Walking the Great Land of Alaska

Day 1

EN ROUTE TO FAIRBANKS, ALASKA

Our Adventure "Way up North" begins today in Fairbanks, just 125 miles from the Arctic Circle. Because travelers will be arriving from the "lower 48" throughout the day, no group activities are planned until tomorrow morning.

Day 2

ACTIVITIES FROM FAIRBANKS (B,L)

We'll start our first full day together with a coach ride to the famed Alaska Pipeline to learn its secrets for carrying oil across miles of frozen tundra. A stop at an abandoned gold dredge operation shows how gold was mined after the initial pick and shovel strikes-you'll even have a chance to try your hand at panning for gold! Following a miner's lunch, we'll enjoy a fun and educational sternwheeler cruise down the Chena River aboard the Discovery III. The ship's crew enlists the help of a colorful group of locals to teach us about bush pilots, dogsled racing, and native peoples of "the great land."

Day 3

FAIRBANKS-DENALI NATIONAL PARK (B)
Denali National Park Walk 10 km, rated 3+

Today's full slate of activities begins with a four-hour ride on the Alaska Railroad through the Alaska Bush to Denali National Park. Nature trails in the environs of the park visitor center provide a wonderful hike through stands of birch and fir and low groundcover of colorful wild blueberry bushes.

Day 4

ACTIVITIES IN DENALI NATIONAL PARK (B,L,D)

Today's main event is an early-morning Tundra Wilderness Tour through Denali. Though wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, past WAI groups have spotted numerous animals and enjoyed surprisingly frequent views of remarkable Mt. McKinley (only seen by 20% of visitors). Later this evening, we'll regroup at the Alaska Cabin Nite Dinner Theater, a memorable and zany look at the history of Denali, presented with an all-you-can-eat, family-style meal.

Day 5

DENALI NATIONAL PARK-ANCHORAGE (B)
Kincaid Park Wilderness Walk 10 km, rated 2

After motoring through grand Alaskan landscapes, we'll arrive at Kincaid Park for the walk of the day. The Kincaid Park trail offers the opportunity to explore an excellent cross-country ski route through white birch and spruce boreal forests with occasional views of Cook Inlet in the distance. Our home for the night is a lovely hotel within walking distance of the attractions of downtown Anchorage.

Day 6

ANCHORAGE-HOMETOWN, USA (B)
Anchorage City Walk 10 km, rated 1

Denali Delights ends today with a final walk blending uniquely Alaskan aspects of 21st century Anchorage with pleasant green spaces on the outskirts of town. Alternatively, you may choose to explore the excellent Anchorage Museum of History & Art, take in the Alaska Experience Theater, or simply browse the multitude of shops. Later this morning, you'll be transferred to the airport to catch your flight back to the lower 48. Travelers continuing on with us for Cruising the Inside Passage will board a motorcoach for a picturesque ride to the port town of Whittier. Here, we'll board Princess Cruises' Diamond Princess to begin our voyage through some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in the world.

Day 1

EN ROUTE TO WHITTIER, ALASKA (D)

Travelers joining us for Cruising the Inside Passage will be met by Princess Cruises' representatives at the Anchorage airport and transported to Whittier where they will rendezvous with the rest of the group this evening aboard the Diamond Princess.

Day 2

CRUISING PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND & COLLEGE FJORD (B,L,D)

Your first full day aboard ship offers a wonderful opportunity to get accustomed to the relaxing delights of cruise ship travel. Prince William Sound offers one of nature's grandest collections of jagged glaciers, and College Fjord boasts an enormous ice field producing a world-record 16 tidewater glaciers-a breathtaking landscape enclosed by steep walls of ice and mountains rising from sea level to 10,000 feet!

Day 3

CRUISING GLACIER BAY NAT'L PARK (B,L,D)

The snow-capped Fairweather Mountains, topping out at 15,000 feet; coastal beaches with protected coves; deep fjords snaking their way inland; a bevy of tidewater glaciers; and a wealth of marine wildlife are all part of 3.3 million acre Glacier Bay National Park. With the interpretive assistance of a team of park rangers, we'll spend this memorable day cruising through the natural wonders of this spectacular bay.

Day 4

PORT OF CALL: SKAGWAY (B,L,D)
Skagway Klondike Gold Rush Walk 10 km, rated 1

Skagway is part of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park and retains its "turn of the century" flavor with style. In 1897-98, miners "stampeded" here from all over the "lower 48" and the world. The attraction was the Klondike gold strike in Canada's neighboring Yukon Territory. Our walk includes the national park's visitor center with its excellent documentary film; Broadway Street, lined with vintage buildings from the gold rush era; and the Gold Rush Cemetery, where confidence man Soapy Smith and his nemesis Frank Reid were laid to rest after their fatal gun battle in 1898. A late-evening departure takes us through exquisite Inside Passage panoramas en route to Juneau.

Recommended shore excursion: White Pass & Yukon
Route railway trip (not included)

Day 5

PORT OF CALL: JUNEAU (B,L,D)
Juneau Capital City Walk 10 km, rated 3

We arrive in Juneau early this morning with a full day to enjoy a walk and several shore excursion options. The walk begins from the ship and incorporates a stretch along Gold Creek and over the bridge spanning Gastineau Straits. It also affords opportunities to visit the State Capitol building and the excellent Alaska State Museum. Weʼll finish among the waterfront shops next to our ship, which leaves port late this evening.

Recommended shore excursion: Juneau Wildlife Cruise
(not included)

Day 6

PORT OF CALL: KETCHIKAN (B,L,D)
Ketchikan Salmon Capital Walk 5/10 km, rated 2

Our walk in the salmon capital of the world begins late this morning and is offered in two parts. A 5-kilometer loop follows Ketchikan Creek, where salmon may have begun their annual spawning ritual, to the Deer Mountain Fish Hatchery. A stop here provides an opportunity to learn how the abundant salmon runs are maximized and protected. Next is a stretch along infamous Creek Street, a former red light district on a picturesque boardwalk above Ketchikan Creek. Part one of the walk ends at the dock where you'll find lots of ways to spend your time (and money) in a gauntlet of waterfront shops. Walkers preferring a full 10 kilometers may continue by following the waterfront sidewalk along the Tongass Narrows to the tiny community of Saxman to watch native totem craftsman at work (admission fee may be required).

Day 7

CRUISING THE INSIDE PASSAGE (B,L,D)

Today is our last opportunity to enjoy the leisurely pace aboard ship and the wonderful views on both sides of the Passage. In addition to an overflowing array of meals, we're all invited to participate in activities like golf putting, table tennis, a vegetable and fruit carving demonstration, and a fascinating lecture by the ship's naturalist.

Day 8

ARRIVE VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA (B)
Stanley Park Walk 10 km, rated 1+

The Diamond Princess docks this morning in the enchanting city of Vancouver, B.C. After the formalities of disembarkation, our coach will take us to nearby Stanley Park. Considered to be North America's third largest urban park, Stanley Park boasts a Seawall Walk that encircles the peninsula and offers wonderful views of downtown Vancouver, the Burrard Inlet, Lion's Gate Bridge, and English Bay. Following time for lunch in historic Gastown, we'll cross the Burrard Inlet to Lynn Canyon where we'll walk across the suspension bridge and through towering old growth forest.

Day 9

HOMETOWN, USA (B)

Our Alaskan Adventure ends this morning with a drive to the Vancouver airport. We'll return home with fond memories of our 49th state-its fabulous scenery, the fascinating story of its settlement, and the irresistible pull to return and explore more of "the great land."