Synopsis: – In this epic adventure, a team of explorers attempt to strike gold in Canada’s frozen north. Taking the same trail as original Gold Rush prospectors, they embark on a journey of genuine danger and thrilling beauty. The team must cross a treacherous mountain pass, navigate vast, icy lakes, and brave the rapids of the mighty Yukon River in a basic wooden boat. Isolated and exposed to the elements, they face an authentically dangerous ordeal. Can they endure the weeks of agony that lie between them and the Klondike Gold Fields?

Episode Highlights

Episode 1 – Monday, 13 April 2026

(Mountain Passes)

In an epic adventure, historian Dan Snow follows in the footsteps of the 19th century’s last great gold rush. A journey filled with genuine danger and thrilling beauty. Leading a one-month expedition he’s joined by polar explorer Felicity Aston and remote environment medic Dr Kevin Fong. Their goal – to strike gold in Canada’s frozen wilderness. They’ll attempt to retrace a grueling 600-mile journey through one of the world’s last great wildernesses. It’ll take them from the coast of Alaska to the gold fields of the Klondike, a remote region on the edge of the Canadian arctic. A journey first undertaken by tens of thousands of gold seekers; men and women from around the globe who in the last years of the 19th century dropped everything and set off for the Klondike in the hope of striking it rich.

Episode 2 – Tuesday, 14 April 2026

(Lakes and Rivers)

Historian Dan Snow continues his epic adventure following in the footsteps of the 19th century’s last great gold rush. A journey filled with genuine danger and thrilling beauty. Leading a one-month expedition he’s joined by polar explorer Felicity Aston and remote environment medic Dr Kevin Fong. Their goal – to strike gold in Canada’s frozen wilderness. So far, the team has travelled just thirty of the nearly six-hundred-mile journey to the gold fields. Having made their way across the Alaskan Coastal Mountains they now face a very different challenge: the treacherous Canadian Lakes and rivers. In tonight’s episode Dan and the team begin a marathon boat trip. to navigate it across hundreds of miles of water.

Episode 3 – Wednesday, 14 April 2026

(Digging for Gold)

Historian Dan Snow concludes his epic adventure following in the footsteps of the 19th century’s last great gold rush. A journey filled with genuine danger and thrilling beauty. Leading a one-month expedition he’s joined by polar explorer Felicity Aston and remote environment medic Dr Kevin Fong. Their goal – to strike gold in Canada’s frozen wilderness. The team have just a few dozen miles left to cover their nearly six-hundred-mile journey to the gold fields. Following in the footsteps of their 19th century forerunners they have crossed snowy mountains; run terrifying rapids and navigated hundreds of miles of water in a replica historical boat. In this episode they finally arrive at Dawson City, gateway to Klondike gold. Guided by historical accounts the team set up a 19th century style mining camp in the heart of the gold fields.

Catch Operations Gold Rush Monday to Wednesday at 21:30 on S3 and SABC Plus.

For media enquiries

Caroline Phalakatshela

Publicity Specialist – Video Entertainment

072 382 2032/ phalakatshelamc@sabc.co.za