INUIT LANDS AND THE ROAD TO THE ARCTIC
INUIT LANDS AND THE ROAD TO THE ARCTIC
On this tour, you will be introduced to two of Canada’s northernmost territories, the Yukon and the Northwest Territories. Drive on the iconic Dempster Highway, stop at the Arctic Circle Monument, visit the Inuit community of Tuktoyaktuk on the Arctic Coast and a traditional Inuit whaling base in the Mackenzie River delta. See the geological wonders of pingos and spend time with Inuit families. Along the way experience many cultural displays, travel in a comfortable heated coach and make memories that will stay with you forever.
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Start Location: Whitehorse
End Location: Whitehorse
TOP HIGHLIGHTS
- Whitehorse
- Dawson City
- Dempster Highway and Tombstone Territorial Park
- Visit the Arctic Circle
- Amongst the First to Drive the Mackenzie Valley Highway to the Arctic Ocean
- Spend Time in Inuit Homes
- Visit a Traditional Inuit Whaling Camp on the Mackenzie River Delta
- Inuvik
- Tuktoyaktuk
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive in Whitehorse, YT
Welcome to Whitehorse, named the Wilderness City and the capital of the Yukon Territory, located on the banks of the Yukon River north of the 60th Parallel. Your arrival transfer to the hotel will be coordinated by us and upon arrival; you will be greeted by the Anderson Vacations’ Tour Leader. There will be a tour briefing and our first group dinner to prepare us for the adventures to follow.
Overnight: Whitehorse
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Whitehorse Touring
Today, we will have an easy start with a walking tour of some of the city highlights. The capital of the Yukon Territory, Whitehorse, offers a charming inside view of the history of the North. We visit the Yukon Visitor Centre to get an overview of the Yukon Territory and learn about the languages and tribal groups in different regions of the Yukon. We will then see the SS Klondike paddle-wheeler boat from the outside as the interior is undergoing much delayed and urgent restoration this year. We then walk to the log skyscraper and the Old Log Church Museum, both restored relics from the Gold Rush days. free time for lunch, we visit the world's longest wooden fish ladder and then Miles Canyon, a gorge in the Yukon River. Evening is at leisure.
Overnight: Whitehorse
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Whitehorse, YT
We start our day at the Kwanlin Dun Indigenous Cultural centre situated on the banks of the Yukon River where the Kwanlin Dün First Nation people celebrate their heritage and way of life. The Kwanlin Dün Centre represents the return of the Indigenous People to their traditional home along the banks of the Chu Nínkwän (Yukon River). Throughout the facility, the Indigenous Peoples’ tradition of welcoming others to experience, celebrate and share the Indigenous history, traditions and culture with Yukoners and visitors from around the world, is reflected. We travel to the community of Champagne and the Long- Ago Peoples Place venue where our Southern Tutchone hosts, Harold, and Meta, will talk to us about the ancient cultural practices and lifestyle of Indigenous communities in these far northern areas.
We also visit the magnificent Kluane National Park, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 where we learn about the glacial fields at the Park Visitor Centre. We will stop at Sheep Mountain hoping to spot local Dall sheep in their natural environment. Afterwards, we return to Whitehorse for an evening at leisure.
Overnight: Whitehorse
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Whitehorse - Dawson City, YT
This morning, after breakfast, we will visit the MacBride Museum which showcase the history of the Yukon through story telling, artifacts, photographs and more. Then we take a short flight to Dawson City, an eclectic and vibrant northern community on the banks of the Yukon River, possibly soon to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town is a mix of First Nations heritage and Gold Rush history, blended with an active gold mining industry as well as a thriving arts scene. Dawson's history includes Beringia, the Ice Age period which formed the unique landscape, the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in indigenous people who have called this place home for centuries, as well as the Klondike Gold Rush, which put this town on the map worldwide.
Dawson today is a colourful community that still has the look and feel of a wild-west frontier town, with personalities to boot. Miners, artists, wanderers, and the Indigenous People, all call this place home. Time permitting, we may join an informative local guide on a walking tour that compares the Dawson of 1898 to the Dawson of today. We will hear some incredible tales about the people that roamed the streets during the Gold Rush period. For our local area tour, we board a minibus for a driving tour of Dawson City and the goldfields, we will be visiting Dredge No.4 as well. We will also experience Dawson City and the Yukon Valley from the top of the Midnight Dome, a great viewpoint with stunning photo opportunities and breathtaking views. We return to the downtown for a group dinner. We recommend with your free time after dinner to visit the famous pub of Bombay Peggy’s a local Cocktail Bar known as a Sourdough Saloon, and home of the Famous Sour Toe Cocktail.
Overnight: Dawson City
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5: Dawson City - Dempster Highway and Tombstone Territorial Park, YT
Today we experience the Dempster Highway and Tombstone Territorial Park! En route to the park, our expert local guide will share the history and tell us about the changing landscape of the area. We will make frequent photo stops on the Dempster, and you will see some of the most amazing landscapes the Yukon has to offer. We will stop at the Tombstone Interpretive Centre where you will have the opportunity to unwind while wandering through the exhibits and have a chance to talk with park rangers. For those interested in a short one-hour guided flat terrain hike along the North Klondike River, our local guide will escort us and explain facts about this seldom visited and remote corner of the North American continent. Return to Dawson City around 5:00 pm this afternoon and have some free time before dinner.
Overnight: Dawson City
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Fly to Inuvik, NWT
Today we have a free morning. After breakfast, take the time to explore the town on your own.
Later, we drive to Dawson Airport for our late afternoon 3.5hrs flight over the remote subarctic tundra to the town of Inuvik located within the Arctic Circle. On the East Channel of the incredible Mackenzie River delta ecosystem, Inuvik acts as the gateway to the Western Arctic.
Upon arrival, we will be picked up and drive to the Mackenzie Hotel to drop off our bags before dinner.
Overnight: Inuvik
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7: Inuvik - Tuktoyaktuk - Inuvik, NWT
Today we drive on the recently built Mackenzie Valley Highway to the Arctic Ocean and be amongst the first visitors to travel on this road from Inuvik to the community of Tuktoyaktuk on the Arctic Ocean. This experience is exclusive and a "one-off" as we drive on Canada's only road to the Arctic Ocean. The locals refer to Tuktoyaktuk as "Tuk", and here, we will experience and learn the ways of life of the people who also call it "home". Our local Inuit guide will share stories and history of the area and point out local landmarks and other points of interest including the Lady of Lourdes Schooner, Traditional sod house, local churches, Distant Early Warning Site, and the Trans Canada Trailhead site. We will see a pingo, also a national landmark, where your guide will explain how these amazing natural formations are formed. Then it is out onto the Arctic Ocean to dip our toes and experience the vastness of the Beaufort Sea where we hear stories of how the local people survive in this northern environment.
Overnight: Inuvik
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Inuvik - Whitehorse, YT
We will have a breakfast in the hotel, followed by some free time before the boat tour.
This afternoon, we head to the shores of the winding Mackenzie River. Our Indigenous guide will take us on a 4-to-5-hour long boat tour explaining how the river is used. From the community of Inuvik, we will travel by boat across the massive Mackenzie Delta. During this tour we will learn about the traditional use of the delta, fishing, hunting & trapping as we journey along the largest and longest river system in Canada. There will be a traditional lunch provided of Bannock, smoked tea, or coffee.
Before our flight back to Whitehorse, we will have a walking tour of the town to see the Igloo church, maybe visit the community greenhouse if it is open, browse through the interesting craft store selling local artifacts and perhaps walk to the banks of the Mackenzie River. This far north, well within the Arctic Circle, there is no nighttime, and we will experience the midnight sun and 24 hours of daylight!
Overnight: Whitehorse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Depart Whitehorse, YT
This morning, our adventure in the Yukon and Northwest Territories comes to an end. Following breakfast, you will depart the hotel and transfer to Whitehorse airport for onward flight and travel arrangements.
Meals: Breakfast
DATES & PRICES
We accept 
AVAILABILITY
START DATE
END DATE
PRICE
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
DEPOSIT
BOOK
(does not include 5% tax)
Note: Flights can be booked to arrive at any time on Day 1. Flights between Whitehorse and Dawson City and Inuvik and Whitehorse are incuded in the tour price.
Note: Flights can be booked to arrive at any time on Day 1. Flights between Whitehorse and Dawson City and Inuvik and Whitehorse are incuded in the tour price.
Applicable taxes vary depending on travel destination and are not included. Please ask your sales agent what extra taxes will be payable for your tour.
WHY CHOOSE ANDERSON VACATIONS?
Anderson Vacations
Other Companies
Small Group Tours
Travel with a limited number of participants for a personalized journey with a tour leader.Experienced Tour Leaders
Who have gone through intensive vetting and training.(But most contract their tour leaders from Anderson Vacations.)
Canadian Travel Experts
With at least 30 years of experience.Min. 95% Satisfaction Rate
From past guests.Travel to unique places, visit more attractions each day.
Without the distractions of tipping.Activities and excursions included as part of the tour.
(Not as add-ons.)Sustainability
Planting one tree for every passenger that travels with us.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- 8 nights of accommodation (3.5 - 4 star, or best available)
- Professional Tour Leader
- Transportation from local company
- Economy class airfare between Whitehorse and Dawson City
- Economy class airfare between Inuvik and Whitehorse
- 8 breakfasts, 3 packed lunches, 6 dinners
- Roundtrip airport transfers in Whitehorse
EXCLUSIONS
- 5% provincial tax on top of tour base rate
- Gratuities to driver (Recommend $3-$4 per person per day)
- Gratuities to guide (Recommend $5-$7 per person per day)
- Meals not listed
- Attractions not listed
- Credit card payment fees, where applicable
- Airfare — domestic and international (Unless Specified)
- Travel insurance (Strongly recommended, ask us for a quote!)
- Items of a personal nature
Why Take An Anderson Tour?
Seasoned Tour Guides
Get a deeper understanding with storytelling tailored to your interests.
Space To Breathe
We never max out buses even if we use the same size bus as the competition.
All Inclusive
No hidden expenses along the way. Competitors offer activities as an extra - we don't
Our guide training manual is accredited by ACTA/CITC Canadian Educational Standard Inc. Now used as the standard in educational college programs.
Can't find what you're looking for?
Our specialists can take away the stress and create a custom trip tailored to your exact interests and budget.
Get A Custom Quote
OR CALL
1.866.814.7378
Custom Trip Plans
You can see what you want, when you want, how you want.
Unique Experiences
Experiences that help you take in the region in a different way.
Freedom To Explore
Time to take in each place with only the tours you want to do.
Tour Questions
What is the maximum number of travellers in a group?
Anderson Vacations specializes in Small Group Fully Escorted tours. If the tour is classified as a ‘Classic Tour’ up to 24 persons may join the tour although tours commonly travel with anywhere between 18 to 24 travellers. If the tour is classified as a 'Tour of Distinction’ only up to 18 persons may join the tour and many 'Tours of Distinction' travel with 12 to 18 travellers.
What are Guaranteed Departures?
After dreaming about travel to an exciting destination, arranging for time off work, booking your flights the last thing you need is for your trip to be cancelled. Anderson vacation's pre-Guaranteed tours take the uncertainty away from planning your travel and give you peace of mind to book our tours. Pre-Guaranteed Tours are group tours that we have already confirmed as certain to travel on the specified date. All 'Guaranteed Tours' will travel except in the event of a natural disaster or a catastrophic event that is beyond our control. They may already have the minimum number of people booked or else are tours that are known to be popular. Only select departures of tours are 'pre-Guaranteed'.
What happens if I book on a tour that is not Guaranteed?
We pride ourselves on providing “a small shared group experience.” In the event that we have fewer than ten participants on a tour we will offer a “small-group surcharge” to ensure that the tour runs as scheduled. This fee, which is up to 15% of the “land” portion of the tour, will be offered to you as an option to continue with the trip. This fee will cover the costs associated with handling a smaller group.
What is the average age of passengers for this tour?
Our tours are suitable for all age demographics. The average age of travelers is typically 45+.
How physically demanding is this tour? Are you able to accommodate people with mobility restrictions/limitations?
Some tours are mainly coach based and may not be physically demanding while others may require walking inclines or on rough surfaces to access interesting locations. Please check with us and your booking agent carefully and discuss your mobility restrictions before completing any tour booking to ensure this style of travel is right for you.
Can you accommodate passengers with dietary restrictions (food allergies, vegan, vegetarian etc.)?
Yes, we do accommodate dietary restrictions (within reason) such as, food allergies, vegan, vegetarian, etc. There are many meals included on our fully escorted tours. Please inform us of any dietary restrictions at the time of booking so we can ensure there are alternative meal choices.
Booking & Flight Questions
Do you arrange airport transfers?
Yes, we can assist you with airport transfers for you in most locations at a reasonable extra cost. Several tours have airport transfers already included. Please contact us for more details.
Can you assist with booking additional accommodation?
Yes, we can certainly assist with booking additional nights of hotel accommodation for you before and after your fully escorted tour. This is available upon request and subject to availability. Please inquire for further information and prices.
How much luggage should I bring?
Each passenger may bring one large suitcase and one carry-on bag. The weight limit for baggage is 20 kilograms or about 40 pounds. Baggage handling is provided at the hotels in our tour packages but there may be places where you will be required to wheel in your bags for quicker access. Be sure to advise our reservations staff if you will be bringing additional items such as a cane, walker, or wheelchair. You may also bring one small soft-sided carry-on bag, which should easily fit into the overhead shelf of a coach. Each person is responsible for his/her own carryon luggage. Remember to check your airline baggage restrictions if you are flying, as they may differ from Anderson Vacations guidelines.
I am a solo traveller. Is there a single surcharge?
There are options for single travelers to join most tours. Solo travellers can choose to pay a Single Supplement and have their own room throughout the tour. For those willing to share with a co-traveller of the same gender, we have a Twin Share option that is offered for most tours where you share a hotel room with another same gender traveller. In this case, you will not be charged for Single Supplement.
Is it possible to book a triple share accommodation?
Yes, it is possible to book triple share accommodations on select trips. Please inquire or contact us regarding this option, as prices and availability vary from tour to tour.
Can we book this tour with our exclusive group?
Yes, you can! Anderson Vacations works with many private groups and helps to customize a tour to traveller’s needs. Please contact us for more details.
Are gratuities included in the tour cost?
For convenience, gratuities for local guides and meals that are specified in the itinerary are included in the tour price. For meals not included in your tour package please remember that it is customary to tip your server 10-20% in North America. Gratuities for your Coach Driver (where appropriate) and Tour Director are entirely at your discretion. We recommend about CDN $5.00 per person, per day, for your Driver and CDN$7.00 per person, per day for your Tour Leader.
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Ready? Have More Questions?
Over 25 years offering custom trips and small group tours.
INQUIRE ABOUT THIS TRIP
OR CALL
1.866.814.7378
Seasoned Tour Guides
Get a deeper understanding with storytelling tailored to your interests.
Space To Breathe
We never max out buses even if we use the same size bus as the competition.
All Inclusive
No hidden expenses along the way. Competitors offer activities as an extra - we don't
DOWNLOAD
Tour Code
ILRA
Inuit Lands and the Road to the Arctic
9 days
Created On: 21 Dec 2024
Highlights
- Whitehorse
- Dawson City
- Dempster Highway and Tombstone Territorial Park
- Visit the Arctic Circle
- Amongst the First to Drive the Mackenzie Valley Highway to the Arctic Ocean
- Spend Time in Inuit Homes
- Visit a Traditional Inuit Whaling Camp on the Mackenzie River Delta
- Inuvik
- Tuktoyaktuk
Inclusions
- 8 nights of accommodation (3.5 - 4 star, or best available)
- Professional Tour Leader
- Transportation from local company
- Economy class airfare between Whitehorse and Dawson City
- Economy class airfare between Inuvik and Whitehorse
- 8 breakfasts, 3 packed lunches, 6 dinners
- Roundtrip airport transfers in Whitehorse
Exclusions
- 5% provincial tax on top of tour base rate
- Gratuities to driver (Recommend $3-$4 per person per day)
- Gratuities to guide (Recommend $5-$7 per person per day)
- Meals not listed
- Attractions not listed
- Credit card payment fees, where applicable
- Airfare — domestic and international (Unless Specified)
- Travel insurance (Strongly recommended, ask us for a quote!)
- Items of a personal nature
Dates & Prices
AVAILABILITY
START DATE
END DATE
PRICE
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
DEPOSIT
AVAILABLE
Thu, 12 Jun 2025
Fri, 20 Jun 2025
$4,880 USD
$1,035 USD
$500 USD
AVAILABLE
Thu, 17 Jul 2025
Fri, 25 Jul 2025
$4,880 USD
$1,035 USD
$500 USD
AVAILABLE
Thu, 04 Sep 2025
Fri, 12 Sep 2025
$4,880 USD
$1,035 USD
$500 USD
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Whitehorse, YT
Welcome to Whitehorse, named the Wilderness City and the capital of the Yukon Territory, located on the banks of the Yukon River north of the 60th Parallel. Your arrival transfer to the hotel will be coordinated by us and upon arrival; you will be greeted by the Anderson Vacations’ Tour Leader. There will be a tour briefing and our first group dinner to prepare us for the adventures to follow.
Overnight: Whitehorse
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Whitehorse Touring
Today, we will have an easy start with a walking tour of some of the city highlights. The capital of the Yukon Territory, Whitehorse, offers a charming inside view of the history of the North. We visit the Yukon Visitor Centre to get an overview of the Yukon Territory and learn about the languages and tribal groups in different regions of the Yukon. We will then see the SS Klondike paddle-wheeler boat from the outside as the interior is undergoing much delayed and urgent restoration this year. We then walk to the log skyscraper and the Old Log Church Museum, both restored relics from the Gold Rush days. free time for lunch, we visit the world's longest wooden fish ladder and then Miles Canyon, a gorge in the Yukon River. Evening is at leisure.
Overnight: Whitehorse
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Whitehorse, YT
We start our day at the Kwanlin Dun Indigenous Cultural centre situated on the banks of the Yukon River where the Kwanlin Dün First Nation people celebrate their heritage and way of life. The Kwanlin Dün Centre represents the return of the Indigenous People to their traditional home along the banks of the Chu Nínkwän (Yukon River). Throughout the facility, the Indigenous Peoples’ tradition of welcoming others to experience, celebrate and share the Indigenous history, traditions and culture with Yukoners and visitors from around the world, is reflected. We travel to the community of Champagne and the Long- Ago Peoples Place venue where our Southern Tutchone hosts, Harold, and Meta, will talk to us about the ancient cultural practices and lifestyle of Indigenous communities in these far northern areas.
We also visit the magnificent Kluane National Park, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 where we learn about the glacial fields at the Park Visitor Centre. We will stop at Sheep Mountain hoping to spot local Dall sheep in their natural environment. Afterwards, we return to Whitehorse for an evening at leisure.
Overnight: Whitehorse
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Whitehorse - Dawson City, YT
This morning, after breakfast, we will visit the MacBride Museum which showcase the history of the Yukon through story telling, artifacts, photographs and more. Then we take a short flight to Dawson City, an eclectic and vibrant northern community on the banks of the Yukon River, possibly soon to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town is a mix of First Nations heritage and Gold Rush history, blended with an active gold mining industry as well as a thriving arts scene. Dawson's history includes Beringia, the Ice Age period which formed the unique landscape, the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in indigenous people who have called this place home for centuries, as well as the Klondike Gold Rush, which put this town on the map worldwide.
Dawson today is a colourful community that still has the look and feel of a wild-west frontier town, with personalities to boot. Miners, artists, wanderers, and the Indigenous People, all call this place home. Time permitting, we may join an informative local guide on a walking tour that compares the Dawson of 1898 to the Dawson of today. We will hear some incredible tales about the people that roamed the streets during the Gold Rush period. For our local area tour, we board a minibus for a driving tour of Dawson City and the goldfields, we will be visiting Dredge No.4 as well. We will also experience Dawson City and the Yukon Valley from the top of the Midnight Dome, a great viewpoint with stunning photo opportunities and breathtaking views. We return to the downtown for a group dinner. We recommend with your free time after dinner to visit the famous pub of Bombay Peggy’s a local Cocktail Bar known as a Sourdough Saloon, and home of the Famous Sour Toe Cocktail.
Overnight: Dawson City
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5: Dawson City - Dempster Highway and Tombstone Territorial Park, YT
Today we experience the Dempster Highway and Tombstone Territorial Park! En route to the park, our expert local guide will share the history and tell us about the changing landscape of the area. We will make frequent photo stops on the Dempster, and you will see some of the most amazing landscapes the Yukon has to offer. We will stop at the Tombstone Interpretive Centre where you will have the opportunity to unwind while wandering through the exhibits and have a chance to talk with park rangers. For those interested in a short one-hour guided flat terrain hike along the North Klondike River, our local guide will escort us and explain facts about this seldom visited and remote corner of the North American continent. Return to Dawson City around 5:00 pm this afternoon and have some free time before dinner.
Overnight: Dawson City
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Fly to Inuvik, NWT
Today we have a free morning. After breakfast, take the time to explore the town on your own.
Later, we drive to Dawson Airport for our late afternoon 3.5hrs flight over the remote subarctic tundra to the town of Inuvik located within the Arctic Circle. On the East Channel of the incredible Mackenzie River delta ecosystem, Inuvik acts as the gateway to the Western Arctic.
Upon arrival, we will be picked up and drive to the Mackenzie Hotel to drop off our bags before dinner.
Overnight: Inuvik
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7: Inuvik - Tuktoyaktuk - Inuvik, NWT
Today we drive on the recently built Mackenzie Valley Highway to the Arctic Ocean and be amongst the first visitors to travel on this road from Inuvik to the community of Tuktoyaktuk on the Arctic Ocean. This experience is exclusive and a "one-off" as we drive on Canada's only road to the Arctic Ocean. The locals refer to Tuktoyaktuk as "Tuk", and here, we will experience and learn the ways of life of the people who also call it "home". Our local Inuit guide will share stories and history of the area and point out local landmarks and other points of interest including the Lady of Lourdes Schooner, Traditional sod house, local churches, Distant Early Warning Site, and the Trans Canada Trailhead site. We will see a pingo, also a national landmark, where your guide will explain how these amazing natural formations are formed. Then it is out onto the Arctic Ocean to dip our toes and experience the vastness of the Beaufort Sea where we hear stories of how the local people survive in this northern environment.
Overnight: Inuvik
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Inuvik - Whitehorse, YT
We will have a breakfast in the hotel, followed by some free time before the boat tour.
This afternoon, we head to the shores of the winding Mackenzie River. Our Indigenous guide will take us on a 4-to-5-hour long boat tour explaining how the river is used. From the community of Inuvik, we will travel by boat across the massive Mackenzie Delta. During this tour we will learn about the traditional use of the delta, fishing, hunting & trapping as we journey along the largest and longest river system in Canada. There will be a traditional lunch provided of Bannock, smoked tea, or coffee.
Before our flight back to Whitehorse, we will have a walking tour of the town to see the Igloo church, maybe visit the community greenhouse if it is open, browse through the interesting craft store selling local artifacts and perhaps walk to the banks of the Mackenzie River. This far north, well within the Arctic Circle, there is no nighttime, and we will experience the midnight sun and 24 hours of daylight!
Overnight: Whitehorse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Depart Whitehorse, YT
This morning, our adventure in the Yukon and Northwest Territories comes to an end. Following breakfast, you will depart the hotel and transfer to Whitehorse airport for onward flight and travel arrangements.
Meals: Breakfast
