Day 1
Anchorage Arrival
Depart London Heathrow – 15:10
Arrive Seattle – 16:40
Journey Time – 9 hours 30 minutes
Depart Seattle – 19:00
Arrive Anchorage – 21:37
Journey Time – 3 hours 37 minutes
We do not recommend collection of your rental car at the airport on arrival. A hotel shuttle may be available, otherwise take one of the metered cabs (payable by yourselves locally) from the airport to your Anchorage hotel. Get a good night’s sleep and be ready for tomorrow!
Overnight – Anchorage
Day 2
Anchorage to Denali National Park
237 miles.
This morning you will collect your rental car from a convenient downtown location rather than having to go back out to the airport, as is the case with many rental companies. Please ask about the additional cost for the in-car satellite navigation that will guide you along your route, many of our clients say Sat Nav – be it your own unit or a rented one – is an invaluable addition to any fly drive holiday and we would have to agree.
Drive the Glenn Highway north to Wasilla. Interesting stops along the Glenn Highway might be the Alaska Native Heritage Center and the Eklutna Indian Village. In Wasilla you continue on the Parks Highway north towards Denali National Park. You drive through the Matanuska-Susitna Valley and Denali State Park. Possible side trip to the small gold mining community Talkeetna, famous for its special charm is available (not included).
Overnight – Denali
Day 3
Denali
This morning enjoy a 6-8-hour bus tour into Denali National Park (approx. 53 miles/88km into the park, snack included). The park is inhabited by many different animal species. With some luck you may see bears, caribou, moose, sheep, wolves and a variety of birds. Mt. McKinley can be seen if the weather is clear today. (In shoulder seasons the duration of the bus tour will be shorter due to weather/ road conditions!)
The rest of the day is at your leisure. You can enjoy one of the optional activities at the park entrance area such as water rafting (not included).
Overnight – Denali
Day 4
Denali to Fairbanks
125 miles
This morning continue driving on the Parks Highway north to Fairbanks. Accompanied by incredible forest and mountain landscape you drive through the communities Healy, Nenana and by the community Ester, an old mining camp. In Fairbanks visit the University of Alaska Museum of the North or enjoy a sternwheeler riverboat tour (not included).
Overnight – Fairbanks
Day 5
Fairbanks to Tok
206 miles
Follow the Richardson & Alaska Highways east toward Tok. Just outside of Fairbanks you drive by North Pole, the home of North America’s Santa Claus.
Overnight – Tok
Day 6
Tok to Dawson City
185 Miles
The Top of the World Highway (partly gravel road!) brings you through spectacular backcountry and gold mining areas. When the highway reaches its highest elevation incredible views into far reaching countryside open up. Before you reach Dawson City, you cross the Yukon River by state ferry. With arrival into historic gold rush town, Dawson City, you might feel you just landed in a different century – like entering a real life Wild West movie set. It is a well preserved, authentic frontier town lined with brightly coloured buildings and wooden boardwalks – tucked away in the Yukon wilderness. Today, Dawson City is in many ways just as it was at the height of the Gold Rush in 1898. It has been lovingly restored and is populated by colourful friendly characters ensuring that the memories of those fortune-seekers will never be forgotten and that visitors today have fun.
During the Gold Rush, Dawson was home to a wide assortment of casinos, beer halls and brothels — This evening be sure to visit the ever popular historic ‘Diamond Tooth Gerties’ gambling hall where you can play blackjack and take in a show.
Overnight – Dawson City
Day 7
Dawson City
333 Miles
Spend today exploring the Klondike goldfields and enjoy the old Gold Rush atmosphere of Dawson City. Or take a drive up to Tombstone Territorial Park (approx 1.5 hours from Dawson City) and experience the start of the scenic Dempster Highway – Canada’s only all season public road to cross the Arctic Circle. The Dempster Highway runs north through Tombstone, making wildlife, birds and tundra walks accessible to even roadside explorers. Stop at Tombstone Interpretive centre and again at a vista point overlooking the North Klondike River valley where the jagged peaks of the Tombstone mountain range dominate the landscape.
Overnight – Dawson City
Day 8
Dawson City to Whitehorse
333 Miles
Today you travel the Klondike Highway east to Yukon’s capital city, Whitehorse.
Although a city, Whitehorse has a population of just 25,000 people and therefore has more the feeling of a town. It is set on a grid system (downtown is approx. 8 blocks by 18) with a classic main street and with the Yukon River flowing right through it, surrounded by endless mountains, lakes and boreal forest it is easy to see why it’s known as the Wilderness City.
Whitehorse was named by the gold miners in the late 1800’s who thought the rapids at nearby Miles Canyon looked like manes of charging white horses (the river has since been dammed – in the 1950’s).
Overnight – Whitehorse
Day 9
Whitehorse to Skagway to Haines
109 miles + Ferry
Enjoy another spectacular drive today. Highlights include Emerald Lake, Carcross desert and the small community of Carcross. Later you will reach the highest elevation of the highway which is White Pass. Hundreds of stampeders climbed over this pass from Skagway to reach the promising Klondike gold fields in the late 1890s. Enjoy walking through Skagway’s historic downtown and optional excursions. Later today take the Alaska Marine Highway ferry to Haines**.
** Please Note: The ferry schedule is subject to change. Ferry may not operate daily and departure times can vary! There is a possibility that clients drive from Whitehorse to Skagway on day 9, overnight in Skagway on day 9 and take the ferry to Haines in the morning of day 10!
Overnight – Haines
Day 10
Haines to Haines Junction
146 miles
Take some more time to visit Haines and learn about its history. One of the unique areas near Haines is the Chilkat Valley and Bald eagle preserve. Especially in the fall and winter time, hundreds of bald eagles come to this valley.
Today’s drive takes you through this area and further north along the perimeter of Kluane National Park. Weather permitting you can enjoy impressive mountain scenery. In Haines Junction is the head quarter of the Kluane National Park. Please note that the park is not accessible by road. The best way to see parts of this park, including it’s magnificent glaciers, is with a flightseeing tour which is available from Haines Junction (highly recommended – not included).
Overnight – Haines Junction
Day 11
Haines Junction to Tok
297 miles
Journey to the magnificent forest of coastal redwoods in Muir Woods, then cross the Golden Gate Bridge to arrive in the City by the Bay, San Francisco.
Overnight – Tok
Day 12
Wasilla
Travel the Tok Cutoff through mountain and forest landscape to Glennallen, then continue on the scenic Glenn Highway to Wasilla. Highlights of the latter part of today’s route are the Matanuska Glacier and Matanuska River Valley. Guided glacier hikes and rafting tours are available. When you reach Palmer, visit the Musk Ox Farm or take a hike in the hidden but beautiful Hatcher Pass Area.
Overnight – Wasilla
Day 13
Wasilla to Seward
167 miles
Drive the Glenn Highway south to Anchorage and continue on the Seward Highway. Outside of Anchorage travel along the scenic Turnagain Arm. Turnagain Arm is known for its tides and sometimes you can see Beluga whales or Dall Sheep along the highway. A great stop for lunch is the Alyeska Ski Resort/Girdwood. Here you can take the tram up Mt Alyeska. Another interesting stop might be Portage Glacier and its interesting visitor center. In Seward you might want to visit Exit Glacier and the Alaska SeaLife Centre.
Overnight – Seward
Day 14
Seward to Anchorage
127 miles
This morning you have the possibility to take a wildlife and glacier cruise into scenic Kenai Fjords National Park. Then drive the Seward Highway back to Anchorage.
Overnight – Anchorage
Day 15
Anchorage Departure
Return car to Anchorage car rental station. Depart or start additional program.
Depart Anchorage – 11:30
Arrive Seattle – 15:50
Journey Time – 3 hours 20 minutes
Depart Seattle – 18:45
Arrive Heathrow – 11:50 (Next Day)
Journey Time – 9 hours 5 minutes
