Klondike Glory
Dive into winter in all its northern glory in Dawson City, Yukon.
On this 6-day adventure, you'll travel by air from Whitehorse to Dawson City, a northern community best known as the home of the Klondike Gold Rush.
Klondike Glory
Dive into winter in all its northern glory in Dawson City, Yukon.
On this 6-day adventure, you'll travel by air from Whitehorse to Dawson City, a northern community best known as the home of the Klondike Gold Rush.
The journey to Dawson City begins in Whitehorse, Yukon. While we are highlighting the winter itinerary here, this journey is available year-round.
Air North runs regular flights to Whitehorse from various gateways across Canada.
Day 1: Arrive in Whitehorse & Explore the City
Photo: Government of Yukon / Mark Kelly
Photo: Government of Yukon / Mark Kelly
Your journey begins in Whitehorse, the capital of the Yukon and a welcoming gateway to the territory’s northern landscapes.
Set along the Yukon River, the city is a compact hub of cafés, galleries, trails, and community-led businesses. After landing, take the complimentary shuttle to your hotel and settle into your accommodations.
Depending on your arrival time, this is your chance to get oriented. If you’re renting winter gear, head to your outfitter for a fitting; otherwise, explore the small but lively downtown. Shops and galleries highlight local makers and Indigenous artists, while nearby cafés offer a warm pause before dinner. Whitehorse has a surprisingly varied food scene — everything from casual comfort dishes to globally inspired menus influenced by the community’s diverse residents and seasonal ingredients.
Photo: hynesightadventures.ca
Photo: hynesightadventures.ca
As night falls, prepare for your first Aurora viewing experience, departing at 10:00 p.m. A heated cabin or wall tent awaits, complete with hot drinks and snacks to keep you comfortable as you watch the northern sky shift overhead. If conditions are favourable, the aurora may appear in slow veils or sudden bursts — each night in the Yukon is different.
Return to your hotel around 2:30 a.m., with the quiet stillness of the northern night setting the tone for the days ahead.
Day 2: Fly to Dawson City
Photo: Midnight Light Media
Photo: Midnight Light Media
Your Dawson City adventure begins with a scenic Air North flight from Whitehorse. Almost immediately, the landscape opens into a sweep of frozen lakes, braided rivers, and rugged northern ranges — a powerful first glimpse of the Yukon in winter.
After landing, you’ll transfer to your hotel and have time to settle in before joining a late-morning Parks Canada walking tour. This 1.5-hour introduction offers essential context for understanding the cultural, historical, and geographic significance of Dawson — a small community that played an outsized role in shaping Canadian history.
Photo: Destination Canada
Photo: Destination Canada
In the afternoon, you’ll embark on a private sightseeing tour that brings the Klondike Gold Rush to life. Dawson sits at the heart of the 1896 discovery, sparked when gold was found on what is now Bonanza Creek, a tributary of the Klondike River.
Your tour covers the key sites: the Goldfields, Dredge No. 4, Bonanza Creek, and the summit of the Midnight Dome, where sweeping views reveal the Yukon River valley and surrounding mountains.
Photo: John Howland
Photo: John Howland
Enjoy the evening at your leisure. A classic Dawson recommendation is Diamond Tooth Gerties Gambling Hall, a local institution with Klondike-era décor, cancan entertainment, and a welcoming northern atmosphere. Or head to dinner at the celebrated Bon Ton & Company, voted one of Canada's best restaurants.
Read more about Bon Ton & Company in North of 64.
Photo: John Alderson
Photo: John Alderson
At 11:00 p.m., your guide will pick you up for Aurora viewing at an intimate site in West Dawson.
Winter nights here are often crisp and exceptionally clear — ideal conditions for Northern Lights viewing. You’ll have access to a heated indoor facility, hot drinks, and coaching to help you capture great photos.
Return to your hotel around 2:00 a.m.
Day 3: The Dempster Highway by Land & Air
Today’s journey takes you along one of the most remarkable roads in Canada — the Dempster Highway, a 740 km route linking Dawson to Inuvik and the only all-season road to cross the Arctic Circle.
Photo: Destination Canada
Photo: Destination Canada
Your private tour begins with a scenic drive into Tombstone Territorial Park, known for its rugged peaks, wide-open valleys, and dramatic winter landscapes. There will be opportunities to get out and explore on foot or snowshoe, take in panoramic viewpoints, and enjoy a hearty picnic lunch surrounded by the peace of the subarctic. Keep an eye out for wildlife along the way.
The highlight of the day is a private one-hour Cessna flight over the Ogilvie Mountains — an unforgettable perspective on the vastness and texture of the northern wilderness.
In the evening, consider another uniquely Dawson experience: the Sourtoe Cocktail at the Downtown Hotel’s Sourdough Saloon. This long-standing tradition — which involves a cocktail containing a genuine dehydrated toe and the famous motto “You can drink it fast, you can drink it slow, but your lips must touch the toe” — has drawn more than 100,000 participants to the Sourtoe Cocktail Club. Even if you don’t partake, the Saloon’s atmosphere and stories are worth a visit.
If tonight is one of your chosen Aurora nights, your guide will pick you up at 11:00 p.m. for another opportunity to view the Northern Lights from West Dawson.
Photo: Destination Canada
Photo: Destination Canada
Photo: Government of Yukon / Justin Kennedy
Photo: Government of Yukon / Justin Kennedy
Photo: Caroline Jalbert
Photo: Caroline Jalbert
Photo: Destination Canada
Photo: Destination Canada
Photo: Manu Keggenhoff
Photo: Manu Keggenhoff
Photo: Destination Canada
Photo: Destination Canada
Photo: Caroline Jalbert
Photo: Caroline Jalbert
Day 4: Indigenous Cultural Experience in Dawson
Begin the day with a visit to the Dawson City Museum, home to an extensive collection of artifacts that trace the Gold Rush era and the development of the region.
Your experience continues with a private session led by a Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in artist or cultural educator, offering a firsthand look at the history, traditions, and lived experiences of the First Nation whose homeland includes the Klondike. The Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in were significantly impacted by the Gold Rush, and today they are deeply involved in cultural revitalization and stewardship of their territory.
This immersive experience provides essential cultural context to Dawson’s past and present.
In the evening, enjoy free time: take in some entertainment, enjoy a leisurely meal at one of the town's restaurants or visit the Yukon Spa.
Photo: John Howland
Photo: John Howland
Day 5: Return to Whitehorse
This morning offers a final chance to wander Dawson’s historic streets or revisit a favourite spot. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for your flight back to Whitehorse.
Enjoy your final evening in the Yukon’s capital at your own pace. You may choose an additional aurora tour (optional, extra cost) for one more opportunity to see the Northern Lights.
Day 6: Departure from Whitehorse
Take the hotel shuttle to the airport at your convenience. Your northern adventure concludes today, carrying home the rich history of Dawson, the quiet vastness of the Yukon, and the memory of winter nights lit by the Aurora.