One of the Yukon's great treasures Kluane National Park, is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest internationally protected area on the planet.

The highest, the largest and the truly spectacular

Kluane National Park and Reserve is extraordinary. Home to the largest non-polar icefields in the world, and 17 of Canada's 20 tallest mountains - including Mount Logan, the highest peak in Canada. Ancient glaciers feed the Alsek River that flows through the sprawling Alsek Valley. Dall sheep, mountain goats, caribou, wolves, grizzlies and black bears all roam various parts of the massive park.

Travellers on the two highways that run alongside the park's border are often treated to the opportunity to watch bears near the side of the road. Depending on the season, Dall sheep can be spotted grazing or resting on the mountainsides. Watch them through the telescopes at the Tachäl Dhäl Visitor Centre, or lace up your hiking boots and climb up for a closer look. The numerous hikes throughout the park range from short family-friendly trails to epic multi-day backcountry expeditions.

Flightseeing tours are a quick way to get deep into the park and soar past mountains, over valleys and up to the icefields. Land and step out onto a glacier to take in the vast, breathtaking surroundings. Some adventurers choose to experience Kluane on the water, by rafting a Canadian Heritage River to see grizzlies, eagles and glaciers.

Paddling Kathleen Lake is slower paced, but every bit as beautiful. This recreational area includes campsites, a day-use site and trails. Admire wildflowers on an easy stroll along the lakeshore, or hike up to the cirque of King's Throne for a stunning view of the lake and landscape.

For a look at the entire region, visit the Kluane National Park and Reserve Visitor Centre in Haines Junction to view a 3D topographical model. The giant floor map at the Da Kų Cultural Centre gives another perspective by presenting the many sites valued by the Champagne Aishihik First Nations. The park is within their Traditional Territory, and the centre is a chance for visitors to learn about the interesting cultural and historical significance of the region.

For guidelines on hiking, rafting, overnight camping and interacting with wildlife in the park, visit Parks Canada (www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/yt/kluane)


First Nations Culture in Kluane - explore treasured histories and vibrant, living cultures

While the spectacular scenery is impossible to miss in the Kluane Region, the hidden gem is the amazing First Nation cultures waited to be explored. Cultural centres, wilderness tours and First Nations camps are all ways to experience the traditional and modern ways of life of the First Nations.

For 5,000 years the Champagne area has been occupied by Indigenous people. Now, the site just off the Alaska Highway about 46 miles north of Whitehorse is also home to Long Ago Peoples Place. Visit this authentic re-creation of a traditional First Nations village to learn about the Southern Tutchone history and culture. Guides give a firsthand look at the ingenuity of traps, tools and structures fashioned out of natural materials like stone and animal skin. Enjoy bannock, hear stories and feel the connection to the land.

Less than an hour up the highway in Haines Junction, the Da Kų Cultural Centre is a modern gathering place and a chance to explore the living culture of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nation. Visitors can watch artists at work, join a guided tour and sit in on a campfire talk.

A scenic drive leads from Haines Junction to the Kluane Museum of Natural History in Burwash Landing on the shores of beautiful Kluane Lake. The museum has a variety of fascinating exhibits, including many that offer another look at the traditional way of life of the area's Southern Tutchone people.

The highway veers away from Kluane Lake and on toward Alaska. Just before the Canada-US border is Beaver Creek, home to the White River First Nation. Archeological evidence shows their people have lived in this area for 10,000 years. Stop in at the Visitor Information Centre to learn more and see examples of intricate beadwork and other traditional crafts.

Along with these interesting stops along the highway, First Nation tour operators offer unique, immersive experiences. Take a day tour, stay overnight or spend several days at an authentic traditional camp on Kluane Lake. Hear captivating legends, learn about living off the land, walk trapping tails and watch for wildlife and medicinal plants.

Whether you spend a couple hours at a cultural centre or several days at a wilderness camp, exploring the vibrant First Nation cultures on this route is a rich, unforgettable experience.

Big and wild

The impressive Kluane region has a few small communities, a giant landscape and countless wildlife. This magnificent area is home to the continent's highest concentration of grizzlies, and even though there's plenty of room for them to roam, they often choose to ramble near the highway munching on grass and wildflowers. Majestic mountain goats and Dall sheep graze on the steep slopes near Kluane Lake, while more elusive species like wolves, lynx and wolverines quietly go about their business.

The gem of the region, Kluane National Park and Reserve, borders a park in British Columbia and two in Alaska; together they form the world's largest internationally protected area. Wildlife thrives here—along with large and small mammals, over 150 species of birds have been recorded in Kluane.

The Haines and Alaska Highways run alongside the park, and it's not uncommon for travellers to see animals from the road. As you hike, camp or fish in the area, watch for birds and animals as well as their tracks. You can also take to the sky on a spectacular flightseeing tour to spot for caribou, sheep and bears from the air.

Ä́'sía Keyi - Grandfather's Land, Kluane National Park and Reserve video:
www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/yt/kluane/culture

Windows on the Wild offer packages at Dalton Trail Lodge or Tincup Wilderness Lodge as a base to explore Kluane Region. For more information contact 020 8742 1556 or visit www.windowsonthewild.com

Audley Travel offer a 17 day Spectacular Yukon Self-Drive tour that includes Kluane National Park. For more information contact 01993 838 700 or visit www.audleytravel.com