INUIT LANDS AND THE ROAD TO THE ARCTIC
9 Day Tour from Whitehorse to Whitehorse
Availability:
June 15 & September 3, 2022
For details on pricing or to book, contact your local Maritime Travel Advisor.
On this tour you will be introduced to two of Canada’s northernmost territories, the Yukon and the Northwest Territories. Drive on the iconic Dempster Highway, stop at the Arctic Circle Monument, visit the Inuit community of Tuktoyaktuk on the Arctic Coast and a traditional Inuit whaling base in the Mackenzie River delta. See the geological wonders of pingos and spend time with Inuit families. Along the way experience many cultural displays, travel in a comfortable heated coach and make memories that will stay with you forever.
These tours are defined by their incomparably unique itineraries, featuring 'off the beaten path' destinations and immersive experiences. An intimate group size allows us to stay in smaller, centrally located, unique and boutique style inns, lodges and hotels, utilize traditional local transportation and dive deep into each destination's local culture and traditions.
TOP HIGHLIGHTS:
• Whitehorse
• Dawson City
• Drive on the Iconic Dempster Highway crossing the Arctic Circle
• Amongst the First to Drive the Mackenzie Valley Highway to the Arctic Ocean
• Visit a Traditional Inuit Whaling Camp on the Mackenzie River Delta
• Inuvik
• Tuktoyaktuk
• See the Midnight Sun
• Spend Time in Inuit Homes
WHAT'S INCLUDED
√ 8 nights of accommodation (3.5-4 star)
√ Professional driver-guide
√ Transportation on deluxe motorcoach
√ Economy class airfare between Whitehorse and Dawson City
√ Economy class airfare between Inuvik and Whitehorse
√ 19 meals: 8 breakfasts, 3 picnic lunches, 8 dinners
EXCLUSIONS
X 5% provincial tax on top of tour base rate
X Gratuities to driver (Recommend $3-$4 per person per day)
X Gratuities to guide (Recommend $5-$7 per person per day)
X Meals not listed
X Attractions not listed
X Credit card payment fees, where applicable
X Airfare — domestic and international (Unless Specified)
X Travel insurance (Strongly recommended, ask us for a quote!)
X Items of a personal nature
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive in Whitehorse, YT
Welcome to Whitehorse, named the Wilderness City and the capital of the Yukon Territory, located on the banks of the Yukon River north of the 60th Parallel. Your arrival transfer to the hotel will be coordinated by us and upon arrival, you will be greeted by the Anderson Vacations Tour Leader. There will be a tour briefing and our first group dinner to prepare us for the adventures to follow.
Overnight: Whitehorse
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Whitehorse, YT
An easy start followed by a guided walking tour of some of the city highlights. The capital of the Yukon Territory, Whitehorse, offers a charming inside view to the history of the North. We visit the Visitor Centre to learn about the different regions of the Yukon, the SS Klondike paddle wheeler boat and the Old Log Church, both restored relics from the Gold Rush days. We visit the world's longest wooden fish ladder and a Log Skyscraper. To finish with an inspiration of the North, we will have a guided tour through the MacBride Museum. Whitehorse has great shops, galleries and museums that are open all year. During free times, you can stroll down Main Street and spend time with the locals in the lively cafés and interesting stores. Keep an eye out for local culinary products - you will be surprised at the food scene here. There will be time this afternoon to take a walk along the scenic riverfront pathway and enjoy the long hours of daylight that the northern location brings.
Overnight: Whitehorse
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3: Whitehorse, YT
We start our day at the Kwanlin Dün Indigenous Cultural Centre situated on the banks of the Yukon River where the Kwanlin Dün First Nation people celebrate their heritage and way of life. The Kwanlin Dün Centre represents the return of the Indigenous People to their traditional home along the banks of the Chu Niikwän (Yukon River). Throughout the facility, the Indigenous Peoples tradition of welcoming others to experience, and to celebrate and share the Indigenous history, traditions and culture with Yukoners and visitors from around the world, is reflected. On our June departure, we also visit the magnificent Kluane National Park, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. We will stop at Sheep Mountain hoping to spot local Dall sheep in their natural environment. We also learn about the glacial fields in the Kluane National Park at the Park Visitor Centre. Return to Whitehorse in the evening.
Overnight: Whitehorse
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4: Whitehorse - Dawson City, YT
This morning, we take a short flight to Dawson City, an eclectic and vibrant northern community on the banks of the Yukon River, possibly soon to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site (being currently reviewed). The town is a mix of First Nations heritage and Gold Rush history, blended with an active gold mining industry as well as a thriving arts scene. Dawson's history includes Beringia, the Ice Age period which formed the unique landscape, the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in indigenous people who have called this place home for centuries, as well as the Klondike Gold Rush, that put this town on the map worldwide. Dawson today is a colourful community that still has the look and feel of a wild-west frontier town, with personalities to boot. Miners, artists, wanderers, and the Indigenous People, all call this place home. We will join an informative local guide on a walking tour that compares the Dawson of 1898 to the Dawson of today. We walk through back alleys, historic buildings and see Dawson City the way locals do"¦ and did. We will hear some incredible tales about the people that roamed the streets during the Gold Rush period. We will then board a minibus for a drive tour of Dawson City and the goldfields. Time permitting, we will try and include gold panning at Claim No. 33 - guaranteed gold! We will also experience Dawson City and the Yukon Valley from the top of the Midnight Dome, a great viewpoint with stunning photo opportunities and breathtaking views. This evening, for a whooping good time, we will go to Canada's very first gambling hall and saloon, the Diamond Tooth Gerties Gambling Hall! Since 1971, Diamond Tooth Gerties has been wowing visitors with its unique Klondike period style Can-Can entertainment. Complete with casino games, nostalgic tunes, and three different cancan-inspired shows, it will be a night on the town just like the original stampeders that you will not forget!
Overnight: Dawson City
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5: Dawson City - Eagle Plains, YT
This morning we depart for our drive to Eagle Plains on the iconic Dempster Highway, driving over vast stretches of the tundra, through the Richardson Mountains and Tombstone Park. The 7 hour long drive takes us to breathtaking views of the Richardson Mountains, through rolling hills of tundra and small lakes. Due to the open nature of the Arctic tundra, this drive is the best chance to see local wildlife such as eagles, wolves, moose, caribou, and grizzly bears. Given the remoteness of the area, the limited choice of available vehicles and the long distance to be travelled, you will need a degree of patience, endurance and good humour, to enjoy this seldom visited and remote corner of the North American continent.
Overnight: Eagle Plains
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Eagle Plains - Inuvik, NWT
We continue our drive through the remote subarctic tundra to the town of Inuvik (approx. 6.5 hours) located within the Arctic Circle. We pass the quaint community of Tsiigehtchic and make two ferry crossings on our way to the famous Arctic Circle Monument. We stop at the Monument before continuing onwards to Inuvik for stay at the comfortable Mackenzie Hotel. We have planned a cultural evening with local Inuit elders this day to listen to traditional tales and learn a little about the Arctic way of life up here in the far North. This far north well within the Arctic Circle, there is no night time and we will experience the midnight sun and 24 hours of daylight!
Overnight: Inuvik
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Inuvik - Tuktoyaktuk - Inuvik, NWT
Today we drive on the recently built Mackenzie Valley Highway to the Arctic Ocean and be amongst the first visitors to travel on this road from Inuvik to the community of Tuktoyaktuk on the Arctic Ocean. This experience is exclusive and a "one off" as we drive on Canada's only road to the Arctic Ocean. The locals refer to Tuktoyaktuk as "Tuk", and here, hosted by the local Inuit, we will experience and learn the ways of life of the people who also call it "home". Our local Inuit guide will share stories and history of the area, and point out local landmarks and other points of interest including the Lady of Lourdes Schooner, Traditional sod house, local churches, Distant Early Warning Site and the Trans Canada Trailhead site. We will visit a pingo, also a national landmark, where your guide will explain how these amazing natural formations are formed. Then it is out onto the Arctic Ocean to dip our toes and to experience the vastness of the Beaufort Sea where we hear stories of how the local people survive in this northern environment. This afternoon, there may be the possibility of taking a short boat ride on the Mackenzie River delta and to learn about traditional Inuit hunting and gathering techniques that allowed communities to survive in these inhospitable conditions.
Overnight: Inuvik
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Inuvik - Whitehorse, YT
Inuvik is located 200 kms north of the Arctic Circle, on the East Channel of the incredible Mackenzie River delta ecosystem and close to the start of the true Arctic Tundra. Inuvik acts as the gateway to the Western Arctic. We have the morning free to explore Inuvik on foot before boarding our mid-day flight back to Whitehorse. This evening features a farewell dinner to celebrate and conclude the amazing time we have spent together. This is the time to exchange stories, memories and the highlights of our time spent together.
Overnight: Whitehorse
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9: Whitehorse, YT
This morning, our adventure in the Yukon and Northwest Territories comes to an end. Following breakfast, you will depart the hotel and transfer to Whitehorse airport for onward flight and travel arrangements.
Overnight: Whitehorse
Meals: Breakfast
*Terms & Conditions:
Tour dates, details and itinerary are subject to change. Tour details are based on a 2022 Tour. Terms and conditions may apply.