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Skagway · Alaska · United States
Chilkoot Trail Hike, Float & Summit Drive (from Skagway)
Starting From
From $255.53 per person
Current Project Expedition rate
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Project Expedition
The Experience
What your day looks like
Your excursion begins at the dock. After a safety orientation, board a van and drive through Skagway to the backcountry and the historic town of Dyea. Hike the first two miles of the scenic Chilkoot Trail, the centerpiece of gold rush history in Skagway. This world-famous trail was the main route to the riches of the Klondike during the gold rush. Now a tranquil place of incredible beauty, the trail winds through a lush rainforest alive with birds, animals, and wildflowers. Enjoy the exercise, fresh air, beautiful scenery, pristine forests, and history of a bygone era as the trail takes you up and over the 350′ tall Saintly Hill. Along the way, your guide weaves an entertaining mix of natural history and Klondike folklore. Photo opportunities abound as you retrace the footsteps of the gold-hungry stampeders who forged this route over 100 years ago. Arrive at the banks of the Taiya River, where your 18-foot raft awaits for the scenic float (no whitewater)back to Dyea. The forest gives way to fields of beach greens and wild iris, and the granite walls of the fjords rise steeply to the snow-capped peaks and hanging glaciers. Enjoy a riverside snack of homemade cookies and a hot beverage with countless picture-perfect moments before loading up in the van and heading up to the White Pass summit. We’ll drive for about 45 minutes from the take-out to the top of the scenic White Pass. There are many photo opportunities of beautiful alpine lakes, glaciers, towering snow-capped peaks, and pristine forests. After enjoying the spectacular scenery, we’ll return through the U.S. Border station and return to the town of Skagway. *PASSPORTS ARE REQUIRED
At a Glance
The experience, in brief
- Hike 2 miles of the scenic Chilkoot Trail, the centerpiece of gold rush history in Skagway
- The trail winds through a lush rainforest alive with birds, animals, and wildflowers
- Enjoy river rafting in the Taiya River
- Drive for about 45 minutes from the take out to the top of the scenic White Pass
Detailed Itinerary
The journey, in full
(~10 minutes) - Your friendly guide will meet you near the Skagway Small Boat harbor sign and restrooms. Here they will take the opportunity to get to know you and provide answers to any questions that you might have about your upcoming excursion. (~35 minutes) - From the small boat harbor we’ll board a van and head toward Dyea and the Chilkoot Trail. Along the way you’ll enjoy a driving town tour of Skagway and the scenic coastal gravel road to Dyea. (~120 minutes) - Once we arrive in Dyea, your guide will get you outfitted with trekking poles and you’ll have the opportunity to use the restroom before we begin tracing the Gold Rush stampeders’ steps along the first two miles of the Historic Chilkoot Trail. (~10 minutes) - At the end of the hike your guide will get you outfitted with a PFD and rubber boots and provide a safety briefing as we prepare for the scenic float down the Taiya River. (~35 minutes) - Sit back and enjoy as your experienced river guide rows you down the scenic Taiya River. The stable 18’ raft provides a great platform for photography and taking in the sweeping mountain, ocean and rainforest views. (~15 minutes) - Once we reach the riverside raft take-out, you’ll be treated to a homemade cookie and hot cocoa and hot tea and some free time to take in the dramatic landscape with the supplied spotting scope. (~85 minutes) - From the river take-out we’ll begin our drive north up the Klondike Highway to the dramatic summit of the White Pass. There will be many photo opportunities and we’ll stop at the “Welcome to Alaska” sign so that you can get pictures with the sign. (~60 minutes) - When we depart the summit the leisurely drive back to your ship will take about 45-60 minutes as we make a photo stop at Bridal Veil Falls and stop through US Customs.
Your Itinerary
Your day, step by step
Day 1
Skagway
Hiking at Chilkoot Trail.
Continued
Skagway
Boating at Taiya River.
Continued
Skagway
Sightseeing at White Pass.
Before You Go
What to know before booking
Included
Provided Equipment: Trekking poles for hiking Life jackets, ponchos and rubber boots for rafting
Not Included
Gratuities
What to Bring
Hiking boots, rain gear, warm layers *PASSPORTS ARE REQUIRED
Restrictions
The passport required this tour. Medical Restrictions: This is a physical activity and it is the guest’s responsibility to determine if they are physically and mentally able to participate in the activity. Pertinent medical conditions must be disclosed to the guide.
Meeting & Pickup
Your guide will meet you 30 minutes prior to the tour start time to make sure all necessary paperwork is completed. If you are arriving by cruise ship, your guide will meet you at the end of the pier that your ship docks at. Please stay at your cruise ship dock if you are a cruise ship passenger. Your guide will be holding a sign that says with the name of your tour. FOR NON CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS, the meeting location is the Small Boat Harbor sign. 205 Congress Way, Skagway, AK 99840.
Languages Offered
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Planning Notes
Minimum age: 8 Hotel pickup offered: No Confirmation: Automatic
Traveler Impressions
What travelers are saying
2026-07-03
5.00 / 5
The Chilkoot trail was beautiful! The hike was strenuous initially but we had a wonderful guide, Sierra, who assured that we had a great experience and was extremely knowledgeable on all the foliage and fauna. Floating on the Taiya and viewing the landscape from the Summit added positively. If you are looking for an active Skagway excursion, don't miss this one!
2026-07-02
5.00 / 5
Sierra was a great guide and very helpful and knowledgeable . We had a great time!
2026-06-29
5.00 / 5
This an excellent excursion!!! Our guide was terrific in all that she did to keep us comfortable and informed! I loved every part as I kept thinking "this was my favorite part" then we would do the next part then "this is my favorite part", I had a wonderful time!!!
2026-06-26
5.00 / 5
Guide was fun and knowledgeable about local plants, some history of the trail/area. Hike had some challenging parts and flat parts, but the guide made sure to go at a pace that everyone kept up with. It was a very slow pace for us, but right for others. The slow pace was fine as it gave us faster hikers more time to take in the rainforest. The float was incredible scenic and only a .5 rapid in a couple spots. If you’re looking for RAFTING, this isn’t it. White Pass was one of the most spectacular places I’ve been to see mountains and feel small.
2025-06-02
5.00 / 5
The hike, float, and summit drive was the perfect outing for our family of 6. Our guide, Jack, was excellent with our kids ages 9, 10, 12, and 13. He was a lot of fun to spend the day with and cared for our needs.
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