Skagway Summit and City Tour

When the "last frontier" beckons, you will be there! This combination town and summit excursion covers all the highlights of Skagway and the summit! Included is our historic downtown with a full narration, a trip to the Gold Rush Cemetery to visit our infamous outlaw, Soapy Smith, and hear tales of the early pioneers.

The drive up the Klondike Highway, paralleling much of the railroad and Trail of '98, features waterfalls and glaciers (weather permitting). Along the route are spectacular views of the railroad as well as historical overlooks. Your guide will bring the Gold Rush to life with tales and history of the era.

Upon cresting the summit, we pass into the "moonscape" of the "Tormented" Valley with it's crystal blue Summit Lake. Our return trip takes us to the Skagway overlook, which offers a panoramic view of the town, harbor and cruise ships. There are plenty of photo stops along the way, so bring your camera!

What to Expect

Our knowledgeable guides will always provide you with an exceptional tour experience. They are friendly and courteous professionals who offer personal service and welcome your questions. Our equipment is clean and professionally maintained, as your safety is always our first concern. Our professional tour guides are first aid/CPR certified, fully trained, and happy to go the extra step to make your tour experience unforgettable.

Upon tour completion, passengers may be dropped in town or returned directly to the ship/hotel. Optional pick-up/drop-off points available.

Please be aware that the weather may be windier/wetter/cooler/warmer on the tour than at the time of departure and dress accordingly. Light layering, with a wind/waterproof jacket is always recommended. Our knowledge of the area allows us to adjust our routes/stops to make the most of the day.

What should I bring?
Don't forget your passport for border crossings! A camera is a must, binoculars are recommended, as are extra film and batteries. A disposable camera is handy in case of problems with your camera or camcorder, and you won't miss anything. Dress appropriately for possible weather changes. TRAVEL TIP: Mark your possessions (cameras, spare eyeglasses, umbrellas, etc.) with an address label. If lost, we can find you to return them!

Why do I need my passport?
Skagway is a land of two roads. The major road is the Klondike Highway, which crosses the Canadian border just 15 miles north of Skagway. Since most tours take this route, you will need proper documentation for the border crossings.
Very Important:
US-Canada Border Crossing Information
Canada will not allow a U.S. citizen into the country who does not have the proper documentation to return home. Everyone from every country arriving in Canada or the USA by air, land or sea now needs a passport or equivalent travel document. Equivalent travel documents include:
1. NEXUS CARD: A partnership between the Canada and U.S. border services that pre-approves entry for travelers by land, sea or air between Canada and U.S. An added benefit is designated and faster lanes at border crossings and airports. Application process involves interview and fingerprinting. Both U.S. and Canadian citizens apply through U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
2. U.S. PASSPORT CARD: This U.S. Department of State-issued ID is valid for entry into Canada by land or sea, though not valid for international air travel.
3. ENHANCED DRIVER'S LICENSE (EDL): EDLs indicate both citizenship and identity and are valid for entry into Canada by land or sea, though not valid for international air travel. As of January 2009, EDLs were only available in Washington and New York states, but were planned for Vermont as well. See individual state licensing departments for more info.
4. FAST/EXPRES CARD: This U.S. Customs and Border Protection program pre-approves commercial truck drivers for travel between the U.S. and Canada.

Children ages 18 and under are required to present proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate - passports, of course, are also acceptable.
If one parent is traveling with a minor child without the other parent, they must also have a notarized letter from the absent parent stating approval for the one parent to travel across the US-Canada border with the child.

Do you pick up at the ships?
Yes, we pickup at dockside, where the dock meets land. Boarding begins 15 minutes prior to departure. At the conclusion of the tour, you'll have your choice of returning to the ship, or the town. There are shuttles providing transportation to town from the ships for a nominal fee. Your confirmation will provide you with full details and local contact information.

How can I find you at the dock?
We will meet you with a sign with your name on it, and/or the name of your tour choice. We will provide you with a confirmation with pickup instructions and contact information, including local phone numbers as well.

What's the difference between your tours and the train?
The train is a great trip through the mountains, and train buffs should plan on including it in their visit to Skagway. We offer the train as an option on our Yukon Suspension Bridge tour. However, if you're not a train buff, you'll find that our tours, while paralleling the train route, offer some advantages, such as including photos stops and a chance to interact with and ask questions of your guide. In addition, you'll find they offer great value for the money.

What type of vehicles do you use?
For our bus tours, we use comfortable custom mini-coaches, with a 14-to-28 passenger capacity. All feature large touring windows, bucket seats and PA systems. Jeep Stampede uses Jeep Wranglers, 4 passenger capacity. Yukon 4x4 Adventure & Custom SUV tours use luxury SUV's, keeping to 5-6 passengers. If your family is larger, maximum capacity is 7 per SUV. Using these smaller vehicles assures you of a more personal experience. We have an on staff mechanic, and our vehicles are meticulously maintained for safety.

What can I expect?
All tours features plenty of photos stops, and are fully narrated. Binoculars are recommended, and cameras essential! Most tours travel up the Klondike Highway, one of the most scenic highways in the nation, through multiple climate zones. Just about everywhere you turn there is a beautiful sight or vista! At many stops, disembarking is optional, as you have a great view right from your seat.

Which tour do you recommend for a cruise ship passenger?
Our recommendation for tours is always for the Yukon territory, for three reasons: a) regardless of the weather in Skagway, it's usually better in the Yukon; b) it's the best chance of seeing wildlife! Somewhere between 30% and 50% of the Yukon tours usually see wildlife of some kind, whether it's bears, eagles, moose, caribou, mountain goats, sheep, etc.; and c) the scenery is nothing like you'll see along the inside passage. Remember that the inside passage is Pacific Northwest temperate coastal rainforest. Skagway is the driest port, with just 27 inches of rain annually, and when we cross over the border into Canada, they are even drier. You'll get above the treeline into sub-arctic alpine tundra, then pass back into boreal forest along the lakes. Also, the Yukon is home to the Emerald Lake, 'Jewel of the Yukon,' and well worth the trip.

When considering your tour choice, you might keep in mind your preferences as to group size, activity level, etc. If you prefer traveling with a small group, the 4x4 Adventures carry a maximum of 6 passengers per vehicle. If you'd like to have a chance of seeing wildlife, such as bears, or to make the most of your day in Skagway, the Yukon tours are your best bet; Our Yukon Discovery Tour offers the most for the money. The Chilkoot Exploration Bus Tour from Skagway is a good choice if you'd like a more active tour. If time is scarce, then the Skagway Summit & City Tour, Chilkoot Exploration Bus Tour, Yukoner! Adventure, or Yukon Jeep Stampede give you the history of the gold rush and some incredible scenery in the least amount of time.

Will we see wildlife?
For wildlife sightings such as bears, moose, mountain goats and others, the Yukon is always our best bet. Approximately 30-50% of Yukon excursions see some type of wildlife. For water-related wildlife, such as eagles, seals, etc., the Chilkoot Exploration tour is best. Remember, wildlife sightings, while occurring frequently, are at the whim of mother nature!

What if our ship changes docks?
We have a great network here in Skagway, and we will be notified. Stay with your ship, and we will locate you!

What if we miss our ship after the tour?
In all our years of operation, we have never missed a ship! Even though you may have an all aboard time of 1 hour or more prior to departure, the gangway remains in place for at least 30 minutes prior to departure. We carry a radio telephone on longer tours in case of emergencies, and will not book you on any tour that is not back in time to make the ship. We guarantee that you will make your ship, or we will pay for your transportation to the next port.

How soon should I book?
We highly recommend you book early to guarantee your desired tour.

PLEASE NOTE: Passengers with a felony conviction or severe traffic violations, such as DUI or hit & run, will be denied entrance into Canada.

48 HOURS MINIMUM ADVANCE BOOKING REQUIRED. This tour does offer hotel pick ups and drop offs. 36 miles roundtrip. Border crossing documentation is required for this tour. Please reserve online, or call us toll-free at 800-719-3351.