez, gateway to Alaska's Prince William Sound and southern terminus of the Trans-Alaska oil pipeline. High waterfalls, roughed scenery and magnificent peaks have given this region the name "little Switzerland". Overnight in Valdez.

Day 13: Valdez - Prince William Sound - Anchorage

This morning board the Alaska ferry for a scenic cruise across the Prince William Sound to Whittier. Along the way you will pass chunks of ice floating from the Columbia Glacier. Listen to the interpretation and programs of the National Forest Ranger. Upon arrival in Whittier drive through Whittier Tunnel and stop at Portage Glacier. Continue along Seward highway traveling past saltwater bays, ice blue glaciers and alpine valleys. You have a great chance to spot a bear, moose and dall sheeps along the way. Arrive in Anchorage and check in your hotel. Spend the last evening visiting one of Anchorage excellent seafood restaurants.

Day 14: Anchorage

Take the last chance to shop for the some souvenirs before returning your rental car at the airport.

Services Included