Yukon Klondike Tour
How to tour Dawson City, Whitehorse, and Kluane with proper time, context, and comfort.
This thoughtfully planned escorted Yukon tour is built around two proper northern bases: three nights in Dawson City and three nights in Whitehorse. In Dawson, the old “Paris of the North,” boardwalk streets, river landscapes, late evening light, goldfields touring, and the Tr’ondëk-Klondike UNESCO World Heritage Site help bring the Klondike story to life.
From Whitehorse, the journey broadens to Kluane National Park and Reserve of Canada, part of the vast Kluane / Wrangell-St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with Southern Lakes touring and a White Pass & Yukon Route rail excursion from Carcross to Fraser, including a stop in Bennett, British Columbia, a remote Gold Rush townsite tied to the Chilkoot Trail story.
Return flights are included from Vancouver, Kelowna, Calgary, or Edmonton, along with flights between Whitehorse and Dawson City, arranged transfers, escorted touring, selected admissions, four boxed lunches, and light in-flight meals. The group is kept small, with up to 12 guests, and the pace is generally easy, with optional easy to moderate walking choices on selected days.
This is a rewarding Yukon tour for travellers who want more than a quick pass-through. From Tombstone Territorial Park and Dawson City’s Gold Rush landmarks to Kathleen Lake, Emerald Lake, Carcross, Miles Canyon, and the northern mood Robert Service called the “Spell of the Yukon,” the itinerary is rich without feeling rushed.
Three nights in Dawson City and three in Whitehorse for a more settled northern rhythm
From Tr’ondëk-Klondike and Tombstone to Kluane, Carcross, and the White Pass railway
Air North gateways from Vancouver, Kelowna, Calgary, or Edmonton, plus on-the-ground coordination
Headline photo: Evening entertainment at Diamond Tooth Gerties in Dawson City, where guests enjoy a cabaret-style Klondike show from their table seats as dancers perform on stage. Watermark: Fireweed inspired by Yukon’s official flower.
At-a-glance
Dates: July 17 to 23, 2026, Friday to Thursday
Duration: 7 days and 6 nights
Start and end: Your selected gateway airport, Vancouver (YVR), Kelowna (YLW), Calgary (YYC), or Edmonton (YEG)
Pace and mobility: Easy, with optional easy to moderate walking choices on some touring days. This journey is designed with comfort in mind, and at several sites guests may choose the amount of walking that suits them best. Guests should be comfortable using aircraft air stairs. At Kathleen Lake, guests may relax at the flat day-use area or choose an easy partial walk. In Tombstone Territorial Park, walking options are selected by the local guide based on trail conditions and the group’s overall comfort and ability. Gold panning at Free Claim No. 6 is optional, and guests who prefer to stay dry can pan successfully from the creek’s edge. Regular washroom breaks are provided throughout the tour.
Accessibility: This tour is not wheelchair accessible at this time.
Group size: Small group, with up to 12 guests, accompanied by one Aspire Canada Tours tour conductor and local guides on touring days.
Included: Round-trip airfare from your selected gateway aboard Air North, Yukon’s Airline, with generous baggage allowance, warm inflight hospitality, and light inflight meals; flights between Whitehorse and Dawson City; airport and hotel transfers where arranged; three nights’ accommodation at The Downtown Hotel in Dawson City; three nights’ accommodation at the Gold Rush Inn in Whitehorse; escorted touring with an Aspire Canada Tours tour conductor and local guides; admission to Diamond Tooth Gerties on two evenings, including six Klondike-themed song and dance shows, three different shows each night; a White Pass & Yukon Route rail excursion from Carcross to Fraser; four boxed lunches; and gratuities for your Aspire Canada Tours tour conductor and local guides.
Optional add-ons: Walking pole rental
Dietary requests: Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free requests can usually be accommodated for bookings made at least 14 days in advance.
Who this is best for: This tour is designed with adults in mind, though mature teens, typically age 16 and up, may also enjoy it when they have a genuine interest in history, rail travel, and northern landscapes.
Diamond Tooth Gerties note: Diamond Tooth Gerties is a 19+ venue. Guests under 19 would not be able to attend the included evening shows.
Rail excursion identification note: A passport is recommended, but not required, for the Carcross to Fraser rail excursion. Guests who do not have a passport should bring another form of government-issued photo identification.
1. Dawson City first, not just a stop
Begin with the right pace: three nights in Dawson City, not a brief pass-through. With time to settle in, guests can appreciate the boardwalk streets, river setting, Gold Rush landmarks, and the long northern evening light that makes Dawson feel unlike anywhere else on the journey.
Diamond Tooth Gerties, with nightly shows and casino history
Midnight Dome, Dawson’s iconic panorama
The Sourtoe Cocktail, a famous Dawson tradition
These photographs show why Dawson City deserves more than a brief stop, from the nightly energy of Diamond Tooth Gerties and the broad view from the Midnight Dome to the town’s famously eccentric Sourtoe Cocktail tradition at the Sourdough Saloon.
Video: The late Tom Byrne recites “The Spell of the Yukon” outside Robert Service’s Cabin in Dawson City, a fitting introduction to the town’s literary legacy and northern mood. Cover photo: “The Spell of the Yukon” painted on a Dawson City building.
4. A UNESCO story in Dawson
Dawson City forms part of the Tr’ondëk-Klondike UNESCO World Heritage Site, a cultural landscape that places Gold Rush history in a broader and more meaningful context. Here, guests see more than the legends of a boomtown. They are introduced to the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in homeland, the disruption brought by the rush, and the many traces of that history still visible in Dawson and the surrounding Klondike landscape.
Dredge No. 4, a reminder of the Klondike’s industrial scale
Optional gold panning at Free Claim #6
Sternwheeler graveyard in West Dawson
These photographs highlight several visible layers of the Klondike story, from the industrial scale of Dredge No. 4 to optional gold panning at Free Claim #6, where guests may participate or simply watch, and the river history recalled by the sternwheeler graveyard in West Dawson.
5. Kluane, Kathleen Lake, and the scale of the North
After Dawson City, the journey widens further as you travel west from Whitehorse along the Alaska Highway toward Kluane National Park and Reserve of Canada, part of a UNESCO World Heritage area. Haines Junction, Kathleen Lake, and the surrounding mountain landscapes give the tour one of its clearest expressions of northern scale.
S.S. Klondike, Whitehorse’s riverboat landmark
Summer patio dining in Whitehorse
White Pass train through mountain scenery
These photographs reflect the range of the tour, from Klondike history and river heritage to relaxed evenings in Whitehorse and the memorable mountain scenery of the White Pass route.
6. Rail travel through frontier country
The rail excursion from Carcross to Fraser adds one of the week’s most memorable shifts in perspective. After Southern Lakes touring through places such as Emerald Lake and Carcross, the train carries you through steep grades, mountain scenery, and one of the North’s classic transportation corridors. Along the way, guests stop in Bennett, British Columbia, a remote Gold Rush townsite closely tied to the Chilkoot Trail and the flow of stampeders and supplies from the ports of Skagway and Dyea in Alaska toward Dawson City and the Yukon interior.
Picture: As the tour travels through the southern Yukon, Emerald Lake provides one of the route’s most memorable landscape views. Its vivid turquoise water, mountain backdrop, and easy roadside access make it a rewarding stop and a clear reminder that this journey is as much about the scenery between communities as the historic towns themselves.
7. Everything handled, with proper pacing
Flights, local touring, selected admissions, and on-the-ground coordination are arranged throughout the journey. With three nights in Dawson City and three in Whitehorse, the itinerary has a settled rhythm that lets guests focus on the landscapes, stories, and the distinctive atmosphere of travelling north of 60.
Shopping on Main Street, Whitehorse
Matthew Watson General Store, historic Carcross
Kokanee Trail boardwalk at Kathleen Lake
These photographs highlight the variety of the journey, from Whitehorse’s lively main street and Carcross’s historic trading heritage to the quiet mountain scenery of Kathleen Lake in Kluane National Park and Reserve.
High-Level Itinerary
7 days, 3 nights in Dawson City, 3 nights in Whitehorse
Day 1, Arrive in Dawson City via Whitehorse
Arrival day
Arrive from your selected Air North gateway into Whitehorse and connect onward to Dawson City.
On arrival, enjoy a short evening introduction to Dawson City, including a visit to the Midnight Dome for photos and a narrated overview of the town and Klondike region. Afterwards, transfer to The Downtown Hotel for check-in. The remainder of the evening is free to relax or explore nearby on foot.
Day 2, Dawson City and the Goldfields
9:00 a.m. Guided Dawson City and Goldfields touring begins
Start the day with an orientation to Dawson City before joining a guided City and Goldfields tour. Highlights include Discovery Claim, Dredge No. 4, and time at a Free Claim for gold panning. A boxed lunch is included.
Later in the afternoon, visit the Sternwheeler Graveyard and learn more about river history, Moosehide Village, and the wider Tr’ondëk-Klondike story. In the evening, guests may choose to attend Diamond Tooth Gerties.
Day 3, Tombstone Territorial Park and the Dempster Highway
9:30 a.m. Full-day Tombstone excursion begins
Travel north from Dawson City on the Dempster Highway for a full-day excursion to Tombstone Territorial Park. The day includes mountain scenery, interpretive stops, time at the Interpretive Centre, and an optional guided walk selected by the local guide based on trail conditions and the group’s comfort and ability. Lunch and refreshments are included.
Day 4, Dawson City to Whitehorse
Travel and touring day
Enjoy a relaxed morning in Dawson City before your airport transfer and flight to Whitehorse.
On arrival, continue with a Whitehorse City and Fish Ladder Tour before checking in at the Gold Rush Inn. Luggage is transferred separately by the hotel shuttle and delivered to the hotel.
Day 5, Kluane National Park and Reserve of Canada
8:45 a.m. Full-day Kluane touring begins
Travel west along the Alaska Highway through broad Yukon scenery toward Kluane National Park and Reserve of Canada, part of a UNESCO World Heritage area. The day includes Canyon Creek Bridge, the Da Kų Cultural Centre, the Kluane Visitor Centre, Haines Junction, and time at Kathleen Lake Day-Use Area. A picnic lunch is included, with time to relax or enjoy an easy partial walk.
Day 6, Southern Lakes and White Pass rail excursion
10:00 a.m. Southern Lakes touring begins
Combine Southern Lakes sightseeing with a White Pass & Yukon Route rail excursion from Carcross to Fraser. The day includes stops at Miles Canyon, Emerald Lake, and the Carcross Desert, followed by a boxed lunch provided by the rail line during the train journey.
The rail journey also includes a stop in Bennett, British Columbia, adding a memorable Gold Rush connection tied to the Chilkoot Trail and the route once followed by stampeders heading north.
After the rail excursion, regather in Carcross for a no-host farewell supper before returning to Whitehorse.
Day 7, Depart Whitehorse
Departure day
Enjoy some free time in Whitehorse before your hotel shuttle transfer to Whitehorse International Airport and your return flight to your gateway city.
How to book
Use the options below to begin your booking or review the waiver and booking terms before reserving your seat. The booking button opens our secure online booking system in a new window.
Seven days in the Yukon can leave you with more than photographs. They can leave you with a stronger sense of the North, its Gold Rush story, and the scale of its landscapes.
This tour currently offers one escorted departure, July 17 to 23, 2026.
Please read the waiver and booking terms before reserving your place.
Prefer to speak with us before booking? Contact Aspire Canada Tours and we will be pleased to help.
A deposit of $350 CAD per person is due at the time of booking.
Final payment is due 60 days before the tour.
Travel insurance recommendation: Appropriate travel insurance is strongly recommended to help protect your payments if your plans change unexpectedly. Because this tour involves advance supplier commitments, the deposit is non-refundable, and final payment made within 60 days of the tour is also non-refundable. Full details are set out in the waiver and booking terms.
Travel agent bookings
If you prefer to work with a travel advisor, this tour may also be booked through your travel agent. Travel agents are welcome to contact Aspire Canada Tours for product details, availability, and booking support.
Yukon climate, packing, gold panning, and photography guidance
Weather in the Yukon can vary. These averages are provided as a practical guide for packing.
Air North baggage allowance
| Baggage type | Included | Maximum size | Maximum weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carry-on allowance | 2 pieces total, one carry-on bag and one personal item | Combined dimensions cannot exceed 28 x 22 x 38 cm | Must be light enough for the guest to store unassisted |
| Checked bag | 2 | 157 cm linear dimensions maximum, length + width + height | 10 kg, 22 lb, per bag |
Gateway flights may operate on Air North’s Boeing 737 service, which has a more generous baggage allowance. However, because the Whitehorse to Dawson City segment may operate on the ATR 42, we recommend packing to the ATR 42 allowance shown above for the tour as a whole.
Additional, oversized, or overweight baggage may be subject to Air North’s current fees and is accepted subject to aircraft space and weight limits. Guests travelling with special items should review Air North’s baggage policy before departure.
Learn more on Air North’s baggage and carry-on page.
Connecting flights to Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
If you are travelling from an airport outside our Air North gateway network, we recommend connecting through Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Connecting flights to and from YVR are not included in the tour price and may be booked independently.
You may compare fares using Google Flights. Before booking, please review the baggage transfer and through-check table below, as baggage handling arrangements vary by airline.
Baggage transfer and through-check
| Airline | Baggage transfer / through-check | Conditions / notes |
|---|---|---|
| Air Canada | Yes | Available for most same-day domestic connections. This is handled through a domestic baggage transfer agreement and Air Canada through-check exemption. Minimum connection time: 75 minutes. |
| Alaska Airlines | Yes | Available for most same-day connections before midnight local time. Minimum connection time: 120 minutes. |
| Condor | Yes | Available for same-day connections before midnight local time. Arrival and departure dates must match. Minimum connection time: 2 hours. |
| Philippine Airlines | Yes | Available for same-day connections before midnight local time. Arrival and departure dates must match. Minimum connection time: 90 minutes. |
| WestJet | Yes, with conditions | Available for same-day connections before midnight local time only when both flights are booked on the same ticket or itinerary. If booked separately, baggage is not automatically tagged through. Minimum connection times: domestic 75 minutes, transborder 2 hours, international 2 hours. |
Baggage transfer and through-check arrangements are subject to airline procedures and minimum connection times. Guests should review the current Air North guidance before booking independent connecting flights.
Learn more on Air North’s baggage and carry-on page.