Don't go through the cruise lines as they really gouge you, we heard that from everyone! We went up last year and booked our tours in Skagway through Southeast Tours. we did a lot of research before booking. Southeast for Skagway anyways was rated as the best. We went on their Yukon Horseback, there was a group of six of us...
The vans picked up up at dock side and drove up into the Yukon Territory...I can't tell you how beautiful it was. The drive up through the Whitepass was magnificant, our driver was very well informed and gave up the lowdown on the Klondike history. We also say bears on the side of the road and were able to stop and watch them, we had other picture stops along the way as well.
The tour in was about 1.3 hours to a really cool wilderness ranch where our horseback guide took over. I have riden a lot, but my friends hadn't , the horses were great and we all agreed that none of us had seen so much beauty in all our lives!
EMERALD LAKE is soooo beautiful, we saw it from the road when we drove in but our trail ride took us on the mountains and hills right behind the lake for a truely breathtaking view. We stopped to glass wildlife once we got back into the hills and saw wild sheep on the mountain sides which was a thrill to look at through the spotting scope the guide had. The horses were so well behaved and gentle, they were also very fat and not what I had seen at other ranched I had been at.
Back at the ranch after the ride we all relaxed and visited at the cookhouse for great cake coffee. The guide Jonni was born in the territory and was really wonderful. We all agreed we lucked out, I think we only paid about 150. each and had a 5.5 hour tour which was really great. We were well taken care of and would highly recommend to anyone...
Hope this helps...
