Alaska and the Yukon with Cruise Ocean View Stateroom Summer 2019

Day 1 - Arrive Anchorage

Anchorage stands as proud gateway to the wilderness of Alaska and it is your launch pad to a rugged adventure that will take you to the Yukon and back again. This evening, you'll join your Travel Director and fellow expeditioners for a Welcome Reception at 6 p.m. at your hotel. Welcome Reception

Day 2 - Anchorage – Matanuska Susitna Valley – Valdez (2 Nights)

Today, we slice through the natural splendour of Alaska's Matanuska Susitna Valley, driving along scenic country roads and past towns bathed in sunlight all day and night in summer. Bound for the Switzerland of Alaska, we'll stop at Wrangell St. Elias and Worthington Glacier easily accessed along Thompson Pass, which holds the distinction of being Alaska's snowiest place. Arriving in Valdez, we'll enjoy an evening at leisure to explore this 'Little Switzerland' against the backdrop of the mighty Chugach Mountains. Full Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3 - Prince William Sound

Delve into the rich heritage of Valdez, the Copper River Valley and Prince William Sound, from the days when Native Alaskans first occupied the area to present day. Discover the city's role in the area's fur trading, salmon canning and mining eras during your morning's visit to the Valdez Museum. Then, board a glacier and wildlife cruise for your journey through the icy grips of Prince William Sound with the densest concentration of tidewater glaciers in the world. Keep a keen eye out for seals, sea lions, otters, whales and puffins as you journey past towering ice cliffs throughout your half-day exploration which includes lunch on the boat. Full Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4 - Valdez – Chicken, Alaska – Dawson City (3 Nights)

Contemplate a protected wilderness larger than any other in the United States. Journey into the clouds, winding along the Top of the World Highway bound for the Yukon. Stop in Chicken Alaska, an Alaskan Frontier town with a colourful Gold Rush history before crossing the border into Yukon Territory. This evening, the colourful frilly skirts of Diamond Tooth Gerties' cancan girls take centre stage as you enjoy a foot-tapping Klondike performance. (Important Note: All guests must have a valid passport to travel into Canada's Yukon Territory from Alaska.) Full Breakfast

Day 5 - Dawson City Sightseeing

Spend a leisurely day exploring the Gold Rush heritage of Dawson City. Take a step back in time, walking in the footsteps of hopeful prospectors as they trudged to Discovery Claim #1, the site where Gold was first discovered marking the beginning of the Klondike Gold Rush. Tame Lady Luck and pan for gold yourself, then visit a historic gold dredge seeing first-hand how it altered the landscape in its pursuit for gold. This afternoon, you'll meet a gold miner and Local Specialist to gain insights into the past and present value of gold and its influence on the region. Full Breakfast

Day 6 - Tombstone Territorial Park

We journey deep into the Yukon wilderness today, winding our way along the Dempster Highway towards the Arctic Circle and through the traditional lands of the Gwich'in First Nations. We begin our encounter with Tombstone Territorial Park in its Interpretive Center, where we'll join a Local Specialist who will reveal insights into the park's wildlife and tundra before we continue along our scenic drive past rugged peaks and landscapes forged by frost. We return to Dawson City where we'll stay overnight. Full Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7 - Dawson City – Klondike Highway – Whitehorse (3 Nights)

Trace the steps of famous Gold Rush prospectors, journeying south along the Klondike Highway, and Yukon River, towards Whitehorse. Learn about the colourful characters who embarked on a frenzied journey to seek their fortune in this unforgiving wilderness before arriving in the Yukon capital of Whitehorse where we'll spend the next three nights surrounded by the peaks of Grey Mountain, Haeckel Hill and Golden Horn. Full Breakfast

Day 8 - Skagway Sightseeing

Immerse yourself in the intoxicating stories of the 1890s Yukon Gold Rush as you journey to the port community of Skagway Alaska. Consider joining an optional tour and ride the narrow-gauge White Pass Railroad, which once ferried prospectors into the Klondike goldfields. We return to Whitehorse later. Full Breakfast

Day 9 - Whitehorse Sightseeing

We'll spend a leisurely day exploring Whitehorse together. Our first stop is a visit to the Yukon Beringia Interpretive Center and SS Klondike Sternwheeler, one of the old ferries that used to run along the Yukon River. We'll journey to the Yukon Wildlife Preserve this afternoon to see if we can spot any of its resident moose, bison, elk and foxes. This evening, we'll enjoy a memorable BBQ Regional Meal in the midst of this wilderness before returning to Whitehorse. Full Breakfast, Regional Meal

Day 10 - Whitehorse – Tok

Return to Alaska today, skirting the snowcapped St Elias peaks, along the Alcan Highway, en route to Tok, where we'll stay tonight. Keep an eye out for Mt. Logan, the tallest peak in the Yukon Territory, which looms over Kluane National Park. Full Breakfast

Day 11 - Denali Highway – Denali National Park (2 Nights)

Admire the epic mountain and glacier backdrop of one of the world's most scenic drives as you journey along the Denali Highway en route to Denali National Park. See the snow-capped Alaska Range and Mt. Denali before arriving in a true wilderness that is home to North America's tallest peak. Full Breakfast

Day 12 - Denali National Park

Tune into your unfettered surrounds - a free day to connect with Denali on your terms. Be present amidst the sounds of Bunting and Gray Jays, hike through the wilderness or consider a whitewater rafting adventure. Today is yours to indulge in the contemplative solitude offered by this national park. This evening, we'll join our Travel Director and fellow expeditioners for a memorable Farewell Dinner. Full Breakfast, Farewell Dinner

Day 13 - Denali National Park – Talkeetna – Anchorage

Enjoy a morning at leisure to enjoy Denali before boarding a Deluxe Dome Rail car for a scenic journey through valley landscapes to the frontier town of Talkeetna. Transfer to your deluxe motorcoach bound for Anchorage, where we'll stay overnight. Full Breakfast

Day 14 - Anchorage – Seward – Cruise (7 Nights)

Bid farewell to your Travel Director as you board your Holland America Line cruise ship and set sail.Full Breakfast, Dinner

Day 15 - Scenic Cruising

Enjoy the facilities on board ship today during this day at sea.Full Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 16 - Scenic Cruising – Glacier Bay National Park

Watch as Glacier Bay National Park's immense glaciers, towering peaks and icy rivers pass you by.Full Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 17 - Cruising – Haines

Haines is home to autumn's Alaska Bald Eagle Festival and lies alongside the longest fjord in the U.S. Visit the quaint downtown.Full Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 18 - Cruising – Juneau

Stroll Juneau's picturesque streets, stopping in eclectic shops and saloons from the Gold Rush era. Perhaps embark on an optional trip on the Mount Roberts Tramway for exhilarating views of the harbour and nearby mountains.Full Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 19 - Cruising – Ketchikan

Check out the world's largest collection of standing totem poles, intricately carved with native designs. Perhaps take an optional guided tour through town or a floatplane flightseeing trip.Full Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 20 - Cruise the Inside Passage

Revel in the scenery as you slowly glide past a maze of bays, glacier-carved fjords and waterways protected from the open sea by rugged, isolated islands.Full Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 21 - Depart Vancouver

Sail into Vancouver Harbour early this morning. After disembarking, take your transfer to Vancouver International Airport or to the hotel if you wish to extend your stay.Full Breakfast