Itinerary

Upon arrival in Vancouver, transfer to your hotel and relax, enjoy an optional excursion, or explore independently.

Discover the highlights of Vancouver on a private 5-hour guided exploration of one of Canada’s most beautiful cities. Visit Stanley Park’s ancient rainforest, cross the famous Lions Gate Bridge and enjoy admission to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, where walkways and treetop platforms offer elevated views over cedar forests and the Capilano River below. Continue to the artisan stalls and food markets of Granville Island before exploring the historic districts of Chinatown and Gastown, the city’s original waterfront settlement and home to the iconic Steam Clock.

After a morning and afternoon at leisure, take a private transfer to the harbour and embark the ship in the evening. Settle into your cabin before meeting the expedition team and crew. As the ship prepares to sail, enjoy a welcome gathering and your first introduction to the journey ahead.

Begin your exploration with the spectacular coastline of British Columbia as the ship threads its way through the Inside Passage. Scan the waters and shoreline for whales, dolphins, bears, deer and other wildlife while enjoying the ever-changing scenery of islands, inlets and forested shores. Then, as you head towards Alaska, attend presentations from the expedition team or simply relax on deck and watch the wilderness drift by.

Cross into Alaska and cruise through the dramatic landscapes of Misty Fjords National Monument. Towering cliffs rise directly from the water while waterfalls tumble down rock faces into the fjord below. Weather permitting, explore the shoreline by Zodiac or kayak for a closer look at this remote wilderness of forested slopes, hidden coves and soaring peaks shrouded in mist.

Navigate the scenic waterways of Wrangell Narrows, an area inaccessible to larger vessels. If conditions allow, explore by kayak or Zodiac and step ashore for guided walks through the temperate rainforest. Later, cruise through Frederick Sound, keeping watch for humpback whales, orcas and sea lions. Along the shoreline, there may also be opportunities to spot moose, Sitka black-tailed deer, black bears, wolves and bald eagles.

Today is shaped by the surrounding wildlife, weather and sea conditions. Explore secluded bays, forest-fringed inlets and salmon-rich streams, with the flexibility to adapt plans according to the day’s opportunities. You may set out on a forest walk beneath towering spruce and hemlock trees, follow bear trails through the wilderness or paddle by kayak along the shoreline in search of marine life in the intertidal zone.

Spend the morning cruising northwards along Alaska’s rugged coastline towards Yakutat Bay. Keep an eye out for the distant summit of Mount Fairweather before the ship enters the bay and approaches the immense Hubbard Glacier. Stretching six miles across, this vast river of ice is one of Alaska’s most impressive natural sights. Subject to ice conditions, there may be an opportunity to explore the area more closely by Zodiac.

Explore the remote bays of Chichagof Island, part of the vast Tongass National Forest. The island is renowned for its rich wildlife and supports one of the highest concentrations of brown bears in the world. There may be opportunities to kayak or paddleboard along the coastline or hike through the temperate rainforest. Later, continue cruising along the outer coasts of Chichagof and Baranof Islands, watching for both marine and terrestrial wildlife from the decks of the ship.

Arrive in Sitka in the morning. After breakfast, disembark and transfer to the airport for your onward journey.