Yukon! Reach the inaccessible…and go beyond. Touch the horizon. Feel the sky rest on your head. The Yukon and Alaska were created for such feelings. Come travel to a different rhythm, live under the midnight sun, away from the ordinary. Yukon and Alaska Discovery Original 2009 GAP 6 13 Max 13, Avg 8 North America United States, Canada Whitehorse Anchorage Canada USA Culture/History, Trekking/Hiking, Wildlife/Nature, Chill Out 15 2 Standard http://www.gapadventures.com/images/banners/unitedstates/usa_mountains.jpg Arrive in Whitehorse at any time. Morning transfer to Kluane National Park. Set up camp and set out to discover this wild land on foot. Experience the adrenaline adventure of a lifetime: rafting the mighty Tatshenshini River. Exhilarating rapids, canyons, and wildlife combine to make the Tatshenshini one of the greatest river trips anywhere. Visit scenic Kluane Lake and Mount Wallace then visit Soldiers Point interpretive centre to learn the history of the Alaska Highway. Transfer into Alaska to Tok for a dogsled demonstration. Alaska's Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve is part of the largest internationally protected area in the world. Enjoy two full days of hikes in this massive wilderness playground. Travel to Valdez with a stop at Worthington Glacier, only a few feet from the viewing shelter. Arriving in Valdez and take some time to explore this historic gold rush town. Travel by ferry to Whittier in Prince William Sound, and a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see the Columbia Glacier from afar. Continue to Kenai Peninsula and Seward, our fishing village for the next few days. Explore from our base camp, this rugged landscape shaped by glaciers, where Orcas, otters, bear and moose roam freely. Hike the magnificent Exit Glacier, or try sea kayaking along fjords and glaciers. Travel north towards Alyeska ski resort for a short hike. Transfer to Denali State Park for a night under the Alaskan stars. Morning hike around Denali State Park with views of mighty Mt. McKinley. Transfer to Denali National Park and set up camp, our base for exploring deeper into the wilderness. Travel to Anchorage. After a city orientation tour, the afternoon is free to explore before a final night together. Arrive in to Whitehorse at any time. There are no planned activities, so check into to the hotel (check-in time is approx 3pm) and enjoy the city. In the late afternoon (approx 5pm) you will meet your fellow group members to go over the details of your trip and for the leader to collect your local payment. Check the notice board (or ask reception) to see the exact time and location of this group meeting. After the meeting we will be heading out for a meal in a nearby local restaurant (optional). If you arrive late, no worries, the leader will leave you a message at the front desk. Travel to Kluane National Park. Set up camp in Haines Junction Village, Yukon (Canada) and visit this ancient town. Kluane Park is located in the Yukon's southwest, which is dominated by North America's highest mountain range, the Saint-Elias range; its highest peak, Mount Logan tops out at 5959m. Amidst these giants sleeps the world's largest non-polar ice field, from which entire seas originate, as from the Kaskawulsh Glacier. This UNESCO World Heritage site is as challenging as it is fascinating, where vast ice steppes are dwarfed by immense mountains and inhabited by grizzlies.

Depending on group fitness and temperature we choose the best hike to be done in the park. Among the possible trails are: Sheep Creek trail (10 km), Dezadeash River Trail (13 km), Auriol trail (15 km), Kokanee (2 km), Kings Throne (10 km), Rock Glacier (2 km). Overnight camping in the middle of the endless Yukon sky. Total driving: 170 km. 2.5 hours.
This morning experience the adrenaline adventure of a lifetime: rafting the mighty Tatshenshini River. Exhilarating rapids, canyons, soaring mountains, and unequalled opportunities to view big game all combine to make the Tatshenshini one of the greatest river trips anywhere. The river supports an unusually large population of grizzly bears, both in number and size. Other big game includes Dall sheep, woodland caribou and moose, while peregrine falcons, bald eagles, golden eagles, goshawks soar overhead.

The Tatshenshini is an important salmon spawning river, providing food for grizzlies as well as humans. The Champagne and Aishihik peoples traditionally harvested salmon along the Tatshenshini. At the village of Klukshu, visitors can learn about the importance of salmon to their way of life, how they caught salmon with fish traps and gaffs and dried them as a winter food staple. Today, the Tatshenshini is considered to be one of the top river trips in the world for rafters and kayakers. In the morning we make it to the shores of scenic Kluane Lake and Mount Wallace. Mont Wallace is better known in the area as Sheep Mountain because of the numerous Dall sheep that live and feed in this area. Take a short hike before moving on to Soldier’s Summit for an interpretive hike explaining the construction and challenges of building the Alaska Highway. The trail takes you to the site of the official opening of the Alaska Highway in 1942.

Next cross the Alaska border at Beaver Creek, a small gold prospector’s town established in 1955. Welcome to Alaska! Travel towards Tok, home to one of the region’s most famous breeds of husky sled dogs. In the evening watch the dogs training while pulling a sled on wheels! Total driving: 450 km, 6.5 hours Today wind your way south to the Wrangell St-Elias National Park in Alaska. Alaska's Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve is at the top of more than one list of superlatives. It is the largest U.S. national park, which, when combined with other nearby parks (Kluane National Park, Glacier Bay National Park, and Canada's Tatshenshini-Alsek Park) is the biggest part of the largest internationally protected area in the world (24 million acres) and has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nine of the 16 highest peaks in the United States, and some of the largest mountains (by volume) in the world, are located here.

Today is a long travelling day, but the distance is worth it! At the end of the road we reach the small town of McCarthy (pop 42), which grew to serve the Copper mine at Kennecott. Camp for the night with views of the Chugach Mountains and Icefields. Total driving: 410 km, 6 hours. Today is filled equally with history and nature: hike the famous Bonanza mine trail (14.4km round trip), and discover the abandoned Kennecott mine with its exceptional views of the glacier. The historic mining town of Kennecott, now a National Historic Landmark, was purchased by the National Park Service in 1998. A must-see, Kennecott is one of the finest surviving examples of an early-20th-century copper mining community. The high-grade copper found in the area resulted in a self-contained company town complete with a hospital, general store, schoolhouse, ball field, skating rink, tennis courts, recreation hall, and dairy. Today only the remains of this beautiful village can be seen with the surrounding nature of the Chugach Mountains, Mt Blackburn and the Kennecott Glacier dominating our hike. Return to Chitnia and transfer to Valdez. Stop on the way for the discovery of native fish wheels, as well as a stop for a quick photo op and short walk along the Alaska Pipeline.
Next stop is at the Worthington Glacier, which descends from Girls Mountain, passing within a few feet of the parking lot and viewing shelter. Located near Thompson Pass, the snowiest place in Alaska, Worthington Glacier receives a significant amount of snow in the winter. In the 1990s, the upper areas of Worthington Glacier became the setting for Steven Seagal's film "On Dangerous Ground."

Situated at the head of a deep, stillwater fjord in the northeast section of Prince William Sound, Valdez is surrounded by the Chugach Mountains, the most heavily glaciated mountains in the Northwest. Covering 274 square miles, Valdez is the northernmost ice-free port in North America; as of 2000, the population was 4,100. On arrival in Valdez, head out for a town discovery and small hike in the surroundings for photos (weather permitting). Welcome night in a comfy inn in Valdez. Total driving: 280 km, 4 hours
Travel by ferry to Whittier in Prince William Sound. The star attraction of Prince William Sound is the Columbia Glacier, one of the largest and most magnificent of the tide-water glaciers along the Alaska coast. Named for the 1899 Harriman Alaska expedition by New York’s Columbia University, the Columbia Glacier is also the world's fastest moving, retreating at a speed of 80 to 115 feet per day. It has receded more than 6 miles since 1982. The glacier is currently 34 miles in length, 3 miles wide and more than 3,000 feet thick in some places. Visitors to Prince William Sound start at the tidewater terminus 6 miles away; how close you get to the glacier's face depends on iceberg production: the more icebergs, the less chance boats have to get close. We need very good temperatures to see the glacier, but don’t worry—if we get rain you can always take an optional flight over the glacier once in Seward.

Continue by bus to Seward to discover stunning Kenai Fjords National park. The ferry arrives on the Kenai Peninsula in the afternoon. After setting up camp at our idyllic oceanfront site, head out by foot for a scramble up Mount Marathon, or discover the Caines Head trail. Ferry 6 hours 45 mins. / Total driving: 150 km / 2.5 hours This morning hike along the magnificent Exit Glacier; optional activities include sea kayaking or cruising along fjords and glaciers. Other optional activities available: whale watching; grizzly fly-in safari resurrection bay cruise; sea kayaking; deep sea halibut fishing.
Kenai is a landscape continuously shaped by glaciers, earthquakes, and storms. Orcas, otters, puffins, bear, moose and mountain goats make their home in this ever-changing place where mountains, ice and ocean meet. The Park offers a range of opportunities for visitors to explore, study and enjoy this special piece of North America’s natural and cultural heritage. Free morning in Seward for optional activities, or just sleep in and relax on the ocean front. After lunch travel north towards Alyeska ski resort for a short hike into Winner Creek Gorge before continuing to Denali State Park.

100 air miles north of Anchorage and nestled against the backdrop of Mount Alyeska, Winner Creek Gorge is a small piece of paradise in Alaska; the hand powered tram that spans the canyon high above the river is unforgettable.

Situated between the Talkeetna Mountains to the east and the Alaska Range to the west, the region’s landscape varies from meandering lowland streams to alpine tundra. Dominating this diverse terrain are Curry and Kesugi Ridges, together forming a 35 mile-long north/south alpine ridge—the backbone of the eastern half of the Denali Park. "Kesugi" is a Tanaina Indian dialect word meaning "The Ancient One" and is a fitting complement of the Tanana Indian word "Denali" which means "The High One"—the original name for Mt. McKinley. At 20,320 feet, Mt. McKinley is North America’s highest peak, literally and figuratively towering over South-central Alaska from its base in Denali National Park. Denali State Park was established in 1970 and expanded to its present size in 1976. Its western boundary is shared with its much larger neighbour, Denali National Park and Preserve, formerly Mt. McKinley National Park. Total driving: 430 km / 5.5 hours In the morning hike around Denali State Park’s many trails, which vary from the regularly maintained trail around Byers Lake to serious backcountry routes. In the afternoon travel to Denali National Park. Pitch your tent, then relax and enjoy the incredible views from our campground. Take a morning shuttle bus into Denali National Park, with the option of stopping to hike along the way; your tour leader will arrange activities with group depending on weather and group wishes. Spend one last glorious night camping in the bush, complete with a gigantic BBQ dinner, and share tales of the last two weeks’ adventure.

Shuttle bus service and guided tours into the park’s wilderness are mandatory, as private vehicles are not permitted within the National Park. A 91-mile road traverses the park, offering views of Wonder Lake, Savage River, Polychrome Pass, the Outer Range, Sanctuary River, Muldrow Glacier and the Kantishna mining district. Keep your eyes peeled for caribou, grizzly bears, wolves, moose, Dall sheep, lynx, marmots, fox and snowshoe hares. Many of the park’s birds only visit during the summer months, but year-round residents include ravens, great horned owls and three species of ptarmigan. Transfer to Anchorage and visit the town in the afternoon, before checking into our hotel and spending a welcome night in a bed.

Anchorage was established in 1914 as a railroad construction port for the Alaska Railroad, which was built between 1915 and 1923. Ship Creek Landing, where the railroad headquarters was located, quickly became a tent city. Anchorage was incorporated on November 23, 1920, and throughout the 1920s the city's economy centred on the railroad. Between the 1930s and the 1950s, the city experienced massive growth as air transportation and the military became increasingly important. Today, Anchorage is a major port, receiving over 95% of all freight entering Alaska, as well as a hub of the Alaska Railroad. Major industries include government and military, petroleum and tourism. There are two U.S. military bases bordering Anchorage on the north: Elmendorf Air Force Base and Fort Richardson. Total driving: 480 km / 5.5 hours You are free to depart at any time on Day 15, though remember check out from the hotel is approx. 12am midday. 3339 3029 1929 1589 4159 2829 2139 3129 449.00 409.00 259.00 219.00 559.00 379.00 259.00 379.00 Local Payment 300 USD 3339 3029 1929 1589 4159 2829 2139 3129 449.00 409.00 259.00 219.00 559.00 379.00 259.00 379.00 Local Payment 300 USD 3339 3029 1929 1589 4159 2829 2139 3129 449.00 409.00 259.00 219.00 559.00 379.00 259.00 379.00 Local Payment 300 USD Accommodation Participatory camping (11 nts), Hotels (2 nts), Inn (1 nt). Group Leader Tour leader throughout, local guides. Group Size Max 13, Avg 8 Highlights Kluane National Park, Rafting the Tatshenshini River, Wrangell St-Elias National Park hikes and history, Ferry in Prince William Sound, Worthington Glacier excursion, Grizzlies of Denali, Denali bus tour and grizzly observation, Mount McKinley, Hiking 5 incredible national and provincial parks. Max Pax 13 Meal Budget Allow USD300 for meals not included. For additional expenses, see trip details. Meals Included 1 Lunch Min Pax 6 StartFinish Whitehorse to Anchorage Transport Private van with roof rack, Ferry, Walking, Raft. What's Included Entry fees to National Parks, full day rafting trip in Tatshenshini, dogsled demonstration in Tok, visit to Kennecott mine, bus tour in Denali National Park. A Couple of Rules Illegal drugs will not be tolerated on any trips. Possessing or using drugs not only contravenes the laws of the land but also puts the rest of the group at risk. Smoking marijuana and opium is a part of local culture in some parts of the world but is not acceptable for G.A.P Adventures Adventure travellers. Our philosophy of travel is one of respect towards everyone we encounter, and in particular the local people who make the world the special place it is. The exploitation of prostitutes is completely contrary to this philosophy. Our group leader has the right to expel any member of the group if drugs are found in their possession or they use prostitutes.
A Word of Warning Illegal drugs are the same as any western country. Don't use them on tour. About Accommodation This trip uses a combination of normal 3* hotels on first and last nights. The rest of the tour we camp. Tents used are 3 man tents with 2 vestibules for 2 people. We also supply inflatable "thermarest" style matress's for maximum comfort. Not all camp sites have showers with hot water. On this trip you will need to bring hygiene towels to refresh yourself after some hikes. Wrangeel St-Elias park has showers at 6$USD. Klunae does not have showers, but we can use a local campground in Haimes Junction for Showers. About our Transportation The vans used can hold up to 15 passenger with roof racks or pull a trailer. We recommend that travellers swap seats every driving day to get the maximum of scenery and comfort. Arrival Complications We don't expect any problems, and nor should you, but if for any reason you are unable to commence your trip as scheduled, as soon as possible please contact your starting point hotel, requesting that you speak to or leave a message for your trip leader (if you are not on a group tour please refer to the emergency contact details provided in this dossier). If you are unable to get in touch with your leader, please refer to our emergency contact details. If you have pre-booked an airport transfer and have not made contact with our representative within 30 minutes of clearing customs and immigration, we recommend that you make your own way to the Starting Point hotel, following the Joining Instructions. Please apply to your travel agent on your return for a refund of the transfer cost if this occurs. Brochure Intro The wild open spaces of the Yukon and Alaska are a pristine playground. Explore the wildest part of North America, and walk over glaciers in the land of the midnight sun. Checklist Small flies and mosquitoes are part of the environment during forest evenings. Equip yourself with insect repellent —buy it in Canada— and wear clothing to exclude insects (as noted above).

- Personal spending funds
- 1 pair runners/sandals and one pair of hiking boots
- 2 pairs of fast drying, lightweight full length pants.
- 4 pairs of socks (2 pair wool; 2 pair synthetic fiber)
- 2 pair shorts
- 1 bathing suit
- 2 T-shirts
- 2 long sleeved shirts
- 1 pair of long fleece or wool pants.
- 1 fleece jacket/vest or wool sweater
- 1 windbreaker jacket
- 1 wide brimmed sun hat
- 1 warm fleece or wool hat
- 1 pair gloves
- 1 good quality set of rain gear (jacket and pants)
- Camera equipment and film
- Binoculars
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Handy wipes
- Good reading book, log book and pen
- Spare set of eyeglasses (even if you wear contact lenses) and contact lens solution
- Personal toiletries including tissue paper
- Personal medications


Equipment List
- Good 4 season quality sleeping bag
- Thermarest pad (this pad optional as Midnight Sun supplies a compressed foam pads)
- Flashlight or headlamp and spare batteries
- 1 liter water bottle
- 1 towel
- Insect repellent
- Matches and lighter
- Jack-knife

Sleeping bags and pads are available for rent - cost is $45.00 per sleeping bag. Please advise at the time of booking if you need to rent a sleeping bag. Departure Tax Departure Tax is included in all International and Domestic tickets. Destination Guide For practical information on weather, typical costs, visa information, special events and much more, our Destination Guide is the place to visit! This handy guide will tell you everything you need to know about everywhere we go! Head to www.gapadventures.com/destination_guide for detailed information on the countries and cities we visit.


Dossier Disclaimer The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and G.A.P Adventures. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.

VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.
Dossier Intro Yukon! Reach the inaccessible…and go beyond. Touch the horizon. Feel the sky rest on your head. The Yukon and Alaska were created for such feelings. Come travel to a different rhythm, live under the midnight sun, away from the ordinary. Canada's northernmost province is a vast territory within the Arctic Circle and the Arctic Ocean. Homeland of American Indians and Inuit, Yukon is one of North America's largest remaining wild land. It is also where the unexpected occurs…Kluane National Park is one of unceasing beauty with its pine tree forests, wide glacial valleys, tundra setting and its glacier-peaked mountain range, home to a population of wolves, grizzly bears, salmon and the eagle. Alaska! The ultimate wilderness destination bequeathed with majestic mountain tops, dazzling coastal scenery, the highest summits and largest glaciers in North America (5000 of them) and endless horizons of blue sky and sheer space. This is a magical land with a special allure that captures the imagination of anyone who is fortunate enough to venture into beyond its borders. Nothing can prepare you for the grandeur of such scenes nor the scale – everything in Alaska is huge! It has more then 1,5 millions km2, 72 000 km of coast and is about 6 times the size of the UK. A gluttony of superior walking terrain beckons from the wilds of Denali National Park to the Wrangell Mountains. Where creaking glaciers spill from an ocean of snow-capped peaks. For a contrast, discover the maritime beauty of its stunning coastline at the Kenai Fjords National Park. Wildlife varieties far outweigh the tiny human population - 550 000 Alaskans share their land with more then 600 000 caribous and 40 000 grizzlis…Wolves and black bears roam the land, sea-lions and beluga whales trawl the coasts and bald eagles soar in the vast skies above. Experience northern walking as you have never experienced it before - The Great Outdoors indeed. Emergency Contact Should you need to contact G.A.P Adventures during a situation of dire need, it is best to first call our local office. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information, so they may return your call and assist you as soon as possible. G.A.P Adventures Local Office – Montreal, Canada. Canada Emergency Mobile: 001-514-996-2777- duty officer.

You may also get a voice mail with another number to contact - have a pen ready.

Toll-free, North America only: 1 800 465 5600. Emergency Fund Please also make sure you have access to at least an additional USD200 (or equivalent) as an 'emergency' fund, to be used when circumstances outside our control (ex. a natural disaster) require a change to our planned route. This is a rare occurrence!
Feedback After your travels, we want to hear from you! Your feedback information is so important to us that you'll receive a special discount code for free online prints and we'll give you 5% off the price of your next G.A.P Adventures trip if your feedback is completed on-line within 30 days of finishing your trip. Please visit http://www.gapadventures.com/evaluations
Finishing Point Hotel Best Value Inn and Executive Suites
4360 Spenard Rd, Anchorage AK
Tel: 907-243-6366 Finishing Point Instructions From the hotel you can get to the airport via taxi (please ask the front desk to call) or by airport bus (please ask the front desk to call). On some occasions, tour leader will also drive you to airport. FIT A Couple of Rules Illegal drugs will not be tolerated on any trips. Possessing or using drugs not only contravenes the laws of the land but also puts our local staff and others at risk. Smoking marijuana and opium is a part of local culture in some parts of the world but is not acceptable for G.A.P Adventures Adventure travellers. Our philosophy of travel is one of respect towards everyone we encounter, and in particular the local people who make the world the special place it is. The exploitation of prostitutes is completely contrary to this philosophy. Our local representatives / offices have the right to refuse service to anyone if drugs are found in their possession or they use prostitutes. FIT Arrival Complications We don't expect any problems, and nor should you, but if for any reason you are unable to commence your trip as scheduled, as soon as possible please contact the emergency local contact details provided in this dossier. If an arrival airport transfer is included in your tour and you have not made contact with our representative within 30 minutes of clearing customs and immigration, we recommend that you make your own way to the Starting Point hotel, following the Joining Instructions. Please apply to your travel agent on your return for a refund of the transfer cost if this occurs. FIT Dossier Disclaimer The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and G.A.P Adventures. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.

VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans. FIT Insurance Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips - it is the passengers responsibility to ensure they have the correct coverage. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Contact your Insurance company / bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number. FIT Itinerary Disclaimer While it is our intention to adhere to the route described, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit travel with G.A.P Adventures can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. FIT Safety and Security Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure. We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets, travellers' cheques, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. Please note that local representatives/offices have the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. During your trip you will have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy or explore at your leisure. While our local representatives/offices will assist you with options available in a given location please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your itinerary, and we offer no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Although the cities visited on tour are generally safe during the day, there can be risks to wandering throughout any major city at night. It is our recommendation to stay together and to take taxis to and from restaurants, or during night time excursions. Free Online Trip Journals An online Trip Journal is a great way to record stories and photos as you travel, not to mention sharing your experiences with friends. Encourage your family and friends to follow in your footsteps as you explore the world! With templates for over 300 G.A.P Adventures trips already online all you have to do to get started is log in, choose your trip and your departure date, it's quick and easy! Head to http://www.gapadventures.com/trip_journal. Group Leader Description This tour is accompanied by one of our group leaders. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, guide you on smooth paths or exciting hikes, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. You can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. Guide will be very happy if you help out with camp chores such as, putting up tent and rolling it back in to it's bag when it's time to go, helping with cooking and dishs and packing roof rack. Although the only obliged chore is to put up the tent, participation is a part of this trip. Health You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information well before departure. We recommend that you carry a First Aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements. Please be aware that sometimes we are in remote areas and away from medical facilities, and for legal reasons our leaders are prohibited from administering any type of drug including headache tablets, antibiotics, etc. In Canada pharmacies are found in every village. When selecting your trip please carefully read the brochure and itinerary and assess your ability to cope with our style of travel. Please refer to the Physical and Culture Shock ratings for trip specific information. For travellers over 70 years a completed Medical Form is required. G.A.P Adventures reserves the right to exclude any traveller from all or part of a trip without refund if in the reasonable opinion of our group leader they are unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group. Itinerary Disclaimer While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit travel with G.A.P Adventures can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.

Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances. Joining Hotel Whitehorse
River View Hotel
102 Wood Street, YK
Tel: 867-667-7801 Joining Instructions Whitehorse When arriving in Whitehorse International Airport you have a choice of metered taxi or airport bus. Please follow the signs for taxis or bus which is clearly marked once you exit from the baggage hall. The taxis are all lined up out from of the airport and are all legal taxis. No illegal taxis that want to rip you off. The ride from the airport to our starting hotel will take between 10-20 minutes depending on traffic and should cost approx. CAD20$ There is 1 airport buse that drops you off at different places around the city. The staff at the airport bus counter can tell where to take your bus. The name of the company is Whitehorse shuttle bus. 10,00$ CAD one way - Every flight arrival / 20 to 45 minutes.

If you have paid for an arrival transfer when you booked your trip our driver will be waiting for you with a G.A.P Adventures Sign with your name on it. Please check carefully once you exit the baggage hall as there seem to be hundreds of people waiting outside in the arrival area. Keeping in Touch If you need to be contacted while travelling we recommend that you set up an email address that can be accessed on the road, rather than relying on postal mail. Email cafes are becoming increasingly commonplace and cheap throughout the regions we visit, and have quickly become the preferred way for our leaders and travellers to stay in touch. If someone wishes to contact you in an emergency while you are on one of our trips we recommend that they contact your local booking agent, or refer to our Emergency Contact. We recommend that family and friends don't try to contact you through phoning hotels en route, as our hotels are subject to change, and our hotel receptions often don't have English speaking staff.
Laundry It will be possible to wash cloth every 5 days or so. Guide will direct you to laundry facilities. Keep extra change for this. A wash is normally USD2 and drying is the same. Local Dress You may dress as you want in Canada and USA. No restrictions, just as long as you are dressed. Local Flights There are no local flights on this tour. Local payment description Most of our adventure tours involve a local payment. This is the final payment of your tour price, paid locally. Paying locally facilitates the flow of funds into countries that we travel through and also helps to reduce the overall price of the tour. This helps G.A.P Adventures keep our prices competitive and in-turn, pass our cost savings onto you. Payment is to be made to your leader or G.A.P Adventures representative upon arrival in cash in the requested currency. Please see our website, brochure or your trip documents and invoice for Local Payment.
Meals Eating is a big part of traveling. Travelling with G.A.P Adventures you experience the vast array of wonderful food that is available out in the world. Buying and cooking the food, washing up, etc. are shared chores of the travellers. Breakfast and dinner are usually hot meals made with local produce. (Mostly we prepare campfire barbecues). All cooking equipment and eating utensils are provided. We keep our food costs as low as possible by sharing the expenses. Each participant will contribute funds and the leader will arrange the menu of the days to come and then go shopping for the freshest food for the group. Breakfast and dinner are paid from a food kitty arranged with in the group by the leader on day one. Lunch we will normally have a picnic. Sometimes we will go out for dinner and eat at restaurants at own expense. The G.A.P leader will participate in the food kitty as well. Medical Form Our small group adventures bring together people of all ages. It is very important you are aware that, as a minimum, an average level of fitness and mobility' is required to undertake our easiest programs. Travellers must be able to walk without the aid of another person, climb 3-4 flights of stairs, step on and off small boats, and carry their own luggage at a minimum. Travellers with a pre-existing medical condition are required to complete a short medical questionnaire, which must be signed by their physician. This is to ensure that travellers have the necessary fitness and mobility to comfortably complete their chosen trip. While our leaders work hard to ensure that all our travellers are catered for equally, it is not their responsibility to help individuals who cannot complete the day's activities unaided. Please refer to the physical ratings in this Trip Details document for more information.
Please note that all passengers traveling to Antarctica are required to fill out this questionnaire.

The medical questionnaire can be found online at:

www.gapadventures.com/online_medical_form.
Newsletter Our adventure travel e-newsletter is full of travel news, trip information, interesting stories and contests. To avoid missing out on special offers and updates from G.A.P Adventures, subscribe at www.gapadventures.com/newsletter_signup
Optional Activities All prices are per person in Canadian dollar (CAD) or US dollar (USD) amounts. Please note that at the time printing we made every effort to insure these prices were accurate. However, prices can and do change. In addition, particularly prices given in US dollars are subject to frequent currency fluctuations. Please use the following prices as guidelines only.

Flight seeing in Kluane from 200USD
Heli hiking in Wrangell St-Elias from 280USD
Sea kayaking in Seward from 55USD
Deap see fishing in Seward from 95USD
Rafting from 95USD
Biking from 35USD Our Commitment to Responsible Travel in Antarctica Planeterra-The G.A.P Adventures Foundation Through G.A.P Adventures’ commitment to responsible tourism we have developed Planeterra – the G.A.P Adventures Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of people and communities around the world through support of international charities, local organizations and community projects in the places that we visit on our tours. G.A.P Adventures matches all individual donations and pays all administration fees, which means that 100% of each donation is doubled and goes directly to support our projects. For more information about Planeterra and the projects we support, or to make a donation, please visit www.planeterra.org

Planeterra Dollar-A-Day Program
Our Dollar-A-Day Program provides travellers with the opportunity to help us give back to the people and places visited on our tours by donating one dollar per day for the duration of their tour. 100% of these proceeds will go directly to support our Planeterra projects.

To participate in this program please indicate at the time of booking that you would like to participate in G.A.P Adventures’ Dollar-A-Day program, either by clicking the check box online, or by advising your G.A.P Adventures specialist or travel agent. (Note: Donation will be charged in the currency of your booking) Responsible Travel Being a responsible tour operator is at the heart of what G.A.P Adventures is all about. From the start, G.A.P Adventures has been committed to offering low-impact tours that benefit traveler and host alike. While our sustainable tourism policies are constantly evolving, our commitment to socially conscious, grassroots style travel has never changed. We work with local communities, businesses and individuals to develop sustainable tourism opportunities that help local economies while minimizing negative environmental and cultural impacts.

We would like to give you a couple of tips to start you thinking about traveling sustainably.
-Please bring rechargeable batteries, a battery charger (and plug adapter if necessary). Batteries are incredibly toxic and many places that we travel do not have proper disposal facilities. Rechargeables are best but if this is not possible we recommend that you bring any used batteries back home with you for proper disposal.
-Please ask before taking pictures. Just as you would not like to have a stranger come up to you and take a picture of you while sitting on your front porch either do the locals of the places that we visit. As you can imagine pictures of their children are also not appreciated.

For more information about our commitment to responsible travel, please visit the Sustainable Tourism section of the G.A.P Adventures website: www.gapadventures.com
Safety and Security Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure. We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets, travellers' cheques, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. When travelling on a group trip, please note that your group leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Your leader will accompany you on all included activities. During your trip you will have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy or explore at your leisure. While your group leader will assist you with options available in a given location please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your itinerary, and we offer no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Although the cities visited on tour are generally safe during the day, there can be risks to wandering throughout any major city at night. It is our recommendation to stay in small groups and to take taxis to and from restaurants, or during night time excursions.

Single Travellers We believe single travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and single travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.
Spending Money Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.
Tipping It is customary in Canada ans USA to tip service providers such as waiters, at approximately 15%, depending on the service. Tipping is expected - though not compulsory - and shows an expression of satisfaction with the people who have assisted you on your tour. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. There are several times during the trip where there is opportunity to tip the local guides or drivers we use. You may do this individually, or your Tour Leader will offer to collect the money and tip as a group. Recommendations for tipping drivers and local guides would range from $2-$4 CAD per person per day depending on the quality and length of the service; ask your tour leader for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and culture. Also at the end of each trip if you felt your G.A.P Adventures Tour Leader did an outstanding job, tipping is appreciated. The amount is entirely a personal preference, however as a guideline $15-20 CAD per person, per week can be used. Travel Forum - The Watering Hole Be sure to stop by The Watering Hole, our adventure travel forum. If you're interested in meeting others booked on your upcoming trip, check out the Departure Lounge section of our forum and introduce yourself. Otherwise, just drop in at anytime to share some travel tips, ask questions, meet other travellers and quench your thirst for travel. Our forum is located at wateringhole.gapadventures.com. Travel Insurance Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
Trip Specific Safety Canada's Yukon and Alaska are very safe. This doesn't mean you should trust everybody and avoid normal methods of travel. Always keep passport in safe location and don't count your money out in the open. Validity Valid for all trips departing April 1 2008 - Dec 31st 2009 Visas Holders of the UK, AUS, NZ, CAN and several EU country passports can enter the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) if they hold a machine readable passport. They must also be entering the country by sea or air on a carrier participating in the visa waiver scheme, holding a return/onward ticket. As well as being machine readable, if your passport was issued on or after 26 October 2005, it must contain a digital photograph of the holder. In addition to this, if your passport was issued on or after 26 October 2006, it must also include an integrated circuit chip that stores biographic information. We Want Your Photos If you've got some great photos form your G.A.P Adventures travels, then post them online in our community! You can share photos - and videos - with our travellers from around the world. Simply go online to www.gapadventures.com/community to check out what other people have shared! We often have photo and video contests running too, so be sure to check our website often!
What to Take We suggest that you pack as lightly as possible as your are expected to carry your own luggage. As a rule we try not to have to walk more than 5-10 mintues with your bags which is why we recommend keeping the weight of your bags between 10-15kg/22-30lb. Suitcases are not recommended for G.A.P Adventures trips! Most travellers carry a backpack or rolling bag of small to medium size (no XXL ones please!) as they need to fit in the tents. You will also need a day pack/bag to carry water, cameras and other electronics like ipods and mobile phones. If your trip involves overnights in homestays, villages or camping then you usually have the opportunity to rent sleeping bags if need be instead of bringing them with you. Your Fellow Travellers As you travel on a group trip you will be exposed to all the pleasures and maybe some of the frustrations of travelling in a group. Your fellow travellers will probably come from all corners of the world and are likely to be of a variety of ages too. We ask you to be understanding of the various needs and preferences of your group - patience with your fellow travellers is sometimes required for the benefit of everyone's travel experience. Remember too that you have responsibilities to the group. If you are requested to be at a place at a certain time, ensure that you don't keep the rest of the group waiting. We have found time and time again that the very best trips we operate are those where the dynamics within the group work well - this takes just a little effort on your part.