Arctic Exploration

Arctic Exploration

The Ultimate Yukon Road Trip: Whitehorse to the Arctic Ocean

10-day Tour to the Arctic — Yukon Tours: Whitehorse to Tuktoyaktuk

Experience one of the most Epic Yukon road trips: a 10-day tour to the Arctic that journeys from Whitehorse — the capital of the Yukon — north through dramatic tundra, gold-rush towns, and remote wilderness to the Arctic Ocean at Tuktoyaktuk.

From the quirky Carcross Desert to sampling Klondike Gold Rush history in Dawson. This tour covers all the best bits of the Yukon before tackling the Dempster Highway, one of North America’s wildest corridors, crossing the Arctic Circle and overnighting at the lone outpost of Eagle Plains on the 770 km stretch toward the Arctic Ocean. See the jagged Tombstone Mountains, traverse the Richardson Range and follow the Ogilvie Ridge past remote communities like Fort McPherson, base yourself in Inuvik, and complete the unforgettable final leg—the drive to the Arctic Ocean at Tuktoyaktuk. This immersive tour to the Arctic is a standout option among adventurous Yukon tours.

Why choose this Yukon tour?
This guided tour to the Arctic blends cultural history, dramatic landscapes, and true wilderness travel. Designed for adventurous travellers who want authentic Yukon tours, the itinerary balances scenic drives with immersive stops and iconic viewpoints

Itinerary "Arctic Exploration"

Day 1

Arrival in Whitehorse

Welcome to Whitehorse, the capital of Yukon, the true north of Canada. Your travel guide will personally pick you up from the airport and take you to your accommodation. They will happily provide you with some interesting facts about buildings and other things at the wayside.

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After checking into your hotel and receiving a refreshment, your travel guide will meet up with you again to review your future experiences.

Overnight stay in Whitehorse.

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Day 2

Carcross & The Southern Lakes

On your first full day in Northern Canada, explore some of the sights in Whitehorse, before we head down the South Klondike Highway to Carcross, the small Indigenous community notably visited by William and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, on their 2016 tour. 

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With the backdrop of the majestic mountain landscapes around us, we will visit the Carcross Desert, the World’s Smallest Desert, and learn the thrilling history of the Klondike Gold Rush on the frozen shores of Bennett Lake.

Overnight stay in Whitehorse.

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Day 3

Kluane – Wildlife & Vistas

Today we drive to Haines Junction, the entrance to one of the most beautiful National Parks in Canada, Kluane National Park.

As we continue our trip towards Kluane National Park, we will catch a first, awe-inspiring view of the magnificent mountains of the park.

 

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We might also encounter bears, deer and other wild animals at the edge of the road or the mostly grassy shoulder of the way, so pay proper attention and keep your camera ready for anything that might cross our path.

With countless photographic opportunities to come, make sure you have your camera with enough memory space with you for the trip. After a stop at the Parks Canada interpretive centre, and grabbing a bite to eat at the Village Bakery, we head up to the Kluane Lake area for a short walk to some stunning views.

Overnight Whitehorse

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Day 4

Drive to Dawson City

On this day, we will travel from Whitehorse along the North Klondike Highway to the historic capital of the Great Klondike Gold Rush, Dawson City.

Passing through plenty of gorgeous picturesque landscapes along the way, we’ll also stop at the dreaded Five Finger Rapids and see first-hand the terrifying river which sank many paddle steamers both during and after the Gold Rush.

Navigating these incredible rocks took enormous courage and skill – sadly taking many prospectors’ lives along the way.

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As we arrive in Dawson City in the late afternoon, we will check into our hotel. We will spend the evening in one of the historic bars in town.

Overnight stay in Dawson City.

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Day 5

Dawson City

On our drive through Bonanza valley, we will make multiple stops at the historic sites of the Gold Rush. First, at the giant wood excavator Dredge No 4, where we will learn how it and other massive gold excavators were extracting gold up until the 1940s.

Then following that, we will stop by Discovery Claim, the spot where the first Klondike gold was found in Bonanza Creek.

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Later in the afternoon, we will bring our trip to a close-by driving to the top of Midnight Dome, Dawson City’s famous local mountain.

Midnight Dome offers a marvellous view over the town and the Yukon River and Klondike River. The evening is at your free disposal.

Overnight stay in Dawson City.

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Day 6

Dempster Highway, drive to Eagle Plains.

Today our adventure on Dempster Highway begins. We will take the first kilometres on 770 kilometre-long Dempster Highway, the only road connection from Yukon to the north of Canada, leading to Northwest Territories.

The gravel road will make for a thrilling ride while making many stops to take photos and take in the stunning, endless scenery.

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One of the stops will be an impressive view of the Tombstone Mountains. We will spend the night in the only hotel/motel on our journey northwards, in Eagle Plains.

The motel is also the sole petrol station on our trip.

Overnight stay in Eagle Plains.

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Day 7

Drive to Inuvik

Eagle Plains is separated only a few kilometres from the Arctic Circle itself. As we cross the 66th parallel north, we will toast with a glass of sparkling wine on the lookout point. Shortly afterwards, we will pass the border from Yukon to Northwest Territories.

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On our further way northwards, we will cross the gorgeous Richardson Mountains and gaze at their seemingly endless mountain ranges, as well as passing several villages, one of them being Tsiigehtchic.

We will cross the Peel and Mackenzie Rivers via ice-bridge, before reaching Fort McPherson. This is where the Lost Patrol memorial is located, making it one of Canada’s most important historical sites.

Finally, we will arrive at our accommodation in Inuvik in the late afternoon.

Overnight stay in Inuvik.

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Day 8

Drive to Tuktoyaktuk

At this point, we will have put most of Dempster Highway behind us. However, there is a permanent road connection to the Arctic Ocean since November 2017, making it possible to head northwards even during the summer months.

Travelling on the ITH Highway, which connects Inuvik with the small Inuit settlement Tuktoyaktuk, is a very own highlight on its own.

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The highway was built on permafrost ground at significant expense and under extreme conditions. Travelling this road is an endeavour of a particular kind.

In Tuk, we will do a short city tour and walk on the frozen Arctic Ocean. Afterwards, we will travel the Inuvik-Tuk-Highway in the opposite direction, taking us back to our hotel in Inuvik.

Overnight stay in Inuvik.

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Day 9

Return flight to Whitehorse

This day will mark the end of 10 unforgettable days in the polar region. As we bid farewell to the Arctic, we take our return flight to Whitehorse, where the afternoon and evening are free to spend at your disposal.

Overnight stay in Whitehorse.

Day 10

Return flight / individual connecting program

Today we will finally bid farewell to Yukon. You will leave not without many unforgettable impressions or will continue your journey at your discretion.

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