The
Campbell Highway was built in 1968 along the original fur trade route
from southern Canada to central Yukon. It is named after legendary fur
trader Robert Campbell who explored this route in the 1840s on behalf
of the Hudson’s Bay Company.
This self-drive route follows Campbell’s tracks from Carmacks to Watson
Lake by crossing the Yukon Plateau. It leads through extensive forests,
along the Yukon, Pelly and Frances Rivers and passes the Little Salmon,
Finlayson, Frances and Simpson Lakes. Highlight of the journey is the
3-night stay at Frances Lake Wilderness Lodge, a pristine setting
nestled on the shores of Frances Lake.
ITINERARY:
Day 1: You arrive in Whitehorse
and pick up your rental car. Spend the remainder of the day as you
like: go for a relaxing stroll through the charming city or take the
chance to go shopping. The night you spend in a good downtown hotel.
Day
2: Today you leave Whitehorse and head up the North Klondike
Highway to Carmacks. Along this route you skirt along beautiful Fox
Lake. You may want to stop at Braeburn Lodge, home to the world's
biggest cinnamon buns! Shortly after Carmacks you reach the junction
with the Campbell Highway. However, before leaving the Klondike Highway
we recommend a visit of the Yukon River's famous Five Finger Rapids
located just a few kilometres north from here. Once on the Campbell
Highway, the well-maintained gravel road follows for a while the course
of the Yukon River and later skirts along the lovely Little Salmon
Lake. Enjoy the great scenery until you arrive at today’s final
destination: Faro. Faro is a former mining town. At its heyday it was
home to about 2500 people. The lead-silver-zinc mine closed down in the
late 1990s. Today only 400 remain but they enjoy and care for the
village’s idyllic setting. You stay the night in a charming Bed
& Breakfast.
Day
3: You continue your wilderness drive along the Campbell
Highway towards Frances Lake. Some of the highlights are crossing Lapie
Canyon and the Continental Divide near Finlayson Lake. Take the short
side turn to visit the Indian village of Ross River and marvel at the
little orange ferry as well as the wabbly swing bridge across the
mighty Pelly River. At Hoole Creek it’s worthwhile to turn off the
highway to its confluence with the Pelly River. Later in the day you
arrive at Frances Lake, where you will be picked up for the half hour
boat ride to Frances Lake Wilderness Lodge.
Day 4 - 5: The days at
Frances Lake offer a wide variety of adventures! You may enjoy them at
your own leisure or join any or all of the offered activities at no
extra charge. You might want to take our guided boat excursion to the
abandoned trading post of the famous Hudson’s Bay Company or you may
try your luck at landing a lake trout or northern pike. Canoes and
kayaks offer you ample opportunities to explore the area after we’ve
shown you the basics of paddling. Bald eagles, loons, beavers and moose
are often seen here. A hidden waterfall or a vast river delta teeming
with birdlife can also be visited during your stay. Or you may simply
want to relax and enjoy your private cozy log cabin, admire the
stunning views and let you spoil by our chef.
Day
6: Your journey continues along the last stretch of the
Campbell Highway to the town of Watson Lake. Here you can visit the
famous Sign Post Forest and the Northern Lights Center. Worth seeing is
also the exhibition about the construction of the Alaska Highway at the
Visitor Center. Then you pull onto the Alaska Highway yourself heading
towards Teslin. You want to stop and see the Rancheria Falls as well as
the nice sandy beach at Morley Lake. The Wildlife Museum and the George
Johnston Museum, both in Teslin, are worth visiting as well. In the
evening you reach Whitehorse where you stay in a downtown hotel.
Day 7: In the morning you drop
off the rental car, leave Whitehorse by plane or continue your Yukon
adventures by yourself.
OPTION:
You may prefer to spend the last night (day 6)
outside of Whitehorse. We would recommend either the rustic Dawson
Peaks Resort near Teslin or the more luxury Inn
on the Lake at Marsh Lake. On your request, we will be happy
to make reservations for you. An additional charge will apply.
THINGS TO KNOW:
- Frances Lake Wilderness Lodge & Tours is
member of the Tourism Industry Association of the Yukon (TIA) and the
Yukon Wilderness Tourism Association (WTAY).
- Canadian legislation requires you to sign a release
of liability and waiver of claims form prior to the commencement of the
arrangement.
- Our guides are well trained in wilderness travel
and first aid.
DATES AND RATES:
| Duration: |
7 days from/to Whitehorse |
| Dates: |
June 14 to September 19, 2010 |
| Rates: |
from 2 guests |
$1195 CAD + GST per person
(double occupancy) |
| |
Single supplement |
$250 CAD + GST |
| |
Lodge extension |
price on application |
Terms
of Participation
RATES INCLUDE:
- All accommodation (3 nights at lodge, 2 nights in
hotel, 1 night in B&B)
- All meals at the lodge
- Breakfast in Faro
- Guided day trips at the lodge
- Use of lodge amenities such as sauna, library,
canoes, kayaks and angling equipment
- Detailed road book
NOT INCLUDED:
- Rental car (we gladly give advice and make a
reservation for you)
- Meals in Whitehorse and on the self-drive
- Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks (the lodge is
licensed and has a selection in stock)
- Angling licence (can be purchased at lodge)
- Personal insurance (trip cancellation, medical
insurance): We strongly recommend to arrange for sufficient coverage
before the start of your trip.