Epic Canada & Alaska Explorer : From City to Wilderness

Day 1 - Fly to Vancouver

Fly to Vancouver and make your own way to your downtown Vancouver hotel, remainder of the evening is at your leisure.

Day 2 - Vancouver City Highlights tour

This morning we have included a popular 3.5 hour Vancouver City Highlights tour. Prepare to experience the unique history and unfolding splendour as you tour through the modern streets of Vancouver. Drive by the most renowned sights and learn how Vancouver became the city it is today. Situated on the edge of the Pacific Ocean and framed by British Columbia's imposing mountains, it's easy to fall in love with this astonishing city. Drive through historic neighbourhoods such as Gastown, Chinatown, scenic English Bay and the picturesque Vancouver Harbour. Stops in Stanley Park feature Indigenous Peoples' Totem Poles, spectacular views of the mountains and the Lions Gate Bridge. Also includes the opportunity to wander through the charming farmer's market at Granville Island. Reminder of the afternoon at your leisure.

Day 3 - Whistler & Shannon Falls tour with Sea to Sky gondola

Full Day tour starts 8.30am. Revel in the natural beauty of Howe Sound as you wind your way along the Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler, with a stop at Shannon Falls and the Sea to Sky Gondola. Feel the mist from the roaring water of Shannon Falls on a short nature walk. Explore the many shops and restaurants of Whistler Village where you will have time to yourself.

Highlights

• Enjoy views of the stunning Sea to Sky Highway

• Meander along the cobblestone paths of Whistler Village with free time to shop, walk forest trails, or visit a world class restaurant

• Visit Shannon Falls, the third-highest waterfall in British Columbia

Day 4 - Victoria Fly n Drive with Whales

Today you have the incredible Victoria Fly n Drive with Whales tour. Embark on an unforgettable West Coast experience that combines flight, sea, and wildlife exploration. Depart Vancouver Harbour by seaplane and soar over the Strait of Georgia before landing near Victoria for a three-hour whale watching adventure through the Juan de Fuca and Haro Straits. Spot orcas, humpback whales, seals, sea lions, and seabirds in their natural habitat, framed by the Olympic Mountains. After a day of discovery, relax on your return to Vancouver by coach and BC Ferries, cruising through scenic Active Pass at sunset.

Highlights: Vancouver Seaplane Flight, Whale Watching, Salish Sea, BC Ferries, Olympic Mountains

Duration: 8 hours with a 35 minute flight.

Inclusions:

* One-way flight between Vancouver Harbour and Victoria

* Return transportation by coach

* BC Ferries transfer

* 3-hour whale watching tour on a zodiac Evening is at your leisure.

Day 5 - Board Holland America Line Cruise

Spend the morning at your leisure before checking out and making your way to the nearby Canada Place to board your Holland America Line Alaska Cruise.

Day 6 - Scenic Cruising of the Inside Passage

Today cruise one of the most scenic sea-lanes in the world - the Inside Passage - where ships can sail close to steep mountain walls, giving magnificent views of the unbelievable scenery from forests to evocative towns.

Day 7 - Ketchikan

Take an adventure and cruise to Ketchikan, Alaska. Alaska's "First City" of Ketchikan is so named because it’s the first major landfall for most cruisers as they enter the picturesque fjords of the Inside Passage, where the town clings to the banks of the Tongass Narrows, flanked by green forests nurtured by abundant rain.

Ketchikan has long been an important hub of the salmon-fishing and -packing industries. Visitors can try their luck on a sportfishing or simply savour the fresh seafood at one of the local restaurants on a cruise to Ketchikan excursion. Ketchikanis also one of the best spots along the Inside Passage to explore the rich cultural sights of Native Alaskan nations like the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian. You can see intricately carved totem poles at the Totem Heritage Centre and Totem Bight State Park, while the attractions of Saxman Village just outside of Ketchikan offers the chance to see Tlingit culture in action, with working carvers and a dance show in the clan house. On an Alaska cruise to Ketchikan don't forget to leave time to explore the sights in the town itself, including historic Creek Street, a boardwalk built over the Ketchikan Creek, where you can shop for souvenirs, smoked salmon and local art, while exploring gold rush­–era tourist attractions like Dolly’s House Museum.

Day 8 - Juneau

Cruise to Juneau, Alaska and visit the most remote, most beautiful and strangest state capital in the United States. Surrounded by water, forest and mountain sights, visitors seeking things to do in Juneau indoors and outdoors can hike a glacier, eat fresh-caught fish on a seaside patio and tour a grand capitol building all in one day.

Juneau is known for its outdoor recreation, fresh seafood and fine dining. The city itself is pleasant, but the real highlight of a visit to Juneau is tracking down some wildlife. You can hike up Mount Roberts to chance upon wild deer and bald eagles. Most sightseeing and whale-watching tours head north to Auke Bay—bring a good pair of binoculars to get the best view of these majestic and surprisingly graceful creatures. If you prefer land mammals, catch a floatplane to a nearby wildlife reserve such as Chichagof or Admiralty Island to spy some bears lolling around on Alaska cruise excursion.

The sleepy, misty city of around 32,000—mostly fishermen and small-business owners—has a frontier town vibe, but welcomes more than a million visitors each summer to its natural attractions, cementing Juneau as Alaska’s number-one tourist destination. Experience this breathtaking city on an Alaska cruise.

Day 9 - Skagway

At the height of the Klondike Gold Rush, the port town of Skagway served as the primary gateway to the legendary gold fields, and quickly grew into Alaska’s largest settlement. It was then a raucous frontier hub packed with trading posts, saloons and guesthouses. As the gold rush faded into the 1900s, so did Skagway — but today it has been reinvigorated as a gateway for a new kind of visitor: those looking to explore Alaska’s colourful history, pristine wildlife and unrivalled natural beauty.

Set sail on an Alaska Cruise and take an adventure in Skagway. At every turn, you’ll find yourself immersed in gold rush lore, from the infamous Red Onion Saloon that still keeps a pistol that Wyatt Earp left behind enroute to the Klondike, to the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad, a classic narrow-gauge railway that traverses rugged mountains and passes cascading waterfalls and towering glaciers as it connects Skagway to Whitehorse deep in the Yukon. Known as the "Garden City of Alaska, Skagway is filled with beauty and nature. Explore the town on a Skagway excursion. Much of the town has been preserved as part of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, where rangers offer free walking tours around the historic district. Take an Alaska Cruise to Skagway and you’ll also find a vibrant local community, home to a rich collection of local galleries, curio shops and restaurants serving seafood plucked fresh from nearby waters.

Day 10 - Cruising Glacier Bay

On your cruise to Glacier Bay, close your eyes and take in the sounds—the creaks and groans of “living” ice, the shrill cries of gulls and soaring eagles, the splash of a breaching humpback whale. Frosted peaks towering over mossy forests, wide tidewater glaciers (there are seven in the park), and marine wildlife are givens on Glacier Bay cruises, but every experience in this changing biosphere is unique.

Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve is best explored on an Alaska Cruise. Our ships are perfectly sized for the optimal experience. Prepare for inclement weather, even in summer and dress for rain. Pack a hat, gloves, wool or fleece layers, a warm coat and waterproof gear to comfortably admire the landscape from the open deck of your ship. There are glaciers, fjords, inlets, rivers, streams and wildlife galore on Glacier Bay cruises, so bring those binoculars.

More About Glacier Bay Cruises With the serene majesty of snow-flecked and forested mountains defining its shores, Glacier Bay National Park offers some of the most dramatic scenery in the world. Keep your binoculars and camera on hand as you cruise Glacier Bay to the mile-wide Margerie Glacier, where you may have a chance to witness ice calving. Wildlife abounds in Glacier Bay, so stay ready—you never know when you will see the fluke of a humpback rise out of the water or spot a lone brown bear wandering a wind-swept beach.

Day 11 - Cruising College Fjord

An Alaska glaciers cruise is the best way to see majestic, centuries-old rivers of ice cascading from the mountains to the sea. Glaciers have shaped many Alaska lakes, rivers and valleys one slow centimeter at a time. They’ve fascinated scientists and inspired artists for a long time. Scenic cruising College Fjord will bring you close to many glaciers—there’s even a spot where you can see eight at once. Your chances of watching ice thunder into the water is high, as the Prince William Sound is one of the most active areas for calving.

Out of all Alaska fjords, College Fjord is the most storied. The Harriman Expedition of 1899 with John Muir and other notable scientists traversed the College Fjord aboard the George W. Elder, funded by Ivy League colleges. All of the glaciers were named for various schools. As you travel into College Fjord, the glaciers on the left are named for women's colleges and those on the right are named for men's colleges. The names are Amherst, Barnard, Bryn Mawr, Harvard, Smith, Vassar, and Yale).

Harvard Glacier is the biggest – its face is a mile and a half across. In case you’re wondering, it is rumored that the scientists snubbed Princeton.

Day 12 - Arrive Whittier, transfer to Denali National Park

Disembark the ship this morning in Whittier, Alaska cruise port is a unique stop on a Holland America Line cruise tour. Home to stunning wildlife and a high concentration of glaciers. Board your coach adventure towards Anchorage with a chance to see Cook Inlet and Turnagain Arm along the way. Few roads in the United States offer such diversity of scenic landscapes and unique natural features all concentrated in one area. After a short stop in Anchorage, continue to Denali National Park Entrance along the George Parks Highway and listen while your driver shares stories of the area. Weather permitting, you can admire the marvellous views of Denali - the tallest mountain in North America.

Day 13 - Denali Excursion

Today you have a Denali excursion. You have a choice of 1 of the 4 excursions below, which you will pick from at the time of booking your holiday.

Option 1. Denali Highway Jeep Excursion | Self-Drive Guided 4x4 Excursion Ranked #2 in Drives of a Lifetime by National Geographic Traveller magazine, experience the natural wonders of Alaska’s Denali Highway — this time by Jeep! This 4-hour guided excursion travels along a 135 mi (217 km) gravel road & takes you off the beaten path in a 4 x 4 to enjoy scenic views of Denali, the Alaska Range, glaciers and wildlife.

Option 2. Tundra Wilderness Tour | Coach Tour This half day tour offers incredible scenery, a narrated history of the park road and opportunities to view the park’s wildlife inhabitants. Picturesque highlights include the craggy cliffside of Cathedral Mountain, wildlife rich Sable Pass and braided wash of the East Fork River in Denali National Park.

Option 3. Upgrade Option: Denali Summit Flightseeing | Small Aircraft Get a closer look at Alaska’s majestic Denali from the comfortable window seat of a small aircraft. Slip on your provided headset to hear commentary from your guide as you fly over the snow-covered peaks, jagged ridgelines, and glacier carved valleys of Denali National Park, and get within half a mile of the mountain peak.

Option 4. Upgrade option: Denali Glacier Landing | Helicopter Be immersed in the vastness of the Denali National Preserve. On your way to the massive Yanert Glacier, your pilot will serve as your guide through this unique glacially-carved environment. Soar over the rolling tundra, keeping an eye out for local residents – caribou, moose, bear, and Dall sheep. Snow capped peaks and glaciers abound on this journey before you set down on a river of ice.

Day 14 - Denali to Talkeetna via Alaska Rail Road

This morning is open for optional activities such as: whitewater rafting down the Nenana River, helicopter flightseeing over the park, landing on a glacier, or hiking. At midday, board the Alaska Railroad and travel by Goldstar Railcar to Talkeetna, best known as base camp for climbers attempting Mount Denali. The evening is at your leisure. Talkeetna is a small but unique gold mining community, famous for its special charm and for its stunning views of Mount Denali. (Lunch is included onboard the train today)

Day 15 - Talkeetna to Anchorage via Alaska Rail Road

Most of the day is at leisure to take a stroll down the main street for river views, local brews and great eats.

While your trip includes a variety of carefully selected excursions, you might want to explore additional options to really make the most of your free time. Consider the following list of optional excursions that are available for purchase to further enhance your stay.

Option 1. Wilderness Excursion Jetboat Tour Embark on a narrated river cruise into Alaska’s wilderness, with views of Denali. Travel 20 miles as a naturalist shares insights on local history, wildlife, and Denali. Explore a Dena’ina Indian encampment and a historic trapper’s cabin, learn about trapping, and discover edible plants used by Native communities.

Option 2. Denali Flightseeing Experience This flightseeing tour brings you within 6 miles of Denali’s north (19,470ft.) and south (20,320 ft.) summits. Explore rugged peaks, glacier-filled valleys, and Denali’s south and east faces. View the dramatic rise from 2,000 ft. to over 20,320 ft., the Ruth Glacier, Sheldon Amphitheatre, Great Gorge, and stunning blue meltwater pools.

Option 3. Denali Flightseeing with Glacier Landing Fly within 6 miles of Denali’s north summit (19,470 ft) and south summit (20,320 ft), showcasing a landscape of rugged peaks, snow-capped mountains, and glacier-filled valleys. Explore the south and east faces of Denali, witnessing its dramatic rise from 2,000 ft to over 20,320 ft.

Highlights include the flowing Ruth Glacier, Sheldon Amphitheatre, Great Gorge with mile-high granite walls, and striking blue meltwater pools.

Late afternoon, board the Denali Star train and continue your rail journey to Anchorage. Enjoy the evening scenery as you travel south to Anchorage where your incredible Alaska land adventure comes to an end. (Dinner is included onboard the train today)

Day 16 - Anchorage excursion

Today you can personalize your day by choosing one of these excursions, advise at the time of booking the holiday which excursion you would like to do :

Option 1. Turnagain Arm Wildlife Tour with Alyeska Tram

This full day tour from Anchorage includes an aerial tram ride up Mt. Alyeska, fresh lunch in Girdwood and tour of the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center home to moose, brown and black bears, wolves, bald eagles, musk oxen, and reindeer, giving guests an opportunity to view each species up close.

Option 2. Hatcher Pass Hike and History Tour

This half-day afternoon excursion from Anchorage includes a local guide, a tour at Independence Mine State Historical Park, gold panning and an interpretive hike along the Mill Loop Trail (an easy .9-mile train with 177-feet of elevation gain). Travel along the Knik Arm, ascend into the Talkeetna Mountains and witness the breathtaking alpine area known as Hatcher Pass.

Option 3. Anchorage Flightseeing Safari

View Alaska’s largest city from above! On this 30-minute introductory flight, you’ll launch from Lake Hood and fly to some of the most scenic sites in the area. Options include the stunning backdrop of Anchorage, the Chugach Mountain Range, Turnagain Arm or the Cook Inlet – all with great opportunities to spot wildlife from the air. Please note that wheeled planes may be used early and late season.

Option 4. Sunset Photo Safari

Chase the best light of the day, which during summer in Alaska can last for several glorious hours before sunset. You’ll be transported to scenic locations around Anchorage and Chugach State Park to shoot a variety of enchanting subjects. The itinerary is flexible and allows for spontaneous stops to photograph wildlife en route. Along the way, you’ll be offered creative and technical support from your Alaska Photo Treks guide.

Option 5. Anchorage Scenic City Tour

Embark on a historical tour starting in downtown Anchorage, where you’ll explore the origins of the city at Ship Creek. Witness Chinook salmon in the world’s only urban King salmon fishery. Discover Dena’ina heritage, visit Earthquake Park, and experience the world’s busiest seaplane base at Lake Hood. Conclude with panoramic views from Anchorage’s Hillside, where wildlife sightings, including moose and eagles, are possible.

Option 6. Anchorage Walking Tour - Downtown Food & History

Stroll downtown Anchorage on a three-hour guided food and history adventure. Sample regional specialties—fresh seafood, gourmet reindeer sausage, handmade desserts—while hearing fascinating tales of Alaska’s past from engaging local guides. Perfect for foodies and culture lovers alike.

Option 7. Upgrade Option: Alaska Bear Viewing Tour

Enjoy a half day guided tour with an opportunity to see Alaska’s black and brown bears in their natural habitat. Depending on the time of year and where the bears are foraging for food, you will fly southwest of Anchorage by float plane to either Lake Clark National Park, Redoubt Bay or Chinitna Bay. Here you can view Alaskan resident brown bears up close.

Option 8. Upgrade Option: Fly-in Guided Fishing Excursion

Experience some of the world’s best salmon and trout fishing in Alaska’s back country, only 35 minutes away from Anchorage by seaplane. The entire day is a not to be missed fishing & wilderness adventure. Fishing trips cater to both the experienced and novice fisherman.

Option 9. Upgrade Option: Helicopter & Glacier Dogsled Excursion

Start this adventure with a spectacular helicopter ride over glaciers and icebergs. We often see moose, black bears, Dall sheep, and mountain goats. Land on a huge snowfield high on a glacier and enjoy a whole hour with Alaskan sled dogs and their mushers. Take the dog team for an exhilarating dogsled ride through real snow.

Option 10. Upgrade Option: Proenneke’s Cabin & Lake Clark Tour

Enjoy a scenic floatplane journey from Anchorage to remote Lake Clark National Park. Land on Twin Lakes and explore the hand-built log cabin of Dick Proenneke, a legendary naturalist who lived alone in the Alaskan wilderness for nearly 30 years. Spot wildlife like beluga whales and moose from the air en route.

Day 17 - Fly from Anchorage

Depart your hotel for Anchorage Airport for your onward flight home.