Day 1
Fly to Vancouver
Fly into the beautiful city of Vancouver on the west coast of Canada, and transfer independently to your hotel.
Overnight: Sheraton Wall Centre or similar
Day 2
Vancouver
Enjoy some free time to explore Vancouver, before making your way to the cruise terminal and boarding the impressive ms Nieuw Amsterdam for your seven night cruise. You will be welcomed by the crew, and then settle into your cabin before watching the sun set over the water.
Dinner included
Overnight: Noordham
Day 3
Inside Passage Cruise
This morning you will set sail to cruise one of the most beautiful passages in the world. Along this coastline it is common to view whales and sea-lions as well as countless species of bird.
Breakfast, lunch & dinner included
Overnight: Noordham
Day 4
Cruise to Ketchikan
Cruise along the coast until you reach the town of Ketchikan – the ancestral home of the Tlingit tribe. This aboriginal settlement is home to the world’s largest collection of totem poles. Explore independently or visit the Saxman Native Village, Totem Bight and Totem Heritage Center.
Breakfast, lunch & dinner included
Overnight: Noordham
Day 5
Cruise to Juneau
The capital of Alaska offers a fascinating mix of frontier ruggedness from its days of gold-prospecting and cosmopolitan chic of eco-adventure tourism. Perhaps visit the Alaska State Museum and its exquisite collection of Russian Orthodox and Gold Rush relics.
Breakfast, lunch & dinner included
Overnight: Noordham
Day 6
Cruise to Skagway
Continue cruising to Skagway, which was an important outpost during the days of the Klondike gold rush. Either browse the vintage boutiques and small museums, relaxing over meal in one of the charming restaurants. Or take the optional White Pass Summit Excursion, a rail adventure on the White Pass and Yukon Route railroad as it winds along the mountain.
Breakfast, lunch & dinner included
Overnight: Noordham
Day 7
Glacier Bay
Marval at a natural show unlike any other. This area of Glacier Bay National Park boasts more active calving (splitting off) tidewater glaciers than anywhere in the world and will be a highlight of this cruise, as you see this magnificent glacier calving ice into the sea.
Breakfast, lunch & dinner included
Overnight: Noordham
Day 8
Day at sea
Today you can take the time to relax and enjoy all the amenities that this fabulous ship has to offer. Watch the horizon stretch out to infinity whilst reclining on the deck, or participate in the onboard activities, the day is entirely yours.
Breakfast, lunch & dinner included
Overnight: Noordham
Day 9
Whittier - Anchorage - Denali
Following breakfast, you complete check-out procedures and disembark from the ship, commencing your journey on a scheduled transfer to Denali at 10:30. A knowledgeable driver-guide accompanies you, providing insightful commentary throughout the route. Revel in the breathtaking scenery as you traverse the Seward Highway, designated as a National Scenic Byway. Traverse the Kenai Mountains and Turnagain Pass before tracing the picturesque Turnagain Arm. Upon arrival in Anchorage at 13:30, take advantage of some leisure time to explore the city. Your tour includes admission to the Anchorage Museum. Depart Anchorage at 15:00, with a stopover in Talkeetna, before reaching your Denali hotel in the evening.
Breakfast included
Overnight: Totem Inn or Grizzly Bear Resort or similar
Day 10
Danali National Park
Meet your driver/guide and board your coach, to travel northwards to the Denali National Park. The awe-inspiring landscape offers constantly changing views of distant glaciers and beaver dams in the rivers. Weather permitting you will see majestic Mount McKinley, the highest mounting in the USA. Admire the expansive Wonder Lake, renowned for it's wildlife viewing opportunities.
Overnight: Totem Inn or Grizzly Bear Resort or similar
Day 11
Denali National Park to Fairbanks
Return to the George Parks Highway, driving to Nenana to visit the Alaska Railroad Museum. Continue to the small city of Fairbanks, where you will have the rest of the afternoon at leisure, and will be overnighting here. You could visit the Alaska Dog Mushing Museum or treat yourself to the local delicacy of king crab in one of the popular restaurants. Other options include a river cruise on the Chena River or watching the Crown of Light show. Or for some local colour, attend the Gold Rush Show at the Malemute Saloon.
Overnight: Bridgewater Hotel or similar
Day 12
Fairbanks to Dawson City
After some leisure time in the morning, it’s back on the road southbound through the beautiful landscape. You will see the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, crossing the Tanana River right by the highway. The journey continues via the Top of the World Highway, travelling beyond the tree-line and passing through the beautiful scenery of the tundra. Cross the border at Little Gold Creek, the checkpoint with the highest elevation between Canada and USA. Cross the Yukon River by ferry to reach Dawson City.
Overnight: Aurora Inn or Downtown Hotel or similar
Day 13
Dawson City
People do still dig for gold in this historical town, located where the Klondike flows into the Yukon River, and you can try panning for gold yourself. You will visit Bonanza Creek, the Jack London cabin, the Midnight Dome mountain and the remarkable Gold Diggers Museum. The day is concluded with a show at the famous Diamond Tooth Gerties Casino and Can-Can.
Overnight: Aurora Inn or Downtown Hotel or similar
Day 14
Dempster Highway - Dawson City
An early start to drive the Dempster Highway – the only connection to the remote town of Inuvik at the Polar Sea. See the Tombstone Mountains and continue into the tundra to view the breath-taking scenery.
Overnight: Aurora Inn or Downtown Hotel or similar
Day 15
Dawson City - Whitehorse
Travel via the Klondike Highway to Whitehorse, with the mighty Yukon River making several impressive appearances en route – one of the longest waterways in North America at nearly 2,000 miles long. Stop at Five Finger Rapids – an infamous hazard for the sternwheelers navigating the river in the Gold Rush era. Arrive for an overnight stay in Whitehorse.
Overnight: Sternwheeler Hotel or similar
Day 16
Whitehorse - Vancouver
Transfer to Whitehorse airport for a flight back to Vancouver. Check into your post hotel and enjoy the food and sights of Vancouver.
Overnight: Sheraton Wall Centre or similar
Day 17
Vancouver
Transfer independently to the airport for your flight home
