Wild, rugged country, like you knew it would be. During your 21-day camping tour between Vancouver, BC and Whitehorse, Yukon you travel stretches where the chances to meet wild animals are better than finding people.
The spectacular landscapes along the primitive Campbell and Cassiar Highways are hardly touched by tourism. Kluane National Park is totally uninhabited.
Exploring and hiking in these areas as well as the forests and arid hills of the high plateaus between the Rockies and coastal ranges you visit the most outstanding places in a variety of landscapes.
Trip Itinerary
This routing is also done as oneway from Whitehorse to Vancouver (please see dates above).
Day 1: Vancouver, British Columbia
Arrival in Vancouver, transfer to the hotel and pre trip information with the guide.
Day 2: Whistler / Pemberton
You board the bus for the drive north along the Sunshine Coast into the holiday town of Whistler, favourite summer and winter playground and site of the 2010 Winter Olympics. For the first hike you take a 4 km (2.5 mi) trail to a beautiful lake from where you can conquer an second lake after a further 2 km climb. Camping in a Provincial Park..
Day 3: William Lake
Around 1870 the Cariboo Taril was the arduous route from Vancouver into the Cariboo Mountain gold fields. Today the high plateau is ranch country where professional cowboys guard scattered cattle herds. Camping on a ranch with opportunity for a trail ride.
Day 4: Fort St. James
Down the valley of the Frazer River past sleepy villages to the campground on Stuart Lake for the next two days. Today the former fur trading post is a National Historic Site, the old building an open air museum.
Day 5: Fort St. James
This National Park and historic site on the shore of Stuart Lake and surrounded by mountains stems from the times of the fur trade. The buildings of the former trading post are today an outdoor museum. You hike up Mount Pope for a grandiose panorama view of the lake and into the distant plateau / 12 km or 7.2 miles return. (250 km).
Day 6: New Hazelton
Fort St.James on the shore of Stuart Lake, surrounded by mountains, stems from the times of the fur traders. Climbing Mount Pope is rewarded with a grandiose panorama view. Moricetown Falls is a narrow canyon where salmon can be seen during the summer months. Campground at Ksan, a historic village where Native guides explain totem poles and longhouses of an ancient culture. (380 km).
Day 7: Stewart
Native guides explain totem poles and longhouses of an ancient culture. The oldest still standing totem poles can be found near Kitwanga and Kitwancool. Camping by a lake, there is time this evening for an excursion to fantastic hanging glaciers at Bear Pass. (320 km).
Day 8: Stewart
A side trip to Alaska. Only 3 km and an international border apart but what contrasts. Tidy, typical Canadian Stewart has the school and the bank, end-of-the-road Hyder is purely Alaskan and has the bears and the glacier. Black bears and grizzlies fishing for salmon are not bothered by spectators and occasionally walk through the village. Several movies were filmed here.
Day 9: Cassiar Highway
Only a few hundred souls live along this rarely travelled northern route. The scenery of the high plateau, framed by rugged peaks of the Coastal and Cassiar Ranges leaves a powerfully impression. What a perfect day for hiking! (300 km).
Day 10: Frances Lake
Still on the Cassiar Highway through absolute wilderness with roaring rivers, lonely lakes and endless forests. Watson Lake with the „sign forest“ is already part of the Yukon. If you feel homesick you may add your town sign to the collection. A short film in the interpretative centre shows the importance of this highway stop. You take the Robert Campbell route north, a true discovery route. Large coaches avoid this gravel road, here you experience old-time Yukon nature. Camping at Frances Lake and a hike this afternoon. (460 km).
Day 11: Faro
Except for the Native village of Ross River you find no other settlements during today’s drive. Camp is near the mining town of Faro on the Pelly River. By making use of some mining trails you can reach a 2060-m highland with a moderate 2 to 4 hour hike (up to 12 km with up to 800 m gain, 7.2 miles with 2625 ft). Great views, a waterfall and observing wildlife are the rewards. (180 km).
Day 12: Tatchun Lake
Wolves and bears call this land their home, so keep your eyes peeled. Camping at picturesque Tatchun Lake. (180 km).
Day 13: Dawson City
Past Stewart Crossing you are on the Silver Trail with the historic towns of Mayo, Elsa and Keno. Silver mines operated here until a few years ago. Tonight you reach Dawson City and the campground on the banks of the Yukon River. Don’t miss the town’s nightlife with gambling casinos and Can-Can dance girls. (560 km).
Day 14: Dawson / Dempster Highway
After a side trip to Bonanza Creek, a hundred years ago site of the biggest gold rush of all times, you leave the Klondike gold fields. The infamous Dempster Highway, 730 km (455 mi) of gravel, is the only road connection to the arctic ocean. Camp at the base of the Tombstone Mountains. (110 km).
Day 15: Tombstone Mountains
The program calls for a 10 km (6.3 mi) hike with 550 m (1815 ft) gain. The black basalt mountains have a moonscape appearance of but are home of caribous which can be spotted in small groups and large herds. Each season has its own charm, like the coloration of the forests in late summer.
Day 16: Lake Laberge
You travel south via the Klondike Highway. Along the Yukon River old mail stations, rest houses and small settlements are reminders of the great gold rush. A short trail leads to the Five Finger Rapids where years ago many a paddle wheeler met its doom. Campground at Lake Laberge. (500 km).
Day 17: Kluane Nationalpark
After a visit of Takhini Hotsprings we reach Kluane National Park - A land of superlatives: Mt. Logan (5959 m, 19665 ft), Canada’s highest mountain, in Canada’s largest national park with the world’s largest glacier field (except at the north and south poles). Another attraction is the abundant fauna. Base camp is set up at the border to the national park; the first excursion is a hike to pretty Kathleen Lake. (180 km).
Day 18: Kluane Nationalpark
The Auriol-Trail is a 12 km (7.5 mi) loop with amazing scenery. Walking time is app. 4 hours with 300 m (182 ft) elevation gain to a maximum height of 1159 m (3825 ft).
Day 19: Kluane Nationalpark
The most spectacular hike of this region: Sheep Mountain overlooking huge Kluane Lake. It calls for a five hour, 14 km (9 mi) hike with good chances to spot the elusive white dall sheep. There is also opportunity for a white water rafting trip on the Tatshenshini River or a sightseeing flight deep into the park. (140 km).
Day 20: Whitehorse
The Alaska Highway to the capital of the Yukon. In Whitehorse the program calls for a visit of Miles Canyon and the world’s longest fish ladder. You should also make time for the McBride- and the Beringia Museum as well as the S.S.Klondike paddle wheeler. Hotel and final get-together for tonight. (160 km).
Day 21: Abreise
Transfer to the airport. If you are really gripped by the spirit of adventure you might want to consider a 7-day guided Yukon River canoe trip. (Itnerary like Yukon River (8 Days) ).
(As the trip is done in expedition fashion changes in travel itinerary are a possibility and are left up to the discretion of the guide.)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- 21 days trip from Calgary to Whitehorse (or Whitehorse to Calgary)
- Expert guidance on the entire trip
- Multilingual guides (English, French and German)
- Airport transfers Edmonton and Whitehorse
- Overland transportation (Maxi Van)
- Two nights hotel accommodation (twin)
- Other nights in spacious tents (2 person/tent)
- Guided hiking trips (Jasper NP, Kluane NP, Tombstone Mountains)
- Camping equipment including hard foam mattress (except sleeping bag)
- Fees for campgrounds
- Admission to the national parks and Fort St. James Historic Site
- Entrance fee “Ksan Historical Village“
- Entrance fee “Diamond Tooth Gerties“
- Entrance fee museum in Dawson City
For the visit of Hyder, Alaska, a USA visa is not required
Price Excludes:
- Personal extras
- Optional: Glacier flight (appr. Can-$ 85.00/person), Rafting Tatshenshini River (appr. Can-$ 110.00/person), Sleeping bag, Food Kitty appr. Can-$ 10.00- per day.
Also see tour packages in:
Canada
Alberta
British Columbia
Yukon
Ecotourism
Wildlife Viewing
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