Duration: 12 Days
This Undiscovered Alaska and the Yukon Territory tour features many of the most popular scenic vistas that Alaska and the Yukon Territory have to offer—beginning and ending in Anchorage. Take a boat to view breathtaking glaciers on Prince William Sound and watch for eagles, whales, dolphins, mountain goats, and more. Between Anchorage and Tok, enjoy beautiful views of Matanuska Glacier. Between Tok and Whitehorse, behold spectacular vistas of Kluane National Park’s rugged mountains. Between Dawson City and Fairbanks, delight in the stunning scenery as you motor over the Top of the World Highway. More magnificent scenery awaits you on your journey aboard the Alaska Railroad between Fairbanks and Denali National Park. Travel through untamed wilderness and delight in viewing the awe-inspiring scenery via wide windows and the domed-roof car. With its six million acres, Denali National Park & Preserve is home to North America’s highest peak and offers majestic landscapes. Your two nights in Denali give you the opportunity to explore on your own or to take optional outings, such as a helicopter ride over the park or a wilderness tour to seek out grizzly bears, moose, and more. In addition to witnessing breathtaking scenery, this Alaska and Yukon Territory tour offers you a chance to learn about the Klondike Gold Rush. Follow the Trail of ’98 over the same mountains that determined gold seekers travelled in the middle of winter. Visit Skagway and stroll the wooden sidewalks where thousands of hopeful miners came in 1898. In Dawson City, see where the first gold strike was made and enjoy the ragtime music, can-can girls, and old-fashioned casino just as the prospectors did over a century ago. All of this and more await you on this value-minded tour through Alaska and the Yukon Territory!
Traveller Notes
- Adventure is knocking with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides, and private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach. Enhance your free time to explore like a local with your CosmosGO mobile app!
- Journey on the Alaska Railroad from Fairbanks to Denali National Park is included.
- Wildlife in Alaska is often seen in early season (May-early June). This tour travels to the Yukon Territory, which is part of Canada. Non-U.S. citizens may need a visa. Alaska and the Yukon are blessed with exquisite scenery, fascinating attractions, and an extraordinary amount of daylight in the summer months. We take advantage of these extended daylight hours in this vast territory; therefore, some of the traveling days can be long. However, rest assured there are frequent photo and comfort stops. Visiting and participating in activities in these locations is subject to favourable weather conditions.
- Enjoy the spectacular colours of Alaska & the Yukon on our special Fall Foliage departures: August 20 (if Mother Nature permits).
Please note: Itinerary is based on 2024, and is subject to change. Full details will be confirmed in 2024.
Welcome to Anchorage! Your Tour Director is on hand late this afternoon to answer any questions.
As you enter Whittier from North America's longest tunnel, the panoramic view of the ocean, mountains, and glaciers greet you. As the gateway to Prince William Sound, this is where you'll board a cruise to see and marvel at the natural beauty of the fjords and glaciers. Watch for eagles, whales, mountain goats, dolphins, and salmon jumping out of the cold, pristine water!
Travel northeast through Palmer in the Matanuska Valley, a lush farming region where cabbages can grow to weigh more than 70 pounds in the 24-hour daylight! Up over scenic Tahnita Pass with spectacular vistas of Matanuska Glacier. Travel along Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, the largest park in the United States. The area boasts glaciers larger than the island of Manhattan and is home to nine of the sixteen highest peaks in North America. Overnight in Tok, the "Dog Sled Capital of the World."
Join the Alaska Highway and follow along the Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge. Skirt the shores of Kluane Lake, once a meeting place for crews constructing the Alaska Highway. Behold spectacular vistas of the rugged mountains of Kluane National Park, home to 19,551-foot-high Mount Logan, Canada's highest peak. The next two nights are in Whitehorse, capital of the Yukon and the territorial headquarters of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Follow the Trail of ‘98 over the same mountains that thousands of determined gold seekers scaled on foot in the dead of winter while heading for the Klondike. From Fraser, your Tour Director will suggest an optional train trip on the narrow-gauge White Pass & Yukon Railway to Skagway. Otherwise, continue by motorcoach to Skagway. Stroll the wooden sidewalks past charming false-front buildings and colourful saloons. NOTE: Operation of the White Pass & Yukon Railway to Skagway is subject to seasonal conditions.
Head northwest through the town of Carmacks, once an important supply station for gold seekers on their way to the Klondike. A stop at the Five Finger Rapids, a major obstacle to the hordes of fortune seekers that passed this way. Reach Dawson City, the centre of excitement after the first gold strike in the Klondike in 1896, which led to the world's largest gold rush. Tonight, enjoy the high-flying entertainment at Diamond Tooth Gertie's Saloon, featuring ragtime music, can-can girls, and Canada's oldest casino.
Highlights on your morning sightseeing tour include Bonanza Creek, site of Claim #1, where the first gold strike was made; and a presentation by Parks Canada regarding the Gold Rush Era. Enjoy a photo opportunity at the SS Keno, the last sternwheeler to run between Dawson and Whitehorse. The rest of your day is free to soak up the exciting history of this Gold Rush town at your own pace. Perhaps a return to Diamond Tooth Gertie's Saloon is in order?
A full day and well worth it, as the scenery is magnificent. Have your camera ready for photo opportunities at Dawson overlook and Top of the World Highway, where the motorcoach will re-enter Alaska, and visit one of the last surviving gold rush towns in Alaska before heading west on the Alaska Highway to Fairbanks.
Morning sightseeing features highlights of Alaska's second-largest city and a visit to the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Then try striking it rich gold panning with a local provider. This afternoon, board the Sternwheeler Riverboat Discovery III for a leisurely cruise on the Chena River. You will see a bush floatplane take off alongside the boat, see the home and kennels of the late four-time Iditarod winner, Susan Butcher, and see her champion sled dogs in action. Be immersed into the ancient Athabascan Indian culture when our Alaskan Native Guides take you on a tour of the Chena Indian Village.
Board the world-famous Alaska Railroad for a memorable journey through untamed wilderness. Sit back in comfort and enjoy spectacular scenery through wide windows. Be sure to take advantage of the domed-roof car. The ride ends in Denali National Park & Preserve. North America's highest peak, 20,310-foot Denali, formerly known as Mount McKinley, dominates the park's six million acres of glacial streams, river valleys, and multi-hued tundra. After a short orientation tour of Denali, the afternoon is free to explore on your own.
A free day for independent activities. A hike along the many wilderness trails might be good fun. Also take advantage of several optional outings, including a wildlife tour to seek out grizzly bears, caribou, moose, and Dall sheep; a raft trip down the Nenana River; or a helicopter ride over the park. Your Tour Director will have plenty of other suggestions.
Relish one last look at the outstanding scenery and wildlife of Denali before travelling south toward Anchorage and the tour hotel for guests extending their stay in Alaska. For guests with homebound flights, the trip ends at Anchorage International Airport. With possible delays for weather, we strongly suggest that guests do not book flights prior to 5 pm.
