Giant glaciers, endless mountains, bears and moose, gold rush towns: Alaska and the Yukon are North America's last frontier. An extraordinary trip that needs a little preparation.
When to go to Alaska?
The season runs from mid-May to mid-September. June and July have the longest days, with the midnight sun in the North. July and August are ideal for watching bears and whales. From late August, the first northern lights appear and the tundra takes on autumn colours. Outside this period, many services and roads close.
Alaska highlights
- Denali National Park, dominated by North America's highest peak (6,190 m), and its wildlife: grizzlies, caribou, moose, Dall sheep.
- The Kenai Peninsula, Seward and Kenai Fjords National Park, best explored by boat for glaciers, whales and sea lions.
- Hubbard Glacier, the largest tidewater glacier in North America, whose face calves into the sea.
- Anchorage, Valdez and the Richardson Highway, one of the state's most beautiful roads.
The Yukon, in the footsteps of the gold prospectors
On the Canadian side, Whitehorse is the gateway to the Yukon. Further north, Dawson City has kept the atmosphere of the Klondike gold rush, with dirt streets and wooden facades. The Top of the World Highway, open only in summer, links Dawson to Alaska along the ridges.
How long?
Allow at least two weeks: distances are huge and some roads are unpaved. A loop combining Alaska and the Yukon, like our "Grand 8", lets you experience both sides of the Far North.
Our tips
- Book early: accommodation is scarce and in high demand in summer.
- Pack warm and waterproof clothing, even in July.
- Follow bear safety guidelines when hiking.
Our specialist helps you build your trip to Alaska and the Yukon, self-drive or by motorhome.
