Yukon & Alaska

Today, we drive to Denali on the Alaska Highway, stopping along the way at Rika’s Roadhouse, Santa Claus House in the North Pole and the Fairbanks Visitor Centre. We venture down the Parks Highway to Denali and enjoy dinner in a unique, family-owned dining room. Our hotel provides us with Alaskan-style accommodation at the edge of Denali.

This morning, we rise early to get into Denali National Park before the heat of the afternoon keeps the critters in hiding. Our ride takes us to the gates of the park where we board a school bus with a local guide who takes us on a narrated Journey into the heart of the park. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for local wildlife like grizzly bears, wolves, foxes, eagles, caribou and of course, willow ptarmigan. Enjoy lunch on the tour, and tonight, join the local drama group for the entertaining dinner show!

We board the Alaska Railroad for a scenic Journey to Anchorage. Take in the spectacular views from the dome car in our GoldStar coach. The charm and scenic appeal of this great and vast land are amplified through panoramic windows and underscored by historical narratives of lifelong Alaskan conductors and tour guides. We end the day with a brief tour of Anchorage.

Alaska Railroad GoldStar Dome Car – Why do we prefer the Alaska Railroad cars?
Native Alaskans give a tour like only natives can. The observation area on the Alaska Railroad is on the top of the car, not in the middle, so your views are uninterrupted. Also, the Alaska Railroad Dome Car rides right behind the engine ensuring you have the best all-around views available on the entire train.

A spectacular drive along Turnagain Arm brings us to the quiet town of Girdwood. A stop at Portage Glacier enables a visit to the Begich Boggs Visitor Centre and time for lunch. The drive to Seward provides wondrous views of the mountain ranges as we cross the Turnagain Pass and move steadily towards the sea to board our ship in Seward. All meals will be served onboard unless otherwise indicated.

Today, we cruise past the massive Malaspina Glacier into Yakutat Bay and finally, Disenchantment Bay to view the spectacular Hubbard Glacier. Mount St. Elias, guardian of the Wrangell St. Elias National Park and Preserve, looms majestically overhead. This is one of the most dramatic glacier viewing opportunities you may ever have and affords us with an incredible, up-close view of a glacier 90 metres high and nine kilometres wide.

Juneau, capital city of Alaska, is snuggled between the Gastineau Channel and the green ‘city wall’ of Mount Juneau. This morning, we board our floatplane for a true Alaskan adventure and fly over mountains, rivers, glaciers, and lakes as we explore coastal Alaska from above on our included shore excursion. Free time this afternoon gives you a chance to explore at your leisure.

Included Shore Excursion – Glacier Flightseeing and Taku Lodge via Floatplane
Climb into a seaplane and skid across the water before lifting off into the skies above Juneau. Every guest enjoys a window seat as you fly over five of Alaska’s most spectacular glaciers. Soar above the wilderness where you might spot black bears and other wildlife. Your flight concludes with an exhilarating water landing at Taku Glacier Lodge, where we dine to majestic glacial views. Toast a truly exhilarating Alaskan excursion before enjoying the return flight back to the ship. Approximately 3 1⁄2 hours.

Skagway was the gateway to the goldfields in 1897 for the prospectors from all over the world. Board the famous White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad for our dramatic and exceptionally beautiful ride to the summit. We arrive in British Columbia and board our coach for a beautiful ride back to Skagway. Many waterfalls and dramatic mountain views await as we make our way to Skagway. Once we arrive, enjoy a tour of the town made famous by the prospectors of the late 1800s and by characters of fame like Soapy Smith and Frank Reid.

Included Shore Excursion – White Pass Railway & Historic Town Highlights
Your journey begins as you board an 1890s-style parlour car and retrace the original route up to the Yukon’s White Pass Summit. This iron trail was built over 100 years ago through some of the North’s most rugged terrain. Upon arriving in Fraser, British Columbia, board a motorcoach for a tour back to Skagway. See the historical areas of Brackett Wagon Road, Pitch Fork Falls, Dead Horse Gulch, and the infamous Tormented Valley. Once back in Skagway, you will have a guided tour of the town’s historic downtown area filled with wooden boardwalks and false fronted buildings.
Approximately 4 1⁄2 hours.

Located on Chichagof Island, just outside the small village of Hoonah, this remote destination preserves and highlights the character and culture of local Alaskan Natives as well as the surrounding wilderness and wildlife.

Included Shore Excursion – Marine Wildlife & Whale Watching Cruise
Board a sightseeing vessel and ply the cool, deep waters of Icy Strait to the Point Adolphus area, one of Alaska’s premier whale-watching sights. Your onboard naturalist will describe the diversity of marine life that accumulates here every summer to indulge in the nutrient-rich waters, fuelled by the long Alaska summer days. Learn about the behaviour and habitat of the wildlife you may encounter which include humpback and orca (killer) whales, Stellar sea lions, harbour seals, bald eagles, and more. Approximately 2 1⁄2 hours.

Surrounded by a snowy mountain range, cascading waterfalls, and full of rich wildlife, Ketchikan sits on the entrance to the famed Inside passage. Renowned for being Alaska’s first city, Ketchikan has a beautiful display of Native American totem poles and a rich Alaska Native culture.

Included Shore Excursion – Alaskan Wildlife Eco Tour
We set out to discover the incredible wildlife that lies within Herring Cove. An exclusive reserve in the forested mountains, Herring Cove is home to eagles, black bears, and seals who circle around the salmon-filled streams.  Expertly guided along the bay, we follow Eagle Creek to a wooden boardwalk overlooking lush wetlands in the hopes of spotting deer, mink, marten and wolves. Approximately 3 hours.

Rise early and enjoy the view as the ship passes under the Lion’s Gate Bridge to enter the First Narrows into Vancouver. Enjoy a tour of one of the world’s favourite cities as we explore Gastown, Stanley Park and Queen Elizabeth Park. We then bid farewell to our new friends and make our way to the airport for our flight home. Guests arriving at the Toronto airport are greeted and assisted to their private car home.