ABOUT US
Chilkoot Charters & Tours
Chilkoot Charters & Tours is locally owned and operated by…
…life long Alaskan resident, Stacy Gould. Stacy has lived in Alaska nearly 40 years. She graduated high school in SE Alaska and graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. She raised her children in Haines and eventually in Juneau. The company was originally launched in June 1993 by parents, Capt. Larry and Kathy Pierce. Since its inception it has grown from a single charter fishing vessel operation to a full service well-regarded company offering rail and land tours from twelve tour vehicles. Our company’s success is in large part due to our outstanding tour guides/drivers who make it their mission to provide the most memorable tours possible.
Currently we offer a number of combination tours that are joint ventures with other well-respected tour providers in our local area such as White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad, Caribou Crossing Trading Post and Yukon Suspension Bridge. We feel very privileged to have gained the confidence and support of such distinguished local companies.
All excursions offered by Chilkoot Charters & Tours are operated and managed by our company. We only operate tours in Skagway so as to focus on what we do best in our area. We do not act as a broker for other tour companies and can therefore guarantee without hesitation the quality of our own excursions at the most affordable prices.
Chilkoot Charters & Tours is a full service company! Our passengers also enjoy the convenience of courtesy transportation to and from all cruise ship docks in Skagway. All components of our tours and ground transportation have been prearranged for you so there is no waiting in line to purchase tickets once you arrive in Skagway. Just meet us at the dock and we are ready to begin your Skagway adventure!
frequently asked question
What is the most appropriate clothing to wear?
The best recommendation is to dress in layered clothing. That way you can peel off a layer if the weather is warmer.
What is the difference between the four bus and rail combination tours?
- We currently have 4 combination bus and rail excursions:
- 1.) White Pass Summit Rail & Bus Excursion (3.75 hours): Train portion is 1.75 hours and the bus portion is approximately 1.5 hours including stops. Lunch is not included. This tour travels between Skagway, Alaska and Fraser, British Columbia (50 miles round trip).
- 2.) White Pass Summit Rail & Yukon Suspension Bridge (4.75 hrs): Train portion is 1.75 hours, bus portion is approximately 1.75 hours including stops, stop at Yukon Suspension Bridge is .75 hours. Lunch is not included. This tour travels between Skagway, Alaska and the Yukon Suspension Bridge (60 miles round trip).
- 3.) Yukon Rail & Bus Excursion with or without the dogcart ride (7.5 hours): Train portion is 1.75 hours and the bus portion is approximately 4.25 hours including stops. Lunch is included as well as free admission to the Husky Puppy Camp and the Yukon Wildlife Museum at Caribou Crossing Trading Post. This tour travels between Skagway, Alaska and Emerald Lake, Yukon Territory (156 miles round trip).
- 4.) Bennett Scenic Journey (8 hours): Train portion is 4.25 hours and the bus portion is approximately 2.5 hours including stops. Lunch is included on board the train between Bennett and Carcross. We do not go to Caribou Crossing Trading Post where the husky puppies and museums are located on this excursion. This tour travels between Skagway, Alaska and Emerald Lake, Yukon Territory (156 miles round trip). This tour is the only excursion that covers the full area of Bennett Lake.
Do you pick passengers up at the pier?
All tour departures start from each and every cruise ship dock in Skagway. We also drop our guests back at the pier at the conclusion of the tour. We do not pick up or drop off in Haines for any of our tours.
How do we find you?
Vehicles and drivers are present at every cruise ship dock in Skagway. All vehicles are clearly marked with our business name “Chilkoot Charters & Tours” on each side of the vehicle. Additionally, our guides are also located at each dock and will be carrying a sign with our business name. All reservation confirmations contain our business phone number as well in case you need to contact us.
Where do we meet?
There are three cruise ship docks in Skagway (Railroad Dock, Broadway Dock and Ore Dock). Two of the docks (Railroad Dock and the Broadway Dock) have only one point of entry. Passengers merely have to walk to the end of the pier and we will be right there with our signage to meet you. The Ore Dock has two points of entry. Passengers from the Ore Dock need only to walk across the foot bridge right beside the cruise ship and meet at the red weather shelter just beyond the foot bridge. We do not pick up in Haines for any of our tours.
How will we recognize you?
Vehicles and drivers are present at every cruise ship dock in Skagway prior to your scheduled tour departure time. All vehicles are clearly marked with our business name “Chilkoot Charters & Tours” on each side of the vehicle. Additionally, our guides are also located at each dock and will be carrying a sign with our business name. Our reservation confirmations contain our business phone number as well in case you need to contact us.
What type of identification do we need?
Since our excursions enter Canada, all passengers must carry a passport and any other supporting documents if traveling from another country in which Canada requires it. Photocopies and/or phone pics are not acceptable. There are no refunds for failure to have a passport in your possession at the tour departure time.
What is the lunch menu?
Lunch is provided for our 6.5 hr, 7.5 hr and 8 hr tours only. The lunch menu for our Yukon Rail & Bus Excursion and the Yukon Klondike Adventure is as follows: BBQ chicken, baked potato, coleslaw, homemade roll, coffee or tea, all-you-can-eat cake donuts. There is a vegetarian Dahl soup option also.
The lunch menu for our Bennett Scenic Journey is as follows: Hearty turkey sandwich, macaroni salad, chips, dessert, coffee or tea. Veggie sandwich is also an option in place of turkey.
What type of tour vehicles do you use?
We specialize in smaller groups for more personalized attention, better tour quality and more flexibility. Our buses are 25 passenger in capacity. We have the newest bus fleet in all of Skagway and all vehicles are expertly maintained, meticulously cleaned and fully licensed and insured for Alaska and Canada travel. Vehicles also have full view windows, air conditioning and comfortable seating. A picture of one of our buses can be viewed on our home page.
How long is the train ride?
The total time on the train for each excursion: 1 3/4 hours – White Pass Summit Rail & Bus Excursion, 1 3/4 hours – Yukon Rail & Bus Excursion (with or without the dogcart experience), 4 hours – Bennett Scenic Journey The balance of the tour times are conducted in our comfortable air conditioned tour vehicles. This remainder of time includes stops on the highway portion of this tour.
When do we pay for the tour?
Payment is processed at the time the reservation is made for all shore excursions.
What is the cancellation/refund policy?
A 5% cancellation fee will be charged for all cancellations of confirmed reservations. The entire amount of the tour price is forfeited if cancellation is made within 48 hours prior to the scheduled tour departure date. A full refund is only provided in cases where your cruise ship does not arrive in port or arrives too late to accommodate you on your scheduled departure time.
Will we see wildlife?
The Yukon excursions (both the Yukon Rail & Bus and the Yukon Adventure by Bus only excursions) as well as the Bennett Scenic Journey offer the best opportunity for wildlife sightings.
What happens if our ship is late arriving in Skagway?
In most cases, if your ship is late arriving in Skagway chances are that we will know it before you will. We have a local port agent and our CVB that keeps local businesses apprised of any deviations in the cruise ship schedules. We will still be there to meet you when you arrive to discuss options and alternatives so by all means make contact with us at the dock to avoid forfeiting payment. If the ship arrives too late to accommodate you on your tour we will refund you in full.
What if we don’t make it back in time to re-board our cruise ship?
Cruise ships have an all-aboard call 30 minutes prior to the ship’s departure from Skagway. We not only can assure you that you will make your ship’s departure, we also guarantee passage to your next port of call if we are responsible for making you miss your ship. In all of our years of business we have never missed a ship!
Where do you drop us off at the conclusion of the tour?
Passengers returning from one of our excursions can be dropped off on Broadway in Skagway or at their cruise ship at the conclusion of their tour.
Do you have wheelchair accessible tours?
Our vehicles are NOT wheelchair accessible and we are not able to accommodate motorized or electric scooters of ANY kind. However, for passengers who have small, collapsible walkers we are happy to assist in boarding and storing them on our bus if we have room and they do not exceed these measurements: 30″L x 10″W x 30″H (including wheels). If we do not have room, the walker may have to be left behind with a company representative and delivered to the guest at the conclusion of the tour.
How soon should I make a reservation?
As soon as you have confirmed your cruise ship itinerary, we recommend making your excursion reservations as our tours sell out quickly.
Why should I book with Chilkoot Charters & Tours?
Chilkoot Charters & Tours is locally owned and operated by Alaskan residents. Our tours provide a small group atmosphere in smaller tour vehicles. Currently we are offering a number of combination tours that are joint ventures with other well-respected tour providers in our local area such as White Pass & Yukon Railroad and Caribou Crossing Trading Post. We feel very privileged to have gained the confidence and support of such distinguished local companies. All excursions offered by Chilkoot Charters & Tours are operated and managed by our company. We do not act as a broker for other tours and can therefore guarantee without hesitation the quality of our own excursions. Chilkoot Charters & Tours is a full service company! Our passengers also enjoy the convenience of courtesy transportation to and from all cruise ship docks in Skagway. Lunch accommodations, train tickets and ground transportation have been prearranged for you so there is no waiting in line to purchase anything once you arrive in Skagway. Just meet us at the dock and we are ready to begin your Skagway adventure!
Do you have a child’s rate?
All of our excursions have a child’s rate. The child’s rate applies to children 12 years of age and younger.
Do you go to Emerald Lake?
The following tours include the Emerald Lake stop: Bennett Scenic Journey, Yukon Rail & Bus Excursion, Yukon Klondike Adventure if time permits.
Do we have time to make the 7:30AM departure time?
There is ample time to disembark your cruise ship and make your way to the end of the pier. Cruise ships arrive in port approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours before their scheduled arrival time. Our local longshoremen spend about 45 minutes tying the ships up to the dock and setting the gangway in place so cruise passengers can disembark promptly at 7:00AM. We pick our passengers up right at the end of the cruise ship dock so it only takes just a few minutes to meet with us.
Can we bring a wheelchair, walker or baby stroller?
We are not able to accommodate wheel chairs or motorized/electric scooters of any size. We can accommodate small, collapsible walkers that do not exceed these measurements when folded up: 30″L x 10″W x 30″H (including wheels). We can only accept “umbrella” style baby strollers that do not exceed these measurements when folded up: 45″L x 10″W x 10″H (including wheels). If we do not have room on our bus these items will have to be left behind with a company representative and delivered to the guest at the conclusion of the tour.
What are the meeting instructions?
All guests will receive an emailed confirmation containing the following meeting instructions:
MEETING INSTRUCTIONS:
You will be met at the end of your cruise ship dock by a representative of Chilkoot Charters & Tours. ALL GUESTS MUST ARRIVE 15 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE TOUR DEPARTURE TIME. Please wait for your tour guide to arrive as they may be picking up at another location. Due to the nature of our tours we must depart on time at the stated departure time.
IF YOUR SHIP IS AT THE RAILROAD DOCK AND “IS NOT” TENDERING – Board a “ship shuttle” at the end of the ship’s gangway which will transport you to the end of the pier. Once off the “ship shuttle” look for a representative holding a sign that reads, “CHILKOOT CHARTERS & TOURS.”
IF YOUR SHIP IS AT THE RAILROAD DOCK AND “IS” TENDERING – After your tender docks at the Skagway Small Boat Harbor, go to the top of the boat harbor ramp under the “Skagway Small Boat Harbor” sign near the public restrooms. Look for a representative holding a sign that reads, “CHILKOOT CHARTERS & TOURS.”
IF YOUR SHIP IS AT THE BROADWAY DOCK – Walk to the end of the pier and go to the waiting area located in front of your ship. Look for a representative holding a sign that reads, “CHILKOOT CHARTERS & TOURS.”
IF YOUR SHIP IS AT THE ORE DOCK – Walk to the red weather shelter which is located directly across the footbridge in the parking lot right next to your cruise ship. Wait here for your driver/guide who will be carrying a sign that reads, “CHILKOOT CHARTERS & TOURS.”
If staying at a lodge/hotel you will be met at the front entrance 15-20 minutes prior to the tour departure time. Only guests staying in the local Skagway city area will be picked up/dropped off at their lodge/hotel.
Your driver/guide may need to pick up at another dock prior to arriving at your location. Please stay at the meeting location so that your guide can find you. If your tour includes a train portion, DO NOT attempt to board the train at the dock as its destination is different than yours and DO NOT proceed to the train station. Wait for your guide at the designated area only.
If traveling with minor children and the other parent is not traveling with you, or if you are not the parent or legal guardian, you must bring a “letter of consent” or other supporting documentation to provide authorization for you to take the child(ren) on the tour into Canada.
Are there restroom stops?
It is true that the restroom facilities (plumbed or outhouse style) are few and far between on the longer Yukon tours. There are 3 outhouses along the highway portion that the drivers can stop at if requested. They are not the most ideal situation, but will work if needed. There are also plumbed restroom facilities at Fraser, Carcross and Caribou Crossing Trading Post. Some restroom stops can be 1-1.5 hours in between stops. Please let your driver/guide know if a restroom stop is required and they can stop at the next available area.
Can I take your longer tour if I am on a ship that departs at 4:00PM or 4:30PM?
Our 7:30AM Bennett Scenic Journey can only be offered to guests on ships that depart at 4:30PM or later. Our 9:30AM departure for our Bennett Scenic Journey can only be offered to guests on ships that depart Skagway at 6:30PM or later.
Our 7:30AM Yukon Rail & Bus Excursion can only be offered to guests on ships that depart at 4:00PM or later. Our 9:30AM departure for our Yukon Rail & Bus Excursion can only be offered to guests on ships that depart at 6:00PM or later.
Our 9:30AM Yukon Klondike Adventure can only be offered to guests on ships that depart at 5:00PM or later.
Can I take your 12:30PM or 1:00PM tour if I am on a ship that departs Skagway at 4:00PM, 4:30PM or 5:00PM?
Our 12:30PM White Pass Summit Rail & Bus Excursion can only be offered to guests on ships that depart at 5:00PM or later.
Our 1:00PM White Pass Summit Rail & Yukon Suspension Bridge can only be offered to guests on ships that depart at 6:30PM or later.
Do you offer dogcart rides?
Yes, dogcart rides can be purchased separately upon arrival at the lunch facility on the Yukon Rail & Bus Excursion as well as the Yukon Klondike Adventure.
Do you offer any type of discounts?
At this time, we do not have any discounts available.