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Segment 1
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Day 1:
Vancouver to Whitehorse - Fly from Vancouver to Whitehorse with Air North, Yukon's Airline.
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Day 2:
Whitehorse City Tour - Join a brief tour of the city of Whitehorse. A great way to get acquainted with the Yukon's capital. Visit the historic sternwheeler 'SS Klondike,' see the longest wooden fish ladder in North America, and the Whitehorse Dam. Stop at a log skyscraper, and the city's museums. Enjoy the views from Miles Canyon lookout.
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Day 3:
Whitehorse to Dawson City - This Klondike Highway Tour starts with a guided tour of the unique Yukon Wildlife Preserve for up close and personal views of many of the large mammal species you can encounter during your Yukon and Alaska vacation including; moose, caribou, wapiti (elk), bison and mule deer. The trip continues, roughly following the Yukon River valley and passing through the villages of Carmacks, Pelly Crossing and Stewart Crossing. We'll stop for an included picnic lunch on the banks of the Yukon River.
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Day 4:
Dawson City - More than one hundred years ago, Dawson City was the center of 'the largest gold rush the world has ever known.' Today it is one of the best preserved frontier towns in Canada. Wandering the dirt streets and boardwalks, past historic sites and brightly colored, wooden buildings gives you a glimpse of the past. Attractions include; the Midnight Dome, Dredge #4, Discovery Claim, Diamond Tooth Gertie's and Author's Corner.
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Day 5:
Dawson City Wilderness Adventure - Today you can choose between the Dempster Explorer Tour or the Goldfields Jeep Tour (selection must be made at time of booking). Get behind the wheel of a Jeep Wrangler 4x4 for a tour of the Klondike Goldfields (with the help of two-way radios); or tour along the Dempster Highway from the Tombstone Visitor Center to Chapman Lake. Your guide will stop along the route to give informative talks on the history and changing landscape of the area.
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Day 6:
Dawson City - You have one more day to explore this frontier town. A popular journey is to cross the Yukon River and visit the 'Sternwheeler Graveyard.' When the North Klondike Highway was built in 1957 sternwheeler travel up and down the Yukon River was no longer needed. Sadly, many of the ships were pulled up on shore just opposite the city and left to decay. You can go see what is left of them by boarding the ferry and walking along the shoreline of the river.
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Day 7:
Dawson City to Haines Junction - Today's drive is long but memorable. The well-named 'Top of World Highway' is one of North America's great wilderness drives. Wildlife is often spotted along the roadsides including woodland caribou, fox and black bears. Near Tok, Alaska, we'll turn east on the famous Alaska Highway, through Tetlit WIldlife Sanctuary. Continuing east, we soon encounter the beautiful Kluane National Park. Stunning doesn't describe the vastness or the beauty! The last leg of today's trip takes us into the beautifully situated village of Haines Junction.
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Day 8:
Haines Junction to Haines - Today starts with a guided hike into Kluane National park along the Dezadeash River Trail, led by a former national park ranger. This afternoon, we'll head south along the beautiful Haines Highway. Our first stop will be at the stunning Kathleen Lake, we'll also stop in at Million Dollar Falls for views of the cascading torrent. As we enter the Coastal Pass, you can't help being amazed by the stunning beauty of Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park. This is the north of your dreams! On the last leg of our highway journey, we pass through the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve.
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Day 9:
White Pass & Yukon Railroad Excursion - Early this morning you will board the fast water taxi that crosses the Lynn Canal to Skagway. There you will board the 'scenic railway of the world.' The train passes cascading waterfalls, historic sites and spectacular scenery. You will ride in comfortable restored and replica rail coaches pulled by vintage diesel locomotives. After the train ride, you will have time to explore Skagway before the water taxi takes you back to Haines.
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TOUR CONNECTION OPTION:
Rather than return to Haines this evening, you can make connections from the train to Whitehorse, and continue your Yukon Adventure.
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Segment 2
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Day 10:
Haines to Juneau - This morning you will board the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS), and sail down the beautiful Lynn Canal to Juneau. Local residents use AMHS ferries as means of transportation between the towns along the Inside Passage. The facilities on-board include; observation decks, cafeteria, bar and gift shop. National Park Rangers often provide free lectures on various topics such as wildlife, local history and culture.
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Day 11:
Juneau to Sitka - This morning you board another AMHS ferry and sail around Baranof Island to the town of Sitka.
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Day 12:
Sitka - Situated on the west side of Baranof Island, Sitka is one of the most beautiful towns on the Inside Passage. The town has retained much of its original architecture from the period when Russia controlled Alaska. Major highlights include the renowned Raptor Rehabilitation Centre, Saint Michael's Cathedral and other Russian heritage sites.
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Day 13:
Sitka to Petersburg - This long trip aboard the AMHS will include a couple of stops along the way. At each stop you will have an opportunity to go ashore and visit the town. You will arrive late this evening in Petersburg.
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Day 14:
Petersburg - Known as 'Alaska's little Norway,' Petersburg was founded by a Norwegian fisherman in the late 1890's. True to its heritage, Petersburg is a working town, not a cruise ship destination, with four fish canneries still in operation. The town provides a nice stop for those travelers interested in beautiful scenery and colorful Norwegian architecture.
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Day 15:
Petersburg to Wrangell - Today's sailing aboard the AMHS ferry is a short-cut through the Wrangell Narrows. This part of the Inside Passage limits the size of AMHS vessels, and is off limits to larger ships.
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Day 16:
AnAn Bear Sanctuary Excursion - Today you will travel by jetboat to AnAn Bear Sanctuary, located 35 miles from the town of Wrangell. Arriving at AnAn Island you will walk for 15 minutes to the observation decks. The walk, which is relatively flat, will be led by an experienced local guide. The observation platforms are an excellent location to safely observe and photograph both black and brown bears in the wild while they feed on salmon.
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Day 17:
Wrangell to Inside Passage - Today you board another AMHS ferry and sail overnight to Prince Rupert. For this overnight journey you will have a private cabin onboard the ferry. Each cabin includes private washroom facilities and sleeping berths.
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Day 18:
Inside Passage to Prince Rupert - Early this morning your AMHS ferry arrives in Prince Rupert, located at the end of the Yellowhead Highway and the mouth of the Skeena River. A bustling port city, Prince Rupert is the cultural centre of the First Nations People. You will find totem poles scattered throughout parks in the city. The city's port heritage has been preserved at the Cow Bay waterfront area, built in 1905.
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TOUR CONNECTION OPTION:
After your night in Prince Rupert you can catch VIA Rail's 'The Skeena,' and tour inland through the Rocky Mountains.
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Segment 3
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Day 19:
Prince Rupert to Port Hardy - Early this morning you board BC Ferries 'Northern Expedition' for the daylight sailing down British Columbia's Inside Passage. Generally bypassed by the big cruise ships this section of the inside passage takes you through several small channels around uninhabited islands, below the rugged Coast Mountains. Keep watch for wildlife in the water and on the shore.
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Day 20:
Port Hardy to Victoria - This morning you will join the Pacific Spirit Tour and depart Port Hardy on the Island Highway. The tour will take you the length of Vancouver Island to the city of Victoria. Your driver/guide will make several stops along the way, highlighting many of the very unique attractions that make up the towns and villages of the island.
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Day 21:
Victoria City & Butchart Gardens Excursion - In keeping with Victoria's British heritage, today's tour is conducted aboard an authentic Double Decker bus. Highlights include the best of Victoria's lovely homes, gardens and points of historic interest. You will see landmarks such as the Fairmont Empress Hotel, Chinatown and Antique Row. Tour the exclusive residential areas of Uplands and Oak Bay and ride along Marine drive with views of the San Juan Islands and Mt Baker. Visit the world-renowned Butchart Gardens. Stroll through theme gardens linked by spacious lawns, streams, lily ponds and the spectacular Sunken Garden.
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Day 22:
Victoria - Today you are at leisure to explore this 'Garden City' on your own. Strolling around the Inner Harbour you will find attractions including; The Fairmont Empress Hotel, The Royal British Columbia Museum and the grounds surrounding the British Columbia legislature. Just a few blocks away, you may want to explore Market Square, a restored 19th-century courtyard surrounded by a jumble of shops, restaurants, and offices.
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Day 23:
Victoria to Vancouver - Today you join the regular scheduled coach service between Victoria and Vancouver. This three hour journey includes the 90 minute ferry crossing between Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen, highlighted by the gulf islands that dot the Strait of Georgia.
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Day 24:
Vancouver City Tour - Experience Vancouver's charm as you take in Canada Place, Robson Street, Public Library, QE Theatre and GM Place, Chinatown and Gastown. Soak in the natural splendor of Stanley Park's Totem Poles and Prospect Point. Pass the West End high-rises and the beaches of English Bay on your way to vibrant Granville Island with its public market, shops, restaurants and galleries. Visit The Lookout to take the glass elevator to the 360° views.
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Day 25:
Vancouver - Today you are at leisure to explore what is considered one of the most beautiful and spectacular cities in the world. Skyscrapers rise from the downtown skyline and not far out of town is the vast British Columbia wilderness.
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Day 26:
Depart Vancouver - Today the Vancouver Airporter Shuttle takes you to Vancouver International Airport for your departing flight.
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Brochure
