Yukon and Alaska

Whitehorse is the capital of the Yukon, a lively city in Canada's great north set along the banks of the legendary Yukon River, in a territory of wild and endless nature. Though the main urban centre of the region, it retains a frontier spirit linked to the era of the Klondike Gold Rush, felt in its museums and historic riverboats. Surrounded by mountains, forests and rivers, it is the ideal base for exploring the great spaces of the Yukon and for authentic northern experiences: dog-sledding excursions, canoeing, and above all watching the northern lights, which on clear winter nights light up the skies with spectacular colours. Wildlife and pristine landscapes complete the appeal. Between pioneer history, grandiose nature and aurora borealis, Whitehorse is the gateway to the wonders of Canada's great north.

Haines Junction is a small village in the Yukon, in Canada's great north, considered the gateway to the majestic Kluane National Park, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This extraordinary park holds some of Canada's highest mountains, including Mount Logan, the country's highest peak, and the largest non-polar ice field in the world. The village is the ideal base for exploring this grandiose and wild nature, through hiking, scenic flights over the glaciers, rafting and wildlife viewing, from bears to Dall sheep. The landscapes of snow-capped mountains, endless glaciers and turquoise lakes are of rare beauty. Surrounded by imposing, pristine nature, Haines Junction is a fascinating stop for those seeking adventure and great spaces in the wild heart of the Yukon.

Beaver Creek marks Canada's far western edge in the Yukon and is the country's westernmost community, the last stop before Alaska along the historic Alaska Highway. Surrounded by immense, wild nature, it offers open skies, boreal forests and the chance to spot northern wildlife. A legendary stop for those driving toward the far north, it keeps the rough, welcoming feel of the frontier. Beaver Creek is a remote outpost where the Arctic adventure begins.

Fairbanks lies in the heart of interior Alaska, along the banks of the Chena River, the gateway to America's Far North and the Arctic wilderness. Capital of the Interior, it owes its fame above all to the sky: on long winter nights it is one of the world's best places to watch the northern lights, while in summer the midnight sun brings endless days. The town still carries the spirit of the gold rush that founded it in the early twentieth century, recounted at Pioneer Park and at the University of Alaska's Museum of the North, with its collections of Native art and natural history. From here roads lead to Denali National Park and to Chena Hot Springs, where you can soak in warm waters beneath the green glow of the sky. Between dog-sledding, landscapes of taiga and tundra and frontier hospitality, Fairbanks is the perfect base for those seeking Arctic adventure in any season.

Denali immediately conjures the image of Alaska's wilderness, dominated by the mountain of the same name which, at 6,190 metres, is the highest peak in North America. Denali National Park and Preserve protects a vast expanse of tundra, forests, glacial rivers and mountain ranges, home to grizzly bears, moose, caribou, wolves and Dall sheep. A single road runs through the heart of the park, and shuttle buses allow visitors to venture deep into the landscape, spotting wildlife in its natural habitat. Adventure seekers can enjoy hiking, scenic flights over the glaciers, white-water rafting and guided excursions, while on clear northern nights it is sometimes possible to admire the northern lights. An unmissable stop on any journey through the Far North, Denali offers an authentic and majestic encounter with untamed nature.

The drive from Denali National Park to Anchorage follows the scenic Parks Highway (Alaska Route 3) south for about 240–250 miles (380–400 km) and typically takes around 4 to 5 hours without long stops. The road is fully paved and well-maintained, winding through classic Alaskan landscapes of dense forests, wide river valleys, and towering mountain ranges. Along the way you pass small towns such as Cantwell, Talkeetna, Willow, and Wasilla, and you’ll have frequent opportunities for scenic views of the Alaska Range and possibly wildlife along the roadside. The route is straightforward and one of the most beautiful highway drives in Alaska, making the journey itself an enjoyable part of the overall experience. If you want a more scenic detour or photo stops, there are viewpoints and small nature areas along the highway, making the return trip both relaxing and visually rewarding. Gateway to the wild nature of Alaska, Anchorage rises between the waters of Cook Inlet and the snow-capped peaks of the Chugach Mountains, framed by a unique northern light. Though it is the state's largest city, it retains a frontier feel: from downtown you may spot moose crossing the streets and, on clear days, glimpse the profile of Denali, the highest peak in North America, on the horizon. Walking the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail leads between ocean and forest, while the museum devoted to native cultures tells the ancestral soul of this land. From here, excursions set out toward glaciers, fjords and boundless parks, with sightings of bears, whales and northern lights. Anchorage is the ideal starting point for Arctic adventure.

Tok is a small frontier community in eastern Alaska, an important road crossroads where the Alaska Highway meets the road coming up from Canada, the first stop for many travellers entering the state overland. Surrounded by endless boreal forests and mountains, it is nicknamed 'the dog mushing capital' for its strong tradition of sled-dog racing. The area offers northern-lights viewing in winter and access to vast wilderness areas. An essential stopping point along the great roads of the North, between forests, starry skies and a frontier spirit, Tok welcomes those travelling in the most remote Alaska.

Dawson City is a historic town in the Yukon, in Canada's great north, the legendary centre of the Klondike Gold Rush which at the end of the nineteenth century drew tens of thousands of prospectors. Splendidly preserved, it retains the authentic atmosphere of the pioneer era, with its unpaved streets, wooden sidewalks, saloons and brightly coloured historic buildings that make it seem frozen in time. You can visit the gold claims, try your hand at panning for gold in the creeks and discover the history through museums and historic sites. Surrounded by wild and endless nature, it is also a starting point towards the great spaces of the Yukon and the famous Dempster Highway towards the Arctic. Between gold-rush history, frontier charm and grandiose nature, Dawson City is a unique and fascinating stop in the heart of Canada's north.