20 Day Tour
VANCOUVER - VANCOUVER
(motel accommodation)
'Alaskan Highway, Canadian Arctic & Inside Passage
Cruise'
Yukon Ca; Northwest Territories Ca; Alaska USA
Departing Vancouver: 13th July 2011; 3rd August 2011; 24th August 2011
Due
to great interest in this tour we have also scheduled a shorter 16 day tour
departing Vancouver 14th September 2011. It would appear that for
many, two of the main highlights of this tour are experiencing the wonderful
autumn colours of the region and also the chance to see the "northern
lights" which this tour allows. Please contact our office if you
would like to receive a copy of this itinerary.
Travel
well off the normal tourist routes along the historic Alaskan Highway, see the
extraordinary scenery and where the famous Klondike gold rush
occurred in the Yukon Territory. Experience First Nation and Inuit
culture, enjoy close-up sightings of the Arctic wildlife and cruise along the Inside
Passage.
To fully enjoy the experiences of this tour we recommend intending passengers
have a reasonable degree of fitness, health and independence.
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PRICE: Approx
$4250.00
per person, twin share (ex Vancouver BC)
(NOTE:
Price may vary according to Australian/Canadian exchange rate at time
of final payment)
Single supplement $1,500
PRICE INCLUDES:
·
Accommodation (3-4 star
rated with en-suites)
·
Coach travel in
24 passenger coach with experienced driver/guide & hostess
·
Meals as shown - (B-breakfast; L-lunch; D-dinner)
·
Admissions
and fares as follows:-
'Welcome
To Yukon' screening
'SS
Klondike' tour
Fish
ladder
Beringia
Interpretive Centre
'Frantic
Follies' show at Whitehorse
Yukon
Wildlife Preserve
Robert
Service cabin and show
Dredge
No. 4 tour
Ferry
crossings
Alaska
Marine Ferry
DAY
1:
Richmond
(VANCOUVER B C)
Arrive at Richmond near Vancouver International Airport and
gather with fellow travellers for a “meet and greet” dinner. Overnight
hotel accommodation.
DAY
2: VANCOUVER
- 100 MILE HOUSE
Our tour commences with a
drive through downtown Vancouver and over the Lion’s Gate Bridge
before we connect on to the “Sea to Sky Hwy”
to the Whistler Resort for a look at what is consistently
rated the top ski resort in North America and where the Winter Olympics were
staged in 2010. The highway climbs steeply into the Cayoosh Range
of the Coastal Mountains with 13% to 14% grades, some of the steepest
in B.C. and a great view of a glacier at Joffre Lakes.
We follow Cayoosh Creek to Lillooet and it’s confluence with the Fraser
River. Crossing the Fraser
River for the first time in many during the course of our trip, we continue
north and connect onto the Cariboo Hwy, named after the Cariboo Wagon
Trail that started from Lillooet during the gold rush in the mid 1800s.
The Highway winds through semi desert benchlands of the Upper Fraser River
canyon and crosses the B.C. railway a number of times.
We head north on Hwy 97 to our overnight stay at a township called 100
Mile House – one of the many stage stops on the original Cariboo Wagon Trail
and named for it’s distance from Lillooet.
(B,L)
DAY
3:
100
MILE HOUSE - CHETWYND
Enjoy the drive north as we pass lakes and farming country
with log cabins and pine rail fences. Lakes
in the north are as much a part of life as beaches are to many Australians
both in summer and in winter when they freeze over completely and ice fishing
is a popular sport. We pass through Williams Lake – a
large timber/rural centre (pop. 12,000) and follow the Fraser River for some
time north of McLeese Lake. Our
morning tea stop is at the woodpecker rest area with interpretive signs
explaining the serious infestation of pine beetles attacking the pine and
spruce in the north. Trembling Aspen and Paper Birch are the dominant
deciduous trees and as we travel north you will notice them beginning to turn
colour. Quesnel is another large timber area we pass through.
Continuing on Hwy 97 the city of Prince George is a major centre
of business, eduction, health and culture for northern B.C.
Timber, oil refining, mining and heavy construction are the major
industries here as is dairy and beef farming. We have an afternoon stop at Bijoux Falls before
reaching Chetwynd, polled as “the most liveable small community in
B.C.” for our second night on tour. (B,L)
DAY
4:
CHETWYND
- FORT NELSON
Our first stop today is the city of Dawson Creek
(not to be confused with Dawson City) the starting point of the famous
Alaska Hwy or “Alcan” as
still known by many. A real highlight today is a crossing of the Kiskatinaw
Bridge – a 162m curved wooden bridge on the original highway constructed
during WWII. We descend into the Peace River Canyon, the
Peace being the only river system that dissects the Rocky Mountains,
and the township of Taylor. The
town survives on a gas processing plant and timber mill with the natural gas
from nearby fields being piped from here to Vancouver. Fort St. John is our next community en-route with the slogan “Energetic
City” referring to the natural energy resources of oil, gas and
hydroelectricity that are harvested here.
We are ever aware of deer and moose as we travel the “Alcan”.
Moose in particular lack road sense and can appear from nowhere at any
time of the day. Fort Nelson, our stop for the night, is another community
thriving on oil and gas. (B,L)
DAY
5:
FORT NELSON - WATSON LAKE
Leaving Fort Nelson, the
highway veers to the west and winds through the Northern Canadian Rockies
for the next 320kms. In this
densely forested region there are many scenic vistas where rivers meander
through the wilderness. Opportunities
for many fine photos of the beautiful scenery along the way and the real
likelihood of seeing moose, bear, caribou, buffalo and stone sheep. Keep a look out for the beaver lodges after
the first crossing of the Tetsa River. Dramatic scenery as we
climb up and over the summit of Stone Mountain (elev. 1267m). The
fascinating formations of Folded Mountain are seen as we follow the
Toad River west for a while. Moose may be seen grazing in the
boggy areas alongside the road. Both
these and buffalo are a real hazard on the road.
Turning north we pass Muncho Lake and head for Liard River Hot Springs
for a lengthy lunch stop and time to enjoy a swim in the springs. (A
ten minute boardwalk to the springs where there are change rooms and toilets.
Temperature is around 46°C.)
Squirrels keep us entertained over lunch and both bears and moose have been
seen in the area. Our overnight stay is at the small community of
Watson Lake, a distribution and communication centre for the locals and
mining.
A visit to the Northern Lights Centre is well worthwhile with displays
and a film depicting and explaining the Aurora Borealis (centre close to
motel, entry approx. $10 p/person, showing at 7pm). Also within walking distance of the motel is the
unique signpost forest which
was started during WWII by a homesick soldier who erected a signpost pointing
to his home town. Many others
continue to do the same and now the signs cover several acres. (B,L)
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DAY
6:
WATSON
LAKE - WHITEHORSE (YUKON
TERRITORY)
As we head westward and north
today we cross in and out of the Yukon Territory a number of times.
The White Spruce and Lodgepole Pines which are the dominant species of
conifers in the Yukon are very evident. You
may notice the brown cones at the top of the spruce.
An average spruce produces 8,000 cones in a good year and each cone has
140 seeds. Lodgepole Pine can
withstand extreme cold, grow at high elevation and take full advantage of the
almost 24 hour summer sunlight of a short growing season.
We pass over the Continental Divide which
divides two of the largest drainage systems in North America – the Yukon
River and Mackenzie River watersheds and stop at the Nesutlin Bridge
rest area overlooking the Teslin Lake for a great photo shot.
Arriving mid afternoon in Whitehorse we take in some of the sites and
acquaint ourselves with the capital of the Yukon Territory.
(B,L)
DAY
7:
WHITEHORSE
We begin today with a
fascinating inspection of the ‘S.S. Klondike’ – a restored
sternwheeler which plied the
Yukon for many years. After this
we visit the longest wooden fish ladder in the world where glass
windows in a viewing area allow you to see chinook salmon on their way to
spawning grounds upstream. The Beringia Interpretive Centre (multimedia
exposition with life-sized exhibits of animals from the last Ice Age including
a full sized replica of a woolly Mammoth) is our next stop before lunch.
Returning to the
hotel the afternoon is free to enjoy the unique features of downtown
Whitehorse (put on your walking shoes or hire a bike to explore the banks
of the Yukon; ride on the waterfront trolley; visit the old log church/MacBride
Museum). In
the evening we enjoy the “Frantic Follies” show, a world-
class vaudeville revue set in the gold rush era.
(Lunch and dinner at your own expense today.) (B)
DAY
8:
WHITEHORSE - DAWSON CITY
Depart
for Dawson City with our first stop at the Yukon Wildlife Reserve (see
caribou, elk, moose, buffalo, muskox etc. in their natural environment). We
follow the Klondike Highway northbound skirting Lake Lebarge
(made famous in Robert Service’s poem “The Cremation of Sam McGee”) and
often with great views of the Yukon River (especially at the notorious Five
Finger Rapids).
As we approach Dawson City
(at the confluence of the Yukon and Klondike Rivers) the scars of the
world’s greatest gold rush are incredible! We do a familiarisation tour of
this famous frontier gold rush town built on permafrost and only 240kms south
of the Arctic Circle. We check
into our hotel for the next 2 nights. There are a number of places to dine
that have “character” and serve the cuisine of “the north”.
A must while in town is a visit to “Diamond Tooth Gerties”
a community run low-key gambling hall with live entertainment featuring cancan
girls. Light meals also served.
(Dinner at own expense while in Dawson City. Popular spots to dine are Klondike
Kates for true northern cuisine and Sourdough Joe’s with
fish & chips to eat in or enjoy on the river bank.) (B,L)
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DAY
9:
DAWSON
CITY
The
Visitor Information Centre is our first stop.
Locals in period costume are on hand to welcome us and we are able to
watch films depicting various aspects of life in the north during the gold
rush time. A
real highlight today is the steep drive to the summit of the ‘Midnight
Dome’ for sweeping views over Dawson City, the Klondike River and
spectacular Ogilvie Mountains. We also visit the historic cabin that was home
of writer Robert Service (Canada’s “Henry Lawson”) and enjoy a
presentation about his life and works. During the afternoon we drive out along
Bonanza Creek and take a guided tour of a gold dredge – a 5000 ton
monster that worked the alluvial fields for many decades. Time in the
afternoon to enjoy the sights of town at your own pace.
Much of the town has boardwalk access and a number of buildings are on
quite a lean as the permafrost has melted over the years. (B)
DAY
10: DAWSON
CITY - DEMPSTER HWY - EAGLE PLAINS
Today we go right “off the beaten track” and
follow the Dempster “Highway” – a recently constructed 750klm
gravel road following the historic Royal Canadian Mounted Police dog sled
route north to the Arctic Coast. The scenery is fantastic and we stop
often for photos etc. The Ogilvie Mountains to the west of the highway
lead toward the rugged, interior Tombstone Range.
These mountains were glaciated during the Ice Age.
We stop at the Tombstone Territorial Park for morning tea and a short
walk to enjoy the arctic vegetation up close.
The highway ascends above the tree line and on to tundra from here with
a spectacular view of Tombstone
Mountain centrepiece in the range (2,193mts).
We keep a look out for Dall Sheep, grizzlies, marmots, and the ptarmigan
(a white arctic bird). The red
colouring from iron oxide and the smell from nearby sulphur springs is evident
as we approach Engineer Creek. Our
lunch stop is a little further on with Sapper Hill as a backdrop.
As we climb up on to Eagle Plains plateau fields of cotton grass and
varieties of tundra plants cover the ground.
The steep drop-off and thick blanket of rock and gravel on the highway
is designed to prevent the underlying permafrost from melting.
The homely atmosphere at Eagle Plains Lodge is enjoyed tonight.
* Eagle Plains offers us an excellent chance of experiencing &
viewing Aurora Borealis (the northern lights). (B,L,D)
DAY
11: EAGLE
PLAINS - DEMPSTER HWY - INUVIK (NORTHWEST
TERRITORY)
Shortly after departing Eagle Plains we cross the Arctic
Circle and continue northward across the vast open tundra plains. This
country is the setting of the well known novel "The Lost
Patrol" by Dick North. Depending on the season we may
experience herds of migrating caribou and on previous tours we have had good
sightings of Grizzly bears on this leg of the trip. We cross the Yukon
and NWT border (advance clocks 1 hour) with the Richardson Mountains to the
west. The highway descends to the Peel River for our first ferry
crossing. The alluvial flood plain is covered by muskeg on the flats and
Scrubby Alder and stunted Black Spruce on the valley sides. Natives from Fort
McPherson have summer tent camps on the river and net fish in the summer to
dry and smoke for winter. Our second ferry crossing en-route to Inuvik is on
the world's 10th largest river - the MacKenzie. The river delta is 64km wide
and 97km long and is an important transport and wildlife corridor. A great
photo shot of the Tsiigehtchic community as we cross on the ferry. We
arrive in Inuvik late afternoon but with plenty of daylight left in the day
and check into our accommodation for the next two
nights.
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DAY
12:
ARCTIC COAST & ESKIMO VILLAGE
Inuvik is the largest Canadian community north of the Arctic
Circle and a major government, transportation and communication centre for the
region. As the delta is one of
the richest muskrat areas in the world, Inuvik is the western centre for
shipping furs south. In summer
supplies and transportation to the communities in the delta is mainly by boat
however during the winter months the ice roads bring the region closer
together. The Visitor Centre is
open 9am to 8pm daily and features interactive and wildlife displays.
Knowledgeable and helpful staff are on hand and you can pick up a certificate
of the “Order of Arctic Adventurers”.
With a population of around 3,500 the town boasts good services such as
a library (with free internet), community greenhouse, indoor sporting
centre (pools, hot tub, sauna, waterslide), general store and takeaways as
well as gift and souvenir shops. The
most photographed landmark in Inuvik, is “the Igloo Church” and you
may be able to attend a service or catch a tour of this amazing structure with
beautiful depiction of the Stations of The Cross. A walk around Boot Lake on
the Jimmy Adams Peace Trail is a great way to enjoy the town and environs.
Those wishing to take the optional short flight (at own expense) from Inuvik
across the delta country of the MacKenzie to the Arctic Coast and Tuktoyaktuk
will spend most of the day with local Inuit people (Eskimos) and experience
their lifestyle and culture and partake in an Arctic Ocean “toe dip”.
Belugia whales may be spotted on the flight between communities.
(B)
DAY
13:
INUVIK - EAGLE PLAINS
A big day today as we head south along the Dempster Highway.
Opportunities once again to spot wildlife and take some photos of the
incredible scenery along the way. (B,L,D)
DAY
14:
EAGLE PLAINS - CARMACKS
A second chance to see the highlights of the southern
section of the Dempster at a different time of the day.
Back on the Klondike Highway we have a stop at Stewart Crossing.
Evidence of a large forest fire en-route to Pelly Crossing that
consumed 325,00 acres of forest in 1995. We head for the town of Carmacks
tonight, named after George Carmack whose discovery of gold on Bonanza Creek
triggered the Klondike Gold Rush. Carmacks
was once an important stop for Yukon River steamers between Whitehorse and
Dawson City and also for early sled travellers. (B,L)
DAY
15:
CARMACKS - SKAGWAY (ALASKA)
An
early start today with our first stop en-route being at Braeburn Lodge,
an official checkpoint for the 1,000 mile Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race.
As we head south watch for elk with their distinctive white rumps as
they are frequently grazing on the exposed south-facing slopes.
We skirt around Whitehorse and link onto the Klondike Highway once
again. The highway takes us past
beautiful Emerald Lake and then the world’s smallest desert as
we near Carcross on the shore of Lake Bennett.
Historic Carcross was formerly known as Caribou Crossing because
of the large numbers of caribou that traversed the narrows between lakes.
It was a major stopping place for the gold stampeders as well as the
White Pass & Yukon Route railway. Magnificent
views of Windy Arm, an extension of Tagish Lake and sightings of old tramline
supports as we head south. We pass on through Fraser overlooking deep green Bernard Lake
and the Canada Border Services to the U.S.- Canada border.
(NOTE: passport
& green permit application with $6 per person required here.
CARE: no fruit,
vegetables, meat allowed and only 1ltr of alcohol per person.)
Once across the border we begin our decent from the White Pass
Summit with views of the famous railway, completed in 1900, as it snakes
it’s way through tunnels, across suspension bridges and alongside
waterfalls. Our accommodation in
Skagway is downtown with a short walk to browse this picturesque town catering
mainly to the many travellers aboard the large cruise ships.
(Dinner at own expense.) (B)
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DAY
16:
SKAGWAY - INSIDE PASSAGE
Skagway is located on the north end of Taiya Inlet on the Lynn
Canal and is the northern terminis of the Alaska Marine Highway
South-east ferry system. It is
the oldest incorporated city in Alaska with boatloads of stampeders arriving
here as early as 1897. False-fronted
buildings and boardwalks dating from gold rush days line the
streets.
We board our ferry early in the day and settle into our cabins on board for
the next 2 nights. Be sure to
have a good viewing position however as we head down the canal, past
waterfalls, communities such as Haines with it’s stately Fort Seward,
glaciers, islands dotted with cabins and lighthouses.
Wildlife is often spotted in the water and the air and you will find
that the locals on board (the ferry service being the main transport for
communities in the passage) are very friendly and only too willing to show you
their “neighbourhood”. We have a brief stop at Juneau before continuing
our journey south. Travellers can
enjoy the scenery from a number of vantage points on board and a cafeteria
provides a selection of food. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner at own expense while on board.)
(B)
DAY
17: INSIDE PASSAGE
Continue along the Alaska Marine Highway with remarkable
scenery en-route (towering snow capped mountains with glaciers; narrow
waterways and remote settlements). Our day of breathtaking beauty is
punctuated by the pretty
communities of Petersburg, Wrangell and Ketchikan.
DAY
18:
INSIDE PASSAGE - PRINCE GEORGE (BRITISH COLUMBIA)
We have an early start today as we disembark at Prince
Rupert , a major sea and rail port for western Canada.
An alfresco breakfast is enjoyed on the bank of the Skeena River
where we may be lucky to spot seals and sea lions feeding on salmon.
Passing through the village of Terrace we follow the Skeena River for
some time. Keep a look out for
black bear catching salmon. The
river was vital for transportation in the late 1800’s when “stern
wheelers and smaller craft fought their way through the Coastal Mountains,
churning past such awesome places as ‘The Devil’s Elbow’ and ‘The
Hornet’s Nest’. Men and
supplies were freighted upstream, furs and gold downstream.”
The First Nation’s village of Kitseguecla has totem poles
throughout that are classic examples and still in their original locations.
Further east we stop at Moricetown Canyon and Falls where, more
than likely, First Nation’s people will be netting salmon as they negotiate
the falls. We stop at Smithers
for lunch (at own expense). This
is a large centre for the surrounding rural community and nearby ski fields
and is dominated by Hudson Bay Mountain to the south. Passing through Telkway and Houston with the “world’s
largest fly fishing rod” then on through Burns Lake and past a Mennonite
community we arrive in Prince George in good time to settle into our
motel. (B)
DAY
19:
PRINCE GEORGE - VANCOUVER
Located at the confluence of the
Nechako and Fraser rivers, Prince George is BC’s fourth largest city (pop.
80,000 approx) and is a hub for trade and travel routes in the region.
We have another early start for a full day of great scenery following
the Fraser River for much of the time.
From Cache Creek to Lytton the view down into the gulch is amazing.
White water rafting is popular in this section of the river and the
Canadian National and Canadian
Pacific Railways hug and cross the river in a number of places.
At Lytton the Thompson River joins the Fraser River.
Downstream we pass through one of the longest tunnels in North
America. Skirting around Hope we turn on to the Trans Canada Highway
and head west to Abbotsford and
then back in to our Richmond hotel where we enjoy dinner together on
our last night on tour. (B,L,D)
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DAY
20:
VANCOUVER - HOME
Breakfast at your leisure before dispersing.