In the land of the midnight sun, you'll need every extra minute of daylight if you want to experience it all. From the awe-inspiring blue ice of a massive glacial field to the expansive grandeur of its wildlife and nature, everything in Alaska is big, including the adventures.
A cruise will take you to some fascinating ports of call. You'll see legendary places, cruise past glacial fjords and experience nature in a way you've never imagined before.
Ketchikan, Alaska
Ketchikan originated as an Indian fish saltery, but the town's major growth began when it became a supply base and entry port for miners during the 1898 Gold Rush to the Klondike. Much of the town's colourful past is still in evidence, especially in the nearby Indian villages, where you'll see colourfully carved totem poles and hear the fascinating legends that surround them.
Juneau, Alaska
Juneau, the capital of Alaska, was founded during a gold rush in 1880. Today, the former goldmining town counts among its riches some of Alaska's most spectacular scenery. Nestled at the foot of Mt Juneau in the Alaska Panhandle, it faces the water from the mainland side of Gastineau Channel.
Several magnificent fjords are located along the channel coast and the majestic Mendenhall Glacier, a favourite of visitors, is nearby.
Icy Strait Point, Alaska
Icy Strait Point is located near the city of Hoonah, the largest native Tlingit Indian settlement in Alaska, and very near Glacier Bay National Park. Home to a historic cannery, the port's connection to the sea is strong. Locals share the sea with humpback whales, orcas, Dall porpoises, seals, sea otters, halibut and all five species of Pacific salmon. It is not uncommon to spot a humpback or an orca while walking along the beach.
Sitka, Alaska
Sitka, the site of Russia's initial foray into Alaska, has perhaps the richest history of any Alaskan town. Explore the melding of Russian and Native American cultures, while enjoying the unspoiled landscape at the gateway to remote South-East Alaska. Both the local residents and abundant wildlife add to Sitka's authentic feel. When the Russian American Company invaded Alaska in 1799, the Tlingit locals greeted them with fierce resistance. The site of this battle and the remains of the Tlingitbuilt fort are the centre of the Sitka National Historic Park, which also boasts an impressive collection of totem poles.
ROCKY MOUNTAINEER TRAIN
Amazing scenery awaits on a spectacular scale. Glaciers, gorges, waterfalls, forests and lakes are stunning - its like nowhere else on earth. - Experience this area on the famous Rocky Mountaineer Train.
Travelling onboard the Rocky Mountaineer is an unforgettable experience, considered by many to be a trip of a lifetime. The two-day rail journey recaptures the romance of rail travel as it follows the historic train route constructed over 100 years ago through Canada's West and the Canadian Rockies, uniting the country.
The entire train ride takes place during daylight hours to ensure you enjoy every minute of the breathtaking scenery of glacier-fed lakes, majestic mountain ranges and ferocious rivers.
Wilderness and wildlife are imperative to the Canadian Rockies experience. In this spirit, the pristine Yellow-head route follows the second and lowest pass through the Canadian Rockies. Scenic valleys, rolling plateaus, and snowy peaks are home to some of Western Canada's most stunning wildlife and onboard the Rocky Mountaineer you will have the rare chance to see some of these majestic animals.
Moose, elk, big horn sheep, black bear, eagle and osprey are known to make appearances as you travel through their wild habitat. With an overnight stay in Kamloops at the junction of the mighty Fraser and Thompson rivers, this, all daylight journey, ensures that not a moment of the spectacular wilderness will be missed.
Highlights of the two day trip Include:
Fraser River - The longest river in British Columbia and the 5th longest in all of Canada. The rushing waters carve through rock layers and carry sediment from the western slopes of the Rocky Mountains all the way to the Georgia Strait and the Pacific Ocean. Heavy with sediment, the waters are a muddy brown to milky green.
Fraser Canyon - Marvel at the Fraser Canyon as you exit the Coast Mountains. This deep canyon is a natural wonder that extends all the way to Hope, with steep sides soaring up to 600 metres above the water.
Hell's Gate - The thundering waters of the renowned tourist attraction, Hell's Gate, is a fascinating sight. Located at the most narrow and intimidating point in the Fraser River, as much as 200 million gallons of water surge through the 33.53 metre gorge each minute.
Mount Robson - Soaring a majestic 12,972 feet, this heavily glaciated peak is the highest of the Canadian Rockies. Dropping into Berg Lake to the North and Kinney Lake to the South, this mountain is a towering giant compared to the snow tipped peaks that surround it.
Pyramid Falls - As you pass the magnificent Pyramid Falls, cascading 91.5 metres (300 feet) beside the train tracks, the train will slow down to allow you a close-up view of this spectacular site. When the wind is right, you might enjoy a misty spray from the falls.
Albreda Glacier - This is a great vantage point to observe the Albreda Glacier. Glaciers are permanent snowfields formed in locations where snowfall exceeds snowmelt each year. The weight of the accumulated snow compresses the under layers into ice, which then melts, allowing the glacier to move downhill. The movement grinds rocks into a fine powder, which is deposited in the lakes and rivers below giving the water a beautiful turquoise blue colour.
Jasper National Park - Travelling through Jasper National Park will allow you to explore one of the largest protected areas in the World, designated a Canadian Rocky Mountains Park World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1907.
Included in the Rocky Mountaineer is RedLeaf Service which Features:
- Assigned seating in reclining seats
- Extended legroom
- Large picture windows
- Meal service at your seat
- Forward-facing seats that rotate to accommodate groups of four
- Restroom facilities in each coach
- Temperature-controlled
