Alaska, British Columbia – Wilderness, Glaciers and Culture by Hurtigruten

Day 1: Vancouver – Embarkation

You will embark the MS Roald Amundsen in the vibrant city of Vancouver. Appreciate the city’s waterfront parks and nearby mountains which offer fascinating hiking trails in summer and skiing options for wintertime. Vancouver also has multitudes of cafes, shops, galleries, museums, and a diversity of cultural neighbourhoods to explore.

Day 2: At Sea

The ship will set sail to the north of Alaska through the narrow channels and straits of Canada’s Inside Passage. You can enjoy the ship’s facilities and attend the expedition team’s lectures. On the deck, the scenery will reveal formidable wildlife such as dolphins, porpoise, orcas, and whales in the protected inland waters.

Day 3: Ketchikan, Alaska

You will reach Ketchikan, a city known as the salmon capital of the world and home to one of the largest collections of standing totem poles. The place is closely connected to Tlingit culture and you can admire colourful houses lining up on the riverbank and see towering mountains surrounding the area.

Day 4: Sitka

Sitka, the former capital of Russian Alaska, lies in an area surrounded by snow-capped mountains and volcanoes. The area is also home to remarkable wildlife like orcas, whales and dolphins. Visit the Russian Cathedral and historical buildings next to a forest filled with totem poles.

Day 5: Icy Strait Point

The next day, you will head to Icy Strait Point, the traditional land of the Tlingit people, where you will observe houses decorated with intricate carvings, totem poles, colourful cafes, shops, and museums.

Day 6: Haines

Haines is a town framed by glaciers and mountains; and has been home to Chilkat Tlingit people for centuries. Nowadays, the community is known for its artists who are delighted to share their stories of its golden era and show you a place full of hidden surprises!

Day 7: Tracy Arm / Endicott Arm

Tracy and Endicott Arm Fjords are an unforgettable part of Alaska, the landscape is filled with lush greenery, steep valleys and intricate icebergs in the water. If you are lucky you will be able to watch them calve off the blue glaciers at the end of the fjords.

Day 8: Juneau

The capital of Alaska, Juneau is a town with a rich history, you can see the remnants of a gold rush town with its old saloons, historic hotels and gold mines peppering the mountains and valleys. The area offers numerous hiking trails and you will be able to take the aerial Mount Roberts cable car into the wilderness in no time.

Day 9: Wrangell

Wrangell is one of the oldest island towns in Alaska and has been governed by four different nations - Tlingit, Russia, Britain and the United States. You can see numerous petroglyphs on the beach and, as you move further inland, you will come across moss-covered totem poles a living reminder of the history of this area. You will also have the opportunity to spot seals in the harbour of Wrangell.

Day 10: Petersburg

The remarkable city of Petersburg, also known as the “Little Norway”, is a rarely visited place set in amazing scenery. Proud of their Scandinavian roots, the community celebrates Norwegian holidays and you will find the Sons of Norway Hall, a historic fraternal society building located on Indian Street.

Day 11: Misty Fjords National Monument

You will continue your journey to the Misty Fjords National Monument, a realm peppered with evergreen rainforests, granite cliffs and waterfalls. Along the coast, you will see mountain rivers and wetlands, frequently covered by a thick fog. This magical place is the largest wilderness area in Southeast Alaska.

Day 12: Prince Rupert

Prince Rupert is a port city in the province of British Columbia and a gateway to the immense wilderness. Once a major port and railway terminus, it became a peaceful provincial town with fascinating stories and a beautiful coastal setting, enjoy it before venturing into the untouched wilderness.

Day 13: Butedale - British Columbia Inside Passage

You will navigate through the narrow channels of the Canadian Inside Passage where you will enjoy diverse wildlife from eagles overhead to seals lying on rocky shores. The former salmon cannery is in Butedale. You can also see ghost towns and majestic waterfalls as you approach the shores.

Day 14: Alert Bay

The ship will continue its journey to Alert Bay, a small village on Cormorant Island where half of its residents belong to the First Nations community. The Kwakwaka’wakw people established this picturesque village where you can observe highly detailed totem poles, paintings, carvings and ceremonial masks in the local museum.

Day 15: Vancouver – Disembarkation

You will disembark the ship in the cosmopolitan city of Vancouver. Take advantage of this last day to enjoy the city’s waterfront parks, international cuisine, galleries, museums and colourful neighbourhoods. You can either extend your stay or decide to fly back to the UK.