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Route AA3: Alaska & Yukon Adventure
Explore the most spectacular places of Alaska & Yukon. Follow in the footsteps of the first miners who travelled these lands during the Klondike Gold Rush of 1898, and those of the first Russian, British and Spanish explorers, discovering the marvels with which Mother Nature has blessed these northern regions.
Starting and ending in Anchorage, some of the highlights include Denali National Park, the Top of the World Highway, Dawson City, Kluane National Park, Prince William Sound, Valdez, and Kenai Fjords National Parks.
Route - 16 days/15 nights
Anchorage - Anchorage (1 night) - Talkeetna (1 night) - Denali (2 nights) - Tok (1 night) - Dawson City (2 nights) - Whitehorse (1 night) - Kluane (2 nights) - Tok (1 night) - Valdez (1 night) - Seward (2 nights) - Anchorage (1 night) - Anchorage
Dates 2012
- Daily departures from Anchorage.
- Regular Season: June 1 - August 31, 2012
For travel end of May or early September, please contact us! Discounts available but exact route and inclusions may vary.
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival Anchorage
Arrival at the Anchorage Airport or in Anchorage where you will be welcomed by one of our representatives. He/she will take you to the rental car location (airport or downtown) where you will pick up your vehicle. It is also a chance to go over the itinerary and any last minute questions. After check-in at your centrally-located hotel, you may have time for a stroll through the downtown area of Anchorage, economic centre and largest city in Alaska. Also worth visiting is Lake Hood, a float plane base which sees over 1,000 landings and take-offs daily.
Night in Anchorage. Approx. 50 KM.
Day 2 Anchorage - Talkeetna
From Anchorage you will travel north. Stop in Eklutna to visit its unique orthodox cemetery and wooden church. Today's journey will take you through the fertile Matanuska Valley, famous for its plentiful crops and giant vegetables. If the weather is clear, we suggest a scenic detour through the Hatcher Pass offering incredible views of the valley and plenty of opportunities for short hikes (note the road is for 4x4s only and only recommended if surface is quite dry). Continuing along the Susitna River valley you will arrive at the adorable, artistic town of Talkeetna. Serving also as a base for expeditions up Mount McKinley, it is often referred to as the flightseeing capital of the world, with various companies offering flights up and around "the big one", some landing on the glaciers themselves. Another option for the late afternoon is a jet boat excursion (optional) through the rivers weaving their way around Talkeetna, with opportunities to spot bears, eagles, and moose, as well as the towering McKinley in the distance if the weather allows.
Night in Talkeetna. Approx. 180 km.
Day 3 Talkeetna - Denali National Park
Last opportunity this morning for a panoramic flight or river tour from Talkeetna. You will continue north to Denali National Park, home to Mount McKinley (also known as Denali, "the big one", in the local native tongue). It is the highest mountain in North America. Keep your fingers crossed for good weather as your view of the famous mountain comes closer and closer into view. After check-in at your lodge or cabin, we suggest a rafting excursion on the Nenana River (optional) or visiting the Denali Visitors Center near the entrance of the park.
Night in Denali area. Approx. 240 km.
Day 4 Denali National Park
Today you will participate in the official, guided Tundra Wilderness Tour into Denali National Park. The 6-8 hour tour will give you the chance to observe, with a little luck, a variety of wildlife, including bears, elk, caribou, and wolves. The tour will get you extremely close to the mountain you have come all this way to see. You will have another opportunity for rafting this afternoon as well. This evening some might opt for some dinner theatre at the local "Alaskan Cabin Night" (optional).
Night in Denali area. Approx. 50 km.
Day 5 Denali - Fairbanks - Tok
Today you travel further north past the town of Nenana, known for its unique lottery. Anyone can participate by estimating the day, time and exact minute of the thaw of the Tanana River. Arriving in Fairbanks, we recommend exploring the city center and perhaps heading out for a boat excursion on the Chena & Tanana Rivers. Further along the route stops include the small town of North Pole, and all its Christmas fare, and Delta Junction and the "Mile 0" monument, which represents the official end of the legendary Alaska Highway. This highway of more than 2,000 km was constructed in a record time of 8 months during World War II.
Night in Tok. Approx. 530 km.
Day 6 Tok - Dawson City
Today you make your way to the Alaska-Yukon border. The journey takes you along the stunning Top of the World Highway. Built on permafrost, tremendous efforts are made every spring to maintain this roadway. From taiga to tundra, it is one of most attractive and solitary routes on the north American continent. Abandoned houses and machinery, left-overs from the gold rush, provide ample photo opportunities. This evening you arrive in Dawson City, the "Paris of the North".
Night in Dawson City. Approx. 300 km.
Day 7 Dawson City
This morning you will get a chance to look for gold on a guided visit of an active gold mine (included) on the outskirts of town. During the afternoon, we suggest a walking tour of this restored, former mining town. In the evening, check out the famous musical spectacle at the Diamond Tooth Gerties Saloon & Casino. Try your luck at roulette or black jack in a genuine wild west ambience.
Night in Dawson City. Approx. 50 km.
Day 8 Dawson City - Whitehorse
We suggest an early start today as you following the Klondike Highway south, passing through the Silver Trail area. Abandoned towns and native village are scattered along this route. You will follow a section of the mighty Yukon River, over 3,000 km long, and we recommend stop to view the famous "5 Finger Rapids". Finish your day in Whitehorse, capital of the Yukon.
Night in Whitehorse. Approx. 530 km.
Day 9 Whitehorse - Kluane National Park
Explore Whitehorse this morning and the famous Miles Canyon. We also recommend a visit to the historic vessel S.S. Klondike in town, before heading west to Kluane National Park. Stop in Haines Junction and the visitor's centre for Kluane National Park. Grab a coffee at the local bakery and café across the road.
Night in Kluane area. Approx. 180 km.
Day 10 Kluane National Park
A full day dedicated to exploring the national park. We suggest a short hike into the park and a visit to Kathleen Lake. The area also offers various other exciting activities on an optional basis: incredible rafting on the Tatshenshini River, or a panoramic flight over the interior of the park and the highest mountain in Canada, Mt. Logan, at 5,959 metres.
Night in Kluane area. Approx. 50 km.
Day 11 Kluane National Park - Tok
Continue north on the Alaska Highway, past the Kluane Lake. We recommend a stop at the Sheep Mountain Visitors Centre, in the heart of Dall sheep territory. A short hike at Soldiers Summit is also worthwhile for awesome views of the lake. Another obligatory stop in Tok for the night to rest up.
Night in Tok. Approx. 400 km.
Day 12 Tok - Wrangell-St.Elias National Park - Valdez
From Tok you will head south towards Wrangell-St.Elias National Park. Scenic views along this route that skirts the western edge of the national park. You may observe the ingenious fishing "wheels" used by the natives in the many rivers in the area, famous for their Red Salmon. A suggested stop for a rest and possibly lunch in Copper Center, on the banks of the Copper River, another former mining centre. Visit the smallest church in Alaska, the Little Chapel on the Hill. Continue your journey south through the Chugach Mountains, passing the Worthington Glacier and numerous waterfalls along the route. By early afternoon you will reach the town of Valdez, known as the little Switzerland of the North. Locked in by mountains and the sea, the Trans Alaska Pipeline ends here. Explore the surrounding area and look for spawning salmon in the coastal riverbeds. You may be lucky and spot a bear or two feeding.
Night in Valdez. Approx. 400 km.
Day 13 Valdez - Prince William Sound - Seward
Board the ferry this morning and cruise across the upper reaches of Prince William Sound, past impressive glaciers and peaks, to the port of Whittier. Plenty of opportunity to observe marine life from the vessel. From Whittier, you will continue through the famous Anderson Tunnel which alternates vehicle & rail travel (controlled, wait times possible). Once on the other side, in Portage, we suggest visiting the Glacier Interpretation Center, before you continue south through the Chugach National Forest to Seward.
Night in Seward. Approx. 150 km.
Day 14 Seward & Kenai Fjords National Park
Start the day with a visit to the Alaska Sea Life Center (included) to gain some appreciation of the multitude of life that teems in these waters. Just before noon, you will board a vessel for a guided tour of Kenai Fjords National Park, where the highlight will most likely be the up-close views of immense glaciers as they crash into the ocean, although the observation of other sea life, including whales, orcas, porpoises, sea lions, and puffins is equally exciting for most! The tour includes a light lunch on board.
Night in Seward. Approx. 20 km.
Day 15 Seward - Anchorage
Leaving Seward this morning we recommend a stop at Exit Glacier. An easy trail leads you right up to this arm of the Harding Icefield. If you want more of a workout, hike the trail as high up as you can manage with the time you have. From Portage, follow the beautiful Turnagain Arm, a long bay where you can often spot Beluga whales feeding when the tide is up. The bay is also known for extreme tides. We recommend stopping at Bird Creek State Park for a great view and to check the tide tables on display. If your timing is good, you may want to wait for the bore wave to approach. Return to Anchorage by late afternoon.
Night in Anchorage. Approx. 200 km.
Day 16 Departure from Anchorage
Last chance to explore the city centre and its galleries, the Anchorage Museum, or the Native Heritage Center. Return your rental car at the airport or downtown. Until next time!
Includes
- 15 nights lodging (tourist/superior or superior/premier)
- Tundra Wilderness Tour in Denali National Park (6-8 hours with lunch/snack)
- Guided visit to an active gold mine, Dawson City
- Ferry from Valdez to Whittier (passengers & vehicle)
- Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise, Seward (6 hour with lunch/snack)
- Alaska SeaLife Center
- Vehicle rental (various class types)
- Reception at the Anchorage Airport or downtown upon arrival
- Reservation service for additional activities & tours
- Taxes and levies
Optional
- Panoramic flightseeing (Talkeetna, Kluane)
- Jet boat river excursion (Talkeetna)
- Rafting (Denali, Kluane)
- Dinner theatre "Alaskan Cabin Night" (Denali)
- River boat tour (Fairbanks)
