Alaska and Yukon Highlights

Collect your rental car this morning and start your journey north via Talkeetna towards the vast wilderness of Denali National Park.

Today you will enjoy a guided bus tour into the heart of Denali National Park (approx. 4-6 hours in duration). Some of this areas most iconic large mammals, such as grizzly and black bears, wolves, caribou, moose and Dall’s sheep, can be seen by lucky visitors. The more-often seen small mammals include arctic ground squirrels, red squirrels, foxes and marmots can also be spotted. The bird life of Denali is also varied and impressive. Golden eagles are often seen as well as ravens, mew gulls, gray jays and occasionally bald eagles.

Today you will enjoy a guided bus tour into the heart of Denali National Park (approx. 4-6 hours in duration). Some of this areas most iconic large mammals, such as grizzly and black bears, wolves, caribou, moose and Dall’s sheep, can be seen by lucky visitors. The more-often seen small mammals include arctic ground squirrels, red squirrels, foxes and marmots can also be spotted. The bird life of Denali is also varied and impressive. Golden eagles are often seen as well as ravens, mew gulls, gray jays and occasionally bald eagles.

In pictures

Continue north to Fairbanks, Alaska’s second largest city, situated at the confluence of the Chena and Tanana Rivers. Relaxed, quiet and perfect for strolling, Fairbanks offers a nice contrast to the vast wilderness of the previous days’ drives.

Allow plenty of time for today’s drive along the Alaska Highway to Tok. As you follow the course of the Tanacross River, keep your eyes peeled for wildlife such as moose and bears.

Set out on one of the truly great wilderness drives of North America. The stunning Top of the World highway traverses mountain tops and ridges as you cross the international border into Canada.

Set out on one of the truly great wilderness drives of North America. The stunning Top of the World highway traverses mountain tops and ridges as you cross the international border into Canada.

In pictures

Enjoy a day immersing yourself in the fascinating history of Dawson City. Colourful Dawson was the centre of the greatest gold rush that the world had ever seen at the turn of the 20th century, and the town still features many of its original wooden buildings. Drive out to the nearby goldfields, visit Bonanza Creek and try your hand at panning for gold. An evening’s entertainment back in town at historic Diamond Tooth Gerties, a casino and dancehall, is highly recommended to complete the Dawson experience!

Enjoy a day immersing yourself in the fascinating history of Dawson City. Colourful Dawson was the centre of the greatest gold rush that the world had ever seen at the turn of the 20th century, and the town still features many of its original wooden buildings. Drive out to the nearby goldfields, visit Bonanza Creek and try your hand at panning for gold. An evening’s entertainment back in town at historic Diamond Tooth Gerties, a casino and dancehall, is highly recommended to complete the Dawson experience!

In pictures

We advise an early start for today’s long drive south. Follow the Yukon and Stewart River valleys, passing the Five Finger Rapids and other scenic viewpoints as you approach the ‘wilderness city’ of Whitehorse, capital of the Yukon Territory.

Continuing south you will cross back into the USA as you arrive at the port town of Skagway. The town’s clapboard buildings take you back to the early gold rush days; it was from here that the fortune seekers started their arduous journey over White Pass to reach the Yukon River en route to the Klondike gold fields.

Take the highway and cross back into Canada en route to Haines Junction. Haines Junction is the gateway to Kluane National Park – an optional sightseeing flight over the park offers spectacular views and provides a true sense of the immense scale of this glacier-filled mountain wilderness.

Take the highway and cross back into Canada en route to Haines Junction. Haines Junction is the gateway to Kluane National Park – an optional sightseeing flight over the park offers spectacular views and provides a true sense of the immense scale of this glacier-filled mountain wilderness.

In pictures

Another early start is recommended, as you re-enter the USA today and head back to Tok.

Follow the spectacular Glenn Highway today, skirting the edge of the vast Wrangell St Elias National Park.

Follow the spectacular Glenn Highway today, skirting the edge of the vast Wrangell St Elias National Park.

In pictures

Pass through Anchorage as you make your way to Seward. The dramatic journey along the Seward Highway climbs through the mountains that form the spine of the Kenai Peninsula, providing breathtaking views and unbeatable lakeside picnic spots. Beyond Seward’s harbour the waters are rich in marine life, whilst a backdrop of glaciers, steep fjords and mountain peaks provide countless photo opportunities.

Seward is the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park and a cruise to see glaciers and marine wildlife is highly recommended today. Later, make your way back along the Seward Highway to Anchorage for your final night in Alaska.

Seward is the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park and a cruise to see glaciers and marine wildlife is highly recommended today. Later, make your way back along the Seward Highway to Anchorage for your final night in Alaska.

In pictures

Your tour ends as you drop off your rental car at the airport.