Alaska and the Yukon

Wednesday 27 May

Depart Auckland on an evening Air New Zealand flight, crossing the International Dateline to arrive in Vancouver mid-afternoon and check into your airport hotel. Afternoon to rest before meeting up with your fellow travellers at the Welcome Dinner.

Thursday 28 May

Fly to Whitehorse with the day free to explore and share the authentic Yukon lifestyle including an Alaskan husky sled dog tour.

Friday 29 May

A leisurely morning before transferring to an airport hotel in preparation for your morning flight to Dawson. Remainder of the day free.

Saturday 30 May

Day at leisure to explore Dawson City.

Dawson City is the heart of the world famous Klondyke Gold Rush. The town today pays tribute to these men who risked everything, including their lives during the rush from 1896.

Sunday 31 May

Today fly to Fairbanks, Alaska golden heart city. Later enjoy a sumptuous dinner at your hotel.

Monday 01 June

This renowned Gold Rush town still has working gold mines. Take a step back in time aboard the Sternwheeler Discovery (lunch included) and pan for gold at the historic Gold Dredge No 8 at the El Dorado Gold Mine.

Tuesday 02 June

After breakfast, travel by coach bound to Denali. Afternoon at your leisure.

Denali is home to North America’s highest peak, Mt McKinley and the National Park covers approximately 24,000 sq km of abundant Taiga forests and rolling Tundra. You may see Alaska’s ‘Big Five’ bear, grey wolves caribou, Dall sheep and moose.

Wednesday 03 June

After breakfast venture deep into Denali on the Tundra Wilderness Tour – a spectacular scenery adventure - the best way to see the wildlife and hopefully Mt McKinley. Return to your lodge with the afternoon free.

Thursday 04 June

After an early breakfast, travel to an Iditarod Husky training and breeding centre. Spend time with champion sled dogs, cuddle the puppies and tour the kennel. Afternoon free for other optional tours and to explore independently.

Friday 05 June

Board the luxurious McKinley Explorer train to Anchorage. Relax and enjoy the scenic beauty, including spectacular views of Mt McKinley and wildlife, before checking into your lodge with time to explore on your own in the evening. There will be photographic opportunities along the way.

The dome rail cars feature seating in the upper dome and an outdoor viewing deck.

Saturday 06 June

Morning sightseeing of the city with time to explore a variety of exciting options and leisure time available. Optional add on to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Centre (approx. $200NZD)

Anchorage - home to half the population of the state of Alaska with the high-rises complementing natures towering peaks in the surrounding countryside. Shopping, performing arts, museums and the Alaska Native Heritage Centre all make Anchorage a must-visit.

Sunday 07 June

A transfer by train to Seward to board ‘m/s Westerdam’ early afternoon.

Settle into your stateroom with dinner served as you sail out of Anchorage and later entering the scenic wonders of the iconic Inside Passage, one of the most spectacular waterways in the world.

Monday 08 June

Enjoy a leisurely day cruising and explore the onboard activities and facilities.

Tuesday 09 June

Cruise the stunning, ice-studded fjords of the national treasure for a full eight hours as a Park Service Ranger narrates. A wonderful experience!

Wednesday 10 June

We spend today at the port of Haines - known as the adventure capital of Alaska. Haines is more unusual than most with its unique rustic feel. It’s almost as if time has stopped.

Thursday 11 June

Enjoy a full day exploring Alaska’s capital city which balances frontier ruggedness with cosmopolitan flair – choose from exciting shore excursions and still have time to wander.

Mendenhall Glacier, a river of ice measuring 2.5km wide and more than 9.5km in length, hugs Juneau’s north side and is part of the 3885sq km Juneau Icefield.

Friday 12 June

A day to explore this uniquely Alaskan port, famous for its rich native culture, salmon fishing and scenic, misty Fjords.

Ketchikan is the ancestral home of the Tlingit people, carvers of the world’s largest collection of totem poles. The name comes from the Tlingit phrase ‘katch kanna’ which roughly translated means ‘spread wings of a thundering eagle’ – a tribute to the hundreds of eagles that nest in the nearby mountain forests.

Saturday 13 June

Enjoy a leisurely day cruising the Inside Passage passing Queen Charlotte Island, the archipelago on the North Coast now known as Haida Gwaii.

Sunday 14 June

After breakfast disembark the ‘M/S Westerdam.’ Enjoy a city tour including Chinatown, Canada Place, English Bay, Lions Gate Bridge and Stanley Park. Return to hotel with rest of the day free.

Monday 15 June

Depart for a North Vancouver sightseeing tour including crossing Vancouver’s oldest visitor attraction. There is something for everyone including rainforest and tree top walks, exhibits, immense Red Cedars and Douglas firs and a ‘Cliff Hanger’ walk.

Continue on to Grouse Mountain and enjoy the Skyride to the peak with breath-taking views of Vancouver city, the Pacific Ocean, gulf islands and snowy peaks. Enjoy access the Theatre in the Sky, Lumberjack Show and Mountain Refuge. Return to hotel late afternoon.

Tuesday 16 June

A day at leisure to further explore the city or return to some of the previous activities. Farewell Dinner tonight.

Wednesday 17 June

Day at leisure before transferring to the airport for your evening flight home.

Cross international Dateline

Thursday 18 June

Friday 19 June