Road Trip: Alaska & Yukon Highlights

Get up close and personal with Mount Denali, the highest peak in North America, and get a bird’s eye view of the awesome spectacle that is the Alaskan range on this flying tour. Take in the stunning views of the 45-mile-long Kahiltna Glacier. Look down on the world-famous Kahiltna Base Camp and fly by the east face of Mount Foraker. Pass by Little Switzerland and its peaks. Catch sight of Pika and Tokositna Glaciers and fly through The Great Gorge and over Ruth Glacier. (Duration: 2 hrs; Shared Activity & Transfers; Group size: up to 10 people; Meals Not Included; Glacier Landing Included. Please note that this activity is weather-dependent and may get cancelled should conditions not permit a safe flight. USD 15 per person national park fee is not included and payable on site)

Take a popular and scenic hike along the Horseshoe Lake Trail in Denali National Park. The trail circles Horseshoe Lake and traces a stretch of the Nenana River, allowing you to have many scenic photo stops and the chance of encountering wildlife along the way. This is a well-maintained, moderately easy trail, with only one steep section and plenty of pretty lake views. From the trailhead, hike up a short steep hill to reach a bench overlooking the lake. Just beyond, the trail drops sharply (about 250 feet) to the level of the lake and forks in two directions, forming a loop around the lake. Along the way, there are several viewing platforms offering stunning views of the Nenana River, the development called ‘Glitter Gulch’ right outside the park, and the surrounding mountains. A beaver dam and beaver lodge can be seen within the lake. (Duration: half day; Self-explore activity; No guide; No transfers; Entrance fees and meals are not included; Fitness level: easy-moderate; Available year-round; Please bring camera, good walking shoes and jacket)

Enjoy a gentle scenic rafting tour along the Nenana River. Begin your rafting expedition near the entrance to Denali National Park. Choose oar rafts or paddle rafts for a unique experience. Best suited for first timers, oar rafts are rowed by an expert guide, while you hold on tight and enjoy the scenic views. Alternatively, in a paddle raft, you could be an active participant and follow the instructions of your guide to help paddle the raft downriver. Watch out for moose, caribou, bear, and sheep as you raft downstream for about 11 miles. (Only Possible From 20 May to 10 Sep; Duration: Half Day; Shared Activity & Transfers; Min Age: 5; Please dress in warm outdoor clothes and in layers if possible; Do wear a wool or fleece beanie style hat, two pairs of wool socks, and eye glass retainers where necessary; A Gore-Tex dry suit, neoprene booties, and a life jacket will be provided; Five people are required to paddle each raft and thus, groups of guests may be combined to reach this figure; Please let us know in advance if you are allergic to latex)

You’ll enjoy a night of fun, festivity and food! Get a taste of old-time Alaska at Alaska Cabin Nite Dinner Theatre – the popular dinner theater performed in an authentic, log cabin in the Miners Plaza at Denali Park Village. Join our heroine Fannie Quigley and an unforgettable cast of characters in this true-to-life Gold Rush tale of adventure in early 1900s Alaska. It’s a great mix of colorful storytelling, spirited music and humor, brought to life by talented performers. Everyone in your group will love the lighthearted entertainment and hearty cuisine of Alaska’s most unique Cabin Nite Dinner Theatre. The All-You-Can-Eat Meal is served family-style and includes Alaskan Salmon Barbecue Ribs Potatoes Corn Drop Biscuits Berry Cobbler *Certain dietary restrictions can be accommodated. Please let us know ahead of arrival if needing special request.

Set out on an unforgettable, fun-filled guided fishing excursion to the freshwater rivers, lakes and streams around Fairbanks, which provide excellent opportunities for skilled anglers and beginners alike. Drift down some of interior Alaska’s most scenic slow-moving wilderness waterways, where the fish are plentiful. Enjoy an eight-hour session with either fly fishing or spin fishing gear, angling for northern pike, arctic grayling, and rainbow trout. Try your hand at a combination of float fishing and wade fishing. Your experienced in-the-know fishing guide will show you the best spots, depending on prevailing conditions, and offer instructions to sharpen your skills. A light lunch of cold cuts, cheeses, breads and beverages will be served on shore. This excursion includes pick-up and drop-off at your hotel and guarantees an incomparable adventure. You are sure to walk away with amazing memories. (Duration: Full Day; Shared Activity; Included: Shared Transfers from hotel in Fairbanks, licensed fishing guide, all fishing gear, lunch and fishing license; Fitness Level: Easy; Please wear multiple layers of jackets and walking shoes. Carry a hat, gloves, rain gear, sunglasses and mosquito repellent)

Discover Dawson City’s glamorous Gold Rush past as well as its vibrant present. The Dawson Historical Complex is a good place to start, with several preserved frontier-style buildings recalling the prosperity of the 19th-century Klondike Gold Rush. Continue to the Dawson City Museum, where interactive exhibits and gold-pouring demonstrations offer insights into the area’s geology, besides outlining the history of the Gold Rush and original settlers. Head to the Dänojà Zho Cultural Centre to understand the culture and heritage of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation. Visit Jack London Cabin and Interpretive Centre to see the White Fang author’s reconstructed log house and a host of stories about his Gold Rush days. Hit the outdoors with miles of hiking trails that range around the Yukon River. Go boating, swimming and fishing in the river. As the lights come out, enjoy a vaudeville show at the Diamond Tooth Berties Gambling Hall, touted as the first casino in the country, or head to an atmospheric bar to take the Sourtoe Cocktail challenge that involves a mummified human toe!

Explore Midnight Dome Viewpoint at your own pace. You could drive right to the top of this mountain, located just outside of Dawson City, or take your pick of hiking trails to ascend to an elevation of 1,700 feet. Once you reach the top, enjoy panoramic vistas of the Yukon River and the Klondike Valley. Capture stunning images of the Ogilvie Mountain Range in the distance, before you make your way back down. (Duration: half day; Self-explore activity; No guide; No transfers; Entrance fees and meals are not included; Fitness level: easy to moderate; Please bring a camera, hat, good walking shoes, sunscreen and water)

Discover the joy of paddling amid the serene environs of the historic Yukon River. Choose a sturdy canoe or kayak before you embark on an adventure that is also suitable for beginner paddlers. Glide along gently from Whitehorse to the confluence of the Takhini River. Enjoy scenic vistas as you paddle past the rugged terrain, accompanied by your knowledgeable guide. Keep an eye out for bald eagles that are found in plenty here. You might get to capture stunning images of the majestic birds, as well as the splendid views of the Canadian wilderness, before you wind up this memorable adventure. (Only available from May – Sep; Duration: Half Day; Starting Time: 0900 hrs; Shared Activity & Transfers; Group Size: 2- 10 Guests; Snacks and Non-Alcoholic Beverages Included; Please note this tour can be scheduled in the afternoon also; Choice of kayaks or canoes is offered; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance)

The diverse natural attractions of Kluane National Park make this the perfect landscape to explore on your own. Home to some of the highest peaks in the country, the sprawling Icefields Ranges and even a sizeable grizzly population, this park is a nature lover’s paradise. Set off on invigorating mountain trails that pass by meadows blooming with summer wildflowers and lakes whose waters mirror the blue of the open skies. The Kathleen Lake is a particular favorite with day-trippers, as much for its short driving distance from town as for scenic boating, camping and hiking opportunities. Go rafting on the remote Alsek River past glaciers for that adrenalin rush or choose flight tours to take in bird’s eye views of the massive ice fields. Later, discover the rich heritage of these lands at the Thachäl Dhäl Visitor Centre and if you wish, stay overnight at a signature oTENTik camp – a cross between a tent and a cabin – to soak in the wonder of the dark northern skies. (Duration: Full Day; No guide; No transfers; Entrance fees and meals are not included)

If you have the time and the weather allows it, we recommend visiting Matanuska Glacier. Drive along the Glenn Highway National Scenic Byway, going past ice-capped mountains and sparkling blue lakes. The road will take you towards Lion’s Head, one of the most picturesque places along the way. Here, you can stop for panoramic views of the glacier and to take some great photographs. Then, continue to Glacier Park Road. Travel down the hill and across the river until the road ends. Once you reach, join a shared guided tour of the glacier. Gear up with crampons, helmets and extra layers and make your way to the sheer ice walls. Walk alongside moulins, which are cylindrical shafts that are carved by meltwater from the glacier’s surface. Gain insight into the area’s history and glaciology, and its original inhabitants, the Alaskan Athabaskans. Take some amazing pictures at scenic spots before heading back. (Duration: 2 hrs; Independent activity; Transfers, entrance fees & meals are not included; Starting point: Glacier Tours office, 66500 Glacier Park Rd; Depending on your personal itinerary, weather conditions and time available to you, it may not be possible to do all recommended activities)