Set sail from Vancouver, exploring Alaska's rugged beauty from Wrangell to Skagway. Marvel at glaciers in Tracy Arm Fjord, experience Misty Fjords' serenity, and journey through Ketchikan, wrapping up with Victoria's charm. A glacial wonderland voyage awaits.
Soul. Stirring. You sail into the mystic, exploring the full breadth of the Inside Passage; an immersive experience that is sculpted by a filigree of fjords, rivers of jagged ice, and forested islands scattered like jigsaw pieces across cobalt bays.
Mendenhall Glacier, Misty Fjord, Tracy Arm Fjord — ephemeral hallmarks that burn in your conscience as part of your life’s story. In symphony of serendipitous light, Ketchikan appears on the horizon like a vision. Hike, bike, paddle, trek wildlife, or board a seaplane to soar across the Tongass National Forest. Breathe in the rarefied air of snow-capped mountains of Juneau where the magnificent Mendenhall Glacier is cradled. Deeper into winding narrows, sea otters and dolphin escort us into Sitka, where Alaska Native and Russian history still reign.
Rise early for the stunning journey into the Lynn Canal where the mountains are higher, the vistas more dramatic, and the glaciers impossibly gigantic. Your reward is found in Skagway, where pioneers once rushed for gold in in the mountain passes of Yukon and Klondike. Hop a narrow-gauge train or helicopter to find moonscapes above the alpine tree line. Anticipation builds in Icy Strait Point but nothing can prepare you for plying both Misty Fjord and Tracy Arm Fjord. Each a dizzying display of energy: waterfalls plummet in a thunderous roar; granite cliffs thrust skyward more than 3,000 feet; icebergs towering overhead; and sea life lunges, breaches and twirls At Sea level. Boundless views focus your attention more deeply on the beauty as you venture to Victoria then cross the island-dotted bay that culminates our journey in the capital of creativity, Vancouver.
Surrounded by mountains, vibrant Vancouver is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and cosmopolitan adventurers alike. Meandering oceanside pathways surround eclectic neighbourhoods – Stanley Park, the West End, Gastown, Yaletown, Chinatown. A major global city, it is renowned for its cultural diversity and thriving art, theatre, music and food scenes. Its perfectly picturesque setting makes it popular filming location – with old-growth cedar forests, mountains covering 75% and two-thirds of Canada's bird species and land mammals. A big, bustling city perched on the edge of wilderness.
Day 3Wrangell, Alaska
Day 4Juneau, Alaska
Urban and wild, the juxtaposition of Juneau is both homeland to the Dena’ina Athabascan peoples and Alaska’s modern capital. Here, rivers become runways for floatplanes to access the bears of Admiralty Island or the five glaciers of the Juneau icefield (tip: don sunglasses and step softly across a white ice wonders). Board boats seeking whales in Auke Bay with or scout hotspots for halibut and salmon. Lichen draped trees, flying squirrels, fox, deer and truffles; its rich rainforest creates a micro-climate that sustains stunning botanical gardens. Juneau has it all.
Day 5Sitka, Alaska
Lace up your hiking shoes for Sitka won't let you down. A true wilderness of volcanoes, mountain forests, islands and glaciers. Fishing is famous; whale and wildlife sightings epic; stories of battles between Russian fur traders and Tlingit are legendary. Thrills that go beyond: flight-seeing Mount Edgecumbe; kayak Sitka Sound; hike former WWII installations; step inside the Fortress of Bears; and find peace in the blue-domed St. Michael’s Cathedral.
Day 6Skagway, Alaska
Rush into Skagway to discover the great Yukon and Klondike goldfields; strike it rich with adventure in this tiny frontier town that sits at the base of the great Coastal Mountains. Hike the Chilkoot Trail; bike a coastal rainforest along the Taiya River; ride the rails on a real gold-rush era, nar¬row-gauge railroad into the heart of the White Pass and Yukon. Bald eagles, brown bears, and an astonishing history that includes Wyatt Earp.
Day 7Cruising Tracy Arm Fjord
Day 8Ketchikan, Alaska
Kichx̱áan, as the First People named her, fuses the largest collection of authentic totem poles with outrageous outdoor adventures. Cast for salmon and cook your catch at a wilderness campsite; cycle rainforests; paddle in calm waters to meet the locals: harbour seals, humpback whales, and bald eagles. Scout remote coves to witness bears, orcas and to smell, touch, and truly feel the beauty of the forest.
Day 8Cruising Misty Fjords
Day 10Victoria, British Columbia
On the rugged southern edge of Vancouver Island, Victoria, bustling capital of British Columbia, dynamically harmonizes with the magnificent Olympic Mountains. Victoria’s history dates to pre-colonial time when native peoples inhabited the area. In 1849, Vancouver Island became a British crown colony, widely evident in Victorian architecture, including the majestic Craigdarroch Castle. Indigenous Peoples’ legacies live on in festivals, ceremonies, dances, and art. Along the rugged Pacific coastline, lush rainforests, gardens, lakes, waterfalls, and charming fishing villages. Majestic mammals and marine wildlife abound in its waters, including four species of whales. Vibrant and verdant, you too will blossom in its perfect climate.
Day 11Vancouver, British Columbia
Surrounded by mountains, vibrant Vancouver is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and cosmopolitan adventurers alike. Meandering oceanside pathways surround eclectic neighbourhoods – Stanley Park, the West End, Gastown, Yaletown, Chinatown. A major global city, it is renowned for its cultural diversity and thriving art, theatre, music and food scenes. Its perfectly picturesque setting makes it popular filming location – with old-growth cedar forests, mountains covering 75% and two-thirds of Canada's bird species and land mammals. A big, bustling city perched on the edge of wilderness.
