DAY 1: UK - Anchorage.
Fly to Anchorage where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel for two nights.
DAY 2: Anchorage - glacier cruise - Anchorage.
Journey to Whittier on Prince William Sound and board your deluxe catamaran for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, cruising College and Harriman Fjords to view as many as 26 tidewater and hanging glaciers. There is a good chance of spotting whales, seals and eagles. Return to Anchorage in the early evening.
DAY 3: Anchorage - Tok.
Travel through the lush farming region of the Matanuska Valley, up over scenic Tahnita Pass with spectacular vistas of Matanuska Glacier, then along the vast Wrangell-St Elias National Park and Preserve. The area boasts glaciers larger than the island of Manhattan and nine of the sixteen highest peaks in North America. Overnight in Tok, the 'dog sled capital of the world'.
DAY 4: Tok - Whitehorse.
Join the Alaska Highway and follow the Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge. Behold the spectacular views of Kluane National Park, home to 19,625-foot Mount Logan, Canada's highest peak. Spend two nights in Whitehorse, capital of the Yukon and the territorial headquarters of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
DAY 5: Whitehorse - Skagway - Whitehorse.
Follow the Trail of '98 over the mountains that thousands of gold seekers scaled on foot in the dead of winter, heading for the Klondike. From Carcross we suggest an optional train trip on the narrow-gauge Yukon & White Pass Railway. Otherwise continue through the mountains by coach to Skagway. Stroll the wooden sidewalks past charming false-front buildings and colourful saloons. Return to Whitehorse in late afternoon.
DAY 6: Whitehorse - Dawson City.
Stop at the Five Finger Rapids, a major obstacle on the Trail of '98. Late this afternoon reach Dawson City, the main centre after the first gold strike in the Klondike in 1896. Tonight you have reservations at Diamond Tooth Gertie's, a saloon featuring ragtime music, can-can girls and an old-fashioned casino.
DAY 7: Dawson City.
Highlights on your morning tour of this gold rush town include Bonanza Creek, where the first gold strike was made, Robert Service's cabin and the SS Keno, the last sternwheeler to run between Dawson and Whitehorse. This afternoon you'll have the opportunity to 'strike it rich' at gold panning.
DAY 8: Dawson City - Fairbanks.
A long day and well worth it as the scenery is overwhelming. Travel over the 'Top of the World Highway' and re-enter Alaska. Pass through the village of Chicken and along the Alaska Highway to view the Trans-Alaska Pipeline at Delta Junction. Evening arrival in Fairbanks, Alaska's second-largest city.
DAY 9: Fairbanks.
Board the Sternwheeler Discovery for a leisurely cruise on the Chena and Tanana Rivers. Listen as the ship's guides discuss the region's wildlife, history and customs. This evening there's an optional outing to Alaskaland, a pioneer theme park and enjoy an Alaska salmon bake.
DAY 10: Fairbanks - Alaska Railroad - Denali National Park.
Board the world famous Alaska Railroad for a memorable journey through untamed wilderness. Sit back in comfort and enjoy spectacular scenery through wide windows. Be sure to take advantage of the domed roof car. Today's ride ends in Denali National Park, dominated by North America's highest peak, 20,320-foot Mount McKinley. The afternoon is free.
DAY 11: Denali National Park.
A free day to hike through this stunning National Park, or to take advantage of several optional outings, including a wildlife tour, a raft trip down the Nenana River or a helicopter ride over the park.
DAY 12: Anchorage - Alaska Cruise
After arrival in Anchorage transfer to Seward to board your cruise ship, either the MS Statendam or MS Ryndam, late this afternoon. (D)
DAY 13: Cruise - College Fjord.
Tucked into the northwest corner of Prince William Sound, College Fjord, surrounded by over a dozen glaciers is easily the equal of the much more famous Glacier Bay. Some of these glaciers have spruce forests growing right up to the very edge of the ice, giving a sense of scale not seen in Glacier Bay.
These glaciers were named by the distinguished group in the 1899 Harriman Alaska Expedition, many of whom were ivy league college graduates. (B, L, D)
DAY 14: Cruise - Glacier Bay.
Cruise into spectacular Glacier Bay early this morning. Forests give way to a rugged landscape rising to rocky peaks. Sixteen huge mountains converge to create an awe-inspiring panoramic wonder, a spectacular scene of awesome glaciers and massive icebergs. Wildlife is abundant, and you may spot eagles, seals, mountain goats, moose and bears in their natural habitat. (B, L, D)
DAY 15: Cruise - Haines.
Nestled on the shores of America's longest fjord, Haines is in a spectacular setting. Fill your day with a float trip through the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve which protects the habitat of the nation's avian symbol, or visit the Sheldon Museum, art galleries and local hops in town. (B, L, D)
DAY 16: Cruise - Juneau.
The city has a Gold Rush story to rival that of Klondike, and is only accessible by seaplane or boat. An optional wildlife cruise and salmon fishing will normally be available, and you'll also have the opportunity to take an optional excursion to Juneau's own glacier, Mendenhall. This impressive river of blue ice is about 1.5 miles wide and over 12 miles long! (B, L, D)
DAY 17: Cruise - Ketchikan.
Arrival in colourful Ketchikan, situated on Revillagigedo Island and known as the 'Salmon Capital of the World'. Here, a picturesque harbour shelters fishing boats and seaplanes. A wide choice of optional excursions will be available, including an outing to see Indian Heritage Villages, Totem Bight State Park and flightseeing to Misty Fjords National Monument. Mid-evening departure from Ketchikan. (B, L, D)
DAY 18: Cruise - Inside Passage.
The beauty of the Inside Passage will amaze you as you cruise through 1,000 miles of epic scenery, towering glaciated mountains, roaring waterfalls, endless islands and virgin rain forests. You glimpse a deep fjord and far to the east the sun glints on snow-capped peaks. There is also plenty of animal and marine life to look out for: sea lions, eagles and porpoises. (B, L, D)
DAY 19: Arrive Vancouver - UK.
Transfer to Vancouver airport for your overnight flight home to the UK. (B)
DAY 20: Home Landing in the UK