We had an amazing time on the DIY Yukon Tour! The Avis rental area was conveniently located just a 5 to 10-minute walk from our cruise ship. The check-in process was seamless, and we were provided with an iPad that synced with the car's Bluetooth, using GPS waypoints to give us a semi-guided tour of the Yukon.
The iPad offered about 15 to 20 waypoints with useful information, including some beautiful waterfalls we could hike to. We found this to be far more enjoyable than the train or guided tour buses as it allowed us to stop at various points, take pictures, and enjoy the sights at our own pace. One of the highlights was reaching Emerald Lake, the most beautiful spot in the Yukon, which is not accessible via the train.
Driving all the way to Emerald Lake, which takes about an hour and a half, and then backtracking is recommended if the weather is good. This way, you can avoid the crowds from tour buses and vans that tend to gather at Carcross and other popular stops throughout the day.
One thing to note is that you do need to fill the Jeep up with gas at the end, which was about six dollars a gallon, and the Jeep is not very fuel-efficient. However, this was a minor inconvenience compared to the overall fantastic experience.
This was a great excursion, and we would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to explore the Yukon at their own pace!