Yukon and Alaska Self-Drive Tour

Yukon and Alaska Self-Drive Tour Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Whitehorse

Collect your rental vehicle from the Whitehorse Airport when you arrive. Breathe in the fresh northern air as you head to your hotel to get settled. Spend the evening exploring Whitehorse at your leisure.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Whitehorse
Distance: None
Meals: None

Day 2 Discover Historic Whitehorse

Whitehorse is full of cultural and historical museums and sites, including the Whitehorse Train Station, the Ernie Tweed House, and the SS Klondike dawn boat. You can get an introduction to the northern wildlife by visiting the animals being rehabilitated at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve. Visit the Takhini Hot Springs for a relaxing dip in the warm mineral waters.

As you leave the city, you may want to take a short walk at Miles Canyon for a beautiful view of the Yukon River. Tonight, you’ll take the South Klondike Highway to a wilderness lodge, where you’ll be staying.
Overnight Location: Lodge near Whitehorse
Distance: None
Meals: Dinner

Day 3 Emerald or Lewes Lake Hikes

This morning, you’ll wake up to the peaceful sounds of the northern wilderness and enjoy a leisurely breakfast before starting your day. The turquoise waters of Emerald Lake will entice you to take a walk along its shores. Many other hikes are nearer to the lodge, including a short one to Lake Lewes. Y

You can also spend the day relaxing and enjoying the views from the outdoor whirlpool.
Overnight Location: Lodge near Whitehorse
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4 Discover the Delights on the Way to Skagway

After your restful time at the wilderness lodge, it’s time to get on the road and start the journey to Skagway. Visit the famous totem poles in Carcross and the oldest general store in the Yukon. You’ll also find a tiny desert along your route, at just under two square kilometers—the world’s smallest!

Take your time driving the scenic route to Skagway, Alaska. When you arrive, you’ll want to visit the Gold Rush Cemetery, which is hidden in the rainforest.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Skagway
Distance: 176km
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 Explore Alaska from Sea to Sky

Skagway offers a charming gold rush main street with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. It is also the gateway to some tremendous adventures. You can book a boat tour that takes you to Juneau to go whale watching and visit some spectacular glacial fjords. For train aficionados, you can get a ticket for the vintage train that takes the White Pass and Yukon Route. This scenic ride follows the historic Klondike route and leads you through mountains, glaciers, waterfalls, and more on the way to the White Pass summit.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Skagway
Distance: None
Meals: None

Day 6 Hike in Chilkat State Park

After breakfast, you’ll board the ferry to Haines and drive to Chilkat State Park. This is a great place to look for wildlife as the local salmon population attracts seals, porpoises, whales, and bears to the area.

You can take a few hikes that navigate the beautiful inlet, but the most spectacular one is the Mount Riley Trail. This hike takes you through the forests to coastal lookouts with breathtaking panoramic views of the Chilkoot and Chilkat Inlets.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Haines
Distance: 32km
Meals: None

Day 7 Hiking in Haines

You have the whole day to explore the many fantastic trails between Haines and Haines Junction on the Canadian side of the border. Choose the Dezadeash River Trail to hike along the river through forests and swamplands or the Kokanee Trail that opens onto Kathleen Lake.

Another great option is the Rocky Glacier Trail, which is an interpretive trail that you can follow to learn about glaciers. End your day with a relaxing soak in the whirlpool at the wilderness lodge, where you’ll spend the next two nights.
Overnight Location: Lodge in Haines
Distance: 240km
Meals: None

Day 8 Mountains and Glaciers of Kluane

Today, you’ll explore the spectacular Kluane National Park. Hikers of all skill levels will find a trail to love among some of Canada’s highest mountains. Whether you take some short strolls or a serious mountaineering challenge, you’ll be astounded by the scenery. You can also take a sightseeing flight over the Kluane Glacier for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Overnight Location: Lodge in Haines
Distance: None
Meals: None

Day 9 History and Wildlife in Burwash Landing

Your route today leads you to Beaver Creek. On the way, be sure to look out for Dall sheep on the mountains. You may also want to stop and visit the Kluane Museum of Natural History in Burwash Landing to learn about the local wildlife and the region’s First Nations history.

Tonight, you’ll sleep in a cozy cabin in Beaver Creek.
Overnight Location: Cabin in Beaver Creek
Distance: 291km
Meals: None

Day 10 Travel the Top of the World

Today, you have a long drive on a mostly gravel road ahead of you, but it will be unforgettable! The Top of the World Highway takes you through peaks and ridges with breathtaking views at every turn as you cross the mountain ranges between Alaska and the Yukon. You’ll enter Canada and the most northerly border crossing at Little Gold and Poker Creek. Make a unique pitstop in Chicken, population 7.

The route ends at the Yukon River, where you’ll board a ferry to reach Dawson City.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Dawson City
Distance: 450km
Meals: None

Day 11 Catch Gold Rush Fever in Dawson City

When you wake up, you’ll feel as though you’ve journeyed back in time to the late 1800s. Wander the wooden boardwalks of the frontier town and visit the museum and other historic sites. You can also further immerse yourself in the Dawson City experience by panning for gold at Bonanza Creek.

Take a hike up Midnight Dome for panoramic views of the city and beyond. End your day with casino games or the cancan review at the historic saloon.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Dawson City
Distance: None
Meals: None

Day 12 Visit Tombstone Territorial Park

Take a drive north of the city to visit Tombstone Territorial Park. This beautiful, untouched landscape will captivate you as you hike one of the many trails that weave through the peaks and tundra of the park. As you explore this native territory, you’ll notice the presence of the prominent First Nations culture.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Dawson City
Distance: 40km
Meals: None

Day 13 Road Through the Wild to Whitehorse

As you take the Klondike Highway back to Whitehorse, you’ll follow the same road used in 1902 to reach the gold mines. Drive through total wilderness as you cross through the mountains, forests, and rivers on your way back to the city.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Whitehorse
Distance: 533km
Meals: None

Day 14 Tour Concludes

Spend a final morning in Whitehorse and drop your rental vehicle off at the airport in time to catch your flight home.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: None