Ultimate Alaska And The Yukon With Alaska Cruise Extension

2012 Season
Departs From: Anchorage

From 3,017EUR

Length: 20 Days from Anchorage to Vancouver

Overview

Discover the unique beauty of Alaska and the Yukon Territory during this invigorating vacation. You’ll have an opportunity to experience some of the most majestic scenery in Canada combined with fascinating history. Visit towns important during the Klondike Gold Rush in the Yukon—Whitehorse and Dawson City. In Dawson City, step back in time at the site where the first gold strike was made, and learn how gold changed this land forever.

In Alaska, ride the Alaska Railroad to Denali National Park, with its impressive mountains, breathtaking scenery, and amazing wildlife. Denali is home to 130 bird species and 37 species of mammals, including moose, caribou, wolf, and grizzly bear. During your guided wilderness tour, you’ll have an opportunity to seek out some of these animals. Also enjoy the magnificent scenery during your cruise on Prince William Sound, and watch for eagles, whales, mountain goats, and more.

Enjoy a 7-night cruise with ample opportunity to take in Alaska’s awe-inspiring glaciers and remarkable scenery. Explore the remote and rugged beauty of Alaska’s majestic Inside Passage. Watch for spouting whales, soaring eagles, barking seals, and other wildlife. Marvel at glaciers and witness the amazing spectacle of thunder and spray as tremendous slabs of ice break off and “calve” into the sea.

This is just a sampling of the wonderful scenery and sites that await you on this marvelous tour to Alaska and the Yukon. Just imagine the memories you’ll create on this spectacular vacation!

Note:

While wildlife in Alaska is frequently seen, early-season (early June) and late-season (September) departures offer even greater opportunities for viewing a variety of wildlife. Departures after mid-August will enjoy blazing fall colors.

Duration: 20 Days

Schedule:

Start Date	End Date
29 May, 2012	17 June, 2012
19 June, 2012	08 July, 2012
26 June, 2012	15 July, 2012
10 July, 2012	29 July, 2012
17 July, 2012	05 August, 2012
14 August, 2012	02 September, 2012
21 August, 2012	09 September, 2012
28 August, 2012	16 September, 2012
04 September, 2012	23 September, 2012

City Highlights

Wasilla
Visit Iditarod Headquarters

Talkeetna–Denali
Journey aboard the Alaska Railroad

Denali National Park
Welcome dinner; guided wilderness tour

Fairbanks
City tour; cruise aboard the sternwheeler Discovery; visit the University of Alaska Fairbanks Museum and the Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline

Dawson City
Visit Diamond Tooth Gertie’s, Claim #1, a gold dredge, and the Dänojà Zho Cultural Centre

Whitehorse
Visit the Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre, riverboat SS Keno, and Uncommon Journeys

Kluane National Park
Sightseeing

Valdez
Visit the Valdez Museum; private cruise on Prince William Sound

Alyeska
Farewell dinner

Note:

This vacation visits remote regions where some facilities are not up to the first-class standards you expect from TravelToe. However, we have selected the best available hotels that satisfy our high standards of cleanliness and comfort.
While wildlife in Alaska is frequently seen, early-season (early June) and late-season (September) departures offer even greater opportunities for viewing a variety of wildlife. Departures after mid-August will enjoy blazing fall colors.
Cruise itineraries are provided by Holland America Line and are most up to date at time of publishing. Your travel documents will contain the most current information.

Day 1   Arrive in Anchorage. Welcome to Alaska! Meet your Tour Director this evening between 5 pm and 8 pm in the hotel reception area.

Day 2   Anchorage–Denali National Park. Traveling north into the majestic wilds of Alaska, visit the IDITAROD HEADQUARTERS, home of the world-famous dogsled race. Arrive in Talkeetna, the jumping-off point for climbers attempting to summit Mount McKinley, the highest peak in North America at 20,320 feet. Board the historic ALASKA RAILROAD for a scenic trip to Denali National Park. Enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel this evening. (B,D)

Day 3   Denali National Park. This morning, a guided tour takes you into the 6-million-acre DENALI NATIONAL PARK to explore the majestic wilderness and seek out grizzly bear, caribou, moose, and other wildlife! Your afternoon is free for optional adventures such as float trips, a dogsled demonstration, a helicopter ride over the park, or a delicious dinner and rollicking musical comedy performed in a camp house reminiscent of the Gold Rush era. (B,L)

Day 4   Denali National Park–Fairbanks. Travel into the heart of Alaska to Fairbanks, where you will enjoy lunch at the historic Pump House restaurant on the banks of the Chena River. The afternoon and evening are at leisure in Fairbanks. (B,L)

Day 5   Fairbanks. This morning, board the sternwheeler Discovery for a CRUISE on the Chena and Tanana Rivers with a stop at a recreated Chena Indian Village to learn about Athabascan native culture. Later, visit the UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA–FAIRBANKS MUSEUM during your Fairbanks city tour, and also stop at the Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline. (B)

Day 6   Fairbanks–Dawson City. Continuing the journey into Gold Rush history, motor over the Top of the World Highway and enter the Yukon. Passing through the village of Chicken, today promises to be filled with breathtaking scenery. Tonight, you have reservations at DIAMOND TOOTH GERTIE’S, featuring ragtime music, can-can girls, and an old-fashioned casino. (B)

Day 7   Dawson City. Today, step back in time at the site of CLAIM #1, where the first gold strike was made. Continue to an old GOLD DREDGE to learn how gold changed this land forever and to try your own hand at gold panning! Next, stop at the DÄNOJÀ ZHO CULTURAL CENTRE for a tour on the First Nations’ traditions and culture over the past 100 years. (B)

Day 8   Dawson–Whitehorse. Today, trace the trail of the gold seekers on their way to the Klondike. View the Five Finger Rapids, which once posed a major obstacle to the hordes of fortune seekers stampeding into the Yukon. Your day concludes in Whitehorse, capital of the Yukon. (B,D)

Day 9   Whitehorse. A city tour stops at the YUKON BERINGIA INTERPRETIVE CENTRE, where you can meet the ice-age giant mammals that once ruled the ancient subcontinent. Stop at the SS KENO RIVERBOAT and learn about its importance on the Yukon River in the Gold Rush days. Later, head to Whitehorse’s premier dogsled facility, UNCOMMON JOURNEYS, where you will personally meet the huskies and their trainers. Here, learn about the training and care of Alaskan Huskies as well as the lifestyle required to race in world-famous competitions such as the Iditarod and Yukon Quest. (B)

Day 10   Whitehorse–Tok. Return to Alaska, traveling through the rugged mountains of KLUANE NATIONAL PARK, home to 19,625-foot Mount Logan, Canada’s highest peak. Continue on the Alaska Highway to Tok, the “Dog Sled Capital of the World.” (B)

Day 11   Tok–Valdez. Head to Alaska’s southernmost ice-free port, Valdez, home of the Alyeska Pipeline Terminal. As you travel toward some of the highest coastal mountains in the world, enjoy views of Thompson Pass, Worthington Glacier, and Bridal Veil Falls before arriving in the “Switzerland of Alaska”—Valdez. Visit the unique VALDEZ MUSEUM late this afternoon. (B)

Day 12   Valdez–Whittier–Anchorage. Board a BOAT today and get a closer look at the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Terminal, the 3-mile face of Columbia Glacier, and the playful sea life of PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND. Keep your eyes open for eagles, whales, mountain goats, dolphins, and sea lions! This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at the Alyeska Prince Hotel before returning to Anchorage. (B,L,D)

Day 13   Anchorage–Seward (Embarkation). Transfer to the pier to embark on your Holland America cruise ship, the MS Statendam or MS Zaandam. (B,D)

Day 14   Scenic Cruising: Gulf of Alaska. (B,L,D)

Day 15   Scenic Cruising: Glacier Bay. This Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site protects a unique ecosystem of plants and animals living in an ever-changing glacial landscape. Here, witness an amazing spectacle of thunder and flying spray as tremendous slabs of ice break off and “calve” into the sea—making for lasting memories. National Park rangers accompany the ship to add expert commentary to the day’s events. (B,L,D)

Day 16   Haines. Nestled on the shores of America’s longest fjord, Haines enjoys a spectacular setting. You may choose to fill your day with a float trip through Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, home to the largest annual gathering of Bald Eagles, the nation’s avian symbol. Or, visit the Sheldon Museum, art galleries, and local shops in town. (B,L,D)

Day 17   Juneau. Visit one of the most scenic and remote capital cities—Juneau. Accessible only by air and water, Juneau is located at the base of two towering mountains in the heart of Alaska’s Inside Passage, and is home to a rich Gold Rush history, Native culture, wildlife, and a wealth of natural wonders. Step ashore to shop for gold nuggets; visit the stately Governor’s Mansion; saunter through the swinging doors of the Red Dog Saloon, the city’s famous watering hole; or visit mighty Mendenhall Glacier, an impressive river of ice that is 12 miles long and 1.5 miles wide. (B,L,D)

Day 18   Ketchikan. Experience Native Alaska firsthand. Meet the spirits of the raven, whale, and eagle as you view the largest collection of totems in the world at Saxman Totem Park or Totem Bight State Historic Park. Or, explore Creek Street, now home to contemporary art galleries and quaint boutiques. (B,L,D)

Day 19   Scenic Cruising: Inside Passage. Sit back and relax as you cruise through the beautiful and awe-inspiring scenery of the Inside Passage. Keep your cameras ready for spouting whales, soaring eagles, barking seals, and other wildlife. (B,L,D)

Day 20   Vancouver (Disembarkation). Airport transfers are provided. Please schedule flights after Noon. (B)

Meals:  American breakfast daily (B), 9 lunches (L), 10 three-course dinners (D) including welcome and farewell dinners

Hotel Information:  ANCHORAGE Sheraton Anchorage (SF), DENALI NATIONAL PARK Denali Bluffs (F), FAIRBANKS Wedgewood Resort (F), DAWSON CITY Downtown Hotel (F), WHITEHORSE High Country Inn (BA), TOK Fast Eddy’s/Young’s Motel (BA), VALDEZ Valdez Hotel (F), ALASKA CRUISE Holland America’s MS Statendam or MS Zaandam

Ship

MS Statendam
MS Zaandam


Terms and Conditions

Note: Flights are NOT included with the Tour and unless otherwise stated above transfers are also NOT included.

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