White Pass Rail Bennett Lake & Yukon Adventure
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Port
Skagway, Alaska, US
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Activity Level
Easy
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$329.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 8 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals included
The wilderness beckons you on this 67-mile journey aboard the historic White Pass Railroad to remote Bennett Lake. Step back in time and explore an abandoned gold rush town on a self-guided walking tour; then, dine on onboard a boxed lunch.
Begin your day by traveling via motorcoach to the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad depot, where you will board the train for a spectacular 67-mile northbound trip. Against all odds, this iron trail was carved through some of the North's most rugged terrain in 1898 during the Klondike Gold Rush. This engineering wonder is an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. The track climbs nearly 3,000 feet over 20 miles of steep grades and cliff-hanging turns. Relax in a vintage rail car as you pass Bridal Veil Falls, Inspiration Point and Dead Horse Gulch -- a breathtaking panorama of mountains, glaciers, gorges, waterfalls, tunnels, trestles and historic sites. See the original Klondike Trail of '98 worn into the rocks -- a permanent tribute to the thousands of souls who passed this way in search of fortune. This famous, historic railway leads to Fraser, British Columbia, and on to beautiful Bennett Lake.
Accessible only by train, Bennett, BC, is an abandoned town. Constructed during the Klondike Gold Rush, Bennett was located at the end of the White Pass and Chilkoot Trails -- a vital stop for prospectors on their journey north to the gold fields. Back in the day, thousands of people constructed boats and rafts here to launch across the lake and down the Yukon River.
Leave the train in Bennett and step inside the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad's Museum and interpretive center. This is a journey back in time -- a chance to explore this magnificent area through a self-guided walking tour along the once-bustling shoreline of Bennett Lake. If you're up to it, don't miss the walk up to the church on the hill.
Reboard the train and enjoy lunch on board as it travels past the lake en route to Carcross. Carcross is a contraction of the town's full and correct name, Caribou Crossing. After exploring the tiny Native village here, switch to a motorcoach for the scenic journey down the Klondike Highway and back to Skagway.
Notes:
This adventure crosses the US/Canadian border; US and Canadian citizens must carry a passport and ship ID. All other nationalities must have a valid passport, visa and ship ID. Written consent is required for children traveling into Canada without both parents. Vegetarian lunch is available with at least 24 hours' notice. Tour and transportation sequences may vary.