Self Drive Holiday - Best of Yukon & Alaska | Self Drive Holidays | DMCi

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Tour Code: DM-SD-YTAKBEST

Duration: 17 Days | 16 Nights

Availability: May to Sep 2023

Places Visited: Whitehorse – Skagway - Haines Junction – Tok – Wasilla – Seward – Anchorage – Denali National Park – Fairbanls – Dawson City

Prices

Starting from

Adult

CA $2,529

Per Person Sharing Twin Request for Quote

Highlights

Download Itinerary PDF View Route Map

Whitehorse – Skagway - Haines Junction – Tok – Wasilla – Seward – Anchorage – Denali National Park – Fairbanks – Dawson City
16 Nights of accommodation with a choice of Hotels, Cottages, Motor Inns
Rental of a mid-size car
Limited Mileage Plan – 3,200 KM
Optional CDW/LDW
Optional – Tours & Admissions
Optional Rental Car Upgrades

The stunning Yukon and Alaska are waiting for you on this self-drive adventure. You will begin in Whitehorse, travelling through mountain scenery to Denali National Park before stopping at diamonds rich towns like Dawson City where fortunes were made or lost during gold rush days! From there travel down south into historic Sachs Village where crossing rivers was tricky business back when these waters came alive with trading posts that exist today as abandoned buildings haunted by curious ghosts - but not quite yet....

Note: The operation of this tour is subject to the evolving COVID-19 situation.

Please contact our Canada Destination Specialist for information and assistance.

Itinerary

Download Itinerary PDF

Day 1: Arrive in Whitehorse, YT

Arrive in Whitehorse this afternoon. Pick up your vehilce and drive to your hotel. Stroll along the Yukons River edge and visit Klondikes National Historic Site.

Optional – Northen Lights Tour this evening.

Overnight in Whitehorse, YT.

Day 2: Whitehorse to Skagway, AK

Driving Distance & Time: 176 KM | 3 hours

Today’s journey will take you south along the Klondike Highway, one of Alaska’s most spectacular with Emerald Lake, Carcross desert and the small community of Carcross. You will cross the Yukon River Suspension bridge, providing amazing scenic views from above. You will cross the Canada/US border (passport and ESTA required) and continue to Skagway, which is part of Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park.

Overnight in Skagway, AK

Day 3: Skagway, AK

Today you have the opportunity to explore Skagway; a Summit excursion trip on the White Pass and Yukon Railway is a must. This forty mile round trip excursion climbs from tidewater at Skagway to the Summit of the White Pass – a 2,885 foot elevation. The fully 2.5 hours narrated tour in a vintage passenger car passes through two tunnels, over sky-high trestles and cascading waterfalls.

Overnight in Skagway, AK

Day 4: Skagway to Haines Junction, YT

Driving Distance & Time: 204 KM | 4 hours

Known to Yukoners as “the Junction”, Haines Junction sits at the intersection of the Haines Road and Alaska Highway. Surrounded by dramatic scenery, this picturesque mountain village nestled at the edge of Kluane National Park and Reserve of Canada boasts a wilderness adventure playground in its back-yard.

Leaving Skagway, you will pass Mosquito Lake State Recreation Site. If you're serious about eagle watching, stop nby at Mosquito Lake State Recreation Site on the edge of the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve . .

Driving further north on the highway, you will reach Kathleen Lake, just Twenty miles south of Haines Junction. Kathleen lake is known as the windiest lake in the Yukon. Bird watchers have the chance to see harlequins, pintails, American wigeons, little yellowlegs and spotted sandpipers. If you've brought your rod and fishing license, for sale in Haines, you can catch rainbow trout, lake trout, kokanee (red salmon) and grayling.

Haines Junction is a picturesque mountain village on the edge of Kluane National Park - the perfect base for day trips such as hiking, canoeing and river rafting. View Mount Logan - Canada's highest mountain.

Overnight in Haines Junction, YT

Day 5: Haines Junction to Tok, AK

Driving Distance & Time: 467 KM | 6 hours

Today you will be heading northwest from Haines Junction to Tok, along the shores of Kluane Lake. As it borders part of Kluane National Park, be sure to keep an eye out for wildlife.

From Tok, head south on the Alaska Highway and then back to the Yukon via Tetlin Junction . From Beaver Creek to Haines Junction , the Alaska Highway parallels the majestic fringe of Kluane National Park . Beyond the front mountain ranges are ice fields and glacial valleys topped by Mount Logan , Canada's highest peak.

The highway winds between a vast mountain range and Kluane Lake, Yukon's largest lake. You will pass the communities of Destruction Bay and Burwash Landing along the shores of Kluane Lake. Stroll the undulating beaches of this inviting, deep-blue glacial lake.

Overnight in Tok, AK

Day 6: Tok to Wasilla, AK

Driving Distance & Time: 460 KM | 6 hours

Driving the Tok Cut-off, you will be cruising through scenic mountain and forest landscape to Glennallen. Continue on the scenic Glenn Highway to the Wasilla/Palmer area. Highlights today will include the Matanuska Glacier and Matanuska River Valley; guided glacier hikes and rafting tours are available.

On reaching Palmer, you should visit the Musk Ox Farm or take in the hidden but beautiful Hatchers Pass Area.

Overnight in Wasilla, AK

Day 7: Wasilla to Seward, AK

Driving Distance & Time: 270 KM | 4 hours

You will be back on the Glenn Highway today, heading south to Anchorage, continuing the Seward Highway. Outside of Anchorage, travel along the scenic Turnagain Arm, known for its bore tides, where sometimes you can see beluga whales or Dall sheep along the highway. A great stop for lunch is the Alyeska Ski Resort in Girdwood. You can take a tram up Mt Alyeska for great views. or maybe stop at the Portage Glacier before arriving into in Seward where you will spend the next 2 nights.

Overnight in Seward, AK.

Day 8: Seward, AK

Driving Distance & Time: 372 KM | 4 hours

On your full day in Seward, we recommend you take a wildlife and glacier cruise into scenic Kenai Fjords National Park. It’s a wonderful experience to get up so close to the glacier you can hear the ice cracking! Great opportunities to see a variety of marine wildlife, which will vary on the time of year.

Overnight in Seward, AK.

Day 9: Seward to Anchorage

Driving Distance & Time: 204 KM | 3 hours

If you are looking for some more activity in Seward before heading to the bright lights of Anchorage, you can take a short hike to Exit Glacier which is an easy excursion, suitable for all. You will then be taking the 2-3 hour journey to Anchorage on the Seward Highway.

Anchorage is the large and cosmopolitan centre of Alaska. While not the capital of the state, it is the self-proclaimed gateway for many visitors. With almost 300,000 people calling it home, many people joke that the city is next door to the Alaska wilderness. You’ll have time for a stroll around the nearby downtown city streets; the quaint log cabin Visitors Centre is a good place to start.

There are several great museums within the city, but the one truly great aspect of Anchorage is the amount of park space throughout the city.

Overnight in Anchorage, AK.

Day 10: Anchorage to Denali National Park

Driving Distance & Time: 372 KM | 4 hours

Today you will drive the Glenn Highway once more north toward Wasilla. Take time on the way to stop at the Alaska Native Heritage Centre and the Eklutna Indian Village. From Wasilla, continue on the Parks Highway north towards Denali National Park. Drive through the Matanuska-Susitna Valley and Denali State Park or take a side trip to the small gold mining community of Talkeetna – or talk to us about extending your stay to overnight in this fabulous little town – to take a flightseeing tour to the Alaska Range and Mt Denali.

Overnight in Denali National Park, AK.

Day 11: Denali National Park

About 200 miles north by car from Anchorage, this amazing 6-million-acre park, where moose, black and grizzly bears, caribou and wolves roam, is a must-do on any Alaska itinerary.

While access to the park is limited for self-drive cars – you can only take your vehicle the first 15 miles – there are many ways of accessing the park and we can advise on all the best options.

There are a number of hotels just outside the park, but the best option is to stay within the park itself for a night or two, as part of your fly-drive holiday in the area.

Overnight in Denali National Park, AK.

Day 12: Denali National Park to Fairbanks, AK

Driving Distance & Time: 205 KM | 3 hours

Today you will continue on the Parks Highway north to Fairbanks. Drive through incredible forest and mountain landscape as you drive through the communities of Healy, Nenana and Ester, an old mining camp.

Overnight at Fairbanks, AK

Day 13: Fairbanks to Tok, AK

Driving Distance & Time: 325 KM | 4 hours

Today you will drive southeast on the Alaska/Canada highway to the border town of Tok. You will pass through the quaint towns of North Pole and Delta Junction. There are also views of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and the Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge along the route. This scenic drive also follows the Tanana River, one of Alaska’s longest.

Overnight at Tok, AK

Day 14: Tok to Dawson City, YT

Driving Distance & Time: 298 KM | 5 hours includes a Ferry Crossing

You will be driving the amazing Top of the World highway today (partly gravel road) which brings you through spectacular backcountry and gold mining areas. When the highway reaches its highest elevation, you will get incredible views over the countryside. Before you reach Dawson City, you cross the Yukon River by state ferry. On arrival in Dawson City, you may feel you have gone back in time; this old Klondike city has a unique feel all of its own.

You will have a full day to explore the Klondike goldfields and enjoying the Gold Rush atmosphere of Dawson City. Visit Diamond Tooth Gertie’s casino, cruise down the Yukon River, or take a walking historical tour.

Overnight in Dawson City, YT

Day 15: Dawson City, YT

Relive the days of prospecting with a day of independent exploration of this historic city. Many original buildings have stood the test of time, while others have been faithfully restored to either their original grandeur, or rustic ruggedness. Take the day to tour the historic landmarks of Dawson City and visit the surrounding goldfields that still resonate with the Klondike’s “spirit of ‘98”. You may choose to try your hand at panning for gold at an authentic, working gold claim. For a slightly different venue, visit Diamond Tooth Gertie’s Gambling Hall and try your luck at any of the establishment’s games of chance.

Overnight in Dawson City, YT.

Day 16: Dawson City to Whitehorse, YT

Driving Distance & Time: 532 KM | 7 hour

The Klondike Highway is your access to route back to the southern region of the Yukon. Along the way, you will catch glimpses of the mighty Stewart River before it joins with the mighty Yukon River for its 3,500 km journey up to Alaska’s Bering sea. You will be passing through the traditional hunting grounds of the Kaska Indians, where bears, wolves, lynx and moose roam in abundance. You may wish to stop at one of the gold rush staging posts and Bonanza Creek to see the origins of the Gold Rush and the way of life those early prospectors experienced. Arriving in Whitehorse, relax after a long day of travelling at your hotel or perhaps visit one of the many eateries around town.

Overnight in Whitehorse, YT

Day 17: End of Yukon & Alaska Explorer Tour

This morning heck out of hotel, drive to the airport and drop your car off.

End of your Best of Yukon & Alaska Tour.

Contact our Canada Destination Specialist

Inclusions

16 Nights of accommodation with a choice of Hotels, Cottages, Motor Inns
Rental of a mid-size car
Limited Mileage Plan - 3,200 KM
Optional CDW/LDW
Optional – Tours & Admissions
Optional Rental Car Upgrades
Taxes & GST.

Exclusions

Airfare. Offered as a supplement on request.
Breakfast and other meals.
Park Fees.
Tour Guide.
Porterage at hotels.
Bottled Water in hotel rooms.
Visa and Documentation Fees.
Telephone calls, Laundry, and other expenses.
Any personal expenses.
Gratuities for hotel staff.
Travel Insurance – highly recommended. We require clients to provide us a signed Waiver in the event your client opts to decline your offer to sell Travel Insurance. DMCI Inc. sells Manulife Travel Insurance. Please check with us for rates.
Collision Damage & Theft Protection – Optional.
Additional Driver Fees.
Gas for the vehicle.
GPS. Racks, etc.
Child and Infant Seats.
Parking & Tolls.
Optional Tours and activities.
Early Check-in and Late Check-out charges. Charges will apply.
Gratuities for Tour Guides/Driver cum Guides (Expected)
Cost of any RTPCR/Antigen Test or costs related to quarantine if applicable.

Accommodations Featured

Destination	Hotel
Whitehorse	Quality inn Whitehorse
Skagway	Westmark Inn Skagway
Haines Junction	Stardust Motel
Tok	A Hyde Away Inn
Wasilla	Alaskas Select Inn Wasill
Seward	Seward Windsong Lodge
Anchorage	Ramada by Wyndham Anchorage Downtown
Denali	Denali Crows Nest
Fairbanks	Clarion Hotel & Suites
Dawson City	The Downtown, A Coast Hotel