From Glaciers to Gold Mines: An Active Yukon Journey

Day 1: The Mighty Kluane

You’ll be picked up from your Whitehorse Hotel at 9 am by your guide. After a scenic two hour drive, enter Kluane National Park, home to some of the most vast icefields in the world and some of the highest peaks in Canada.

In the afternoon, head out for an introductory guided hike in Kluane, exploring Sheep Creek, Auriol Trail or Paint Mountain with views of the endless mountain ranges in all directions. After stretching your legs, check into your accommodation for the next two nights in the rustic little frontier town of Haines Junction.

Day 2: A Bird’s Eye View

During the second day of your Yukon hiking and walking package, head to the southern end of Kluane National Park, to a little haven known as Kathleen Lake.

Kathleen Lake is arguably the most beautiful landscape in the Yukon, (although there is some stiff competition). Feast your eyes on the spectacular blue waters of the lake below as you climb a scree ridge to the summit of King's Peak. As you crest the ridge, you are instantly rewarded with otherworldly views in all directions, stretching to the massive peaks in Alaska to the South and views of Canada's highest peak, Mt Logan, to the Northwest.

With the awe-inspiring wilderness stretching as far as the eye can see, you really get a sense of why they say the Yukon is "larger than life."

Day 3: Following The Goldrush Trail

Today you will stop in at the Haines Junction Interpretive Center where you have the chance to learn about the incredible history of this area, and hear it first hand from the people who have called this sacred place home for thousands of years.

Next, follow in the footsteps of gold prospectors who risked it all to get to Dawson City hoping for a chance to strike it rich in the Goldrush. Since this is a hiking tour, you’ll stop to explore some gems like Fox Lake and lake Labarge, plus Five Finger Rapids along the way. Be aware that when they say Yukon is larger than life, the meaning applies to the length of roads too so itineraries can vary slightly depending on how long you’d like to explore a certain area.

Pull into the historic town of Dawson City and you will immediately be struck by its character and old time charm. The roads have never been paved, the saloons are humming like they have for the past 120 years and you can't help but feel like you've entered a time machine.

Day 4: Exploring Canada's "Patagonia"

During the fourth day of your guided hiking vacation in the Yukon, you’ll head a little further North on the famous Dempster Highway.

This is a notorious road that connects the Arctic Ocean to the rest of Canada. It is unpaved because the major freezing would destroy the road far too often to bother paving it. You’ll visit the heart of Tombstone Territorial Park, dubbed the Patagonia of Canada, where you’ll strike out on a guided hike. Hike Grizzly Ridge or Goldensides, both of which earn you jaw-dropping views of Mount Monolith and Tombstone Mountain in the distance. You will recognize these otherworldly views from photos of some of the most iconic mountains in the world. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife, since this area is full of animals. On your return to Dawson City you have a well-earned dinner and head out on the town for a Can Can show at Diamond Tooth Gerties, which is where the gold prospectors used to flaunt their wealth a century ago.

Day 5: Striking Gold

Depending on timing and availability, you have the chance to either do a gold mine tour in Dawson City, or stop in for a group Wildlife Preserve tour on the way to Whitehorse.

Once you reach Whitehorse, you will head out for a dinner and then you have free time to either explore the city or head to a nearby lake for a swim and to enjoy the evening light reflecting off the water. The long daylight hours mean you have plenty of time for a variety of activities, perhaps even a walk along the edge of a gorge.

Day 6: Yukon's Southern Lakes Paradise

Today, you will head in the direction of Skagway for a guided hike in the Southern lakes area of the Yukon, which is home to some of the biggest lakes and spectacular vistas.
Along the way, stop for a quick stroll along Canada's smallest desert and photograph the dazzling green waters of Emerald Lake. You will also stop to check out the outpost of Carcross, which is where the gold prospectors stopped right after their daring trek through Whitepass on their journey to Dawson City. The mountains here are tall and wide open, with massive lakes below. You will be mesmerized by the amazing views in all directions.

Return to Whitehorse for a final dinner with the group – reminisce about your favourite parts of the journey and celebrate new friendships.

Day 7: Departure

Depending on the time of your flight home, you might have time for a visit to the Eclipse Nordic Hot Spring located about 30 minutes outside of Whitehorese. Your guide will bring you back to the airport for your flight.