Skagway

There is no railway quite like the White Pass and Yukon Route, built in 1898 against all odds through some of the North's most ruggedly beautiful terrain taking in mountains, glaciers, gorges, waterfalls, tunnels and trestles. Over one hundred years later, this narrow gauge railway is still in operation, a remnant of the last great gold rush and an adventurous time in Alaska history.

On this 54-mile roundtrip, fully narrated train ride, follow the footprints of the Klondike Gold Rush as you travel up one of the steepest grades in North America, past the White Pass Summit to Fraser Meadows. Pulled by an authentic steam engine, enjoy the commentary and views from the comfort of your vintage railcar. An attendant will be available to tell stories and answer questions on the gold rush and how this narrow gauge railroad was declared an International Civil Engineering Landmark. At the summit, raise your glass for a toast and receive an individually numbered brass ornament, certifying entry into the ‘White Pass Summit Club’.

This is the world famous White Pass Scenic Railway with a touch of class.

Your adventure begins by road as you travel along the Trail of '98 to the White Pass summit and beyond to Canada's Yukon. Several photo stops will be made along the way so you can admire the stunning backdrop of the mountain range, waterfalls and glaciers.

Leaving the White Pass and the US behind, you’ll enter Canada and the unspoiled, untamed beauty of the Yukon Territory. Marvel at the chain of lakes that form the headwaters of the Yukon River, explore the rustic town of Caribou Crossing and enjoy a brief photo stop at the ‘World’s Smallest Desert’. Throughout the journey, your guide will regale tales of the Klondike gold rush era.

While at Caribou Crossing, you’ll be treated to a delicious BBQ lunch complete with grandma’s famous homemade doughnuts. After your meal, make sure you visit the Yukon’s most complete museum exhibit of local wildlife including the Ice Age Wooly Mammoth. Afterwards continue to the Dog Musher’s Village where you can meet the Yukon Quest dog mushers and have your photo taken with the racing dogs and puppies.

Once back at Fraser, British Columbia, you’ll board the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad for a truly unforgettable ride down this historic and breathtaking narrow gauge railroad.

Fully narrated, the White Pass & Yukon Route is unlike any other railroad. Against all odds, the iron trail was carved through some of the North's most rugged terrain in 1898, during the Klondike Gold Rush. This engineering wonder climbs nearly 3,000 feet over 20 miles of steep grades and cliff-hanging turns.

Relax in vintage railcars as your guide retraces the original route to the White Pass summit, passing Bridal Veil Falls, Inspiration Point and Dead Horse Gulch. Enjoy breathtaking vistas over the mountains, glaciers, gorges, waterfalls, tunnels, trestles and historic sites. Have your camera at the ready, en-route as you pass the original Klondike Trail of '98 worn into the rocks, a permanent tribute to the thousands of souls who passed this way in search of their fortune.

The Klondike Highway is one of North America’s most beautiful mountain roads, and it parallels the historic White Pass Trail into the interior. Over the years, this route has been used by dog teams, horses, wagons, narrow gauge railway trains, a pipeline and finally a scenic highway blasted through to the Yukon Territory in 1978. Your driver-guide will introduce you to the country, and to a century of Klondike stories.

Leaving from the quayside aboard a wide-windowed mini-bus, you’ll tour through the city of Skagway and then head up the river valley, stopping on several occasions for photos. See the Dead Horse Trail, the White Pass Railroad, Pitchfork Falls, Moore Bridge, and numerous glaciers and peaks. At the top of the 3,292-foot-high Pass, you’ll stop just beyond the US and Canadian border to view the boulder-strewn mountain moonscape in this wild land above the timber line.

Martin Itjen came looking for Klondike gold in 1898, and became Skagway's most celebrated storyteller. He gave Alaska's first motorised sightseeing tour on his ‘Skagway Street Car’ for US President Warren G Harding in 1923, and has delighted visitors for decades.

Today, aboard the yellow 1927 sightseeing bus, Martin's tour lives on. Your costumed conductor will pass on a century of Skagway history, behind the scenes tales and stories of life in small town Alaska, just like Martin did himself.

Explore the waterfront and National Park Historic District, enjoy the panoramic views from the Scenic Overlook and have your camera at the ready for the recounting of the Soapy Smith gunfight at the Gold Rush Cemetery. Admire the Residential District, which is famous for its flower gardens.

The grand finale is an exclusive viewing of the acclaimed ‘Skagway Story’ presentation at the Club House Theatre. There, like 3 American Presidents - Theodore Roosevelt, William H Taft, and Warren G Harding - you'll become an honorary member of the Arctic Brotherhood.

Hop aboard, for an unforgettable journey along the eastern side of the White Pass on the world famous narrow gauge railroad. Relax in the comfortable, vintage rail car and retrace the original route beyond the summit of White Pass at 2,865 feet through breathtaking scenery.

Upon reaching Fraser, British Columbia, you’ll change transport for a scenic drive down the west side of the White Pass canyon and learn all about Tormented Valley and Pitchfork Falls. At the foot of the White Pass, nestled beside a waterfall, you’ll stop at the gold rush trail camp, Liarsville. The camp was awarded the name as numerous journalists were sent here to report on the Klondike Gold Rush, and often published tall tales of the prospectors’ exploits. Browse the authentic camp exhibits, including antiques and garments left behind by the prospectors and those who profited from them. Enjoy a hilarious performance from the sourdoughs and dance hall girls and a poem by the ‘Bard of the North’, Robert Service.

Follow in the footsteps of the famous prospectors and pan for gold in the Liarsville gold fields, where you are guaranteed to find some gold of your own! Whilst at the camp, you’ll have some free time to sample the hot cider and cookies, shop for souvenirs or have your photo taken with a dance hall girl or the camp’s sled dog mascot, Denali.

Take the easy option and enjoy this bicycle tour without the legwork!

A short transfer by minibus will take you up the coastal mountains to the summit of the White Pass. En route, your experienced guides will introduce you to the ecology and history of the area.

Following a bike orientation and safety briefing, your guides will escort you down from the summit, back to sea level along the paved Klondike Road. Enjoy the scenic splendour and refreshing outdoors as you cruise downhill back to Skagway. Along the way, photo stops will be made at the waterfalls, the White Pass and Yukon Railroad, the glaciers and majestic mountains views. Where possible and when sighted, stops will be made to see the diverse wildlife.

Glimpse into the lives of the mushers and their dedicated sled dogs on this unique and thrilling Alaska adventure!

Set on the mountainside the Camp is the summer home of the professional and recreational mushers with over 250 dogs living in houses dotted along the mountain. Enjoy a short 4x4 transfer up the mountain, before climbing aboard a wheeled sled, custom-made for running the dogs during the snow-free summer months. Your team of 16 huskies will whisk you away on a mile-long, wooded trail through Southeast Alaska's beautiful temperate rainforest.

Back at the Camp, enjoy some refreshments and a cuddle with the adorable husky puppies. Iditarod Race veterans will also teach you about the equipment, hard work, strength and endurance that define dog sledding in the wild, rugged North of Alaska.

All aboard the White Pass Train for an awe inspiring adventure. From the comfort of your vintage rail car, you’ll witness the incredible scenery whilst your tour guide regales tales from a bygone era. Upon arrival at Fraser, British Columbia, you’ll change your mode of transport to a coach for a short drive to the Yukon Suspension Bridge and Visitor Centre.

The swaying bridge is suspended 60 feet above the raging waters of the Tutshi River and Canyon. Enjoy an hour’s free time to venture across the bridge, or sit on one of the many benches on the main platform and gaze at the churning river and peaceful mountain backdrop. The Visitor Centre also has several interpretive displays, which highlight the human and natural history of the area. On hand throughout your visit are the First Nation staff and Elders to answer any questions you may have.

Continuing by coach, your journey takes you down the west side of the White Pass canyon, where once upon a time, the stampeders trekked through the pass in search of gold.

Lavishly costumed and highly entertaining, your guide will greet you at the quayside and take you on tour with a twist! Wander through the streets and alleys of Skagway, where the ladies of the evening once rubbed shoulders with some of the area’s most notorious characters, such as Soapy Smith and Skookum Jim. Your ‘good time girl’ guide will regale stories about Klondike Kate, Pea Hull Annie and Diamond Tooth Lil, depicting their lusty and sometimes tragic lives and that of the thousands of women who joined the stampede north.

Your journey takes you past the historic gold rush buildings, the infamous red light districts and ends at the world-famous Red Onion Saloon. Join in a champagne toast and explore the hallways and bedrooms of this celebrated brothel to see original relics and images of the ladies who worked there.

If you're lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of Lydia, the resident ghost!

Your journey begins with a scenic cruise aboard a high-speed catamaran along North America's longest and deepest fjord to Haines. Enjoy spectacular views of waterfalls and ice-sculpted peaks, as your guide provides an informative commentary and points out the marine wildlife.

Where the road ends, your adventure begins as you board a jet boat to cruise the miles of scenic tributaries. The boat is specially designed to glide easily through the silt-laden river and provides the only access to a remote portion of the Preserve.

Have your camera at the ready for once in a lifetime photo opportunities, and although wild animals give no guarantees, your jet boat adventure offers you the best chance to see moose, as they are often spotted along the river bank. The scenery alone is breathtaking with cascading, hanging glaciers and surrounding mountains that soar to 6,000 feet.

Once ashore, enjoy a hot dog roasted over an open fire served with chili and crisps. In the comfort of a covered, heated pavilion sip a hot chocolate or cider around the crackling campfire before your return to Skagway.