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Vancouver to Juneau

Embark on an exploration of Alaskan coasts, glacial fjords, and majestic mountains on this inland tour and scenic cruise highlighting the “must-sees” of Alaska. Amble Fairbank’s Gold Rush streets and savor the sumptuous simplicity of Alaskan crab legs paired with locally crafted amber ales. Board a riverboat bound for a rustic Athabascan Indian village on the Chena River. Keep your camera and binoculars ready while you are on the lookout for caribou, Dall sheep and reclusive riverbank grizzly in Denali National Park. Board a train bound for Talkeetna, then sample artisan ice cream and gourmet coffees as you relax shoulder-to-shoulder with Denali wilderness expedition teams and seasoned mountaineering parties. Cycle remote Sitka coastal roads. Drift close to blue-hued glacial ice on a guided kayak excursion in Tongass National Forest. Lead a raucous team of friendly canines on a dogsled ride across Mendenhall Glacier’s alabaster expanses.

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Day 1: Vancouver

Vancouver’s location at the mouth of the Fraser River and on the waterways of the Strait of Georgia, Howe Sound, Burrard Inlet and all their tributaries makes this busy seaport an easy place for meeting. It is one of Canada’s most populated, most ethnically diverse cities that is a popular filming location. Visit the interesting neighborhoods of Gastown, Granville Island and Chinatown. Walk across the Capilano Suspension Bridge and stroll through Stanley Park. See the Vancouver Art Gallery and the Museum of Anthropology. There is an amazing variety of things to see and do here.

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Day 2: TRANSIT SEYMOUR NARROW

Transiting Seymour Narrows is a memorable highlight of any Inside Passage journey. This narrow channel in British Columbia is known for its strong tidal currents, which can reach up to 15 knots. Because of the fast-moving water, ships can only transit during slack water—a short period when the tide shifts and currents are at their weakest. Since slack water times vary daily with the tides, each transit is carefully timed for safety and comfort. Before and after navigating the Narrows, the ship cruises through the Canadian Inside Passage for several hours, passing serene channels lined with dense forests and dotted with small, remote islands. This stretch is an underappreciated and unexpected favorite for many guests—offering peaceful, scenic views and a true sense of the wild Pacific Northwest.

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Day 3: Ketchikan

Dubbed the Salmon Capital of the World, Ketchikan is the southeastern-most town in Alaska and is home to the world’s largest collection of standing totem poles that are found throughout the city and at four major locations: Saxman Totem Park, Totem Bight State Park, Potlatch Park, and the Totem Heritage Center. Other attractions of Ketchikan are Creek Street, a boardwalk road built on pilings over Ketchikan Creek and the Waterfront Promenade that skirts the bustling shoreline with inviting whale-tail benches to take in the view.

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Day 4: Misty Fjords/Rudyerd Bay

Cruising Misty Fjords/Rudyerd Bay in Alaska offers an awe-inspiring adventure through one of nature’s most pristine landscapes. Towering granite cliffs rise dramatically from mirror-like waters. The mist-shrouded environment evokes a sense of ancient mystery and tranquility, while diverse wildlife, including seals and eagles, adds to the experience. Navigating these majestic fjords provides an unforgettable glimpse into Alaska’s raw, untouched beauty, where every turn reveals a new, breathtaking vista

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Day 5: Wrangell

One of the oldest towns in Alaska, Wrangell is located near the mouth of the Stikine River. Much of its history can be seen in the impressive collection of totems scattered throughout the town. Highlights here are the amazing Petroglyph Beach State Historic Park where you can find primitive rock carvings and just 30 miles away is the Anan Wildlife Observatory with the largest pink salmon runs in the Inside Passage, and a platform from which you can look for eagles, harbor seals and black bears.

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Day 6: Sitka

Sitka is one of the oldest and most culturally significant communities in Alaska, filled with rich Tlingit, Russian, and early American settler history. Sitka is famous for its spectacular scenery, abundant wildlife, the copper-domed St. Michael’s Cathedral, the Pioneer Home and the Russian Bishop’s House. It contains 22 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is where the contract of sale was signed transferring Alaska from Russia to the United States.

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Day 7: Tracy Arm / Endicott Arm

Depending on the day’s conditions, you will cruise Tracy Arm or Endicott Arm. Both glacial fjords feature icebergs drifting serenely by and towering granite cliffs, carved by millennia of glacial activity. Here, you can witness impressive calving events as icebergs thunder into the water. The surrounding wilderness, with its rugged terrain, offers a pristine backdrop for spotting wildlife like seals and mountain goats.

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Day 8: Haines

Haines is one of the most popular Alaska cruise ports and one of the best places for hiking, fishing and wildlife viewing, especially bald eagles. Within the Haines city limits Fort William H. Seward is a nationally recognized historic landmark, with some of its structures open to the public. Other cultural offerings in Haines include the Alaska Indian Arts Center where traditional craftsmen offer demonstrations of their work, the Sheldon Museum & Cultural Center where local Tlingit people are featured, the Hammer Museum, dedicated to the history of the hammer and the Tsirku Canning Company Museum with memories of Haines’ salmon canneries.

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Day 9: Juneau

Located on the Gastineau Channel in the Alaskan panhandle, Juneau sits at sea level below steep mountains between 3,500-4,000 feet high. Atop these mountains is the Juneau Icefield, a large ice mass from which about 30 glaciers flow, and two of them – Mendenhall Glacier and Lemon Creek Glacier are visible from the local road. A unique feature of Juneau is that it is the only U.S. capital that has no roads connecting it to the rest of the state.

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Day 10: Talkeetna to Denali National Park

Stretch your legs and enjoy the scenery from your deluxe domed railcar as your train makes its way to Denali. Tonight, get your bearings with a Welcome to Denali Talk, followed by an all-you-can-eat salmon and barbecue dinner and a show at the Alaska Cabin Nite Dinner Theater.

(Includes overnight at Denali Lodge, Breakfast, Cabin Nite Dinner)

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Day 11: Denali National Park

Experience the wonders of Denali National Park on the Denali Natural History Tour, a 4.5 to 5-hour journey that offers a deep look into the park’s natural beauty and cultural heritage. Travel in a school bus-style vehicle with a knowledgeable driver/guide who shares fascinating insights about Denali’s landscape, wildlife, and human history. Begin with a visit to the Denali Bus Depot to watch the film Across Time and Tundra, introducing the creation of the Park Road. Stop at the historic Savage Cabin to learn about its past and continued use, then visit Primrose Ridge for a captivating Alaska Native presentation detailing 10,000 years of land use. Enjoy scenic views and keep watch for wildlife like moose, caribou, Dall sheep, and grizzly bears. A snack and box lunch are included, with restroom breaks every 1–2 hours.

(Includes overnight at Denali Lodge, Breakfast, Bag Lunch and Snack)

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Day 12: Denali to Fairbanks

Head north to the Golden Heart City of Fairbanks, a city shaped by gold and oil. Board the Riverboat Discovery for a cruise on the Chena River, sampling frontier life at an Athabascan village and meeting some legendary Iditarod huskies who will cover 1,150 miles in the 8-15-day race. Recount your favorite experiences with friends over a delicious Farewell Dinner.

(Includes overnight at Fairbanks Hotel, Breakfast and Dinner)

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Day 13: Fairbanks and Departure

Today is yours to explore as you will. Various attractions let you pan for gold, or browse a goldmine of history at the Museum of the North before your flight home.

(Includes Breakfast)