Itinerary Highlights
- Travel with local guides to enjoy dark skies, warm cabins and late-night Northern Lights viewing
- Explore a Southern Tutchone cultural site through guided tours, knowledge walks and optional lunch
- Ride to Midnight Dome for expansive views, Yukon River vistas and learn about Klondike history
- Spend a full day in Tombstone Territorial Park, spotting wildlife across its vast northern landscapes
What's Included
- Flights
- Accommodation Throughout
- Transfers
- Car Hire
13 nights from £4,595 per person
Kristen Lanskail-Morris
Travel Specialist
Explore the spectacular Yukon wilderness on this 13-night Canadian self-drive adventure. It’s ideal if you value wide-open landscapes and a deeper understanding of the places you visit on the way.
Your journey begins in Whitehorse, a lively riverside town shaped by the Klondike Gold Rush and rooted in the living cultures of the Kwanlin Dün and Ta'an Kwäch'än First Nations. Guided orientation tours help you get your bearings, while time on foot or on local trails lets you explore further, from canyon walks to museums and cultural centres. In the evening, you head beyond the city lights with local guides for a chance to watch the Northern Lights ripple across the vibrant night sky.
Driving south, you follow quiet highways through the Southern Lakes region, stopping in Carcross to learn about its First Nations heritage and curious glacial landscapes before settling into a lodge where your days are open for hiking, paddling or taking in the views. From here, the road leads west to Kluane National Park, home to Canada’s highest peaks and vast icefields. Guided cultural visits and walks help you understand both the land and the people who have lived with it for generations.
Flights take you to Dawson City, where boardwalk streets, goldfields and the nearby wilderness tell the story of the Klondike. Guided excursions to Tombstone Territorial Park and local historic sites round out a journey that balances independence with insight, and adventure with responsibility.
Please note, this is an example tour. To create your own tailor-made itinerary, speak with our Travel Specialists by calling us today.
Itinerary
Day 1 | Fly UK to Whitehorse
Fly from the UK to Whitehorse, Yukon’s lively capital. Once a vital stop for Klondike Gold Rush prospectors, the town now carries a strong frontier character alongside a thriving outdoor culture. This is also the traditional territory of the Kwanlin Dün and Ta'an Kwäch'än First Nations, whose presence continues to shape the region today. On arrival at Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport, collect your rental car and drive to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 2 | Northern Lights Tour, Whitehorse
Whitehorse
Begin the day with a guided Whitehorse Area Tour, where your local guide highlights the city’s history, culture, industry and outdoor opportunities. You’ll see key sights, from historic landmarks to boutique shops and waterfront events. After, drive about ten minutes to Miles Canyon, a historic Gold Rush route. Hike the trails independently or join interpretive walks with the Yukon Conservation Society. In the evening, meet your guide for the main event – Northern Lights viewing (available from mid-August to September only), gathering around a heated cabin or bonfire with drinks and snacks to see the alluring spectacle.
Day 3 | Whitehorse
Whitehorse
Today is yours to explore Whitehorse. Optional activities include visiting the S.S. Klondike National Historic Site to learn about Yukon River life or walking the four-and-a-half-kilometre Millennium Trail. You could also immerse yourself in indigenous culture at the Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre or try your hand at glass art at Lumel Studios. History enthusiasts can explore the MacBride Museum’s Gold Rush exhibits. For outdoor adventure, join a half-day canoe trip on the Yukon River or take an Indigenous walking tour along the waterfront, learning about First Nations history, culture and medicinal plants.
Day 4 | Carcross & Southern Lakes
Carcross
Drive from Whitehorse to Carcross, stopping at the Carcross Desert, the world’s smallest desert, formed from glacial silt. Then arrive in Carcross, a vibrant community in the Carcross/Tagish First Nation Traditional Territory, framed by mountains and emerald glacier-fed lakes. Discover local highlights, including the only one-way street in Yukon, the oldest hotel, artisan boutiques at Carcross Commons and the Art House showcasing regional artists. Enjoy lunch at a local café or restaurant before continuing the short drive to Southern Lakes Resort.
Day 5 | Southern Lakes Resort
Southern Lakes Resort
Enjoy a full day at Southern Lakes Resort, with time to relax or explore the surrounding wilderness. You can hike nearby trails, paddle on the lake by canoe or kayak, or join a guided ATV tour. Alternatively, take the opportunity to unwind in your cosy cabin or the lodge sauna, soaking in views of the mountains and forested shores. The day can be fully tailored to your interests.
Day 6 | Long Ago Peoples Place, Kluane National Park
Kluane National Park
Drive approximately three hours from Southern Lakes Resort to Haines Junction, with suggested stops along the way. Visit Long Ago People’s Place, a recreated Southern Tutchone site, where a guided tour and knowledge walk introduce local culture, traditional structures and tools. Later, stop at the Kluane National Park Visitor Centre and Da Ku Cultural Centre to learn about the park’s diverse landscapes, wildlife and cultural history. This provides an excellent orientation before exploring Kluane further.
Day 7 | Kluane National Park
Kluane National Park
Spend the day exploring Kluane National Park. Hike the trails, including the two-kilometre Rock Glacier Trail, which leads to a benched viewpoint over Dezadeash Lake and the surrounding mountains. Visit Kathleen Lake (Mät’àtäna Män) for a light walk along its scenic shoreline backed by the Kluane Range. Optional activities include a scenic flight from Haines Junction to view glaciers, icefields and Mt Logan, or paddling on Pine Lake from Raven’s Rest, taking in Paint Mountain.
Day 8 | Kluane National Park
Kluane National Park
Continue exploring Kluane National Park with the same recommended hikes and viewing areas you weren’t able to get around to yesterday. Additional options include a scenic drive to Haines, Alaska, taking in mountain passes and glacier-fed rivers, or joining a full-day rafting tour on the Tatshenshini River for a thrilling way to see the park’s remote landscapes and wildlife.
Day 9 | Kluane - Dawson City
Dawson City
Drive approximately two hours from Haines Junction to Whitehorse Airport. Return your rental car and board the flight to Dawson City. On arrival, a shuttle will transfer you to your accommodation. Dawson City, once called “the Paris of the North,” features Klondike-era boardwalks, lively pubs, artisan shops and the nearby mountains and rivers. Spend the afternoon exploring the town.
Day 10 | Midnight Dome, Dawson City
Dawson City
Take a half-day City & Goldfields tour, exploring Dawson City’s historic sites (including Dredge No. 4) and hearing stories of the gold rush and modern mining from expert local guides. In the evening, head up to Midnight Dome, where sweeping views over the Yukon River and Klondike Valleys await, accompanied by your guide’s insights into the area’s rich history and culture.
Day 11 | Tombstone Territorial Park
Tombstone Territorial Park
Join a full-day excursion along the Dempster Highway to Tombstone Territorial Park, covering 2,200 square kilometres of wilderness with rugged peaks, permafrost landforms and abundant wildlife. Watch for grizzly and black bears, Dall sheep, moose, caribou and numerous bird species. Lunch is included before you return to Dawson City. In the evening, you can enjoy optional entertainment in town and visit Diamond Tooth Gerties Gambling Hall for Dawson’s famous Cabaret Show.
Day 12 | Dawson City
Dawson City
Spend the day exploring Dawson City at your own pace. Optional activities include Parks Canada historic walking tours, a stroll along the Yukon Riverfront Trail to the S.S. Keno National Historic Site or visits to the Dawson City Museum and Jack London Museum. You can also see the Robert Service Cabin, drop by Peabody’s Photo Parlour or enjoy birding at nearby spots using AllTrails guidance.
Day 13 | Dawson - Whitehorse
Whitehorse
Transfer to Dawson City Airport for your flight to Whitehorse. On arrival, a complimentary shuttle takes you to your hotel. Spend the afternoon enjoying a final opportunity to explore Whitehorse, whether strolling along the riverfront, visiting local shops or revisiting favourite sights from earlier.
Day 14 | Departure
A complimentary shuttle will transfer you to Whitehorse Airport (timing confirmed the night before). From here, connect with your flights back home to the UK.
Kristen Lanskail-Morris
Travel Specialist
Pricing Information & Dates
13 nights from £4,595 per person
Kristen Lanskail-Morris
Travel Specialist
Price Includes
- Return International Flights as per the itinerary
- All airport taxes and security charges
- Accommodation and meals as specified
- Transfers as specified
- Activities and excursions as specified
- All entrace fees on sightseeing tours as specified
Includes domestic flights.
Price Excludes
- Travel Insurance
- Any meals not specified in the itinerary
- Tips and gratuities
- Optional excursions
Why Choose Us?
Passionate travel experts
- We've been leading wildlife travel since our first South Africa tours over 25 years ago
- Our Travel Specialists have lived in their specialist area for years
- We work with local guides to immerse you deeper in our diverse range of experiences
Personal & tailor-made
- You'll speak to your own expert who'll share their first-hand knowledge
- We'll make your itinerary seamless with 24/7 emergency contact available
- Your Travel Specialist will listen to ensure you have the best chance of seeing the wildlife you love
Responsible by nature
- We take care to actively contribute to the conservation of environments we visit
- For select countries, we make a charitable donation on your behalf when you make your booking
- We've partnered with conservation experts and NGOs to curate responsible tours
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office check www.gov.uk/travelaware
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