21-night Alaska In-depth Exploration & Summer Solstice Cruise

Jun 09, 2028 - Vancouver

Vancouver is a thriving metropolis surrounded by natural beauty. With parks, beaches, gardens, museums, art galleries and the second-largest Chinatown in North America, Vancouver lives up to its promise of offering something for everyone. With modern buildings set against green, rolling hillsides, this city is breathtaking; no location offers a more spectacular view than Stanley Park - with a zoo, aquarium, totem poles and honking geese. A short walk from the park leads to Robson Street, which offers the town's best window-shopping. Stores with European flavor share the avenue with delicatessens and tea rooms ready to serve. As architectural heart of the city, Robson Square features a central plaza with a food fair and an old provincial courthouse, which now houses Vancouver Art Gallery. Be sure to stop at 8 Pender St. - "the narrowest building in the world." Other points of interest include the Museum of Anthropology; Japanese-style Nitobe Memorial Garden; and VanDusen Botanical Garden. Capilano Canyon is site of the world's longest and highest suspension footbridge.

Jun 09, 2028 - Seymour Narrows

Seymour Narrows is as a segment of the Discovery Passage in British Columbia.  This section is well known for its strong tidal currents which can reach a velocity of up to 15 kn. The Seymour Narrows is well known for the infamous Ripple Rock, which was removed by an explosion back in 1958, and is known to Canada as being one of the countries National Historic Events.

Jun 10, 2028 - Queen Charlotte Sound

The drowned river-valley of Queen Charlotte Sound winds through a natural labyrinth of scenic forested islets, with calm waters ideal for sailing and kayaking. In 1770, Captain James Cook discovered this passage from the Pacific to the Tasman Sea, and it has since been known as Cook Strait. It was in Queen Charlotte Sound that he chose as a base from where to further explore the rest of the region. The Queen Charlotte Track snakes along the coast through the hills and along the shores to Keneperu Sound, offering a uniquely adventurous and active way of experiencing the area by bike or on foot. Along the Track, explore coves, hiking and biking trails, local culture and dramatic panoramic views from the summit.

Jun 11, 2028 - Ketchikan

Ketchikan is known as "Alaska's First City" because it's the first major community travelers come to as they travel north. The city is built on steep hillsides and is billed as salmon capital of the world. A quaint village, the town is three miles long and three blocks wide. With fishing boats sailing in and float planes ascending from the water, this seaside town is bustling with activity. With the world's largest collection of totem poles, Totem Bight State Historical Park offers insight into various native cultures of the Pacific Northwest. These wood-carved creations tell colorful, intricate tales – often showing a family history or depicting a local legend. Ketchikan has many options for adventure of relaxation, including mountain bike tours, sea kayaking, seaplane riding, or strolling down the boardwalk of Creek Street, Ketchikan's most famous section with a historic cable car and quaint boutiques. Blessed with an abundance of hiking trails, Ketchikan offers many breathtaking vistas, including the panoramic, 360-degree view from the top of Deer Mountain.

Jun 11, 2028 - Snow Pass

Jun 11, 2028 - Decision Passage

Jun 12, 2028 - Sitka

Resting between snowcapped mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Sitka is one of the most beautiful seaside towns in Alaska and the biggest city in America - encircling 4,710 square miles on Baranof Island. No symbol shows Russian influence more than the landmark St. Michael's Cathedral. Original artifacts and icons, including the Sitka Madonna, were saved from fire and are on display. Visit Castle Hill, once site of a two-story log mansion known as Baranof's Castle, which overlooked Sitka Sound during the town's fur trading days. Only stone walls and mounted cannons remain from Russia's bloody battles against native Tlingit. Sitka National Historical Park offers information and artifacts relating to the Tlingits, including totem poles as a chronicle of early life on this fertile ground. Alaska Raptor Rehabilitation Center cares for as many as a dozen bald eagles and other birds at a time. The facility caters to rare wildlife recovering from injuries incurred in the wild. Among the more popular trails is Indian River Trail, which parallels a salmon stream, and the three-mile-long Gaven Hill Trail.

Jun 13, 2028 - Petersburg

Petersburg owes just about everything to the fishing industry. From its Tlingit origins as a fish camp, Petersburg has grown into one of the busiest Alaska seafood centers. It got its modern start when Peter Buschmann, a Norwegian immigrant, arrived in the 1890s and founded the Icy Strait Packing Co. cannery, a sawmill and a dock by 1900. He shipped halibut and salmon and ice from the handy LeConte Glacier -- the continent's southernmost tidewater glacier. Shrimping is also important to the Mitkof Island town of 3,200. The state's first shrimp processor was founded in 1916 as Alaska Glacier Seafoods and now is known as Petersburg Fisheries, a part of Icicle Seafoods. More than a thousand people are employed by the processing industry. To keep the salmon engine running, the state runs the Crystal Lake Hatchery. Scandinavian heritage is celebrated each May during Little Norway Festival. Petersburg is a town so picturesque it was used as the prototypical fishing town in the movie "Ice Palace".

Jun 13, 2028 - Stephens Passage

Jun 14, 2028 - Haines

Alaska's heritage comes alive in the handcrafted artistry of the Tlingit Indians and in the lively performances of the Chilkat Dancers, with their brightly painted tribal masks. Get a glimpse of the town’s gold-rush history in local museums. Visit the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve—Haines boasts the world’s largest concentration of the magnificent birds, drawn to the area by the salmon-rich waters. Take a boat trip on Lake Chilkoot or a glacier country flightseeing trip.

Jun 14, 2028 - Lynn Canal

A 67-mile waterway with breathtaking vistas of forests, wildlife and snow-capped mountains.

Jun 15, 2028 - Inian Islands

Jun 16, 2028 - Hubbard Glacier

Seventy-five miles long and covering over 1,350 square miles in area, the Hubbard Glacier is the largest tidewater glacier in North America. It is also one of the most impressive, a 300-foot wall of ice rising sheer and jagged from the ocean. You may hear the rumble and see the monumental splash as the glacier breaks off in great ice chunks, known as "calves."

Jun 17, 2028 - Valdez

Valdez is known as the "Switzerland of Alaska," a tribute to the splendid snow-capped mountains that surround this prosperous port. Once the gateway to the gold country, Valdez is now the southern terminus of the famous Alaskan Pipeline that carries "black gold" from the Arctic Ocean to an oil-thirsty world.

Jun 18, 2028 - Chiswell Islands

Carved by high tides and rough seas, a group of rocky islands that sits uninhabited trails off to sea. These are the Chiswell Islands accessible only by boat or airplane. It sits on the Kenai Peninsula Borough of Alaska in the Gulf of Alaska. Millions of species of marine birds and mammals are permanent residents of Chiswell. And every year, birds of all species take refuge on the island. Visitors are encouraged to bring their binoculars and a warm jacket upon their visit!

Jun 18, 2028 - Holgate Glacier

Jun 19, 2028 - College Fjord

Glide into College Fjord where you will be completely surrounded by 16 ice-blue glaciers. Each was named for one of the Ivy League colleges by members of the expedition that discovered them.

Jun 20, 2028 - Anchorage (Whittier)

Whittier, a once-isolated town, is gateway to Prince William Sound. The city is a historical landmark, established by the U.S. Army during World War II. Less than 300 people reside in the town supporting the Alaska State Ferry, the Alaska Railroad, the Alaska Hydra Train, the military tank farm for aviation fuel, the Small Boat Harbor and tourism. See wildlife, waterfalls (watch Horse Tail Falls flow up!), and more! Hike Portage Pass Trail or head to Salmon Runs, beachcomb, bird watch and pick berries. Watersports include boating, sailing, kayaking, and scuba diving. Winter sports include snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and snowmobiling. Begich Towers contains 198 apartments and are 14 stories high. The Buckner Building known as "the city under the roof" was central to this isolated Army outpost. Private developers built the Whittier Manor for civilian employees or military personnel ineligible for other housing. This building has been turned into condominiums. Whittier Visitor’s Center is housed in a 1957 rail car, originally built for Union Pacific as a cafeteria.

Jun 21, 2028 - Harriman Fjord

Jun 22, 2028 - Hubbard Glacier

Seventy-five miles long and covering over 1,350 square miles in area, the Hubbard Glacier is the largest tidewater glacier in North America. It is also one of the most impressive, a 300-foot wall of ice rising sheer and jagged from the ocean. You may hear the rumble and see the monumental splash as the glacier breaks off in great ice chunks, known as "calves."

Jun 23, 2028 - Juneau

Juneau is one of America's most beautiful state capitals, with the looming summits of Mt. Juneau and Mt. Roberts providing a gorgeous backdrop. Once part of Alaska's Gold Rush, the city boasts natural and manmade attractions. Downtown is filled with many vibrant buildings, including must-see St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, which houses artwork and artifacts dating back to the 18th century. From the bright mural in Marine Park to the carvings in House of Wickersham, downtown is filled with Alaska's own unique brand of culture and architecture. Often hailed as Juneau's most impressive sight, nearby Mendenhall Glacier is approximately 12 miles long and 1.5 miles wide. See the glacier on a float trip or a "flightseeing" adventure, or hike up one of its trails for a closer inspection. For a bird's-eye view, the Mt. Roberts Tramway offers a short, six-minute trek to the top of Mt. Roberts, 1800 feet above the city. If wildlife is your passion, scenic Admiralty Island has the world's highest concentration of brown bears.

Jun 24, 2028 - Tracy Arm

Located about 45 miles south of Juneau, Tracy Arm, a classic fjord located in the heart of the Tracy Arm-Fjords Terror Wilderness, stands out as a "must see" for any Alaska vacation. The icebergs are framed by sheer mountain peaks reaching to 7,000 feet. Waterfalls flow from ice covered mountains to the jade colored inland sea. Tracy Arm is the summer home for pigeon guillemots, kittiwakes and arctic terns. Usually mountain goats are seen on the rocky slopes near Sawyer Glacier. They have been known to come down near the water. The best bear viewing is along the shores of Stephens Pass or Holkham Bay, and there are whales and seals.

Jun 24, 2028 - Stephens Passage

Jun 25, 2028 - Decision Passage

Jun 25, 2028 - Wrangell

Wrangell, a hidden jewel in the heart of the Tongass National Forest, is the third oldest community in Alaska and the only community to be ruled by 4 nations: the indigenous Tlingit nation, Russia, Great Britain and the United States. The island is rich in native heritage as evidenced by the rock carvings at Petroglyph Beach as well as the totems seen around town. Walk in the steps of John Muir amidst historic buildings that will take you back to the unhurried pace of yesterday, and enjoy the beauty of the Stikine River and the surrounding wilderness.

Jun 25, 2028 - Stikine Strait

Jun 26, 2028 - Behm Canal

Jun 26, 2028 - Misty Fjords

At 3,600 square miles, this least spoiled of all wilderness areas is the largest of all preserves. It is one of the most awe inspiring experiences of an Alaska vacation. Beginning near the British Columbia border, the Behm Canal winds around the Eastern side of Revillagigedo Island, becoming increasingly narrower as it heads northward, finally taking a left turn back into the Inside Passage near Ketchikan. Along its 900-foot deep chasm, 3,200-foot tall cliffs soar upwards and the dramatic spire of New Eddystone Rock is repeated in the spiky tops of spruce and fir trees which cast stalactite reflections in waters broken only by the wake of ships and the splashes of breaching humpback whales.

Jun 26, 2028 - Misty Fjords

At 3,600 square miles, this least spoiled of all wilderness areas is the largest of all preserves. It is one of the most awe inspiring experiences of an Alaska vacation. Beginning near the British Columbia border, the Behm Canal winds around the Eastern side of Revillagigedo Island, becoming increasingly narrower as it heads northward, finally taking a left turn back into the Inside Passage near Ketchikan. Along its 900-foot deep chasm, 3,200-foot tall cliffs soar upwards and the dramatic spire of New Eddystone Rock is repeated in the spiky tops of spruce and fir trees which cast stalactite reflections in waters broken only by the wake of ships and the splashes of breaching humpback whales.

Jun 27, 2028 - Prince Rupert

Prince Rupert is the Gateway City for Southeast Alaska and fishing center of the Northwest. Cow Bay is a must - with a fish processing plant, public water floats, and Cow Bay Gift Galley's pottery studio and sushi bar. Enjoy Civic Centre and Performing Arts Centre. Visit Museum of Northern British Columbia, Archaeology Harbor, and North Pacific Historic Village. Kwinitsa Railway Museum exhibits railway history of the area in a Grand Trunk Railway station. Old Field Creek Hatchery tours are offered. Firehall Museum's central exhibit is a 1925 REO Speedwagon Fire Engine. A walking tour has been laid to cover the city's historic and scenic points. The Pacific Northwest is home of Tsimpsean and Haida Indians, and scattered throughout Prince Rupert are authentic reproductions of historic and famous poles. An 18-hole golf course is located at Mt. Oldfield.

Jun 28, 2028 - Grenville Channel

Jun 28, 2028 - Whale Channel

Jun 28, 2028 - Princess Royal Channel

Jun 29, 2028 - Alert Bay

Alert Bay lies off Vancouver Island in the straits and channels between the island and the mainland. It is home to one of the best-preserved and still vibrant native villages in western Canada. Totem poles face the waters, and cedar-pole longhouses are painted with traditional images and symbols. The U'Mista Cultural Centre contains a collection of carved wooden masks, baskets, and potlatch ceremonial objects.

Jun 29, 2028 - Johnstone Strait

Johnstone Strait is a deep glacier-carved passage off the east coat of Vancouver Island, British Colombia. The strait is home to the largest resident pod of killer whales in the world, and there is no better place for visitors to view these amazing creatures. Visitors may also enjoy visiting the Broughton Archipelago Marine Provincial Park. The park is a maze of small islands, and a superb destination for sea kayaking.

Jun 29, 2028 - Seymour Narrows

Seymour Narrows is as a segment of the Discovery Passage in British Columbia.  This section is well known for its strong tidal currents which can reach a velocity of up to 15 kn. The Seymour Narrows is well known for the infamous Ripple Rock, which was removed by an explosion back in 1958, and is known to Canada as being one of the countries National Historic Events.

Jun 30, 2028 - Vancouver

Vancouver is a thriving metropolis surrounded by natural beauty. With parks, beaches, gardens, museums, art galleries and the second-largest Chinatown in North America, Vancouver lives up to its promise of offering something for everyone. With modern buildings set against green, rolling hillsides, this city is breathtaking; no location offers a more spectacular view than Stanley Park - with a zoo, aquarium, totem poles and honking geese. A short walk from the park leads to Robson Street, which offers the town's best window-shopping. Stores with European flavor share the avenue with delicatessens and tea rooms ready to serve. As architectural heart of the city, Robson Square features a central plaza with a food fair and an old provincial courthouse, which now houses Vancouver Art Gallery. Be sure to stop at 8 Pender St. - "the narrowest building in the world." Other points of interest include the Museum of Anthropology; Japanese-style Nitobe Memorial Garden; and VanDusen Botanical Garden. Capilano Canyon is site of the world's longest and highest suspension footbridge.