Arctic Summer Explorer: Road to the Arctic Sea

Duration: 8 Days | 7 Nights
Dates: June to September
Countries to be visited: Canada (Yukon and NWT)
Activity: Wildlife Viewing, Sightseeing, History, Aboriginal Culture, Hiking

Departure & Return Locations: Whitehorse

Join us as we travel overland on a fascinating route to the Arctic, along untouched wilderness and ancient wildlife corridors, and traditional trading routes of First Nations traders – later used by Klondike Gold Rush prospectors and NWMP patrolmen.

The route offers some of the greatest geographic diversity in the country; the Tombstone Mountains in the central Yukon are among the youngest mountain ranges in North America, while the low rolling Ogilvie’s with their naked spines were not glaciated during the last Ice Age, and thus are among the oldest. North of the Ogilvie Mountains, the landscape gradually flattens to low tundra and just after crossing the Arctic Circle the Richardson Mountains, the Northern-most extension of the Rocky Mountains, come into view.

From there, the roadway will begin it’s descent into the impressive Mackenzie River Delta; 12th largest in the world, to arrive at Inuvik, known as the Place of Man. The tour finishes with a thrilling excursion to the Inuvialuit village of Tuktoyaktuk, on the Arctic coast, accessible by a gravel road along the Mackenzie River and the Arctic Ocean, where we have the chance to ‘dip our toes’ in the Arctic Ocean.

Skill Level: Beginner
Min. group: 4
Max. group: 20

Note: The itinerary is a sample group itinerary with set departure dates between June and September. There are variations that can be offered (less number of days, smaller group size, trips for individuals and so on) depending on interest. Please contact us to provide the best rate for your needs.

Day 1: ARRIVE WHITEHORSE
Meet and greet and transfer to your downtown hotel. En route, your guide will offer a city highlight tour that includes SS Klondike National Historic Site, the Old Log Church and the Log Cabin Skyscraper. You’ll meet your fellow travellers and your guide will review the itinerary and your equipment at our group meeting this afternoon. The remainder of the afternoon and evening is free to explore the city and do any last-minute shopping.

Accommodation: Whitehorse

Day 2: WHITEHORSE – DAWSON CITY
Prior to the late 1950’s, the only way to travel to Dawson City in summer was on a majestic paddlewheeler like the SS Klondike. Today, we’ll cover the 550km distance in just a few hours. Our route today takes us through the heart of the Yukon interior more or less along the Yukon River valley. We’ll stop for a coffee in the morning at Braeburn Lodge, famous for its massive cinnamon buns, then continue northbound on the Klondike Highway passing through several small native villages and settlements including, Carmacks, Pelly Crossing and Stewart Crossing.

Near Carmacks, the road offers great views of famous Five Finger Rapids and about an hour outside of Dawson, we’ll stop at the Tintina Trench overlook for views of the expansive Yukon interior with the Ogilvie Mountains beyond that we’ll pass through the day after tomorrow. After a relaxed dinner we pick you up from your hotel for our evening program and visit Diamond Tooth Gerties Gambling Hall with poker game and Cancan-Dance-Girls.

Accommodation: Dawson

Day 3: DAWSON CITY
After breakfast, we discover Dawson City. A visit to the Jack London and Robert Service cabins and the museum are on the program. A highlight is the drive into the Bonanza and Eldorado Creeks where we visit the historic Dredge #4 and an active gold mine. You have the chance to try your luck panning for gold in the Klondike. In the late afternoon we travel up the Midnight Dome Road for fantastic views of Dawson City and the Yukon River. After a true northern dinner you have the time to explore the city yourself by foot.

Overnight accommodation in Dawson City.

Day 4: DAWSON CITY – EAGLE PLAINS
We’ll get an early start today and travel to the Dempster Highway. The Dempster is one of the truly great Canadian roadways. Completed only in the late 1970’s, the Dempster is still the only fully public road in North America to cross the Arctic Circle. Today’s drive is considered most scenic; Tombstone Territorial Park encompasses the jagged peaks to the West that give the park its name and further along, the Ogilvie Mountains offer superb scenery and stunning vistas.

Wildlife is often spotted along the roadsides, so keep a good watch for foxes, the occasional wolf and caribou. We’ll stop for a picnic lunch at a creek-side campground, where gray-jay’s, or ‘camp-robbers’ as they’re known locally will keep us company always happy to help with leftovers. As we arrive at Eagle Plains in the late afternoon/early evening, the modest hotel, fuel station, and highway maintenance station – the only civilization for approximately 300km in either direction – feels like an oasis!

Accommodation: Eagle Plains

Day 5: EAGLE PLAINS – INUVIK
Departing Eagle Plains, our first stop is at the Arctic Circle crossing, where we’ll enjoy a celebratory glass of champagne to commemorate this special occasion. After crossing a mountain range and two rivers (the Richardson’s and the Mackenzie and Peel Rivers), we’ll visit the First Nations community of Fort MacPherson. The famed Lost Patrol, found after they perished by RNWMP Corporal Dempster – for whom the highway is named – is laid to rest here. A former Hudson Bay trading post, some native elders still wonder the village in Hudson Bay print dresses.

Inuvik is a relatively young community with an ancient history. The Canadian government commissioned the building of the town in the 1950’s when it became apparent that the nearby traditional village of Aklavik, was slowly sinking into the delta. Inuvialuit people (Inuit, once referred to pejoratively as Eskimos) were also moved down from various points on the Arctic coast. Appropriately, the name Inuvik means Place of Man in the Inuvialuit language. We’ll take a short tour of the village on the way to hotel and you’ll have time to explore the town on foot in the evening.

Accommodation: Inuvik

Day 6: INUVIK – TUKTOYAKTUK
Today will be a memorable; we’ll travel along the expansive Mackenzie River delta towards the Arctic coast. At the rivers entrance into the Arctic Ocean, the road turns northeast and travels along the coastline of Arctic Ocean toward the village of “Tuk” as it is known by residents. Not far from town, you’ll see the first of several ‘pingos’. These are mountains literally made of ice; heaved-up season after season with the annual freeze and thaw. The tallest is over 100m! We will be met by local guides who will take us on a tour of their unique village.

Stops along the way include the historic Lady of Lourdes schooner and some of Tuk’s famous community buildings such as sod houses, churches and the community “freezer”; a hollowed out section of permafrost located deep underground. You’ll also see the Northern Early Warning site (formerly DEW Line) and even get a chance to dip your toe in the Arctic Ocean! You’ll also be invited to a local resident’s home for a glimpse at home-life in a northern community.

Accommodation: Tuktoyaktuk

Day 7: TUKTOYAKTUK TO INUVIK
Return to Inuvik. Afternoon and evening free for optional sightseeing and tours.

Accommodation: Inuvik

Day 8: INUVIK – WHITEHORSE
Transfer to Inuvik Airport, check in, board southbound aircraft. Tour services end on arrival at Whitehorse Airport. Optional evening in Whitehorse or connecting flights.

Tour Price
• Price shown is for a person based on twin share accommodation, for the travel period chosen.
• All prices displayed are subject to availability and can be withdrawn or varied without notice.
• Prices are guaranteed once booking is confirmed by us and paid in full by the due date.
• Depending on your needs and group size (individual, couple, family, group, etc.) we will provide the final pricing for your tour.

Inclusions:
• 8 days trip from Whitehorse/Inuvik
• 7 nights hotel accommodation
• Expert guidance on the entire trip
• City sightseeing tour in Whitehorse and Dawson City
• Entrance fee for "Diamond Tooth Gerties" Casino
• Guided Gold Panning Tour
• Historic First Nation City Tour in Tuktoyaktuk
• Overnight stay with First Nation Family
• All overland transportation
• Arctic Circle ceremony
• Flight Inuvik - Whitehorse
• Whitehorse/Inuvik Airport shuttles

Exclusions:
• International and domestic airfare
• Travel Insurance (required)
• Airport taxes and charges
• Any Private Expenses
• Meals not mentioned
• Personal Incidentals such as Telephone calls, Room Service, Laundry
• Tip to Guide/Driver, Porterage Fee and others which are personal in nature
• Other services not mentioned in the itinerary

Please refer to our Standard Booking Conditions for booking terms and conditions.