EXCURSIONES EN TIERRA

At the White Pass & Yukon Route Depot, board a vintage railcar for a ride up the White Pass Summit. View at the incredible scenery as your train ascends dramatic mountains and your guide shares colorful stories and the history of the gold rush. Marvel at the waterfalls, tunnels and historic sites you pass on your journey to the summit of the White Pass and beyond. In Fraser, disembark the train and board a motorcoach for a dramatic journey past the Tormented Valley and Pitchfork Falls en route to Skagway. Your Driver-Guide will regale with a colorful account of the history of Klondike Gold Rush. Taking views of the surrounding mountains, waterfalls and glaciers may be captured during the many photo stops. Stop at Alaska 360 where you will learn the art of gold panning and practice your technique in warm-water troughs. Gold is guaranteed in every pan! Haul your treasure into the Gold Shack and have it weighed. Then, browse a collection of gold nugget jewelry and discover unique, souvenirs in the gift shop. Finally returning to your ship with your loot and newly acquired "gold fever."

OVERVIEW

If you want to really experience Skagway, this tour will show you the best Skagway has to offer. Ascend the beautiful mountains on the White Pass Summit Train. From your antique narrow-gauge car view incredible scenery, as your tour guide shares stories and the history of the Klondike Gold Rush. At the foot of the pass, nestled next to a waterfall, rests Liarsville Gold Rush Trail Camp and Salmon Bake. Here a cast of sourdoughs and dance hall girls will entertain you with a hilarious melodrama and a poem. You’ll be set free in the Liarsville gold fields, where you are guaranteed to find the precious metal that drove people wild with Gold Fever! Enjoy a barbeque of freshly grilled Alaskan salmon, baked beans, potatoes, coleslaw, sourdough rolls, coffee, lemonade and hot apple strudel. Wander over to camp to see the waterfall and have your picture taken with one of the dance hall girls. The grand finale is a visit to the Red Onion Saloon in historic downtown Skagway. The Red Onions’ madams will throw you a private party in the prestigious Red Onion Brothel. Enjoy Alaskan Amber beer, wine, or Madam's punch as you’re entertained by tales of the girls who used to work in these historic rooms! You’ll see the priceless nickel silver dress worn by the Onion’s first madam and many other artifacts. Embrace the true spirit of 1898 and sign on for an experience of a lifetime.

HIGHLIGHTS

• History of the Klondike Gold Rush.
• Enjoy a barbeque of freshly grilled Alaskan salmon.
• Party in the prestigious Red Onion Brothel.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress warmly in layered clothing.
• Wear hiking shoes with good ankle support.

OVERVIEW

Hop aboard the vintage White Pass & Yukon Route Railway for an immensely picturesque train ride high into the mountains, following a path blasted out of the rocks in 1898, during the height of the Klondike Gold Rush. As soon as the narrow-gauge train begins its ascent, you will understand why the beloved WP&YR is known as “The Scenic Railway of the World.” The train will climb almost 3,000 feet in just 20 miles and present one breathtaking view after another, from thundering Bridal Veil Falls to the rugged peaks at Inspiration Point. You will also pass over the soaring bridge that spans precipitous Dead Horse Gulch, named for pack animals loaded with prospecting gear that fell to the bottom of the gorge. It will be an exhilarating ride on a railway so ingeniously constructed that it is recognized as an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride a narrow-gauge train on a route used during the Klondike Gold Rush.
• Climb high into the mountains and behold Alaska’s majestic scenery.
• Admire the ingenious engineering behind the railway’s construction.
• Receive a collectible magazine that details the railway’s history.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Fly high over the Alaskan wilderness in a helicopter to Denver Glacier, where you will watch sled dogs demonstrate their prodigious power and energy. The glacier lies due east near the Alaska-Canada border, an extraordinarily scenic landscape of majestic mountains and dense forests. The helicopter will land on a remote snow field where you will be greeted by an experienced musher and their team of excited dogs. Your musher – will describe how the dogs are cared for and trained to maximize their strength and stamina for contests such as the grueling 1,000-mile Iditarod. Once the team of dogs are harnessed to the sled, off they will go, dashing across the glacier with the snow-capped mountains as a backdrop. It is a spectacle to behold. Afterwards, while interacting with some of the puppies at the camp, you will learn about the history of mushing and the bond between the mushers and their dogs. Cherish this once in a lifetime opportunity as you cuddle with the puppies and take pictures together against the dazzling landscape of the glacier before loading back into the helicopters for your return flight to Skagway.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a scenic flight in a helicopter to Denver Glacier.
• Learn how the dogs are cared for and trained to maximize their power and endurance.
• Watch a team of dogs effortlessly pull a sled across the snow-packed glacier.
• Interact with some of the puppies and the mushers that train them to be sled dogs.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Canoe along the shores of pristine Chilkoot Lake and look for wildlife, which is abundant throughout the surrounding river valley. The naturalist guide will describe some of the iconic animals that live in the area on the fast ferry ride to Haines, during which you may spot brown bears, mountain goats and bald eagles. After a narrated tour of Fort William Seward – a now-decommissioned fort built in 1902 – you will continue on to Chilkoot Lake, whose sheltered waters are typically as smooth as glass. You will enjoy a unique perspective of the lake while riding in a Voyageur canoe much like the ones that trappers and gold miners used more than a century ago. Depending on the conditions, you may paddle or rely on the motor to power the canoe along the forested shore and into secluded inlets. In time, you will pause for a picnic lunch at a remote beach.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Admire the gorgeous wilderness while riding a high-speed ferry from Skagway to Haines.
• Enjoy a narrated drive through Fort William Seward, 19th-century landmark in Haines.
• Look for wildlife while riding the ferry and driving on to Chilkoot Lake.
• Glide along the forested shores of the lake in a remarkably stable, motor-assisted canoe.
• Snap photos of the gorgeous scenery and relax while snacking on a remote beach.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

The adventure begins with a drive through the historic streets of downtown Skagway. As you pass by the false-front buildings and notable landmarks, your driver guide will share stories of the riveting history of this former gold rush town. At Alaska 360, the first stop of the tour, an exhilarating sled dog race demonstration awaits. Get a close-up look at these incredible canine athletes in action as they race around the course, showcasing their strength, speed, and training. Learn about the fascinating history of sled dog racing in Alaska and how these amazing dogs have played a vital role in the state's culture and survival in the harsh northern environment. You'll also get a chance to meet the dogs and even hold puppies! Next reboard your motorcoach for a scenic ride along the Klondike Highway, paralleling the route used by prospectors during the 1898 Klondike Gold Rush. You'll ascend to the 3,290-foot White Pass Summit, while you take in the magnificent scenery surrounding you. Enjoy photo stops along the way before returning to the ship.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Drive through Skagway’s historic district, which thrived during the Klondike Gold Rush.
• Take a scenic bus drive to White Pass Summit and stop for photos along the way.
• Learn about Alaska's state sport and watch a team of Iditarod sled dog’s race.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Delve into Skagway’s wild-and-woolly past by hearing tales of the notorious early settlers, visiting their gravesites and discussing the town’s history over a few beers. After departing from the pier, you will enjoy an introductory tour of Skagway and learn about its raucous, free-wheeling history during the Klondike Gold Rush. During the boom of the gold rush, Skagway’s population soared to 10,000, the vast majority of them prospectors seeking their fortunes. Today, there are only about 1,100 residents. As you drive through town, you will soon understand that the past is still alive in Skagway. Chances are, you will see historical buildings such as the 19th-century Arctic Brotherhood Hall, whose exterior is decorated with thousands of pieces of driftwood, and the notorious Red Onion Saloon, which was a brothel during the gold rush. Six blocks in downtown Skagway are designated a National Historic District, where you can find the homes and businesses of some of the earliest locals, whose reputations have long outlived them. Most of these characters are buried in the Gold Rush Cemetery. Lastly, bit of literal local flavor awaits you at a Skagway microbrewery, where you will sample a selection of beers and learn about the process from the brew master.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy an introductory tour of Skagway and learn about its raucous, free-wheeling history during the Klondike Gold Rush.
• View the final resting place of con man Soapy Smith who died in a shootout in 1898.
• Sample a selection of beers and learn about the process from the brew master at local Skagway microbrewery.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Experience the dramatic beauty of Southeast Alaska while traveling in a luxury parlor car on the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway. Along the way, you will be treated to beverages and regionally sourced appetizers that will make the ride all the more pleasurable. As soon as the narrow-gauge train begins its ascent, you will understand why the beloved WP&YR is known as “The Scenic Railway of the World.” The train will climb almost 3,000 feet in just 20 miles and present one breathtaking view after another, from thundering Bridal Veil Falls to the rugged peaks at Inspiration Point. You will also pass over the soaring bridge that spans precipitous Dead Horse Gulch, named for pack animals loaded with prospecting gear that fell to the bottom of the gorge. It will be an exhilarating ride on a railway so ingeniously constructed that it is recognized as an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride in a luxury parlor car on a train that follows a Klondike Gold Rush route.
• Climb high into the mountains and behold Alaska’s majestic scenery.
• Admire the ingenious engineering behind the railway’s construction.
• Enjoy all-inclusive beverages and locally sourced appetizers that reflect Alaska cuisine

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Ride a vintage train that once carried miners into the gold fields of the Canadian wilderness. During your one-way train to the summit, you will view incredible scenery while your guide shares colorful stories about the history of the gold rush. Upon arrival in Fraser, British Colombia, you'll board your motorcoach for the return trip to Skagway. Before ending back in town, you'll stop at the gold Rush cemetery. The first cemetery in Skagway, this is the final resting place for gold rush characters such as kingpin Soapy Smith and promoter Martin Itjen, who caused a stir by chaining the world’s largest gold nugget to a tree.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride a railway built during the gold rush.
• Admire majestic scenery all the way to the summit and back.
• Learn the history of landmarks such as Dead Horse Gulch.
• Hear wild tales of Skagway’s notorious founders.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

It is off to the historic and magnificent White Pass Train adventure. From an antique parlor car, enjoy the incredible scenery while your tour guide shares the stories and history of the Klondike Gold Rush. Upon reaching Fraser, British Columbia board your motorcoach and take a short trip to the Yukon Suspension Bridge. Then it’s time to experience the country that you heard about! Breathe pristine air, taste wild berries in season, hear the roar of raging white water and thrill to the sensations of a swaying walkway over 60 feet above the rapids. There are Tagish First Nation Staff and Elders to answer questions about the site. A variety of First Nations art pieces and crafts are available for purchase, as well. After your experience at the Yukon Suspension Bridge, you’ll continue on your motorcoach for the journey down the west side of the White Pass Canyon. Listen as your driver/guide entertains you with stories of the stampeders who trekked through the pass in search of gold. You’ll see picturesque points such as Tormented Valley and Pitchfork Falls as you head back to your ship.

This tour is a 65-mile journey into the Yukon! Climb aboard a deluxe motorcoach and experience the magic and the mystery of the famed Yukon Territory. Your adventure begins on the docks of Skagway, but soon you’ll be climbing the South Klondike Highway to the top of the White Pass 3,292 feet above sea level. Majestic peaks, waterfalls, and glaciers can all be experienced and enjoyed on this incredible drive. Leaving the White Pass and the USA behind, you’ll enter Canada and the unspoiled and 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 “Carcross”, snap a quick photo of the world’s smallest desert and enjoy the tales of the Klondike Gold rush provided by your guide throughout your journey. A stop at the Caribou Crossing Trading Post is an opportunity to satisfy your wilderness appetite with a delicious chicken barbecue lunch complete with all-you-can-eat homemade donuts. After your meal, tour the Yukon's most extensive Wildlife Museum and then on to the Dog Musher’s Village where you can visit with Iditarod dog mushers and take pictures with the sled dogs and husky puppies or, for an extra fee, join them for a dog cart ride with the actual Iditarod and Yukon Quest dogs. Kids and adults alike will also enjoy the petting farm. Once back at Fraser, British Columbia, you’ll board the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad for a truly unforgettable ride on this historic and breathtaking narrow-gauge railroad.