Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 – Welcome to Whitehorse
Welcome to Whitehorse! The bustling capital of the province is the first stop on your Yukon self drive vacation. After picking up your rental car and checking into the hotel, explore the city’s eclectic charm and rich history which stems from the boom of the Klondike gold rush. Whitehorse also serves as a gateway into the wilderness beyond with plenty of optional activities like canoeing tours, flightseeing adventures, and dogsledding excitement. Retire for the evening at the Edgewater Hotel (all hotels are guidelines only, as hotel booking depends on availability.)

Day 2 – From Whitehorse to Mayo (253 miles/407 km, 5 hrs)
Continue your Klondike tour exploration of the Gold Rush by traveling the Klondike Highway west towards Dawson City. Consider a detour from Minto to Fort Selkirk, an abandoned mining community accessible only by boat tour. Driving along the Klondike Highway find yourself at the intersection with the Silver Trail Highway and drive towards Mayo and Keno City. Explore these quaint silver mining towns before spending the night at the Bedrock motel in Mayo.

Day 3 – Mayo to Dawson City (146 miles/235 km, 3 hrs)
Drive the Silver Trail as you continue west along the Klondike Highway to Dawson City. For part of the way you will be traveling alongside the Yukon River with its swirling azure waters and serene mountain landscapes. With time to spare in Dawson City enjoy the rich history of the most important site on this Klondike tour and the breathtaking scenery of the land of the midnight sun and Northern Lights. Spend the night at the Aurora Inn.

Day 4 – Going for Gold in Dawson City
Spend the day exploring the Klondike goldfields and relaxing in the old Gold Rush atmosphere of Dawson City. Consider also an optional but highly memorable evening cruise on the Yukon River aboard a luxury catamaran. This cruise takes you 102 miles along the river with its breathtaking scenery to Eagle, a small community where you will spend the night before returning to Dawson City in the morning.

Day 5 – The Top of the World to Beaver Creek (308 miles/493 km, 8 hrs)
Crossing the Yukon River by state ferry (free of charge) you will start your drive along the Top of the World highway leading towards Tok. This highway winds its way along treeless ridges and, especially on clear days, offers incredible views of seemingly endless landscapes. From the Top of the World take the Taylor Highway to the Alaska Highway, and continue east to the border town of Beaver Creek, Canada. Overnight at Ida’s Motel.

Day 6 – Into the Park (184 miles/295 km, 4 hrs)
Driving the Alaska Highway towards Haines Junction you will travel beside Kluane Lake and be awarded many spectacular views of the Yukon’s largest lake. Upon arrival at Haines Junction, the gateway to Kluane National Park (a World Heritage Site), begin your exploration of the park on an optional guided ecohike or wander the trails on your own. Spend the night at the Raven Inn.

Day 7 – Kluane National Park
With the entire day to explore this wilderness treasure of mountains, icefields, and lush valleys, consider one of the many optional activities. Check out the Visitor’s Center for exciting possibilities like flightseeing, rafting, and biking tours. Overnight at the Inn.

Day 8 – Spotting Bald Eagles to Haines (146 miles/234 km, 3 hrs)
Continue your Yukon self drive vacation by taking the Haines Highway along the wild perimeter of Kluane National Park taking you into the Alaska drive leg of your journey and towards Haines. Just before reaching the city, take the opportunity to explore the Chilkat Valley and its Bald Eagle preserve where thousands of the birds come to roost and feed. After arrival in Haines explore the history and life of this vibrant town boasting a beautiful location on the shores of a fjord and backed by snow-capped mountains. Spend the night at Hotel Hälsingland.

Day 9 – Glaciers from Haines
Spend the day exploring Haines or choose from a variety of optional activities. Personal favorites include a Alaska wildlife tour float trip down the Chilkat Valley which offers incredible opportunities to see Bald Eagles (and maybe even Grizzly bears, black bears, and wolves) up close from the safety and comfort of a raft, and tours to Glacier Bay (either fly and cruise catamaran tours, or flightseeing tours). Overnight in Haines.

Day 10 – To Skagway (1 hr ferry)
Depart Haines at your leisure for the one hour cruise to Skagway, an important stop on any Klondike tour. With plenty of time in Skagway enjoy the town’s unique gold rush history or choose from a variety of optional activities including guided city tours, Yukon rail adventures, flightseeing, and Glacier bay tours. Spend the night in Skagway at the Mile Zero B&B.

Day 11 – Skagway to Teslin River (189 miles/202 km, 3.5 hrs)
With only a short drive today spend the morning exploring the charms of Skagway a little more. Once you start your drive you will take the Klondike Highway north back into the Yukon towards Whitehorse and Marsh Lake. Along the way you will pass the interesting community of Carcross (of the Carcoss desert), and Emerald Lake. Make your home for the next two nights at the first class Inn on the Lake.

Day 12 – Exploring the River
With time at leisure today, choose to kayak, canoe, mountain bike, or just relax in this beautiful and quiet setting.

Day 13 – Back to Whitehorse (76 miles/122 km, 1.5 hrs)
Driving back from the serene river to the bustle of Whitehorse won’t take too long, so plan to make the most of your time in the capital. Perhaps shopping for a few souvenirs?

Day 14 – Departure from Whitehorse
Say your goodbyes to Yukon on this last day of your Yukon self drive vacation. Return your rental car to the station and reflect on all the miles you’ve clocked and all the things you’ve seen – the morning commute won’t ever feel the same!