Summer Packages:
Hike the Chilkoot Trail

One hundred years ago, thousands of hardy men and women struggled over the Chilkoot Pass and down the Yukon River to the Klondike goldfields. The Northwest Mounted Police required that all people had to carry their grubstake – one year's provisions – with them. For some, this meant more than 20 trips over the Chilkoot Pass, carrying their heavy backpacks. Driven by the hopes of unbelievable riches, they overcame great obstacles just to find out that they were too late! Today, we'll retrace the stampeders' route one-way over the Chilkoot Pass. Reminders of their passing lie everywhere, but we'll carry a light load and have a different goal: our treasure lies in the adventure itself!

Day 1: We'll greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel in downtown Whitehorse. If you drive your own vehicle, please check in at the River View Hotel at your convenience. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Day 2: We'll drive our van to Carcross and over the White Pass to Skagway, the staging point for the gold rush stampeders and for modern travellers on their way to the Klondike. There is the opportunity for an optional ride on the historic train of the White Pass & Yukon Route railroad from Fraser to Skagway. After a visit of the historic town, we'll continue to Dyea, where we'll start our hike on the Chilkoot Trail. Today, we'll hike to Finnegan's Point (7.9 km / 4.9 miles, approx. three hours’ hiking time) where we'll spend our first night on the trail.

Day 3: After breakfast, we'll continue our adventure through the coastal rainforest. En route, we'll visit the remains of the long-abandoned Canyon City town site before continuing our hike to Sheep Camp (13.0 km / 8.1 miles, five to six hours' hiking time). We'll follow the banks of the Taiya River amid the lush rainforest. This is a pleasant day with some easy and short but fairly steep climbs and a lot of time for breaks.

Day 4: Today, we'll leave very early and climb above treeline where we'll enjoy the superb view of mountains and glaciers. Along the trail, we'll find many relics of the stampede and wonder at the incredible amount of goods that had to be carried over this mountain pass. We'll find numerous artifacts strewn among the boulders and on the hills on both sides of the trail. Later in the day, we'll cross the border between Alaska and Canada, over 1,100 metres (3,700 feet) above sea level! From here, we'll descend over snow fields to the inland portion of the trail. Passing small lakes, creeks and rock outcrops, we'll reach "Happy Camp" (12.1 km / 7.5 miles, six to eight hours) late afternoon.

Day 5: As our trail winds its way along rivers and lakes, it gives us incredible views of gorgeous scenery. We'll gradually descend to Deep Lake and further into the forested area of Lake Lindeman (8.8 km / 5.5 miles, four to five hours' hiking time). Here we'll spend another night in a pristine wilderness setting.

Day 6: Today we'll continue our trek to Bare Loon Lake – a nice swimming hole in hot weather – and on to Lake Bennett where the Chilkoot Trail ends (11.3 km / 7.0 miles, four to five hours' hiking time). We'll have time to visit the old train station and the partly renovated log church in Bennet. A floatplane will pick us up by late afternoon for our spectacular flight back to Whitehorse. Everybody will enjoy a hot shower at the hotel!

Day 7: After breakfast, we'll bring you to the airport for your flight south or you'll take off on your own for your next adventure. Better yet, you'll continue on your next adventure with Nature Tours of Yukon.

Price

4 – 7 tour participants / double occupancy: $1,480.00 + GST per person

Please contact for Small Group and Single Supplements

Included

• Airport transfers in Whitehorse
• Transportation by van to Skagway and Dyea
• Sightseeing in Skagway
• Flight by floatplane from Lake Bennett to Whitehorse, as per itinerary
• Accommodation in Whitehorse (2 x hotel) and in tents on the trail
• All meals on the trail, including non-alcoholic beverages
• All equipment such as stoves, dishes, tents etc., except for sleeping bag & sleeping pad
• Chilkoot Park fees and licences
• Local driver / knowledgeable guide for the duration of the journey

Dates

All tours begin and end in Whitehorse, 4 – 11 participants per trip.
Please verify number of tour participants for selected departure dates.

Tour NCT 01/2007  Sun, June 17 to Sat, June 23, 2007  7 days/6 nights
Tour NCT 02/2007  Fri, June 22 to Thu, June 28, 2007   7 days/6 nights
Tour NCT 03/2006 Sun, July 1 to Sat, July 7, 2007    7 days/6 nights
Tour NCT 04/2006 Fri, July 6 to Thu, July 12, 2007   7 days/6 nights
Tour NCT 05/2006 Sun, July 15 to Sat, July 21, 2007   7 days/6 nights
Tour NCT 06/2006 Fri, July 20 to Thu, July 26, 2007  7 days/6 nights
Tour NCT 07/2006 Sun, July 29 to Sat, August 4, 2007  7 days/6 nights
Tour NCT 08/2006 Fri, August 3 to Thu, August 9, 2007  7 days/6 nights
Tour NCT 09/2006 Sun, Aug 12 to Sat, August 18, 2007  7 days/6 nights
Tour NCT 10/2006 Fri, August 17 to Thu, August 23, 2007   7 days/6 nights
Tour NCT 11/2006 Sun, Aug 26 to Sat, September 1, 2007  7 days/6 nights

Restrictions

• During our Chilkoot Trail adventure, everyone must carry part of the load, approximately 18 kg (40 lbs) of your own gear, some camping gear and a portion of the food. We will carry the bare minimum and safely store other belongings in Whitehorse.
• Families with children over 12 years of age are welcome on this tour.
• This program may be combined with the tours "Yukon River & Dawson City" or "McQuesten River" Please ask for detailed information for the second part of the Gold Rush Tour to the Klondike.
• You will be required to sign a 'release of claims and waiver of liability' form prior to the departure of this tour.
• Please make sure you have all necessary documents for entry into the USA! Conditions change on short notice and Nature Tours of Yukon assumes no liability, if you are denied entry into Alaska.
• Meals and beverages in Whitehorse and Skagway (2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners) are not included.
• Train ride on the White Pass & Yukon Route form Fraser to Skagway (optional, please book together with your Chilkoot Trail reservation)
• Trip cancellation & medical insurance: We strongly recommend you purchase adequate insurance coverage at the time of booking. Your policy should cover injury, illness or death, trip cancellation, emergency medical, search & rescue, flight accident, travel accident, and loss of baggage and personal effects.