Yukon wilderness & British Columbia self-drive

Make your way out to the airport this afternoon for your flight up to the Yukon. On arrival at Whitehorse, collect your rental car and make your way to your accommodation. The remainder of the day is free to relax.

Depart Whitehorse and take the drive north to Mayo. Enjoy the amazing scenery throughout.

Spend the morning exploring the fascinating former silver mining towns of Mayo and nearby Keno. Here you will see how life was lived in the early decades of the 20th century, with quirky wooden houses and rusting historic cars and implements, all set among lovely mountain scenery. This afternoon, continue your drive north to Dawson City.

Enjoy a full day exploring historic Dawson City. As you wander the wooden sidewalks and view lop-sided wooden cabins, you can soak up the tangible gold rush atmosphere that still lingers here. In the evening you may wish to visit the Palace Grand Theatre or try your luck at Diamond Tooth Gerties Gambling Hall.

Leaving Dawson City behind drive west through stunning scenery of the Top of the World Highway. The route takes you into Alaska for a short spell before re-entering Canada for your overnight stay at Beaver Creek.

From Beaver Creek, you'll enjoy a drive alongside the spectacular mountains of the Wrangell St-Elias National Park and the Kluane National Park, en route to your stay at Inn on the Lake.

Enjoy a day relaxing at lovely Marsh Lake. The sparkling blue lakes in southern Yukon provide a picture postcard backdrop to activities such as fishing, canoeing, mountain biking, walking or looking for wildlife. Moose are frequently seen and birdlife is abundant.

Spend another full day relaxing at Marsh Lake. You may wish to try more activities, explore the area, or simply relax by the lake with a book.

Drive north, back to Whitehorse, to drop off your rental car at Whitehorse Airport prior to boarding your flight back to Vancouver. Spend another night in this vibrant city.

After an early flight from Vancouver to Port Hardy, in the north of Vancouver Island, you'll be transferred to Alder Bay for your water taxi to Farewell Harbour Lodge. Settle in ahead of an afternoon tour in search of local wildlife. You will return to the lodge for dinner, after which you will have an activity briefing and evening presentation about coastal ecology.

After an early morning breakfast, you will head out on your first excursion. The lodge alternates daily excursions for both bears and marine mammals to provide guests with both opportunities on any given day — typically one day on a marine excursion and one on a bear trip.

The lodge's bear-viewing excursions can take you deep into one of several different river systems in search of wild bears. You'll travel 90 minutes to an area by a covered water taxi before disembarking onto one or two smaller Zodiacs. By Zodiac, you will motor quietly or propel silently under oar for optimal viewing of bears foraging on the river or in the estuaries.

Enjoy your last full day at the lodge, whether it be out on the water, lounging on the deck or taking one last look for wildlife.

After breakfast, you'll be transferred back to Vancouver Island for your return flight to the mainland.

Arrive home today to complete your journey.