Yukon Quest Sled Dog Race
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| Whitehorse |
Experience up close the "hardest sled dog race on earth" - the Yukon Quest. The race begins on February 11th, 2006 in Fairbanks and leads 1700 km from Alaska to Kanada all across the Yukon Territory. Follow the race from Dawson City to the finish line in Whitehorse and experience being a musher on the historic "Old Dawson Trail". Get to know the different mushers and watch the sled dog teams at the different checkpoints getting geared up for the remaining distance. Cheer up the first mushers on the finish line in Whitehorse.
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Day
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Itinerary
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01
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Meet your tour guide at the airport and transfer to your downtown hotel.
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02
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After breakfast we will pick you up and drive along the Klondike Highway to Dawson City. On the way enjoy the snow-covered landscape and panoramic views of the frozen Yukon River. In Dawson City we check in at our downtown hotel and stay there for the next three days.
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03-04
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We await the arrival of the first mushers from Fairbanks. Dawson City marks the halfway point of the Yukon Quest Race and the mushers are required to take a mandatory 36 hour layover. We walk across the frozen Yukon River and visit the Dog Musher Camps on the other side of the town. A sightseeing tour of Dawson City and the historic bulidings gives us an insight view of the goldrush days in 1898.
If road conditions allow, we have the opportunity to visit the famous Klondike goldfields and Discovery Claim at Bonanza Creek. In the evening we will visit the Can-Can Show at Diamond Tooth Gerties Gambling Hall.
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05
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The first mushers leave Dawson City on their second leg to Whitehorse. We also leave Dawson City and drive back to Whitehorse. Check in at our hotel in downtown Whitehorse.
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06
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After a delicious breakfast we will pick you up at the hotel and drive to nearby Fish Lake. We go for a leisurely Snowshoe Hike on the lake, surrounded by a panoramic view. We take a break and enjoy a hot chocolate and the terrific view of Whitehorse Valley.
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07
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Today our Snowshoe tour leads us towards Lake Laberge, one of the most scenic areas in the Yukon Territory. Afterwards we visit the Takhini hot springs and relax our mussels in the natural hot springs pool.
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08
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We drive to Braeburn and await the mushers at the last checkpoint before Whitehorse, the finish of this year's Yukon Quest race. The race will come to a decision during the last kilometers. Who will win this year's race ? We spend lunch at Braeburn lodge. Steve, the cook prepares the best (and largest) burgers of the Yukon and is famous for his delicious Cinnamon buns.
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09-10
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Today we await the first mushers crossing the finish line in Whitehorse. Along the Yukon River we are awaiting anxiously the first mushers and their dog teams showing up. We will visit the Kennel of Frank Turner at the Takhini River. Drinking hot chocolate we await the other mushers and watch the finish up close. Our competent canadian host will keep us updated of the current standings and shares his extensive background knowledge of the race.
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11
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From the Muktuk Kennel we are driving today our own sled dog team. Frank Turner is a true expert and has raced every Yukon Quest so far. After a short introduction from an experienced musher we're off to mush across the untouched winter scenery. Here we have plenty of time to familiarize us with the handling of the dog team.
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12
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Experience the canadian carneval, also called "Sourdough Rendezvous". Watch or test your skills and stamina in whipsaw contests, chainsaw chucking, axe throwing, one-dog-pull or the flour packing contest. Afterwards watch the parade through the main street. The different events are taking place throughout the day and were originally evented to drive the winter away. People put their business clothes away for the week and opt for all kinds of costumes, even the banks and downtown shops get involved.
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13
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The day is at your disposal. Discover the surrounding area of Whitehorse or take the opportunity for a sightseeing or shopping tour. Please ask us if you need our assistance planning. We spend the evening at the Yukon Quest Banquett where the mushers meet. During the award ceremony you will see one more time all mushers and can take some more close-up pictures.
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14-16
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The next highlight of our journey commends today - the three day dog mushing trip along the legendary "Old Dawson Trail", where the mushers competed about the Yukon Quest victory just a few hours ago. Along snowcovered landscape, frozen lakes and rivers we enjoy the silence and listen to our dog team. The evening campfire and a hearty meal will warm us up. We overnight in winterproof tents. With professional guidance we learn throughout the tour to be a musher and how to take care of a dog team. Back in Whitehorse we check in at our hotel and meet in the evening for a final time to revue our journey.
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17
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Unfortunately time has come to say goodbye. Check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport.
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