Alaska
Alaskan holidays should be high on the wish-list for those who enjoy the great outdoors, exploring the wilderness, hiking through the rainforest, or seeking out wildlife.
On a holiday to Alaska, you should expect to see a wide range of bird and sea life including golden eagles and vultures, whales and sea-otters, not to mention the indigenous brown bears that emerge from hibernation to gorge on the spawning salmon.
The season for an Alaskan holiday stretches from May, when the snow begins to melt and the spring flowers to blossom, through to September when the nights begin to close in, and the temperatures drop.
A holiday in Alaska should incorporate a visit to one of the many huge glaciers snaking through the valleys, and these should ideally be viewed from the water, for example in Glacier Bay, where you can watch open mouthed as huge pieces of ice fall from the front wall of the glacier into the water below, known as calving.
Expedition vessels in Alaska enable you to view the scenery and the flora from close quarters, as you explore in kayaks, on paddle boards, or rubber inflatables. Step ashore far from the towns and villages and you will be amazed by the lush vegetation, and captivated by the natural beauty of this region.
Discoverers’ Glacier Country
Day 1 - Fly from London to Anchorage
Day 2 - Anchorage. Arrive Anchorage and transfer to the Hotel Captain Cook for a one night stay
Day 3 - Anchorage / Denali National Preserve. Board the Alaska Railroad's Goldstar Dome Train for a journey to Denali National Park and Preserve. See wildlife and stunning views of Mt. McKinley. Overnight at Grand Denali Lodge
Day 4 - Denali National Preserve. Take an in depth tour deep into Denali National Park. Spend two nights in deluxe rustic cabin accommodation
Day 5 - Denali National Preserve. At leisure. Choose to view wildlife, hike or even pan for gold
Day 6 - Denali National Preserve / Anchorage. Take a scenic flight from Kantishna to Anchorage giving you the opportunity to see the vast wilderness from the air. Upon arrival in Anchorage transfer to the Hotel Captain Cook
Day 7 - Anchorage / Juneau. Fly from Anchorage to Juneau where you will be met and transferred to Safari Endeavour to being a week of cruising the beautiful channels and stunning wilderness of Alaska
Day 8-9 - Glacier Bay National Park. With a National Park Ranger, you will cruise around 60 miles up the bay to the glaciers of Grand Pacific and Margerie. There is the chance, if the conditions are kind, that the inflatables will be lowered and you can get up close to the icebergs. There is also the chance to kayak and see sea lions, bears, moose, eagles all with stunning scenery of Alaska as the backdrop
Day 10 - Icy Strait. Today you will spend time Whale watching either on the bridge with the Captain or on deck with your expedition leader in some of the best waters in the world to see these magnificent creatures
Day 11 - Chichagof Island / Baranof Island. Cruise the coastline and marvel at the picturesque scenery in what truly is an off the beaten track destination. Take the chance to kayak and see sea otters and bears
Day 12 - Frederick Sound. See Humpback whales and sea lions and of course the beautiful forested vista
Day 13 - Ford's Terror / Endicott Arm. Ford's Terror is an untouched tidal inlet and fjord and it is a true representation of Alaska's wilderness. At Endicott Arm you will see yet more glaciers and ice covered mountains
Day 14 - Juneau. Disembark and transfer to the airport for your flight to London
Day 15 - Arrive London
Highlights:
- Alaska Railroad's Goldstar Dome Train in Denali National Park
- Kayaking in the stunning wilderness of Glacier Bay
- Seeing whales, sea lions, eagles and sea otters
Extend your trip:
- See Alaska's interior on a 4 night bespoke land extension featuring two remote fly-in wilderness lodges, Redoubt Bay Lodge and Winterlake Lodge
- Have a greater exploration of Alaska on a 14 night voyage Inside Passage voyage
Opportunity for Adventure...Alaska's Glacier Bay
Day 1 – London / Seattle. Fly from London to Seattle. Arrive in Seattle and transfer to your hotel for a 1-night pre-cruise hotel stay
Day 2 – Seattle / Juneau. Fly from Seattle to Juneau where you will be met and transferred to Safari Endeavour to being a week of cruising the beautiful channels and stunning wilderness of Alaska
Day 3 - Glacier Bay National Park. With a National Park Ranger, you will cruise around 60 miles up the bay to the glaciers of Grand Pacific and Margerie. There is the chance, if the conditions are kind, that the inflatables will be lowered and you can get up close to the icebergs. There is also the chance to kayak and see sea lions, bears, moose, eagles all with stunning scenery of Alaska as the backdrop
Day 4 - Glacier Bay National Park. Enjoy another exclusive day exploring the glaciers and wildlife of Glacier Bay National Park
Day 5 - Icy Strait. Today you will spend time Whale watching either on the bridge with the Captain or on deck with your expedition leader in some of the best waters in the world to see these magnificent creatures. Keep watch for the tell-tale blow of the humpbacks as you scour the nutrient-rich waters in search of whales, porpoise, sea lions, and other wildlife
Day 6 - Chichagof Island / Baranof Island. Marvel at the grand scenery of Alaska’s wilderness as the crew expertly guide you through those “not in the guide book” places known only to the locals. Take the chance to kayak and see sea otters and bears as you cruise the waterfall coast of Chichagof Island and Baranof Island
Day 7 - Frederick Sound / Stephen's Passage. Pass by Five Fingers Lighthouse and see Humpback whales and of course the beautiful forested vista
Day 8 - Ford's Terror / Endicott Arm. Ford's Terror is an untouched tidal inlet and fjord and it is a true representation of Alaska's wilderness. At Endicott Arm you will see yet more glaciers and ice covered mountains
Day 9 - Juneau. Disembark and transfer to the airport for your flight to London
Day 10 - Arrive London
Highlights:
Kayaking in the stunning wilderness of Glacier Bay
Seeing whales, sea lions, eagles and sea otters
Extend your trip:
See Alaska's interior on a bespoke land extension featuring wilderness lodges, Redoubt Bay Lodge and Winterlake Lodge
This is not all we can offer. If you would like to discuss more ways to visit this destination give us a call. Contact us for more options.
Juneau Round-trip
Day 1 - Juneau
Day 2-3 - Glacier Bay National Park
Day 4 - Icy Strait
Day 5 - Chichagof Island / Baranof Island
Day 6 - Frederick Sound
Day 7 - Ford's Terror / Endicott Arm
Day 8 - Juneau
7 Nights cruise only
Prices from
£2,895pp
Departures: Dozens of cruises throughout May-August 2012; Dozens of cruises throughout May-August 2013
Juneau to Seattle
Day 1 - Juneau
Day 2 - Icy Strait
Day 3-4 - Glacier Bay National Park
Day 5-6 - Wilderness exploration
Day 7 - Baird Glacier / Frederick Sound
Day 8 - Wrangell Narrows / Petersburg / LeConte Bay
Day 9 - Remote wilderness (opportunity to see humpback whales)
Day 10 - Ketchikan
Day 11 - Misty Fjords National Monument
Day 12-13 - Canadian Inside Passage
Day 14 - San Juan Islands / Friday Harbor
Day 15 - Seattle
14 Nights
Prices from
£4,195pp
Departures: 31 August 2012; 2/7 September 2012; 10*/19*/24* May 2013; 23 August 2013; 6/15 September 2013
*Operates in reverse
When to go:
If it is wildlife and breathtaking scenery you are after the best time to visit is during the summer months of June, July and August. Wildlife such as bears will have come out of hibernation to feast on the spawning salmon and the rich waters will be home to feeding whales.
What to pack:
Practical, comfortable clothing is a must. Temperatures in the summer vary from the chilly to the warm, so layers of clothing are suitable, and waterproof clothing is essential. Sturdy walking shoes should be packed. This destination is all about the scenery and wildlife and therefore very appealing to photographers – remember to come well equipped as you are unlikely to be able to get everything you need locally.
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