Alaska & Yukon Agricultural Tour (14 days / 13 nights) 

This tour of Alaska and Yukon is designed for farmers and people with an interest in agriculture.

The tour combines a special focus on farming with the most popular vacation highlights found in Alaska and Yukon. The tour starts in Whitehorse and travels by motor coach through the great northern interior to Anchorage.  

During the tour the group will meet the friendly local people, gain an understanding of the unique problems related to farming in the far north, visit game farms, spot wildlife in Denali National Park, cruise Glacier Bay National Park and drive through some of the most beautiful scenery found anywhere. 

The route has been specially designed to include the most interesting aspects of northern agriculture. 

Tour Summary

 
Itinerary Description 

Day 1   Arrive Whitehorse; A private coach or hotel shuttle can transfer the group to their hotel. Situated in the center of Whitehorse, the hotels are convenient to the downtown shopping area. The group can take an afternoon sightseeing tour of local commercial market gardens. A meeting with gardeners and managers of two successful operations are possibilities. Overnight in Whitehorse. 

Day 2   Whitehorse to Skagway to Haines;  The group will drive through the picturesque Miles Canyon. The route to Skagway takes the group through the Yukon’s Southern Lake’s district. Surrounded by tall mountains, these picturesque series of lakes add a highlight to the day's journey. The Lynn Canal is the northern end of navigation through the Inside Passage. Here from the historic port of Skagway, the narrow gauge White Pass & Yukon Railway (built in 1898) makes regular daily runs over the White Pass summit.   The group will board the Alaska Ferry and sail the Lynn Canal to the charming port of Haines, Alaska.  Overnight in Haines. 

Day 3   Haines; Haines is situated on the doorstep to one of Alaska’s great natural attractions, Glacier Bay.  The group will board an aircraft for the short, scenic flight to Gustavus. With the rich soils, ample daylight, this rustic village has many homesteads with productive gardens and wild fruits abound. In Bartlett Cove the group will embark on the mv Spirit of Adventure for a full day cruise into this National Park / World Heritage Site. The vessel has park naturalists on board who provide an informative commentary on many of the unique elements of the region. Whales may be spotted in the rich waters, and along the shoreline bears roam for food. Return to Haines later in the afternoon by air. Overnight in Haines. 

Day 4   Haines to Haines Junction; The Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve is found close to Haines. The group can have a guided scenic float (no whitewater) by raft on the river which gently flows through the preserve. The experienced nature guides interpret the natural surrounding.  The area is the habitat for moose, bear, wolves, and majestic eagles. the group will continue the drive into Canada  along the border of Kluane National Park. In the tiny native village of Klukshu the group is able to see traditional (ancient) methods of catching salmon. Haines Junction is the hub for the most productive agricultural area of the Yukon.  Overnight in Haines Junction.  

Day 5   Haines Junction to Whitehorse; It is possible for the group to visit one of the main vegetable farms in the Yukon. Set against a backdrop of outstanding scenery, the farm is one of the most picturesque in the world. The group may meet the owner and have a personal guided tour. Afterwards, the group will continue the drive to Whitehorse and  visit “The Yukon Game Farm” where the majority of the indigenous species are represented in a natural setting. Special guides can take the group through the facility and provide an informative talk.  Overnight in Whitehorse.  

Day 6   Whitehorse to Dawson City;  A northbound drive on the Klondike Highway takes the group through the picturesque interior of central Yukon. Retracing the steps of the goldrush stampede, guests have fine views of the Yukon River where early, intrepid souls forged ahead in search of wealth.  With only 30,000 people and almost half a million square kilometers – traffic and busy roads are unknown. The group can visit Carmacks and Moose Creek as well as several scenic viewpoints. Overnight in Dawson City.  

Day 7   Dawson City;  One hundred years ago the greatest gold rush ever seen was taking place in the Klondike.  The group can visit several of these historic sites as they tour Canada’s Klondike country. On a gold claim on Bonanza Creek the group may try there hand at panning for real gold! The rich soil and warm summer weather have historically produced fine productive gardens, however permanent ice just under the surface has its challenges.  In the evening the group may visit Diamond Tooth Gerties – Dawson’s original gambling hall and Canada’s oldest casino. Overnight in Dawson City.  

Day 8   Dawson City to Fairbanks;  After crossing the Yukon River by ferry, the group will drive one of the great overland routes between Canada and the United States. The Top of the World Highway provides magnificent panoramic vistas of the vast Alaskan wilderness. Colorful gold mining communities dot the highway. After clearing customs the group will drive north into the great interior.   The area receives an average 15 inches of precipitation annually.  Cold winters and warm summers dominate the region.  The average growing season for this area is 100 days. Overnight in Fairbanks. 

Day 9   Fairbanks; The most northern point on the itinerary and a major supply center for the vast outlying arctic region, Fairbanks boasts an infrastructure which far exceeds most other cities of similar size.  Paddle-wheel tourist riverboats still ply the Chena and Tanana Rivers.  The Mississippi style riverboat cruises to a recreated Athabascan village where many of the traditional skills and lifestyles of the native people can be seen. The group may visit the Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.  Next the group can stop at the University Experiment Farm on the Fairbanks campus. It includes 260 acres of cropland and 50 acres of forestland for research and demonstration projects.  The  Botanical Garden is located nearby. Overnight in Fairbanks. 

Day 10  Fairbanks to Denali; The ‘Parks Highway’ leads the group south through the small riverside town of Nenana.  Set midway between Fairbanks and Denali, Nenana is an active river port and railroad center that serves the vast Alaskan interior. As the group approaches Denali Park from the north, good views of the peaks are often seen; in fact Mt McKinley can be viewed from Fairbanks in good weather. In Denali  there are many optional excursions available; river rafting, hiking, park demonstrations, helicopter and aircraft trips. Overnight at the Denali park entrance.  

Day 11  Denali National Park;  This morning the group can depart on an early morning bus tour into the park. The travel time into the park is 6-8 hours, which varies due to the spotting of wildlife within the park.  Sightings may include moose, bear, wolves, caribou, Dall sheep and many small mammals.  The experienced driver will provide narration about Denali’s natural history and unique sub-arctic desert terrain.  Overnight at the Denali park entrance.  

Day 12  Denali to Talkeetna to  Wasilla;  The group will travel towards the Matanuska Valley, heart of Alaska’s agricultural region. This scenic route showcases the most interesting farming land in the state – a result of rich soil and abundant sunshine. Farmers in the Matanuska Valley grow cabbages weighing more than 90 pounds, and turnips weighing over 30 pounds. The group may visit the Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, which includes 260 acres of cultivated land and 800 acres of forestland for research or demonstration purposes. The group may visit to the famous Iditarod Trails Sled Dog Race Museum in Wasilla, dedicated to the heroic efforts of dog mushers competing in the annual 1000 mile Iditarod Sled Dog Race.  Overnight in Wasilla 

Day 13  Palmer to Anchorage; This morning the group will complete the tour of the Matanuska Valley by visiting the Musk Ox farming and the small agricultural town of Palmer. Palmer owes its existence to the hardy pioneers who homesteaded the land when the railroad was built in the early part of this century. The Musk Ox Farm is located just outside of Palmer, and is home to a unique domestication project which began in 1954. The Musk Ox Farm is an ideal place to observe and photograph these animals at close range.     Following the tour, the group will continue to Anchorage.  After touring the city highlights by coach, the group should have ample time for souvenir shopping or an optional visit to the Museum of History and Art. Overnight in Anchorage. 

Day 14  Depart Anchorage;  Today the group will transfer to the Anchorage International Airport.