A Canadian Treasure: Experience the Undeniable Beauty of the Yukon
Canada is known for many things, from spectacular landscapes and beautiful wildlife to incredible maple syrup. From coast to coast to coast, there’s a lot of beauty to behold and treats to enjoy. In honor of Canada Day, we couldn’t deny the opportunity to highlight one of its many treasures. If you’ve ever wanted to visit a place unlike any other, the Yukon could easily top your list.
The Beauty of the Yukon
Surrounded by Canada’s tallest peaks, this vast territory is home to small communities with big personality and breathtaking views. Though it attracted many over the years – especially those in search of gold – it also became the muse of well-known artists like Robert William Service, a British-Canadian poet. Known as the “Bard of the Yukon,” Service was recognized for his many poems about the Yukon and surrounding lands.
In The Spell of the Yukon and Other Verses, he wrote:
There’s gold, and it’s haunting and haunting;
It’s luring me on as of old;
Yet it isn’t the gold that I’m wanting
So much as just finding the gold.
It’s the great, big, broad land ’way up yonder,
It’s the forests where silence has lease;
It’s the beauty that thrills me with wonder,
It’s the stillness that fills me with peace.
Service captured the essence of what it means to experience the Yukon beyond the goldrush of the late 1800s. He emphasizes that treasure isn’t the gold itself – it’s the beauty found in the journey. As the only cruise line to offer its own cruisetour to this dream destination by way of an Alaska cruise, Holland America Line helps you experience the Yukon journey in unforgettable ways.
Savor Spectacular Views
Bask in the beauty of luscious forests, which cover 80 percent of Yukon territory. Marvel at Canada’s tallest peaks overlooking fields and valleys where wildflowers bloom. Experience the Midnight Sun, which brings 24 hours of daylight from June to September.
Capture Wild Moments
Witness a world of wildlife throughout a Yukon adventure. Enjoy sights of the “Big 5” (moose, bears, Dall sheep, caribou and wolves) from our luxury glass-domed railcar known as the McKinley Explorer®.
You may see a caribou migration or spot the peregrine falcon — the world’s fastest animal whose dramatic dive clocks in at 186 miles (300 kilometers) per hour.
Dive Into Gold Rush Nostalgia
Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a cruisetour through Dawson City and the Yukon will make you feel like you stepped back in time to the days of the Klondike Gold Rush. Rich with history, Dawson City is home to 1,500 residents today but used to be the destination for Gold Rush prospectors in search of fast fortunes. Here you’ll find guides in costume sharing the history of the town through site tours.
While you’re there, consider stopping by Diamond Tooth Gerties, Canada’s oldest gambling hall, where you can try your luck at various games of chance and take in a can-can show, led by Diamond Tooth Gertie herself. Also stop by Robert Service’s cabin, a historical landmark honoring the famous poet, for a tour. And if you want to pan for gold, you can do that too. In fact, gold is still one of the top industries here.
Ride Along the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad
Dependent on your itinerary, you may find yourself aboard the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad. It’s recognized as an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark – an honor it shares with modern marvels like the Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty.
The railway weaves its way through steep ravines and cliff-hanging turns. Watch our video to learn more.
Are you ready to experience the undeniable beauty of the Yukon? Are you looking for more than gold, craving the beauty of the journey itself? Experience the Yukon firsthand on an Alaska cruisetour so you, too, can experience the wonder it beholds.
“The wilds where the caribou call; The freshness, the freedom, the farness—O God! How I’m stuck on it all.” – Robert William Service
