SDR 11 Alaska, Yukon & Dempster Highway

17 Days Alaska, Yukon & Dempster Highway Driving Tour
A rare opportunity to drive north of the Arctic Circle on your way to the Beaufort Sea. The Dempster Highway offers amazing wilderness scenery as it passes through a superb spectrum of landscapes. Continue your journey to Dawson City and Kluane National Park..

Day 1: Whitehorse - Skagway

Arrive in Whitehorse and pick up your rental car. On your way to Skagway you pass the historic community of Carcross and the Venus Mine at 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 2: 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 hosted by the local guides.

Day 3: 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 icefield, the park offers many hiking and walking trails. Tip! Free escorted hiking tours are organized by local Kluane naturalist guides.

Day 4: Kluane Park - Tok

After leaving Haines Junction drive along the shore 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, known as the "Sled dog Capital of Alaska".

Day 5: Tok - Denali Highway

From Gakona head north along the Richardson Highway, often paralleled by the Alaska pipeline. Soake up the raw beauty of the surrounding landscape. At Paxson turn onto the Denali Highway. The 135 mile long highway cuts through the wild heart of Alaska along the south side of the Alaska Range. The original road to Denali National Park winds along it offers hundreds of spectacular viewpoints of snow-covered mountains, free flowing rivers and countless lakes.

Day 6: Denali Highway - Denali National Park

You have time for plenty of sidetrips to explore archaeological sites, paddle wild rivers or hike the alpine tundra. The Tangle Lakes region is a land of tundra-covered rolling hills forms the divide between two wild and scenic rivers, the Delta and the Gulkana. The area is home to a fabulous diversity of wildlife. Moose, black and grizzly bears, and caribou roam the open spaces and forests. Overnight near the entrance of the Denali National Park.

Day 7: Denali National Park

Today experience the wildlife and wonderful sceneries of the Denali National Park. In the morning drive to the 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 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 the landscape. By hand signal the next available bus will stop for you to get on.

Day 8: Denali National Park - Fairbanks

In the morning leave Denali National Park and drive onwards to Fairbanks. Stopover at Nenana, once a traditional gathering place for Athabascan Indian. Continue to Fairbanks the "Golden Heart City" where you can visit a former gold mine, cruise aboard a sternwheeler on the Chena River and view the Alaska Pipeline.

Day 9: 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 10: 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 11: Dawson City - Eagle Plains

Highlight today is the drive on the Dempster highway. The 450 mile long gravel road connects the Klondike highway with the Arctic regions of the Yukon and Northwest Territories. The Dempster runs through the park offering spectacular views and the tundra environment is like nowhere else in Canada. Watch for Dall sheep on the mountain slopes of the Angelcomb. Continue to the Tombstone Mountain viewpoint where you have an amazing view of the prominent 2,193 metre peak of Tombstone Mountain. Overnight at Eagle Plains, halfway point of the Dempster highway.

Day 12: Eagle Plains - Inuvik

Enjoy views of the unglaciated Richardson Mountains before crossing the Arctic Circle. At this point on June 21, the sun never dips below the horizon over the entire 24 hour day. Cross the Peel River and Mackenzie River by ferry before you reach Inuvik, the end of the Dempster highway. Inuvik is located 2 degrees above the Arctic Circle on the scenic Mackenzie River and Delta.

Day 13: Inuvik

This Inuvik (place of people) is the homeland of the Inuvialuit and Gwich'in. Explore the area and take a day tour to Tuktoyaktuk and Aklavik or to Herschel Island. Herschel Island protects a unique combination of natural and human heritage and is haven for fish and marine mammals.

Day 14: Invuik - Eagle Plains

Say good-bye to Inuvik as you start your return trip on the Dempster Highway. Crossing the Peel River Plateau, enjoy the views of the Richardson Mountains, Mackenzie Delta, Peel River Valley and Fort McPherson. After driving over the Continental Divide and the Arctic Circle you overnight once more at Eagle Plains.

Day 15: Eagle Plains - Mayo

Return to the Klondike Highway and head south. At the small community of Stewart Crossing you head onto the "Silver Trail" to Mayo, once a thriving mining district. The paved two-lane highway passes through moose habitat and offers beautiful views of the Stewart River. Overnight in Mayo.

Day 16: Mayo - Whitehorse

Today you can visit the end of the Silver Trail - Keno City, Yukon's colorful frontier mining town. Visit Keno City Mining Museum, Keno City Alpine Interpretive Centre and drive up Keno Hill for panoramic views from the signpost. Return to the Klondike Highway and stopover at the famous Five Finger Rapids. Here you can walk down to the Yukon River and watch the rapids up close. Linger just a little longer before finishing your drive to Whitehorse.

Day 17: Whitehorse

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

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