21D/20N - 2020 Alaska and Yukon: Full Circle

day 1 Arrive in Calgary

Your adventure begins as you arrive in Calgary – a metropolitan Albertan city with western flare. Transfer to your centrally located downtown hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure before starting your tour tomorrow morning.

day 2 Calgary – Grande Prairie
Meet your guide and fellow passengers this morning at a hearty welcome breakfast. Travel north and pass through Edmonton, Alberta’s bustling capital city. Onboard a luxurious and spacious coach, watch the beauty unfold through Northern Alberta as we travel through pristine wilderness and sprawling fields en route to Grand Prairie, the hub of Alberta’s Peace River Country.

day 3 Grande Prairie – Fort Nelson

Travel through the vast northern prairie region of Alberta en route to Dawson Creek, where the world famous Alaska Highway begins. Surrounded by untouched wilderness, snow-capped mountain tops and vast tundra, The Alaska Highway is known as the Legendary Road of the North. Continue on to British Columbia’s picturesque Peace Country with an abundance of natural history and agricultural land.

day 4 Fort Nelson – Watson Lake

Venture through peaceful valleys and alpine meadows and dip your toes in Liard Hot Pools, some of Canada’s best natural hot springs located in a lush boreal spruce forest. This evening, tour the spectacular Northern Lights Centre and experience natures’ greatest light show, the breathtaking Northern Lights. Watch in awe as the vibrant purple and green hues dance across the night sky.

day 5 Watson Lake – Whitehorse

The day begins at world famous Sign Post Forest. Travelers from around the world have been adding their own hometown signposts to this eclectic forest since 1942. Later, cross the longest bridge on the Alaskan highway, Nisutlin Bay Bridge, into Teslin, Yukon. Marvel at the snow-capped mountain tops and crystal clear lakes along the highway en route to Whitehorse, the capital city of Yukon. Familiarize yourself with Whitehorse on a guided Whitehorse City Tour, which includes stops at such as Miles Canyon, the Fish Ladder, and the SS Klondike Sternwheeler National Historic Site.

day 6 Whitehorse – Dawson City

Continue north on the peaceful Klondike Highway and pass stunning Lake Laberge. This picturesque highway offers plenty of wildlife viewing opportunities along the way. Take in the scenery with a stop to stretch your legs at the Carmacks Interpretive River Front Boardwalk, as well as an opportunity to enjoy the views of the beautiful Five Finger Rapids. Arrive in what was once the capital city of Yukon- Dawson City. Enjoy the sights of this enticing town steeped with Klondike Gold Rush history, featuring streets lined with vibrantly coloured store fronts. Tonight visit Diamond Tooth Gertie’s Gambling Hall, Canada’s oldest casino featuring Dawson City’s famous can-can girls.

day 7 Dawson City

Recreate history today as you experience an enormous Gold Mining Dredge, one of the largest wood hulled dredges in North America. Try your own hand at panning for your own fortune in gold. This afternoon relax and enjoy a leisurely afternoon as you explore the boardwalk shops of this town and marvel at the gold crazed frenzy of Dawson City’s past.

day 8 Dawson City – Tok

Today, we travel over the Top of the World Highway, an unforgettably breathtaking highway winding along the tops of mountains with panoramic views of Alaska and the Yukon. Stop at the unique small town of Chicken named after the state bird – the Ptarmigan. Continue on Tok, the trade centre for several Athabascan Native villages.

day 9 Tok – Fairbanks

Journey to the North Pole, Alaska, today. Mail your post cards from this iconic and charming town, and pay a visit to Santa Claus’ house. Continue on to Fairbanks, affectionately known for its pristine lakes, captivating sunrises, and rich Alaskan Native culture. Board the Sternwheeler Discovery this afternoon for an unforgettable cruise of the Chena and Tanana Rivers where you will learn about ancient Athabascan Indian culture on a personalized tour of the Chena Native Village. Tonight, visit Alaskaland for a delicious baked salmon dinner, followed by an entertaining musical show at the Palace Theatre and Saloon.

day 10 Fairbanks – Denali

Today, explore the rugged wilderness of Denali National Park & Reserve. Marvel at panoramic views of the famed Alaska Mountain Range including famous Mount Denali – North America’s highest peak. This afternoon take a wildlife tour through the heart of Denali National Park. Keep an eye out for wildlife as this tour offers a great opportunity to see animals including grizzly bears, moose, and wolves. Return to Denali in the early evening.

day 11 Denali – Anchorage

Your destination today is Alaska’s largest city, Anchorage. Set amid the coastal Chugach Mountains and located on the beautiful Cook Inlet, Anchorage is a stunning urban enclave surrounded by wilderness. Explore the enticing history of Alaska at the Anchorages fames cultural attraction, Alaska Native Heritage Centre.

day 12 Kenai Fjords Cruise
Today experience the serenity of cruising on the calm and protected waters of Prince William Sound accompanied by a National Forest Interpreter. You will have the chance to catch glimpses of icebergs as the ferry cruises the scenic waterway. The vessel will float right up to a 1700-foot high active tidewater glacier where massive chunks of glacial ice crash into the water. See otters, eagles, puffins, sea lions, whales and glacier-wildlife. Enjoy a delicious lunch of prime rib and salmon onboard the ship.

day 13 Anchorage – Tok

This morning see stunning landscapes as you travel the Glenn Richardson Highway. Pass by lakes, canyons and glaciers as you wind along the highway to Gakona Junction. The highway will take you to Mentasta Summit before descending into Tok, the trading hub for nearby villages, where you rejoin the Alaska Highway.

day 14 Tok – Whitehorse
Today depart Tok and travel back into the Yukon. The scenic highway travels alongside the dramatically beautiful Kluane National Park & Reserve, home of Canada’s highest mountain, Mount Logan. En route, stops are scheduled at Kluane Park Visitor Centre, Kluane Museum of Natural History and Sheep Mountain Visitor Centre to catch a glimpse of the Dall sheep. Arrive in Whitehorse for a two-night stay.

day 15 Skagway
Travel south-west to Skagway along the same route that, long ago, thousands of people journeyed in search of their own gold fortune. For those wanting a chance to ride on Yukon’s iconic railways, an optional train trip (additional cost) to Skagway on the White Pass & Yukon Railway is available. The railroad winds around mountains and follows the historic Chilkoot Trail, the original Klondike trail. Fall in love with the quaint port village of Skagway, nestled into the harbour and full of gold rush history. At the end of the day, travel back to Whitehorse and join fellow passengers at a Farewell to the Yukon dinner.

day 16 Whitehorse – Dease Lake

Depart the Yukon and head south to the province of British Columbia. Returning over the Nisutlin Bay Bridge, you will travel the famous Stewart-Cassiar Highway. The communities on this highway provide a contrast of cultures, old and new. A stop is included at Jade City, outlet for the nearby jade mine that provides 90% of the jade in the world.

day 17 Dease Lake – Stewart

Today, continue on the Stewart-Cassiar Highway that takes you through Stikine Country. Stikine Country is home to the unspoiled wilderness of Mount Edziza Provincial Park. Your destination is Stewart, well known for its spectacular surrounding glacier. Spend time tonight at Fisk Creek and the viewing platforms, where you can catch glimpses of bears in the wild fishing for their dinner

day 18 Stewart – Prince George

Today, drive south through towering coastal mountains, frozen icefields and rushing. Travel through the peaceful towns of Burns Lake and Fraser Lake, and follow the beautiful rivers and valleys of north central British Columbia as you head towards Prince George.

day 19 Prince George – Jasper

Today, visit the famous Canadian Rocky Mountains. View the ranges highest peak, Mount Robson, at a stop to the visitors centre. Jasper will be your first Rocky Mountain town stop, where you will visit Maligne Canyon and Pyramid Lake. Later, before spend some time at leisure time in the shops of the town site. This evening join a peaceful float trip down the Athabasca River, Alberta’s largest un-damned river.

day 20 Jasper – Banff

Today, experience one of the most spectacular highways in the world: the Icefields Parkway. We will start this scenic drive with a stop at the dramatic Athabasca Falls, before arriving at the Columbia Icefields. This glacier is one of the world’s largest accessible glaciers, and its water water feeds three oceans. Visit the Interpretive Centre and take the Ice Explorer ride to the base of the glacier, where you will get to walk on the glacier. Additional stops include beautiful Peyto Lake and Lake Louise, two of the most picturesque places in the Rockies. Enjoy a stroll along the shore or visit the Chateau Lake Louise’s enticing shops before continuing to Banff, heart of the Rockies and home of Canada’s first national park.

day 21 Banff – Calgary

This morning features a tour of Banff, with stops including Bow Falls, Cascade Gardens and a ride on the Banff Gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain for a panoramic view of the Banff Townsite below. On the drive back to Calgary, spend time reliving the views, experiences, and memories of this once in a lifetime trip. A transfer to a downtown hotel or the Calgary International Airport is included.

Inclusions: twin share in 3.5- 4* star hotels, 20 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners, professional tour director throughout, small group (maximum 28 participants), deluxe motorcoach, porterage, service charges, taxes, roundtrip airport transfers in Calgary.
Sightseeing: Alaska Highway, mile 0 and Sign Post Forest, liard Hot Pools, northern Lights Centre, SS Klondike National Historic Site, Five Finger Rapids, Carmacks Boardwalk, diamond Tooth Gerties, gold Mining Dredge, top of the World Highway, Alaskaland, palace Grand Theatre, santa Claus House, sternwheeler Discovery Cruise, Chena Native Village, Tundra wilderness tour, Alaska Native Heritage Center, Prince William Sound Cruise, Kluane National Park Reserve, Kluane Museum of Natural History, White Pass Summit and Skagway, Stewart Cassiar Highway, Jade City and Hyder Fish Ladder,, Icefields Parkway, Ice Explorer on Athabasca Glacier, Sulphur Mountain Gondola in Banff.

Hotels: Calgary-International, Grande Prairie-Plus Inn, Fort Nelson-Lakeview, Watson Lake-Andrea’s, Whitehorse-Gold Rush, Dawson-Downtown, Tok-Youngs, Fairbanks-Pikes Waterfront, Denali-Denali Bluffs, Anchorage-Hilton, Dease Lake-Northway Inn, Stewart-King Edward, Prince George-Coast Inn of the North, Jasper-Crimson, Banff-Caribou Lodge (or similar).

Note: Hotels and itinerary are subject to change on the tour without prior notice. Please do not book flights departing Calgary before 4:00pm on Day 21. A mandatory single surcharge may apply to this tour if you have selected our twin share program and we cannot find a share partner.

Optional: Choose to travel by train on the historic White Pass Railroad enroute to Skagway on day 15, return to Whitehorse on coach.