Trip Highlights
There are few sights that compare with autumn colours along the
Dempster Highway. Oranges, reds, and yellows spill upon the Oglivie and
Richardson Mountains to create a landscape masterpiece only nature
could paint. Evenings, free of urban smog and lights, offer
incomparable views of the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights.
From
Dawson, we will camp and drive along the gravel Dempster Highway, the
only public road to cross the Arctic Circle in Canada. During our
travels we pass through a section of the Yukon called Beringia. This
area was unaffected by the last great ice age thus presenting a
landscape that would have been very similar to that which greeted those
early migrants who used the land bridge between Alaska and Asia.
A number of day hikes are planned to view flora, fauna and some of the most incredible scenery in the north.
From
the Arctic Circle we will drive to Pelly Crossing, where we will be
boated to Fort Selkirk on the Yukon River. It was established by the
Hudson's Bay Company in 1848 and was an important community during the Klondike goldrush and the riverboat days.
ITINERARY Day 0: Arrival in Whitehorse.
Day 1: We
will begin our trip in Whitehorse. Almost immediately after leaving
Whitehorse, we will turn off the Alaska Highway and head north on the
Klondike Highway. The route is a mix of forests, open bush and bare
hills. There are some great scenic delights along the route and we will
stop to enjoy some of them. We should arrive in Dawson City in the late
afternoon.
Day 2:
The day will be spent in Dawson City. You will be mostly on your own to
allow you to focus on your own interests. We will take those who are
interested to visit the original gold fields and to the top of the
Dome, a hill overlooking Dawson.
Day 3:
In the morning we will set out for Klondike Corner and the beginning of
the Dempster Highway. The highway follows the North Klondike Valley,
flanked on either side by high mountains. After approximately 2 hours
we will reach our campsite at the Tombstone Mountain Recreation Area.
After setting up camp we will hike into Grizzly Valley, our first
opportunity to see the country up close. Our high point will provide us
with views of Mount Monolith - the most spectacularof the Tombstones.
Day 4:
As we leave the campground, the road climbs to a viewpoint of the
Tombstones, then crosses its high point at North Fork Pass and levels
out into sub-arctic tundra. Our short driving day will bring us to our
campsite at Engineer Creek. In the afternoon, those who wish to, can
join us in a hike up Sapper Hill to get a close view of the
castellations (rock formations resulting from wind and frost erosion).
Those who prefer to stay behind can spend the morning in more
relaxingpursuits.
Day 5:
Our road will take us along more spectacular castellated ridges,
reminiscent of the Great Wall of China. We will cross the Continental
Divide again through the Ogilvie Mountains and will pass into a region
untouched by glaciation. In mid-afternoon we will stop at Eagle Plains
Hotel, the first community and gas station since Klondike Corner. The
highway winds back and forth along a ridge that provides a spectacular
view of the Ogilvies. We will reach the Arctic Circle(66.5 N) in less
than an hour. Rock River Campground, our campsite, is not far from here.
Day 6: We begin heading south on our return journey. From Eagle Plains, we will return to Tombstone Campground.
Day 7:
Leaving the Tombstones we will return to Klondike Crossing and begin
our return to Whitehorse. We will stop at Pelly Crossing where we will
be boated to Fort Selkirk, established by the Hudson’s Bay Company in
1848.
Day 8: We will spend the day at Fort Selkirk. There is much to explore.
Day 9: Our
last day! - hard to believe that it is here already! We will boat back
to Pelly Crossing and head south again. We will make some stops of
interest along the way. A full day of road travel will bring us once
again to Whitehorse and the Yukon Inn.
| How to reserve your Artic Circle Package |
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| INCLUDED |  transportation from the point of origin and return
hotel in Whitehorse & Dawson City
boat to Fort Selkirk camping fees, cooking gear, camp stoves, tents meal preparations, tarps, major first aid supplies, meals/snacks/beverages on the expedition emergency radio or satellite phone professional guides
Meals: Most meals provided.
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EXCLUDED | Transportation to point of origin
transfers
accommodation and food other than included in the itinerary gratuities, and personal equipment. |
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