16 Day Glaciers and Gold Rush Bonanza

On arrival in Vancouver, make your way to your downtown hotel and settle into your room. Either relax after your long flight and make the most of the hotel's indoor pool, or bar and restaurant, or head out and explore downtown Vancouver.

Today you'll board the Holland America ship to start your seven-day cruise to Alaska. Make your way to the cruise ship terminal and settle into your cabin, before exploring the ship. In the evening, you’ll have your first meal on board, so sit back and enjoy the scenery as you tuck into a gourmet meal.

The ship sets sail this morning and you’re in for a treat, as it first sails through one of the most beautiful passages in the world. You’ll start to spot the gems of Alaska as you watch the scenery change from the ship's desk. Be mesmerised by the rain forest, glaciers, fjords and white-capped mountains. You might even be lucky enough to spot whales and sea lions, and there's sure to be an abundance of marine bird life.

The ship cruises further down the coast today, to the town of Ketchikan, which is the ancestral home of the Tlingit tribe. The community has strong ties to the aboriginal past and provides a gateway to the Misty Fjords National Monument and the 8900-kilometre-squared, pristine wilderness. Ketchikan also has the world’s largest collection of totem poles, which you can explore, or head to Saxman Native Village, Totem Bight and Totem Heritage Centre.

Alaska’s capital city, Juneau, is where the legacy of the tin pan prospector meets the eco-adventure tourism scene of tomorrow. It’s here where the pioneering spirit lives on, thanks to the interesting mix of cosmopolitan city and frontier ruggedness. There are many places to visit, such as the Alaska State Museum - featuring an exquisite collection of Russian Orthodox and Gold Rush replicas. Or, if you’re after something more adventurous, take a look at the excursions that Holland America offer guests.

Carrying on further into Alaska, the ship heads for Skagway today, which was an important outpost during the days of the Klondike. When you disembark the ship, wander along the sidewalks of Broadway Avenue and visit some of the vintage shops and small museums. There are also plenty of restaurants that you can stop in, too. Alternatively, you could independently take the White Pass Summit Excursion, a rail adventure on the White Pass & Yukon Route railroad, which winds along narrow tracks through the mountains. 

Often one of the highlight days, today you will get to watch a natural show unlike any other. See massive chunks of ancient ice split from the glacier and thunder into the water, creating plumes of water that shoots meters into the air. This area of Glacier Bay National Park boasts the most active calving (splitting off) tidewater glaciers in the world. 

Today, the ship sails without docking anywhere, so you can enjoy a relaxing day on-board the ship. Recline on the desk and watch the scenery, or maybe catch a movie in the on-board theatre. There'll also be a selection of activities to choose from, so be sure to ask the cruise director what’s going on.

The ship comes into port at the last stop today, Denali. Disembark after a leisurely breakfast and meet your tour director, before traveling by coach through specular scenery on the Seaward Highway, a National Scenic Byway. Pass through the Kenai Mountains, Turnagain Pass and then follow the picturesque Turnagain Arm. The group will arrive in Anchorage by 13:30, where you'll have some free time to explore the town. Entrance to the Anchorage Museum is included in your tour, so why not spend an hour there? At 15:00, the coach will depart Anchorage and carry on to the final stop for today, Denali, arriving in the evening. Check into your hotel and enjoy a restful night ready for more exploring tomorrow.

Denali National Park is an expansive parkland and one of the highlights of Alaska. Enjoy a morning wildlife tour on a park-operated shuttle bus, which will take the group deep into the scenic landscapes. If the weather is clear enough, you'll be able to see Mount Mckinley, the highest mountain in USA standing at 6193 meters high. You'll also get to see Wonder Lake, located in the centre of Denali National Park and renowned for its wildlife viewing opportunities.

The coach travels along George Parks Highway and makes a stop in Nenana for a visit to the Alaska Railroad Museum. In the afternoon, the group will arrive in Fairbanks, where you'll have the afternoon at leisure. There are many things to do in Fairbanks, from looking round the Alaska Dog Mushing Museum, to trying the famous king crabs in the local restaurants. Or, for something a bit more adventurous, join a sternwheeler cruise on the Chena River. If you’re after a bit of local culture, then you can attend the Gold Rush Show at the Malemute Saloon.

Enjoy a morning stroll through Fairbanks before the coach departs and heads south past various lakes and rivers. You’ll see the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and cross the Tanana River, before arriving at Delta Junction, where the coach joins the Alaska Highway and stops at a local visitor centre. The journey continues on the Top of the World Highway and when the scenery changes to tundra, you’ll know you've crossed the border into Canada. Travel through various villages with quirky names like Chicken and Action Wade Camp, before crossing the Yukon River by ferry to reach Dawson City.

Known for its Gold Rush history, people do still dig for gold in Dawson City. It’s also the meeting point of the Klondike and the Yukon River. On today’s agenda are a visit to Bonanza Creek, the Jack London cabin and the Midnight Dome, Dawson City’s very own mountain. Plus, you’ll also go to the remarkable Gold Diggers Museum. You'll then have some time to wander around town and admire the period buildings, some of which are still original. In the evening, enjoy a show at the famous Diamond Tooth Gerties Casino and Cancan.

Today, head out of Dawson City and enjoy a journey up the Dempster Highway, the only connection to the remote town of Inuvik. Marvel at the towering Tombstones Mountains, before continuing into the mountain range, where every season has its own attraction.

The last full day of the tour sees the coach head further south and along the Klondike Highway to Whitehorse. You'll see a lot of the mighty Yukon River, which stretches for over 3200 kilometres and is one of the longest waterways in North America. The group will make a stop at the infamous Five Fingers Rapids; fast waters that caused many problems for sternwheelers navigating the Yukon back in the day. Before getting to Whitehorse you’ll pass by old post offices, roadhouses and small villages which echo the gold rush era from 100 years ago.  

After an incredible two weeks, this morning it’s time to transfer to Whitehorse airport for your flight to Vancouver to connect back to London.