Things to do in

Whitehorse

Explore Haines Junction and Kluane National Park, one of Canada’s most beautiful National Parks, first-hand. Get a thrilling insight into the region's history before westerners discovered it and before the Klondike Gold Rush. Meet your guide at the meeting point in Whitehouse then set off on the Alaska Highway in a comfortable minibus toward Kluane National Park. On the way, marvel at the awe-inspiring views of the magnificent mountains that make up the park. Keep your eyes peeled and your camera ready for possible wildlife encounters — with bears, elk, and other wild animals — at the edge of the road. With countless photographic opportunities to come, make sure your camera has enough memory space for the trip. In Haines Junction, you'll have a chance to visit one of the prettiest visitor centers in Canada, Da Ku Cultural Centre. Here, learn about the First Nations, the national park, and the world's largest non-polar ice field within the park. After that, take a small stroll along Kathleen Lake, which borders Kluane National Park, and enjoy its serenity and stunning view to the mountains. Discover a seasonal traditional fishing village with a visit to Klukshu Village before making your way back to the original meeting point in Whitehouse.

Gold! This one word roared across North America in 1896, as hundreds of thousands rushed to the Klondike with dreams of striking it rich. Now over a century later, that passion lives on, as visitors from across the globe continue to trace the footsteps of the world’s greatest Gold Rush. Pan for gold, explore Miles Canyon, and learn the true history of the Klondike Gold Rush. With lakes, beaches, the World’s Smallest Desert and the small First Nations community of Carcross along the way, the Yukon Gold Experience shows the true breadth the North has to offer. We begin our journey at 9:30 am with an eye to nature’s beauty, visiting Miles Canyon, where a nine-million-year-old basaltic lava flow has been split by the Yukon River, and Emerald Lake, so named for its breathtaking, shimmering green waters. Then once we’ve had our fill of these natural spectacles, we’ll fill our appetites and go for lunch (included in our tour). After lunch, we’ll take a trip to see Carcross Desert, the smallest desert on earth, before visiting the Indigenous community of Carcross itself. Explore the local First Nations art and history, relax in their local cafes, or stroll down the sandy shores of Bennett Lake. It was here that many stories of the Gold Rush began, as the prospective prospector started their journey paddling to the Klondike. Our final stop before we return to Whitehorse brings us to the ultimate goal of every gold-rusher: finding gold. After a quick lesson on gold-panning, you’ll be digging up deposits in no time. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to pet huskies, take photos with Gold Rush-style displays, and visit the Wildlife museum, filled with life-sized displays of Yukon wildlife, including a Woolly Mammoth. We then conclude the day by returning you back to your Whitehorse hotel at about 4 pm.

Start your day with a hotel pickup at 8:30 AM in Whitehorse. On the way to Skagway, make a stop at the glossy green Emerald Lake. Discover a tranquil water surface saturated in intense colors caused by sediment deposits. Head over to the Carcross Desert, the world’s smallest desert, notable for its fine sand. Pay a visit to the small settlement of Carcross, where you'll learn more about First Nations’ history and explore the settlement’s restaurants, cafes and art shops. Travel along the South Klondike Highway where you'll have several opportunities to view the majestic mountains and landscapes offer themselves. At several stops, photograph and film the scenery, showcasing White Pass's exceptional landscape.  Arrive at Skagway, once the point of departure for most gold prospectors during the big Klondike Gold Rush. Discover a colorful and vibrant town, where guests from all around the world stroll around its numerous restaurants, souvenir shops, and jewelers. Throughout the day, be prepared for chance encounters with the wildlife of the region, such as black bears, grizzlies, moose, and other animals. Be returned to your hotel in Whitehorse at around 6:30 PM.

Be collected from the Whitehorse hotel and board a comfortable warm minibus to begin your scenic trek out of the city. Your guide will drive you directly to a custom-built viewing location, which is equipped with restrooms. On arrival, immerse yourself in the quiet natural landscape and gaze at the unbelievable colors of the aurora borealis. This is one of the most sought-after Northern experiences, a Yukon winter vacation is only complete by viewing the aurora borealis cascading across the night sky. A chemical light reaction caused when solar energy interacts with the Earth’s atmosphere, producing dramatic dancing waves of green light from one horizon to another. The Northern Lights have captivated viewers since the beginning of time, as evidenced by the many Yukon First Nation legends they have inspired.  As you listen to your guide explain how and why the northern lights are formed in this area of the Yukon, warm up with hot drinks and refuel with complimentary snacks. Rest assured that your guide is there for technical photography assistance as you snap photographs over the course of the evening. Relax or doze off on the ride back to Whitehorse, where the tour ends at the doorstep of your accommodation.

Visit the magnificent Kluane National Park, a declared UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. Admire the scenic Kathleen Lake and enjoy a short hike at the Rock Glacier where you can witness the magnificent views of the surrounding lakes and mountains. The hike will be followed by a visit to the historic indigenous Klukshu Village, for the chance to see wild salmon reaching their spawning grounds. In Haines Junction, make a stop at the Da Kų Cultural Center to learn more about the rich history of the Kluane National Park. Take the option to join a sightseeing flight above the second largest ice field on earth.

After pickup, your tour will take you to the Yukon Wildlife Preserve where you’ll have the opportunity to view and photograph wildlife in its natural habitat. Learn about the woodland caribou, Canada lynx, Rocky Mountain elk, mountain goats, Alaska Yukon moose, mule deer, muskoxen, wood bison, two varieties of thinhorn sheep, red foxes, and arctic foxes in habitats suited to each species.  To cap off a great day, your guide will take you to the nearby Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs. The outdoor hot springs pool provides a warm sanctuary amid the cold weather and is a must-do activity while visiting Whitehorse! In Yukon’s Boreal Forest, 25 minutes north-west of Whitehorse, the Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs flow out of the Earth’s interior at 385 liters (86 gallons) per minute and 47º Celsius (118º Fahrenheit) year-round. High in calcium, magnesium, and iron, the natural mineral springs lack the sulfurous odor common to many springs and are an amazing place to relax.

After meeting your guide, travel from Whitehorse towards Kusawa Lake and admire the stunning scenery all around you along the way as you pump yourself up for the adventure ahead. Once at the lake, your guide will provide a brief instruction on what to do and not to do on the journey before you're paired 2 guests per canoe. Paddle around for about an hour through some fairly calm waters, and marvel at the breathtaking views of the Yukon. Then comes the Jaws of Death, a series of short but extremely fun rapids. After the rapids, enjoy lunch on the shore and re-energise from your adventure. Lunch will either be sandwiches or a BBQ, depending on the fire ban at the time. Following lunch, experience some calmer waters and enjoy some more amazing scenery as you travel through the Ibex Valley, keep your eyes peeled to the shore, water, and sky, as one never knows what wildlife might appear.

Snowshoeing is one of the best ways to enjoy the tranquility of the Yukon wilderness and to photograph the stunning Yukon landscape. On this half-day snowshoeing tour, you’ll get to strap on a pair of lightweight modern snowshoes and experience the rugged backcountry just like the gold miners, trappers and fur traders of days gone by. Visit scenic locations in the Whitehorse area backcountry and get the chance to spot wildlife such as spruce grouse, foxes, coyotes and snowshoe hares. Enjoy warm beverage and a snack to round out the day.

Experience the marvelous beauty of Miles Canyon Trail on a self-guided audio tour. You will receive the downloading instructions on your voucher after booking. Hike through the trail at your own pace with your audio guide. Walk along the mighty Yukon River, the third-longest river in North America, and marvel at the stunning scenery. You will discover the vibrant wildflowers and plants of the region like Yukon’s official flower, hardy trees, birds, and other wild animals. During your journey, hear the history of the Robert Lowe Suspension Bridge and the importance of Grey Mountain. Explore the remnants of Canyon City as you hear about its history. Know about the discovery of gold in Bonanza Creek and how it led to the Klondike Gold Rush, which shaped the history of the Yukon. Finally, learn about the Sternwheelers and how aviation played a pivotal role in the development of Yukon. Soak in the panoramic views of the mountains and enjoy a fun adventure at one of the most popular places in Whitehorse. Please note this trail is not accessible to everyone as there are steep sections, roots, etc. Check the trail conditions here before booking https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/yukon/yukon-river-trail