SDFA05 Mountains to Coast Road Trip

SDFA05 Mountains to Coast Road Trip

This top-rated one way driving tour from Fairbanks to Juneau takes you further than most itineraries and includes the cultural and scenic attractions of Alaska and the Yukon Territory. Travel on the historic gold-rush trail and visit Dawson City and Haines, explore the great northern arctic region from Fairbanks, enjoy excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, discover the vast untamed wilderness and majestic mountain scenery of the Yukon Territory. Additional features include: Pan for gold, visit Dawson City old time gambling halls and hike to the Five Finger Rapids of the Yukon River. This program may be combined with a visit to famous Glacier Bay. Combine this tour with any cruiseline departures from Juneau or with any independent Inside Passage ferry cruise onboard the Alaska Marine Highway System to Bellingham or Seattle, in Washington State. Please  read  our  itinerary  to  have  more  detailed  day-to-day  experience.  On  request,  this  trip  can  be  customized  and  can  be  organized  in  reverse  order.

  • Itinerary

  • Prices & Dates

  • Attractions & Add-ons

  • Accommodation

  • Rental Car

  • Map

  • Information

  • Reviews

Fairbanks ( Overnight: Fairbanks )

Arrive in Fairbanks during the day and pick up your rental car. Welcome to the "Golden Heart City". You are invited to explore the local gold rush history, its vibrant traditional native cultures as well as abundant wildlife and fantastic scenery. This morning you may visit the renown Alaska University Museum featuring Alaska's natural history best collection, Alaskaland or take an authentic sternwheeler on a scenic 20-mile roundtrip cruise down the Chena and Tanana Rivers. Guided van tour along the Dalton Highway or flightseeing tour to the Arctic Circle is super popular choice for experiencing the Arctic Circle and Yukon River. Enjoy a bush mail plane flight or a flightseeing trip to Fort Yukon to understand as well as experience how the Gwich'in Athabascan Natives live in "Bush" Alaska.

Fairbanks – Dawson City ( Driving Distance: 390 miles / Overnight: Dawson City )

Take the Richardson Highway south to Delta Junction - a telegraph station established in 1904. The intersection, marked by an oversized white milepost for Mile 1422, is known as the Triangle. Travel past Tok and continue your journey on the Top of the World Highway with endless views into spectacular alpine valleys. If you travel after the first hard frost - usually in mid August, the hills turn colors so brilliant that it seems almost unreal. Stopover in the quirky town of "Chicken" for lunch and photos. You'll cross the mighty Yukon River and arrive in Dawson City. The legendary capital of the 1898 Gold rush is a living relic. After 100 years, miners are still digging for gold. Please Note: We can add an overnight in Tok if you wish to drive the distance in two days.

Dawson City ( Overnight: Dawson City )

A full day to explore the goldrush town Dawson City and the gold fields: Visit the historical buildings, Jack London and Robert Service cabins and old stores that were the pulse of the gold rush capital in its hey-days. As you walk through the heart of Dawson City, your imagination will run to the likes of Klondike Kate, Arizona Charlie Meadows and Diamond Tooth Gertie strolling down Dawson's boardwalks. Their spirit is as alive today as it was in 1898. From the one-time capital of the Yukon you'll follow history up Bonanza Creek (pan for gold) to Discovery Claim and Grand Forks once boasted a population of 10,000 where the Eldorado Creek and Upper Bonanza come together. Take a guided tour of the Gold Dredge #4 and visit the Diamond Tooth Gertie's Gambling Hall for evening entertainment.

Dawson City – Whitehorse ( Driving Distance: 330 miles / Overnight: Whitehorse )

The Klondike Highway often parallels the Yukon River as it winds its way to Whitehorse. Water in the Yukon River travels more than 3,000 km from headwaters near the Chilkoot Pass to the mouth at the Bering Sea. Stop at the Five Finger Rapids and hike down to the shore of the Yukon River. Continue to Carmacks, home of the Little Salmon/ Carmacks First Nation at the junction of the Yukon and Nordenskiold rivers. The Tagé Cho Hudän Cultural Centre has many exhibits depicting the lifestyle of the Northern Tutchone-speaking people of this region. Stop at Montague Roadhouse, a monument to the trials of travelling in an open stage during the cold Yukon winters. There were roadhouses every 20 miles to rest the horse and refresh the passengers. Arrive in Whitehorse, the capital of the Yukon.

Whitehorse – Haines Junction - Haines ( Driving Distance: 250 miles| Overnight: Haines )

Time to explore the sights of Whitehorse: The McBride Museum, SS Klondike and the Yukon Beringia Center. Drive towards Kluane National Park that have been home to Southern Tutchone people for thousands of years and discover the heart of their traditional culture and way of life. Continue along Haines Highway, built in 1943 and is now one of Alaska's best and most scenic highways. It winds from Haines Junction over the Chilkat Pass - the highest summit on this highway. You pass Klukshu, a native summer fishing camp offering great photo opportunities. Drive through the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve before arriving in Haines. The town is situated at the upper end of the Inside Passage, is surrounded by snowcapped mountains, lush meadows and forests. Return your rental car in Haines.

Haines – Alaska Ferry to Juneau ( Driving Distance: 10 miles / Overnight Juneau )

Board the Alaska Ferry to Juneau. Juneau, the capital of Alaska, is situated in the heart of the Tongass National Forest. Nestled at the base of towering mountains overlooking the Gastineau Channel, the community's rich culture and history is displayed throughout the town. Juneau has a vibrant urban feel with great dining, shopping and lodging, while being surrounded by jaw-dropping scenic vistas. Choose hiking miles of scenic trails through temperate rainforest, tidal beaches and up mountains capped by alpine meadows, or take to the air for stunning views of the Juneau Icefield. Helicopters and floatplanes give visitors an exhilarating view and make it possible get a sense of the vast wilderness. Backcountry camping, bird watching, bear viewing and berry picking can all happen in the same trip!

Juneau

Spend the morning relaxing or doing your favourite outdoor activities. Sample the city’s local fare is a big part of any vacation and a visit to Juneau delivers tastes that delight the senses. From Alaska salmon, halibut and crab to sourdough bagels, homemade fudge, and award-winning coffee and beer, Juneau can satisfy even the most discriminating palate. One of the local favourites is Tracy's King Crab Shack in downtown Juneau.

Rates in US $ / per Person
Comfort Hotel Category Single Double Triple Quad Child
May 20 - May 31 $2500 $1334 $1000 $832 $175
June 1 - August 31 $2890 $1529 $1130 $930 $175
September 1 - September 15 $2500 $1334 $1000 $832 $175
First Class Hotel Category Single Double Triple Quad Child
May 20 - May 31 $2648 $1408 $1044 $862 $175
June 1 - August 31 $3038 $1603 $1174 $960 $175
September 1 - September 15 $2648 $1408 $1044 $862 $175

What’s included

6 Nights Comfort OR First-Class Accommodation

Hotel and State Taxes

5 Days Midsize Rental Car (For additional Upgrades and Extras Click Here)

Unlimited Free Mileage

Rental Car Licensing Fees

CFC, State & City Rental Car Sales Taxes

One Way Rental Fee to Haines

Alaska Ferry Transfer from Haines to Juneau / Passenger

Transfer from Ferry Terminal to Juneau Hotel

Tour Documentation

Sightseeing Information

Tour Departures

Daily  from  May  20th  –  September  15th

Juneau: Pack Creek Bear Viewing Tour to Admiralty Island

The Pack Creek Bear Sanctuary on Admiralty Island is one of Alaska’s most accessible, and yet most wild, bear viewing areas. After the scenic floatplane flight from Juneau, walk on the same ground as the bears. Human visitation is limited, allowing us to enjoy a wilderness bear viewing experience. Pack Creek is ideal habitat for Alaska’s massive coastal brown bears (grizzlies). Starting in the spring, brown bears come to the meadows to feed and also to pursue mates. This makes it one of the best places to see bears during May and early June. While some Pack Creek bears head into the nearby mountains in mid-June, following fresh green vegetation, some stick around. By the end of June, bears are congregating at the creek, waiting for the first pacific salmon to arrive. From July through early-September, bears can be seen feeding on salmon. This tour is a premium guided and fully-outfitted package. Explore some of the most prime bear country on earth and to observe these amazing animals in the protected Kootznoowoo Wilderness on Admiralty Island. While July and August are the peak of bear activity related to salmon, Pack Creek is an excellent place to see bear activity in May, June and September as well.

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Juneau: Tracy Arm Fjords Glacier Cruise

Journey through one of the most dramatic sites in the world - Tracy Arm Fjord. This narrow fjord twists and turns for over 30 miles, culminating in a spectacular view of the twin tidewater Sawyer Glaciers. Your captain will navigate as close as the ice floe allows, stopping for an extended stay at the face of the glacier. Watch for seals relaxing on the icebergs and bald eagles soaring above the cliffs. Learn about the natural history of the fjord, glaciers and the wildlife from our onboard naturalist. Gain insights into Tlingit Native culture. Overcast days will not dampen your enjoyment as clouds and mist only heighten the drama of the fjord and intensify the glacial blue color. The vessel features two spacious levels with large windows for unobstructed views, heated cabins and a open upper deck.

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Les, Boylston: Many thanks for the wonderful driving tour and the good service we received from your agency. We loved the drive on Top of the World Highway from Tok to Dawson City! What can I say, an incredible drive, the vistas are absolutely stunning. We will be happy to recommend you to others.