Journey to the Heart of the Yukon: Canoeing, Biking, Hiking and more

Day 1: Whitehorse

Arrive in Whitehorse, pick up your rental car and drive to your hotel. If you arrive in the city early, take advantage of your time by exploring the city. Consider taking an interpretive tour of the SS Klondike or visiting the Log Skyscraper and the Old Log Church. Drive out to Miles Canyon and hike the narrow riverside trail above Miles Canyon to the site of Canyon City. This area was once an Indigenous fish camp and later a bustling gold rush town. Although there are no buildings remaining at Canyon City today, you can still get a sense of what life was like here through an old tram and interpretive signs.

Overnight: BW Gold Rush Inn or similar

Day 2: Whitehorse-Tagish Region

Start your day with a guided canoe trip on the Yukon River. The Eagle Tour is a 4-hour paddle from Whitehorse to the confluence of the Takhini River. Canoe down the historic Yukon River, take in the peaceful scenery and look out for bald eagles along the way. A stop is made for a snack and drink during the trip. In the afternoon, drive to the Tagish region for overnight.

Overnight: Southern Lakes Resort

Day 3: Tagish Region

Take a half-day guided mountain biking trip in the morning. With hundreds of kilometers of trails in the Yukon wilderness, there are plenty of options to suit your mountain biking experience. In the afternoon, head south towards Carcross and stop to view Emerald Lake and explore the world’s smallest desert. Then continue to the First Nations village of Carcross for a self-guided walking tour of the historic cabins in the area.

Overnight: Southern Lakes Resort or similar

Day 4: Tagish Region – Haines Junction

Depart for a scenic drive to Haines Junction in the morning. As you approach the town, take in the towering St. Elias mountain range and the surrounding beauty of Kluane National Park and Reserve. Depending on your arrival time, visit the Kluane National Park and Thechàl Dhâl Visitor Centre to learn about the Park’s cultural and natural treasures.

In the afternoon, take a half-day guided hike in the St. Elias mountains inside Kluane National Park.

Overnight: Mount Logan Lodge

Day 5&6: Haines Junction (Kluane National Park)

Haines Junction is the perfect base for wilderness excursions, including river rafting, canoeing, hiking, fishing and glacier flightseeing. During your time here, go on a 4×4 wilderness interpretive jeep tour of the Alsek Valley. This 2.5-3 hour tour takes you along a 15 km trail into the park, where you will adventure through creeks, old river beds, alluvial fans and mountainsides. Learn about the history of the former Great Alsek Lake and discover the remains of an old boat.

If you’d like to explore the region in more depth, you can add on one (or both) of these optional tours to your time in Haines Junction:

• Rafting on Tatshenshini River: This exciting class III/IV river runs through beautiful scenery including a walled canyon. Wildlife such as grizzlies, bald eagle and spawning salmon are a common sight.
• Flightseeing with Glacier landing: Take off from Silver City, 60 km from Haines Junction, and fly over the St. Elias Mountains in a ski plane. See many impressive peaks as you head towards Mt. Logan, Canada’s highest mountain.

Overnight: Mount Logan Lodge

Day 7: Haines Junction – Whitehorse

Today completes your 7-day road trip through the Yukon’s southwest. Drive back to Whitehorse to return your rental car.

Day 8: Whitehorse (Fly from Toronto option only)

Enjoy a free day exploring the sights in Whitehorse. Do a hike near Miles Canyon, visit the Yukon Wildlife preserve or check out the Eclipse Nordic Hot springs

Day 9: Whitehorse (Fly from Toronto option only)

Return your rental car to the airport and say goodbye to the Yukon!