Denali and Glacier Bay by Rail, Road and Sea

Drin gwiinzii (welcome) to Fairbanks, Alaska, the largest Interior city. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for a Welcome Reception where you’ll toast with a welcome beverage and get to know your fellow adventurers.

After breakfast, visit a local reindeer farm, where you’ll enjoy a guided walk and learn about the animals’ vital role in this unique landscape. Then, meet a local gold-mining family to try your hand at panning for gold while discovering Fairbanks’ rich mining heritage. In the afternoon, explore the Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitor Centre and hear first hand from a local Alaskan about life in the Interior.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before boarding your coach for the scenic journey south to Denali National Park. En route, stop at the Denali Discovery Centre in Healy to enjoy a boxed lunch and join a local naturalist for a short guided hike. Then continue to the Denali National Park Visitor Centre, where you can explore the exhibits, chat with a park ranger, or stroll along the nearby trails

After breakfast, journey into Denali National Park for the Tundra Wilderness Tour. Along the way, your guide will share stories and insights as you watch for wildlife such as bears, moose, and caribou. In the afternoon, head back out with a naturalist for a guided hike, spending about three hours on the trail immersed in the park’s natural beauty.

Enjoy a leisurely morning before transferring to the Denali Rail Depot for your scenic train ride south aboard a deluxe dome railcar. Have lunch on the train as landscapes roll by. Arrive in Talkeetna, a quirky town that serves as basecamp for Denali climbers. Dinner is on your own at the lodge or in town.

Enjoy breakfast with a view before setting out on a hike along the Curry Ridge Trail. As you make your way along the route, take in sweeping views of the surrounding landscape and keep an eye out for local flora and fauna. Later, paddle across Byers Lake in the heart of Denali State Park for a different perspective on this stunning region. The Curry Ridge hike covers approximately five to six miles and so be sure to come prepared with sturdy footwear, layered clothing, water, and snacks.

After breakfast, set out on a guided hike in the Talkeetna Lakes area. Look for loons, kingfishers, moose, and bears along the trail. Lunch is included in Talkeetna before you travel south to Anchorage by motor coach or scenic train. The Talkeetna Lakes hike has about a 60-metre elevation gain and some uneven terrain, so proper footwear and layers are important.

After breakfast, transfer to the Anchorage Airport for your flight to Juneau (not included). While in Juneau, we recommend checking out Mt. Roberts Tramway (visit our office for a free pass!), the Alaska State Museum, and the Sealaska Heritage Institute. Wrap up your day with a classic Alaskan dinner at Tracy’s Crab Shack (not included), where you can enjoy king, snow, and Dungeness crab right off the boat.

Spend the day exploring the charm of this seaside town. In the afternoon, board the ship and meet your crew as you prepare for departure. Once underway, step out on deck with your binoculars and take in the passing scenery as your week of remote wilderness and scenic waterways begins

Wake early and look outside to see granite cliffs rising sharply, glaciers glinting in the distance, and drifting ice passing your window. Cruise past harbour seals resting on ice floes and watch for mountain goats perched on cliff ledges. Waterfalls tumble down the Coastal Mountains and, weather and tides permitting, your skiff or kayak guide may take you into a narrow fjord for an up-close view of towering walls and crashing ice.

As you explore these rich waters, your expedition team has a variety of adventures ready. Paddle at your own pace while observing starfish and shorebirds along the shoreline or take on a longer kayak route or a guided hike into the heart of the Tongass. Skiff tours, snorkelling and additional hikes offer different ways to experience this wildlife-filled region.

Today, we explore the wild coastline of Chichagof Island in search of the elusive coastal brown bear. This remote area is rich with life and offers some of the best bear-viewing opportunities in Southeast Alaska. Your captain and expedition leader will take you deep into bear territory using their expert local knowledge. Activities include shoreline walks, kayaking, skiff rides, and up-close and safe bear spotting from the water.

Covering 3.3 million acres Glacier Bay National Park is vast, wild, and largely untouched. Today, you’ll venture deep into the park, with opportunities to kayak, ride a skiff, hike along glacial ridges, explore moraines or spend the day paddling. Keep an eye out for mountain goats, sea lions, puffins, and possible whale sightings. With two full days in the park, there’s ample time to take in its remarkable scale and beauty

Start your morning with the crisp air of the glaciers. Today offers a range of options: an all-day paddle through kelp-lined channels, a trek through spruce and hemlock forests, or a skiff ride into secluded inlets. Moraine walks and additional skiff tours may also be available, giving you the chance to explore this remote, rugged corner of Alaska at your own pace.

Today is designed for flexibility: you can paddle at your own pace, join an all-day kayak trip, take a shore walk or venture on a bushwhack hike through Alaska’s rugged landscapes. Skiff rides provide access to remote stretches of coastline, while kayak-and-walk combinations let you shape the day alongside your naturalist guides, who highlight the region’s ecology, geology, and character. Back on board, relax in the hot tub as the scenery drifts by, then gather in the evening for the Captain’s Dinner and a slideshow showcasing the week’s highlights

This morning enjoy a leisurely breakfast as we cruise back into historic Juneau.