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Vancouver & Alaska by Ferry & Rail

15 days, Vancouver to Anchorage

Train running through a massive forest
Map of the route for Vancouver & Alaska by Ferry & Rail
Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7–8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Itinerary

Day 1Vancouver

Arrive at any time.

There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting.

Consider arriving a few days early to Vancouver to fully explore the city. There's so much to do, and this tour departs the city on the morning of Day 2.

Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
18:00

Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

Day 2Vancouver/Port Hardy

Head out to Vancouver Island and up to Nanaimo and Port Hardy.

Take by public bus and ferry to Port Hardy. It's a long day of travel, but enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way.

Local Bus
Vancouver – Horseshoe Bay1h-1h30m

Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.

Ferry
Horseshoe Bay – Nanaimo1h30m-2h55km

Take in the views or enjoy the café.

Local Bus
Nanaimo – Port Hardy4h30m-5h30m

Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.

Day 3Port Hardy/Prince Rupert

Embark on the ferry through the famous Inside Passage. The glacial fjords provide spectacular scenery along the route and a safe haven for all types of wildlife, including orcas and porpoises. This is fantastic first taste of what travelling this long coastline has in store.

The ride is long, but spectacular. With a full day to relax, enjoy the scenery, read a book, or dine at the onboard restaurants.

Reach Prince Rupert, the last stop in Canada, late in the evening.

Due to ferry schedules, there may be layovers at certain stops along the route. If this occurs, your CEO will arrange to visit nearby local towns (time permitting).

Inside Passage Cruise
Port Hardy – Prince Rupert17h-18h 524km

Relax aboard the ferry through the stunning Inside Passage. Spot wildlife and soak in the views on one of the most scenic stretches of coastline in the world.

Day 4Prince Rupert

Enjoy a free day to discover Prince Rupert. With incredible hikes and abundant wildlife, Prince Rupert is a great place to get outside and explore.

Free Time
Prince Rupert Full Day

Enjoy a day taking in the scenery and wildlife of Prince Rupert.

Day 5Prince Rupert/Juneau

Rise early and board the overnight ferry to Juneau, Alaska.

During the journey, keep your eyes peeled for wildlife and relax with a book, cards, or explore the ship.

On board all ferries for the journey the cabins we use are for two people, with an upper and lower bunk, sink area, and an outside facing window. Linens are provided. Public showers and bathrooms are available. There are food options available for purchase on board.

Ferry
Prince Rupert – Juneau29h-30h

The ferries we use are local ferries that are part of the Alaska Marine Highway. Not a cruise ship, these vessels are used all summer long by locals heading up and down the coast. Travelling this way gives you the opportunity to experience this gorgeous coastline and get a local experience in relative comfort.

Day 6Juneau

Arrive in Juneau and spend time exploring the capital of Alaska. Don't miss the historic downtown.

Free Time
Juneau Afternoon

Start exploring the city and surrounds.

Days 7–8Juneau

With two free days, opt to check out the local hiking trails and try to spot some wildlife.

With plenty to do in the area, opt to visit the city, go kayaking, or enjoy some whale watching. If you're after a cold one, opt to visit the Alaskan Brewing Company to try some local beer.

Free Time
Juneau

Explore the gorgeous landscape around Juneau.

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Optional Activities - Days 7–8 HideShow

Kayaking
Juneau

Head out for a guided kayaking tour to experience the area's serenity and beauty. Explore secluded inlets set against dramatic mountain scenery.

Whale Watching Tour
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
125USD per person

Venture out to Pt Adolphus, a feeding ground for several types of whales that summer in Alaska before migrating to Hawaii for the winter. Enjoy the scenery and visit the open deck to get some gorgeous shots of the landscape and whales.

Alaskan Brewing Company
Juneau
20USD per person

Try some award-winning local beers on tap. Learn about the brewing process then shop for some souvenirs. Try the breweries Gold-Rush Beer, Alaskan Amber, and others.

Hiking
Juneau1h-3h
Free

Enjoy some time on the hiking trails around Juneau. Opt to try the Mount Roberts Trail for incredible views over the city, or the nearby Perserverence Trail.

Tracy Arm Scenic Cruise
Juneau
168USD per person

Hop on a boat and travel to the stunning Tracy Arm fjord, part of the Sawyer Glacier. Spend the day cruising past mountains, waterfalls and wildlife, before coming face-to-face with the glacier and surrounding icebergs.

Mendenhall Glacier Visit
Juneau
20-23USD per person

Visit the nearby Mendenhall Glacier, and see the massive 13-mile long river of ice. Opt to hike within Tongass National Park to viewpoints of Mendenhall, Nugget Falls, Steep Creek, or the East Glacier.

Day 9Juneau/Seward

Fly from Juneau to Anchorage, an impressive flight over the great Alaska wilds. Continue to Seward with a scenic transfer, stopping at iconic spots along the way.

Local Bus
Anchorage – Seward3h

Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.

Day 10Seward

Enjoy a free day in Seward. Choose to hike to the Exit Glacier and visit the Sealife Center, or opt to stay closer to Seward and explore the city, take a short hike, or enjoy a boat cruise.

Free Time
Seward

Explore the gorgeous landscape around Seward.

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Optional Activities - Day 10 HideShow

Kayaking
Resurrection Bay2h-8h
73-200USD per person

Get out on the water and paddle through the waves by kayak while learning about the history of the area. Out along the coast, watch for curious animals that might peek their heads out to see who’s passing by. The area is renowned for a variety of wildlife including sea otters, eagles, birds, and whales it’s likely you’ll spot at least a feather or the tip of tail.

Alaska SeaLife Center Visit
Seward1h-3h
30USD per person

The Alaska SeaLife Center is the only public aquarium in the state and also functions as an ocean wildlife rescue center. The facility focuses on research, rehabilitation, education, and exhibits.

Hike to View Exit Glacier on the Harding Icefield Trail
Exit Glacier – Seward5h-8h 12km
10USD per person

Head out on an amazing hike to the Exit Glacier along the Harding Icefield trail. The 11.9km (7.4 mi) round trip of the Harding Icefield Trail is a spectacular day hike through the Alaska backcountry. Starting on the valley floor, the trail winds through cottonwood and alder forests, passes though heather-filled meadows and ultimately climbs well above tree line to a breathtaking view of the icefield. The top of the trail is a window to past ice ages – a horizon of ice and snow that stretches as far as the eye can see, broken only by an occasional nunatak or lonely peak. There are various lookout points along the trail that serve as good turnaround points. Portions of the upper trail are covered by ice and snow part of the year. Easier, shorter hikes to the base of the glacier are also options that also afford beautiful views for those not looking for a strenuous hike.

Black bears are spotted frequently from the Harding Icefield Trail.

Day 11Seward/Anchorage

Hop on the Alaska Railroad and head to the bustling city (by Alaska standards, anyway) of Anchorage.

There's plenty of sunshine, even in the late evening to take in the scenery as we chug along the tracks.

Free Time
Seward Full Day

Spend another day enjoying the Kenai region.

Local Train
Seward – Anchorage4h-5h18:00 Evening

Ride the Alaska Railroad's Coastal Classic train. There are food and beverages available on board and all passengers have access to the Vista Dome car for the best views.

The train is cashless - only credit and debit cards are accepted for food and beverages available for purchase.

Day 12Anchorage/Denali

Take the Alaska Railroad to Denali National Park, one of the true gems of the region. See Mt McKinley and enjoy being in this remote wilderness.

Local Train
Anchorage – Denali7h-8h08:15

Ride Alaska Railroad's Denali Star train.

Day 13Denali National Park and Preserve

Journey deeper into the park to experience the grandeur. Opt for a scenic flight, hiking, or whitewater rafting.

Denali National Park is known for its diversity of wildlife and Mt McKinley. Summer is when the animals are raising their young and preparing for migration, hibernation, or survival during the winter and, with a little luck, we witness it all.

Denali National Park Visit
Denali National Park and Preserve – Denali

Spend the day exploring Denali National Park. The area is well-known for its diversity of wildlife and Denali, the highest peak in North America, formerly called Mt McKinley. There are 39 species of mammals, 167 species of birds, 10 species of fish, and one species of amphibian known in Denali. Summer is a time for raising the young and preparing for migration, hibernation, or survival during the winter and, with a little luck, we witness it all. Discover the dynamic glaciated landscape providing large rivers, countless lakes and ponds, and unique landforms which form the foundation of the ecosystems that thrive in Denali.

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Optional Activities - Day 13 HideShow

Dog Sledding and Kennel Tour
Denali National Park and Preserve
Free

Visit the dog sled kennels run by the park rangers and learn more about this ancient mode of transport. You might even get to pet a dog!

Denali Scenic Flight
Denali National Park and Preserve
220-420USD per person

Take to the skies for a bird's eye view of the spectacular grandeur. Get a better view of the mountains, glaciers, and wilderness from a few thousand feet up.

Rafting on Nenana River
Denali National Park and Preserve
95-150USD per person

Hit the rapids on the Nenana River. Soak in the gorgeous scenery and get a rush of adrenaline in Denali National Park.

Mt Healy Overlook Trail Hike
Denali National Park and Preserve3h-4h 7km
Free

Mt Healy Overlook Trail is an easy to moderate hike after the first third of it. It's about 4km (2.5 mi) one way with an elevation gain of about 518.2m (1,700 ft). Enjoy gorgeous view of the Alaska Range on a clear day.

Scenic Shuttle to East Fork Bridge (Mile 43)
Denali National Park and Preserve
45USD per person

Depart early to explore Denali National Park. Take the shuttle bus to the East Fork Bridge at (Mile 43) and back, getting deeper into the heart of the park. The journey takes approximately 6 hours and shows off the stunning wilderness of Denali.

Day 14Denali/Anchorage

Head back to Anchorage by train for a final night in the city.

Local Train
Denali – Anchorage7h-8h12:30

Travel back to Anchorage on the Denali Star.

Day 15Anchorage

Depart at any time.

Vancouver & Alaska by Ferry & Rail

| 15 days - Vancouver to Anchorage - Sold Out