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Sailing the Whale's Highway

Embark from Vancouver, venturing to Alaska's pristine gems: Ketchikan's scenic shores, Hubbard Glacier's icy grandeur, Hoonah's wilderness, and historic Alaskan ports like Juneau and Sitka. Conclude with Victoria's elegance, returning to Vancouver. A North Pacific odyssey awaits.

Cruise Only
11 nights from £5085pp

Luxury Holiday
Auke Bay, Juneau
Ketchikan, Creek Street

Call us now on 01756 706500 to secure your cabin!

EJ

Embrace the magic of sailing into the unfamiliar; experience a shift in personal perspective when encountering what is wild and completely new.

With a singular focus to ply northerly climes, we witness the deepest contours of the “whale’s highway” — from Ketchikan to Juneau — to marvel at three of Alaska’s hallmarks: Misty Fjord and the glaciers of Hubbard and Mendenhall. Close to the imagination and just this side of wonderful, we slip into Icy Strait Point at Hoonah, where “the north wind does not blow” and wildlife outnumbers people. Named “Bear Island” by National Geographic because it has the largest brown bear population, an abundance of humpback whales, bald eagles, and black-tailed deer. Beyond belief, we gather on the deck as Hubbard Glacier shoulders its way to Disenchantment Bay.

A site that never disappoints as North America's largest tidewater glacier and one of a few that are continually increasing in size. Skirting around islands and ice flows, we sail into Prince William Sound to Valdez. Curiously bathed in warm waters that flow from Japan, the air is clean and fresh and the land laden with historic lodes of gold. You’ll need to pinch yourself to ensure you’re not dreaming, especially in Juneau. Dolphins escort us to Mendenhall Glacier, past snowy peaks that push skywards and waterfalls that careen down glaciers. Wild adventures continue in Sitka at the Fortress of Bears. As the sun paints snow-capped mountains in hues of pink and purple, we turn southward to follow whales to British Columbia and explore Victoria and Vancouver.

EJ150 Operated by Explora Journeys

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Sailing the Whale's Highway Itinerary

Day 1 - Vancouver, 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.

Day 3 - Ketchikan, 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 4 - Hoonah

Day 5 - Cruising by Hubbard Glacier, Alaska

Day 6 - Valdez, Alaska

Witness five glaciers — Valdez, Shoup, Columbia, Meares, Worthington — as they spill their loads of ice directly into super-scenic Prince William Sound. The encircling mountains and thundering waterfalls give this tiny town the moniker of the “Switzerland of Alaska”. Walk trails that disappear into lush forests; paddle alongside Puffins; go with the flow whilst rafting the chalky blue Lowe River, Valdez has it all. Bears, Bald Eagles, Trumpeter Swans, even Rufous Hummingbirds from as far away as Mexico all flock here.

Day 8 - Juneau, 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 9 - Sitka, 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 11 - Victoria, 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 12 - Vancouver, 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.

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2024 Departures £ price per person based on 2 people sharing

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    • May 17th - Vancouver, British Columbia and back - Sailing on: Explora I From: £5085
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