Itineraries

Yukon in 3 days, upgraded

6 min read

A floatplane parked at a wilderness lodge dock in the Yukon

Sleep upgraded

Skip the chain hotels. Night 1 at Inn on the Lake, 30 minutes south of Whitehorse on Marsh Lake, rooms from $395 with breakfast, private hot tub, and float-plane dock. Night 2 at Southern Lakes Resort near Tagish for a full-service lakeside cabin from $340. Night 3 back in Whitehorse at Edgewater Hotel Riverside Suite on Main St, $310. Rent a mid-size SUV from National at the airport for $110 per day so you can handle gravel access roads without stress.

Day 1: Fly and dine

Land Whitehorse mid-morning, drive straight to Inn on the Lake. Afternoon canoe on Marsh Lake included with the room. Book Alpine Aviation's 2-hour Kluane icefields flight from Whitehorse Airport, $625 per person — the pilot lands you on a glacier. Back at the inn for a 5-course tasting menu with wine pairing, $145 per person. This is the best hotel restaurant in the territory and non-guests can book, but rooms include it as a discount.

Day 2: Kluane private guide

Book a private guide with Kluane Ecotours from Haines Junction, $650 for two people including lunch. They will take you off the standard Kings Throne route to Auriol or Sheep Mountain depending on conditions. Overnight at Southern Lakes Resort. Dinner at the resort's dining room — Yukon Arctic char and wild game, mains $38 to $52. Book a guided evening kayak paddle add-on, $95, for golden hour on Tagish Lake.

Day 3: Whitehorse fine dining

Morning at Yukon Wildlife Preserve on a private guided walk, $85 per person, followed by a 2-hour private cabana at Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs, $220. Check into Edgewater and walk to Wayfarer Oyster House for the tasting menu, $95 without pairings. If you have late-flight time, book Uncork’d Wine Bar on 3rd Ave for one more glass before the airport shuttle. Skip the airport lounge — it is basic.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a 5-star hotel in Yukon?

Not by international standards. Inn on the Lake is the closest — a boutique lodge with 12 rooms, private dining, and airport transfers. Edgewater and Coast High Country are solid 4-star equivalents in town.

How much does flightseeing over Kluane cost?

Fixed-wing tours from Haines Junction run $445 to $625 for 90 to 120 minutes. Glacier-landing flights start at $795. Rocking Star and Alpine Aviation are the main operators.

Can I hire a private driver instead of renting?

Yes — Husky Bus and Yukon Alpine Adventures both do private charters for around $650 per day plus fuel. Worth it if you want to drink at dinner or focus on photography.

What is the best Yukon splurge dinner?

Wayfarer Oyster House in Whitehorse or the dining room at Inn on the Lake. Reserve Wayfarer 3 weeks ahead in summer — 22 seats total.