Hiking the Chilkoot Trail

HIKING THE CHILKOOT TRAIL

6 nights
Departures on Sunday or Friday from June to August

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 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!

Itinerary

Day 1	Arrive in Whitehorse where you will spend the night.
Day 2	You will be driven to Carcross and over the White Pass to Skagway, he staging point for the gold rush Stampeders and for modern travelers on their way to the Klondike. After a visit to the historic town, your journey continues to Dyea, the start of the Chilkoot Trail. Today you will hike to Finnegan's Point (4.9 miles, approx. 3 hours hiking time) where you will spend the night.
Day 3	After breakfast your adventure continues through the coastal rain forest with a visit to the long abandoned Canyon City town site before continuing to Sheep Camp (8.1 miles, 5 to 6 hours hiking time). This is a pleasant day with some easy and some short but fairly steep climbs and a lot of time for breaks.
Day 4	An early start to climb above the tree line to enjoy the superb view of mountains and glaciers. Along the trail there are many relics of the stampede and you will wonder at the incredible amount of goods that had to be carried over this mountain pass. Later in the day you will cross the border between Alaska and Canada, over 3700 feet above sea level. From here you will descend over snowfields to the inland portion of the trail to "Happy Camp" (7.5 miles, 6-8 hours) in late afternoon.
Day 5	You will gradually descend to Deep Lake amid gorgeous scenery and further into the forested area of Lake Lindeman (5.5 miles, 4-5 hours hiking time).
Day 6	Today the trek continues to Bare Loon Lake - good for swimming in hot weather - and on to Lake Bennett where the Chilkoot Trail ends (7.0 miles, 4 to 5 hours hiking time). Here you will have time to visit the old train station and the partly renovated log church in Bennett. A float plane will take you to Whitehorse for one night.
Day 7	After breakfast transfer back to Whitehorse where you can extend your stay in one of the Yukon's lodges or return to the UK.

Departure Dates and Prices

Price is £870 per person sharing twin room for 6 nights. Single supplement available on request. Optional extra of a train ride on the White Pass or Yukon Route : £68 per person.

Price Includes:
Transfers, first and last night in hotel in Whitehorse, transportation by van to Skagway and Dyea, sightseeing in Skagway, flight by float plane from Lake Bennett to Whitehorse, all meals on the trail including non-alcoholic beverages, all equipment, Chilkoot park fees and licences, local driver and guide.
Price Excludes:
International flights, meals and beverages in Whitehorse and Skagway (2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners), train ride on the White Pass and Yukon route from Fraser to Skagway (£58 per person), gratuities and items of a personal nature.