Alaska and the Yukon

Tour begins: 6:00 PM, Pan Pacific Vancouver. A transfer is included from Vancouver International Airport to Pan Pacific Vancouver. We invite you to join us this evening for a welcome reception and dinner.

Take a panoramic drive en route to the airport for your flight into the heart of the Yukon, where adventure and history await. Land in Dawson City and travel to your hotel; dinner is at leisure, surrounded by the spirit of the Klondike. This evening, attend a lively Can-Can show at Diamond Tooth Gertie's; it is a Dawson City tradition that is brimming with music, dance, and old-time charm – tomorrow, your journey into gold rush country begins.

Begin the day with a walking tour of Dawson and a visit to Danoja Zho Cultural Center; here you'll explore the rich heritage of the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in First Nations people of the Klondike – their stories, traditions, and enduring connection to the land. After lunch, step into gold rush history at the Discovery Claim National Historic Site and Dredge No. 4, where you'll uncover the mechanics behind Dawson City's legendary gold mining boom – and if you wish, you can wrap up the night by becoming a member of the legendary Sour Toe Cocktail Club at the Sourdough Saloon!

Fly to Fairbanks and head into Denali National Park, then on to your wilderness lodge (suite accommodations), nestled deep in Alaska's untamed landscape. Visit the Husky Homestead and meet Jeff King, former Iditarod champion musher, and hear what it takes to traverse the rugged terrain by dogsled in this extreme climate; his dogs will give you an enthusiastic welcome! Return to your lodge – the setting is fantastic, surrounded by alpine peaks and boreal forest; the remainder of the day is free to explore the trails, or simply take in the sweeping views.

Rise early for a "Tundra Wilderness Tour" that takes you deep into the wilds of Denali National Park, a six-million-acre UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, through forest and alpine tundra and over high mountain passes. Along the way you may see moose, caribou, Dall sheep, wolves and grizzly bears and, depending on weather and visibility, awe-inspiring Denali itself – North America's highest peak at 20,310 feet. Spend the rest of the afternoon and evening at leisure, and enjoy dinner as you please tonight.

Depart Denali National Park and travel the Parks Highway to Trapper Creek for a visit with a local homesteading family. Continue to Talkeetna for lunch, then take to the skies on a floatplane flightseeing adventure. Land in Anchorage, and drive along the scenic Turnagain Arm to your wilderness resort in Alyeska for dinner.

Visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, home to bears, moose, bison, and more on 200 acres of protected land. This afternoon is yours to explore as you wish – relax at the resort, hike nearby trails, or choose from optional adventures. Tonight, dine with views at the mountaintop Seven Glaciers Restaurant, reached by aerial tram.

After a leisurely morning, travel to the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center for a striking view—and a great photo opportunity—of Portage Glacier. Explore interactive exhibits detailing the region's glacial history and the Chugach National Forest's diverse ecosystems. The center's panoramic windows offer sweeping views of Portage Lake and the surrounding mountains. Continue on to Whittier, a charming harbor town nestled between towering peaks and Prince William Sound, where you'll board your ship and begin your cruise. 

On a day spent at sea, enjoy a private tour of the ship's galley in the morning, and cruise to Hubbard Glacier to view Alaska's longest tidewater glacier up close; its blue color is created by the denseness of the ice, which absorbs all colors of the spectrum except blue. As you cruise, you may want to take in an onboard show, try your luck in the casino, or read in the library. Late afternoon, join the Captain for a welcome reception and Tauck's exclusive cocktail party, featuring hors d'oeuvres and an open bar, and dinner.

Prepare to be awestruck by Glacier Bay National Park, a highlight of Tauck's Alaska tours, as you cruise along shorelines and among islands that were completely covered by ice some 200 years ago. View blue-tinged ice cliffs towering over the sea, and hear the roar when they calve and crash into the water. Feast your eyes on rugged mountains, spruce and hemlock forests, and deep fjords... and keep them peeled for humpback whales, orcas, seals, and seabirds. Park Rangers will be on board for commentary and presentations. 

Explore historic Skagway, gateway to the Klondike gold fields, in antique vehicles before boarding a ferry cruise on the Lynn Canal – North America's longest and deepest fjord – to Haines. Go rafting* through the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, home to large concentrations of bald eagles at certain times of the year. Ride back in time on the exciting White Pass & Yukon Route narrow-gauge railway, built in 1898 during the gold rush. This vintage rail excursion heads up steep grades, around cliff-hanging turns, and over high bridges. Reboard the ship in Skagway.

Your ship arrives in Juneau, Alaska's capital city; set on a narrow strip of land between the Coast Mountains and the Gastineau Channel, it's famous for its historic gold mines and mountain and water views. Disembark for sightseeing that includes a stop at the mighty Mendenhall Glacier, just 13 miles from downtown Juneau – before other cruise lines arrive. While it may appear to be perfectly still, it is on the move, flowing downhill to shape the landscapes encountered along the way. At Auke Bay, embark on a private whale-watching cruise in search of humpback whales and orcas, as well as bald eagles, seals and sea lions. Reboard your ship this afternoon, and sail on to Ketchikan.

This morning, dock in the colorful port of Ketchikan, known as Alaska's "First City" and a hub of maritime heritage,; you'll travel aboard the Bering Sea Crab Fisherman's Tour, where seasoned crew members share stories from one of the world's most dangerous jobs. Learn about life on the Bering Sea, see live crab pots pulled from the depths, and enjoy time to explore before reboarding your ship.

Experience a full-day cruise amidst the majestic fjords and coastal islands of Alaska's Inside Passage, abundant with bald eagles, sea lions, porpoises, and whales, especially humpbacks. As you glide through serene waters flanked by towering cliffs and ancient glaciers, keep watch for orcas, harbor seals, and puffins . The ever-changing scenery offers countless photo opportunities, from cascading waterfalls to mist-shrouded forests. Join us for our private farewell cocktail party before dinner as you wish, raising a glass to the unforgettable memories forged in this breathtaking wilderness.

Tours ends: Vancouver. Disembark your ship in Vancouver. Pass through Canadian customs. Flights home should be scheduled to depart after 12:00 PM Vancouver time. A transfer is included from the Vancouver ship terminal (Canada Place) to Vancouver International Airport; allow a minimum of three hours for flight check-in and US customs at the airport.