Upon arrival into Vancouver International Airport, collect your bags and transfer independently to your downtown hotel. The rest of your afternoon and the evening are yours to explore this cosmopolitan town, with a choice of gourmet and casual dining on your doorstep.

Rosedale on Robson, or similar

No visit to Vancouver would be complete with a walk or cycle around Stanley Park. You can follow the seawall around the park of visit the iconic totem poles and freshwater lakes, in amongst the trees.

Elsewhere in Vancouver you could choose to shop for local produce at Granville Island Public Market, or visit the historic Gastown district to see the famous steam-powered clock and heritage buildings.

In the evening you may like to dine on fresh seafood by the harbour or enjoy cocktails in the trendy bars of Yaletown.

Rosedale on Robson, or similar

Just beyond Vancouver’s city limits the Capilano Suspension Bridge sways 230 feet above the river. Those brave enough to cross the 450 feet to the other side will be rewarded by thrilling cliff trails, elevated walkways through the rainforest canopy, and historic stories of early engineers and indigenous people.

Just an hour north of the city brings you to Squamish, where the Sea to Sky Gondola ascends to the summit lodge. From here, you can marvel at breathtaking panoramic views of Howe Sound’s deep blue fjord, as well as the coastal mountains and verdant forests that surround it.

Rosedale on Robson, or similar

This morning return to Vancouver Airport in time to check-in for your domestic flight north to the “land of the midnight sun”, the town of Whitehorse and the wilderness of the Yukon beyond.

Whitehorse is the capital of the Yukon Territory and with 22,000 residents it is the largest city in northern Canada. On arrival at Whitehorse Airport, collect your bags and your rental car before heading downtown. After checking in to your hotel, take some time to relax and explore the city on foot.

Best Western Gold Rush Inn, or similar

Whitehorse is your gateway to the Yukon and it provides a valuable insight into the history, nature and culture of the region.

You may like to begin at the Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre to discover the fascinating Ice Age history of the Yukon, or you may prefer to visit the MacBride Museum that explores the Yukon’s history from the First Nations to the boom of the gold rush.

You can take a tour of the SS Klondike, a restored steam-powered paddlewheeler ship that cruised the Yukon River from the late 1860’s, or for your first taste of the Yukon’s natural landscapes, we recommend  stretching your legs on one of the trails around Miles Canyon, just beyond the town’s boundaries.

To help you identify the iconic Yukon wildlife, we have included a visit to the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, where you can view Canadian wildlife including caribou, moose, mountain goats and lynx. Encompassing over 700 acres, with various natural habitats, the Yukon Wildlife Preserve offers unparalleled wildlife viewing and photo opportunities.

Best Western Gold Rush Inn, or similar

The journey from Whitehorse to Haines Junction follows the Alaska Highway and crosses diverse ecosystems, from boreal forest to alpine terrain, with excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing along the way.

The road follows the meandering Takhini River on its way out of Whitehorse and there are various viewpoints to stop at look at the wildlife along the river valley.

The town of Champagne is a First Nation community and you may like to visit the Da Ku Cultural Centre to learn more about the Champagne and Aishihik heritage through local art. Champagne is also home to a bison sanctuary, where herds often graze near to the main highway, so keep an eye out for these giants as you pass by.

Throughout the drive you will notice the St. Elias Mountain Range getting closer, and you may be able to glimpse Mount logan, Canada’s highest mountain.

154 km

The Raven Rest Hotel, or similar

Kluane National Park is home to Canada’s highest peak and the world’s largest non-polar Icefields that lie behind the façade of mountains that provide Haines Junction spectacular backdrop.

Leaving along the Haines Highway, the road climbs from the Chilkat River Valley to the windswept Chikat Pass. You skirt the boundaries of the Tatshenini-Alesk Provincial Park of British Columbia and Kluane
National Park in the Yukon, part of the largest continuous area of protected wilderness on earth, and a United Nations World Heritage Site.

• Kathleen Lake is the National Park’s most accessible lake and features crystal-clear waters, impressive mountain vistas and the popular King’s Throne hiking trail.
• Dezadeash River Trail is an easy 5km walk along boardwalks through the wetlands with excellent bird watching opportunities.
• The Auriol Trail is a well-maintained 15km loop through sub-alpine meadows with spectacular mountain views.

For a truly unforgettable experience, you may like to take an air tour over the National Park. From above , you’ll get a true sense of the scale of some of the planet’s largest glaciers.

The Raven Rest Hotel, or similar

Breakfast

Throughout today’s journey, watch for wildlife including bears, moose, caribou, eagles, and numerous smaller mammals. The route passes through vast boreal forest, alpine tundra, and wetland ecosystems. The drive also crosses several major river systems including the White River, known for its distinctive silty appearance due to glacial flour from the Kluane icefields.

• Kluane Lake is the Yukon’s largest inland waterway and provides stunning turquoise colours and opportunities for boating and walking around the shoreline
• The visitor centre at Sheep Mountain offers the opportunity to learn more about the resident Dall sheep that you can see on the nearby slopes
• You will cross the Canadian-Alaskan border into the United States, with opportunities to stop at the welcome signs
• Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge is a large protected area that features wetlands teeming with summer migratory birds

Services are limited along this remote road, so it’s advisable to fill your fuel tank in Haines Junction and carry extra supplies. Allow at least 5-6 hours for the drive, plus additional time for stops and exploration.

467 km

Fox ‘n Fireweed Cabins, or similar

The historic route between Tok and Dawson City follows part of the ‘Top of the World Highway’ and provides views of stunning alpine slopes and snow-capped mountains. It also provides opportunities for viewing wildlife such as caribou, bears, foxes, and numerous bird species. During summer, wildflowers carpet the landscape, while autumn brings spectacular red and gold tundra colours.

• The town of Chicken is a quirky gold rush community with a population under 50 permanent residents. It still offers eccentric charm, displays of historic mining equipment and the Chicken Creek Café
• The Poker Creek/Little Gold Creek border crossing is the most northerly border crossing in North America
• The George-Black Ferry is a free ferry that operates across the Yukon River
• You can see the Midnight Dome just before you reach Dawson City. This viewpoint offers panoramic vistas across the Yukon River Valley and the Klondike region

Not this road has some unpaved sections and is typically only open from May through to October. Allow a full day for this journey to accommodate the slower driving conditions and numerous scenic stops.

297 km

The Aurora Inn, or similar

Dawson City was at the heart of the Klondike Gold Rush, and offers a well-preserved look back, as well as an insight into life in unique northern town today.

You may like to start your morning with a stroll through some of the gold-rush era buildings, complete with wooden boardwalks and colourful facades. The Dawson City Museum adds comprehensive exhibits on the gold rush era as well local indigenous heritage.

The Jack London cabin is a reconstruction of the author’s home during the gold rush, whilst the Robert Service cabin is where the famous poems “Bard of the Yukon” and “The Shooting of Dan McGrew” were written.

You can explore more about the gold rush by visiting Discovery Claim on Bonanza Creek, the site where gold was first discovered in 1896, triggering the Klondike Gold Rush. Dredge No.4, is now a National Historic SIte, where you can tour North America’s largest wooden-hulled bucket dredge.

In the evenings you can relive the gold rush era by visiting Diamond Tooth Gerties Gambling Hall, Canada’s oldest casino. If you aren’t into gambling then you can still stay for the cancan shows. alternatively you may prefer a visit to “The Palace Grand Theatre” to catch a vaudeville-style show.

The Aurora Inn, or similar

Today’s drive takes you south along the Klondike Highway. The route follows river valleys and crosses mountain passes with excellent wildlife viewing opportunities including black bears, moose, caribou, and numerous bird species. There are stunning landscapes that transition from the northern boreal forest to the drier southern Yukon ecosystems.

• The viewpoint above the Tintina Trench provides spectacular views across this 970 kilometre valley. The valley is so large is it used as a directional tool by migratory birds
• Moose Creek Lodge is a charming roadside stop offering hot pies and northern hospitality
• Pelly Crossing is home to the Selkirk First Nation with the Big Jonathan Heritage Centre displaying traditional artifacts
• The Five Finger Rapids is a dramatic section of the Yukon River where islands split the water into five channels, once a major obstacle for gold rush steamboats
• The small town of Carmacks was named after gold prospector George Carmacks and has scenic river views
• The Braeburn Lodge is a traditional stop for Yukon QUest mushers, and has become famous for uts enormous cinnamon buns

This historic route roughly parallels the Yukon River that once served as the main transportation artery during the Klondike Gold Rush, connecting the region’s rich gold rush heritage. The journey typically takes around six hours of driving time, but allow a full day to appreciate the numerous viewpoints and historical sites. Services are limited in some stretches, so carry extra supplies and fuel up when possible.

532 km

Best Western Gold Rush Inn, or similar

After checking out from your hotel, return your rental car and check-in for your flight from Whitehorse back to Vancouver or on to Calgary for the next part of your Canadian holiday.