The Rockies to The Arctic Circle Tour Itinerary

The Rockies to The Arctic Circle Tour Itinerary
REF: NA18
VERSION: 6

Duration:	21 days - Calgary to Whitehorse
Countries Visited:	Canada
Age Guide:	18-65 years
Max Group Size:	12
Transport:	Private Minibus, On Foot
Accommodation:	Hotel (2 Nights), Camping (18 Nights)
What's Included:	Fully Escorted Tour – Driver/Guide - All Taxes are Included - Complimentary Airport Shuttles in Calgary and Whitehorse - All Activities as Per Itinerary - All Entrance Fees to National Parks - Camping Fees - All Camping Equipment (except Sleeping Bag) - Hard Foam Mattress - Guided Tour of Ksan Indian Village - Can-Can Dance Show at Diamond Tooth Gerties
Local Payment:	NO LOCAL PAYMENT
Highlights:	Calgary - Hiking in The Canadian Rockies - Banff National Park - Jasper National Park - Lake Louise - Icefields Parkway - Columbia Icefields - Maligne Canyon - Cariboo Mountains - Fort St. James National Historic Site - Ksan Native Indian Village - Bear Pass Hanging Glaciers - Stewart - Salmon Glacier - Cassiar Highway - Lake Laberge - Watson Lake Sign Forest - Five Finger Rapids - Yukon River - Dawson City - Diamond Tooth Gerties - Bonanza Creek - Tombstone Mountains - Continental Divide - The Arctic Circle - Moose Creek - Whitehorse
Optional Highlights:	Banff Hot Springs
Introduction:	Welcome to the Canadian Northwest! This 3 week camping tour between Calgary and Whitehorse (or in reverse, from Whitehorse to Calgary) will travel stretches of wilderness where the chances to meet wild animals are better than finding people! Starting with picture-postcard hiking in Banff and Jasper National Parks we make our way northwards through British Columbia to the Yukon. We visit a native indian village, Ksan, and learn of their legends and totem poles. Then onto Stewart and Bear Glacier, before paying a visit to Alaska to experience a hike on the Salmon Glacier. The scenery is simply spectacular, and no more so than along the primitive Cassiar and Dempster Highways which are hardly touched by tourism. Learn about the greatest Gold Rush ever at Dawson City and hike in the out-of-this-world Tombstone Mountains. The icing on the cake is reaching the most northern point of the tour; the Arctic Circle, where tundra stretches for thousands of miles in every direction across the vast wilderness. This is the great outdoors at its finest. If you are looking for a wild, rugged country experience where the emphasis is on "getting-away-from-it-all" then look no further than the Canadian Northwest, a truly magical part of the planet.
Meeting Point:	The tour begins in Calgary at 6.30pm on Day 1 of the tour. The meeting point is: Sandman Hotel Airport 25 Hopewell Way NE Calgary Alberta T3J 4V7 Tel: +1-403-219-2475
Day 1:	Calgary - If you are arriving at Calgary International Airport, the group hotel offers a complimentary airport shuttle to the hotel. Details on how to catch the shuttle will be listed on your Tour Voucher. Meet your Tour Leader and fellow travellers at 6.30pm at the meeting point. The Tour Leader will give a brief tour presentation. Overnight at the group hotel.
Day 2:	Banff National Park - After breakfast in the hotel you board the bus for the drive into Banff National Park. On the forested campground you pitch your tent for the next two nights. This afternoon your guide takes you for a hike on one of the many trails near Banff. Walking time 2 – 3 hours.
Day 3:	Banff National Park - Today we venture out on a longer hike along one of the many trails in this national park. Your guide will know the best destination for each season, for example an easy forested trail into an alpine meadow with panoramic views in all directions, and ideal for further exploring. Maximum height at 2,300m (7,660 ft) with 655m (2,181 ft) gain. Later you might want to relax in the hot springss (optional) and browse the many stores and boutiques in the small and quaint town of Banff. Walking time up to 7 hours.
Day 4:	Jasper National Park - Today we pack up and drive deeper into the Rockies along the Trans-Canada Highway up into the Bow River Valley to the picture postcard scenery and splendour of Lake Louise. Then we follow the Icefields Parkway, one of the world's most spectacular roads, to the glaciers of the immense Columbia Icefields. We set up camp for the next two nights near the mountain town of Jasper.
Day 5:	Jasper National Park - No trip to Jasper NP would be complete without a visit to witness the pristine natural beauty of Maligne Lake, one of the most picturesque spots in the Canadian Rockies. From here we hike into the flower covered hills at 2,300 m (7,590 ft). You can follow the open ridge for many more miles, always with stunning views of the surrounding peaks. Walking time 4 hours.
Day 6:	Fort St. James - West of the Rockies we arrive into Cariboo Mountain territory, dominated by densely forested valleys and high serrated peaks and glaciers, featuring attractive lakes and lush wetlands. We follow the Yellowhead Highway running parallel with Frazer River passing through the logging town of Prince George. We arrive in Fort.St James, a National Historic Site. This former fur trading post is today an open air museum with its old buildings and native Indian history. We set up camp on the shores of Stuart Lake.
Day 7:	Fort St. James - Unless you prefer to relax by the lake you can join the guide on a 12 km (7.2 mile) loop hike with 790 m (2,630 ft) gain for a grandiose panoramic view of the lake and surrounding plateau. Walking time 4 – 6 hours.
Day 8:	New Hazelton - We leave the Fort St. James area and head ever northwards through vast forests and mountain landscapes, passing through small northern towns such as Burns Lake, Houston, and Smithers. We stop at Moricetown Falls, a narrow canyon where migrating salmon can be seen during the summer months. We set up camp in a small settlement called Ksan near New Hazelton where we go on a Native Indian guided tour learning abotu totem poles, longhouses, and the ancient local culture of the Ksan people.
Days 9 & 10:	Stewart - Today we explore the Native Indian areas of Kitwanga and Kitwancool. After setting up camp on the shores of a small lake, there is time this evening for an excursion to the fantastic, blue tinted, hanging glaciers of Bear Pass. Walking time 3 hours. The next day we head through the small village of Hyder and past several old gold mines on our way to the the spectacular Salmon Glacier, the 5th largest glacier in North America. We will enjoy a beautiful hike in the area before heading back to camp. Walking time 3 hours.
Day 11:	Cassiar Highway - Only a few hundred people live along this rarely travelled northern route. The scenery of the high plateau, framed by rugged peaks of the Coastal and Cassiar Ranges leaves a powerful impression of vastness and solitude. We set up camp by a beautiful lake.
Day 12:	Cassiar Highway - Continuing our journey north we reach our campsite by another lake and take some time out to relax and maybe catch up on writing your journal, take a peaceful stroll, rent a canoe and paddle the lake, or follow your guide to the summit of one the nearby, surrounding mountains. Walking time 3 – 5 hours
Day 13:	Lake Laberge - From the Cassiar Highway we join onto the romanticised lifeline to the north the Alaska Highway. Our first stop is Watson Lake with its curious “Sign Forest”. Further along we visit historic settlements which still today accommodate and assist travellers on their way to the Yukon and Alaska. Our campground is located at Lake Laberge, a natural widening of the Yukon River about 40km (25 miles) norht of Whitehorse.
Day 14:	Dawson City - Today we visit the infamous Five Finger Rapids of the Yukon River where we descend to the spot where many a paddle wheeler met its doom. Tonight we reach Dawson City and the campground on the banks of the Yukon River. You have free time to wander around at your own leisure, perhaps along Front Street where so many original, well-preserved buildings still stand. In the evening we go to see a show at Diamond Tooth Gerties, famous for its Can-Can Dancers.. Walking time 1 hour.
Day 15:	Dawson City - Dempster - In the morning we explore Bonanza Creek, an active gold mine. This is exactly where the world famous Yukon Gold Rush began when gold was discovered on 16th August 1896 by George Carmack whilst salmon fishing in these creeks. Leaving the Klondike gold fields behind us, we embark on one of the world's most unique driving routes, the Dempster, famous for its colourful alpine tundra landscapes, wildlife and scenic vistas. With 730 km (455 miles) of gravel, it is the only road connecting the Yukon with the Arctic Ocean. We camp for the next two nights at the base of the Tombstone Mountains.
Day 16:	Tombstone Mountains - We spend a full day hiking in this unique park. Its amazing, scenic beauty offers a haunting landscape of tundra and craggy mountain peaks, the most impressive among them being Mount Monolith and Tombstone Mountain. You have the choice of easy to very demanding trails, for example an easy 4 km (2,5 miles) to a viewpoint and from there another 3km (1.8 miles) difficult but very rewarding hike to a ridge, where you can go even further for another 3km (1.8 miles). In all 10 km (6.3 miles) with 550 m (1,830 ft) gain. The black basalt mountains have a moonscape appearance but are the home of caribous which can be spotted in small groups down in the valleys. Each season has it’s own rewards but the burst of the tundra’s colours with dwarf birch and willow in late summer is an extraordinary sight. Walking time 5 – 7 hours.
Day 17:	Rock River - Arctic Circle - The road climbs to a viewpoint of the Tombstones, crossing North Fork Pass and levelling out into sub-arctic tundra. Peaks with alluring names like Goldensides, Angelcomb, Pilot’s Peak and Sapper Hill beckon, offering easy day hikes. The road takes you along more spectacular ridges, reminiscent of the Great Wall of China and crosses the Continental Divide through the Ogilvie Mountains into Beringia, a region untouched by ice age glaciation. At 66° 33’ north latitude we have reached the Arctic Circle! This imaginary line around the planet marks the southern limits of the Arctic; the Land of the Midnight Sun. On June 21 you would not see the sun set. We camp for two nights just north of the Arctic Circle. Walking time 1 – 3 hours.
Day 18:	Rock River - Arctic Circle - Since ancient times the Porcupine Caribou herd, numbering in the thousands, migrates through this treeless tundra and provides a subsistence lifestyle that has endured, as the Gwich'in say, "forever". The north-central Yukon was able to support a larger human population than the much warmer south because the caribou supplied food, clothing, shelter and tools. Walking time 1 – 4 hours.
Day 19:	Moose Creek - We begin our journey south visiting places that played an important role in northern gold-rush history. Learn about the Mad Trapper who in the depth of winter of 1932 was the target of one of the most desperate manhunts in the history of the north and whose true identity remains a mystery to this day.
Day 20:	Whitehorse - Today we arrive in Whitehorse, the capital of the Yukon. We recommend a visit to Miles Canyon, the MacBride Museum, and the Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre which explains the theory of how during a land bridge was formed during the last ice age and how it joined Asia to Alaska and the Yukon, forming a subcontinent known as Beringia. Tonight we get together for our farewell dinner.
Day 21:	Whitehorse - End of tour. The hotel offers a complimentary shuttle to Whitehorse Airport. Please speak to the hotel reception to arrange a suitable departure time.
Finishing Point:	Westmark Klondike Inn 2288 – 2 Avenue Whitehorse Yukon Y1A 1C8 Tel: +1-867 668-4747

Pre Departure Information Follows


Please note:	This tour is operated in conjunction with our local partners in Canada. You will be joined by other Kumuka passengers as well as travellers who have booked through other agencies. The itinerary will be followed as closely as possible. However, this tour visits areas that can be unpredictable and there may be times when it is necessary to change the route according to abnormal weather patterns, the presence of wild animals, or any unforeseen local conditions that are out of our control. Please be flexible and respect the changes that your Tour Leader may have to make during the tour.
What to Pack:	As well as your day to day clothes and personal items, you will need the following: A rucksack or backpack (we do not recommend bringing a suitcase) A daypack to carry camera, jacket, water, snacks, etc. on day hikes and outings 3 or 4 season sleeping bag (a hard foam mattress is provided, however you may wish to bring an inflatable mat for extra comfort) Waterproof jacket and trousers A good pair of walking boots, preferably waterproof, as well as a comfortable pair of shoes for wearing around the camp or in towns at night Fleece jumper Sun hat and warm hat and gloves A torch Sunglasses and sunscreen (for skin and lips) Power adaptor to suit US/Canada voltage type and plug fitting Water bottle Swimming suit and towel Insect repellent
Travel Insurance:	Travel insurance is compulsory for all tours. All clients MUST be insured to cover personal accident, medical expenses, cancellation, curtailment, repatriation, etc. Also, be aware that many activities such as trekking, bungy jumping or white water rafting may not be covered on your insurance policy. If you plan on doing any of these activities please purchase additional insurance. We recommend that you have a photocopy of this document, which you keep separate from the original. If you have not already arranged your own travel insurance then Kumuka can do this for you. Please visit http://www.kumuka.com/Travel-Insurance.aspx for more details or contact your nearest Kumuka office. Please Note: You will not be permitted to join a Kumuka Tour without travel insurance.
Passport:	Your passport is a valuable document and you should exercise care in keeping it safe. It should be valid for at least six months after the end of your tour and it must have at least one blank page for each visa required. We advise that you take photocopies of your passport in case of loss or damage. Alternatively, you can scan copies of these pages and email them to yourself so that you can access them if you happen to lose your passport whilst abroad and have to apply for a new one at your nearest Embassy.
Visa & Entry Requirements:	It is important that you obtain the appropriate visas before you embark on your North America trip. The Kumuka website www.kumuka.com provides visa information, yet entry regulations can change without notice. Further consultation with your Travel Agent or nearest Embassy is recommended. Each client is solely responsible for obtaining all necessary visas and entry requirements before joining a tour. Kumuka does not accept responsibility for changes in regulations or requirements for visas. The information provided is given in good faith. Important: If your travels involve entry into the United States, please read the following: Beginning 1st August 2008, the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) will be accessible via the internet for citizens and eligible nationals of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries to apply for advance authorization to travel to the United States under the VWP. The ESTA system becomes effective on 12th January 2009. All VWP travellers will be required to obtain an electronic travel authorization prior to boarding a carrier to travel by air or sea to the United States under the VWP. Full details are available at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov
Pre & Post Tour Accommodation:	If you wish to spend a few additional days in your starting or finishing city, then we can arrange accommodation for you. All our accommodation is carefully chosen, conveniently located, clean and comfortable. (All rates per person per night and subject to availability).
Money:	We recommend that you bring your personal funds in local currency (including small denominations), travellers cheques, and/or use an ATM card to withdraw cash as you travel. ATMs are widely available, and Credit Cards are accepted in almost all shops and restaurants.
Meals:	Meals are not included in the cost of the tour. On average, if you follow the Tour Leader's cooking and meal plans, you should budget approximately CA$12 to15 per day for the food kitty.
Tipping:	In North America tipping is a way of life and very much expected, as well as appreciated. For many, receiving tips is a means of supplementing their salary which is usually based on minimum wage. The standard amount in restaurants and bars is 15% of the total bill (please note that sales and service taxes are automatically imposed in some restaurants and bars). Chambermaids usually receive $1 or $2 per night in a hotel, simply left on the bedside table. It is also customary in North America to show appreciation of your Tour Leader by tipping him/her at the end of the tour.
Participation:	The more you put into your tour the greater the experience you will get from it, after all, group tours are all about participation. You will be expected to get involved with the daily duties and to assist the Tour Leader with setting up camp, pitching your own tent, preparing camp meals, washing up, and keeping a clean camp. The most successful tours are those where people become involved and it's also the best way to get to know your fellow travellers.
Optional Activities:	During the tour your Tour Leader will recommend a variety of optional activities operated by carefully selected ground handlers to make your tour even more enjoyable. These ground handlers and activity partners have been chosen for their standards in quality, professional ability and reputation. All optional activities are available at your own expense, and are undertaken at your own risk. Kumuka cannot be held responsible for injuries or claims arising from adventurous activities by third party. To start planning and budgeting for any optional activities that you may chose on your tour, please visit: http://www.kumuka.com/North-America-Optional-Activities.aspx IMPORTANT: Some tours depart from the starting city very early on Day 1 therefore you might not have enough time to enjoy the optional activities in that area. Please check the tour itinerary. Furthermore, some tours end on arrival in the finishing city and your flight may leave early the following morning, therefore leaving no time to partake in any optional activities in that area. Again, please check the itinerary.
Staying in Touch:	Whilst on tour you will probably want to stay in touch with family and friends. There are several ways of doing this: Mobile Phone – Before departing your home country check with your phone supplier to see if it compatible with the mobile phone networks in the countries that you are traveling to, and how much will it cost to use abroad. Email – Internet Cafes are very cheap and popular, and you are sure to come across several during your tour. If you haven’t done so already, set up a free Google Mail, Hotmail, or Yahoo email account which you can then access from any computer. Internet Cafes will charge a nominal fee for using their computers. Within Europe some hotels charge a wifi connection fee and we cannot guarantee a wifi connection at all hotels we use. Twitter – A method of communication that is rapidly gaining in popularity on the Internet especially amongst travelers. Twitter allows you to send short messages and update your friends and family with where you are on tour and what you are doing. Create your free account at http://twitter.com. Visit Kumuka’s page on Twitter at http://twitter.com/kumuka Facebook – Very popular website that allows you to upload stories, get in touch with fellow travellers before and after your Kumuka tour, upload photos and videos to share with other travellers, your family and friends. To create a free account, go to www.facebook.com and then become a fan of Kumuka’s Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/Kumuka-Worldwide/26617121087?ref=ts Postcards – The good ol’ fashioned postcard. But you will probably get home before the postcard does!
Tour Feedback:	Tour Questionnaire - We would like to hear about your experiences on tour. One week after your tour ends you will automatically receive a feedback questionnaire via email. If we do not have your email address you can still complete a questionnaire by visiting www.kumuka.com/feedback Email - If you have any specific comments about your tour then please write to us by email to operations@kumuka.com
Drug Policy:	Under no circumstances are any illegal drugs allowed on any part of the trip. Anyone discovered in possession of any such drugs, will be asked to leave the tour immediately without question or refund.
Contact Details:	KUMUKA WORLDWIDE UK OFFICE Hillswood Business Park 3000 Hillswood Drive Chertsey KT16 0RS Tel: +4420 7937 8855 Fax: +442075043782 Email: sales@kumuka.com www.kumuka.com AUSTRALIAN OFFICE Level 5, 387 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Tel: 02 9279 0491 Fax: 02 9279 0492 Email: sales@kumuka.com.au www.kumuka.com.au
Map:

This tour is operated by Kumuka Worldwide. Information given in all brochures, leaflets and dossiers is given in good faith by the company, and is based on the latest information available at the date of publication. The company reserves the right to change any of the facilities or vehicles described in the brochure without becoming liable for compensation or refund.

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