Alaska Discovery Land & Cruise featuring a 7-night Holland America Cruise
Alaska Discovery Land & Cruise featuring a 7-night Holland America Cruise
Alaska Discovery Land & Cruise featuring a 7-night Holland America Cruise
12 Days Starting in Fairbanks, United States and ending in Vancouver, Canada
Visiting: Fairbanks, AK, Denali National Park, Talkeetna, AK, Hubbard Glacier, AK, Glacier Bay, AK, Skagway, AK, Juneau, AK, Ketchikan, AK, Inside Passage, BC, Vancouver BC
Tour operator:
Tour code:
16314
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Traverse the Pacific coast by land and sea aboard one of Holland America Cruise Lines’ lovely ships on a breathtaking journey that takes you from Alaska to Vancouver, British Columbia. Cruise the Sternwheeler Discovery and encounter Alaska’s diverse culture and rich history. Enjoy local dishes and a lively musical performance at the Denali Dinner Theater about the first brave men to summit Denali. Ride a luxury domed railcar from Denali to Talkeetna, soak in views of the incredible landscapes from glass-ceiling railcars and open-air observation platforms as guides provide expert commentary. Travel deep into Denali National Park for the best opportunities to view the region’s wildlife. Cruise through Glacier Bay and the Inside Passage, taking in rugged natural wonders. Explore Alaska’s gorgeous capital, Juneau. Visit Ketchikan, the “Salmon Capital of the World.” This is Alaska as you always imagined.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Fairbanks, Alaska - Tour Begins
Location: Fairbanks, AK
Accommodation Name: Westmark Hotel
Your tour opens in Fairbanks, in the great state of Alaska, on an adventure that brings together the best of both land and sea.
Day 2 : Fairbanks - Denali National Park
Location: Fairbanks, AK
Accommodation Name: McKinley Chalet Resort
Step aboard the popular Sternwheeler Discovery, an unforgettable journey showcasing Alaska’s diverse culture and rich history. Make stops along the way to meet the people and get a taste of local life. Take a scenic motor coach ride to Denali National Park. Tonight, enjoy a musical performance that tells the story of the first brave men to summit Denali followed by dinner.
Day 3 : Denali National Park
Location: Denali National Park
Accommodation Name: Hotel
This morning, travel deep into Denali National Park on the Tundra Wilderness Tour* which affords the best opportunities to view the region’s wildlife. Learn about the history of the park and see why Denali is one of the top three reasons that people visit Alaska. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Day 4 : Denali National Park - Talkeetna
Location: Denali National Park
Accommodation Name: Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge
Your day begins with a scenic train ride to Talkeetna. Savor every moment inside your luxury domed railcar. View the incredible landscape from glass-ceiling railcars and open-air observation platforms as rail guides provide expert commentary. Check into the iconic Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, perched on a ridge offering unforgettable views of Denali.
Day 5 : Talkeetna - Anchorage - Whittier - Board Cruise Ship
Location: Talkeetna, AK
Accommodation Name: Holland America Cruises' <I>Noordam</I> or <I>Nieuw Amsterdam</I>
Depart for your ship, stopping en route in Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city. Continue with a scenic drive along the Chugach Mountains. Drive along the Turnagain Arm to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. Discover where orphaned or injured bears, wolves, porcupines, and moose are cared for in a 200-acre rehabilitation site. Arrive in the port of Whittier where you’ll embark on your 7-night Holland America cruise aboard a fabulous floating resort designed to make your stay on board truly memorable. You will be dazzled by the entertainment in the state-of-the-art lounges and a myriad of dining options. While on board, breakfast, lunch, dinner and nightly entertainment are included.
Day 6 : Cruising - Hubbard Glacier
Location: Hubbard Glacier, AK
Accommodation Name: Cruise Ship
When conditions allow, your ship cruises up to the mammoth Hubbard Glacier, one of Alaska’s largest glaciers. Have your camera ready and take in the natural beauty of the glacier's stunning surface.
Day 7 : Cruising - Glacier Bay
Location: Glacier Bay, AK
Accommodation Name: Cruise Ship
Cruise into Glacier Bay, a spectacular national park and preserve that is a treasure trove of tidewater glaciers and scenic coastal islands. Its rich world of marine life and large concentration of tidewater glaciers is Alaska at its best.
Day 8 : Cruising - Skagway
Location: Skagway, AK
Accommodation Name: Cruise Ship
Skagway is your first port of call where you have the entire day to explore its gold rush history and see why it is called the “Garden City of Alaska.” The town is small but big on adventure with many things to see and do!
Day 9 : Cruising - Juneau
Location: Juneau, AK
Accommodation Name: Cruise Ship
From massive scenic mountains to historic buildings, there is so much to explore in Alaska’s capital city of Juneau.
Day 10 : Cruising - Ketchikan
Location: Ketchikan, AK
Accommodation Name: Cruise Ship
Your port of call today is Ketchikan, known as the “Salmon Capital of the World” and the “City of Totems.” Located on the tranquil Revillagigedo Island, Ketchikan is home to the world’s largest collection of totem poles.
Day 11 : Cruising - Inside Passage
Location: Inside Passage, BC
Accommodation Name: Cruise Ship
A wonderful day of sightseeing awaits as your ship sails along the amazing Inside Passage.
Day 12 : Vancouver, B.C. - Disembark Cruise - Tour Ends
Location: Vancouver, BC
Accommodation Name: Cruise Ship
Your cruise ends this morning in the vibrant Canadian city of Vancouver, leaving you with many wonderful memories of your tour to the last of the great frontiers.
What's Included
-
7-night Holland America Cruise
Relax aboard a 7-night Holland America cruise, your fabulous floating resort.
-
Hubbard Glacier Cruise
Cruise past Hubbard Glacier, one of Alaska's largest glaciers.
-
Glacier Bay Sailing
Sail through Glacier Bay, a treasure trove of glaciers and coastal islands.
-
Luxury Domed Railcar Journey
Enjoy an unforgettable rail journey from Denali to Talkeetna in a luxury domed railcar.
-
Tundra Wilderness Tour
Enjoy an expert guided Tundra Wilderness Tour in Denali National Park.
-
Dinner Theater Performance
Enjoy a lively dinner theater performance about the first brave men to summit Denali.
-
Meals on Cruise
While on board, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and nightly entertainment are included.
What's Not Included
-
Optional Tours
Optional tours such as the Skagway Tour and Summit Overlook, Jet Boat Whale Watching in Juneau, and Misty Fjords Flightseeing in Ketchikan are not included.
-
Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
-
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended for all travelers.
Experiences
Enjoy an unforgettable rail journey from Denali to Talkeetna in a luxury domed railcar.Enjoy an expert guided Tundra Wilderness Tour in Denali National Park.Relive Alaska's Gold Rush days in historic Skagway.
Options
Skagway, AK: Skagway Tour and Summit Overlook This is the ideal tour for the traveler seeking a short but in-depth look at Skagway’s natural and historical wonders. This tour showcases the best of everything that has made Skagway famous and parallels much of the train route to the White Pass Summit and beyond. Historical highlights include Brackett’s Toll Road, Dead Horse Gulch, and spectacular views of the White Pass Rail. Also included is a visit to the Gold Rush Cemetery where the legendary Soapy Smith was laid to rest. There will be plenty of photo opportunities, so be sure to bring along your camera. Duration approximately 2.5 hour(s). Transportation is included. A minimum of 2 passenger(s) is required to operate this option.
A passport is required.
Juneau, AK: Jet Boat Whale Watching Climb aboard your jet boat – a marine mammal-friendly mode of transportation – and set sail for an incredible experience! Discover the Alaskan wildlife during an expedition that takes you up close to the whales, porpoises, sea lions, seals, eagles and other wildlife abundant in this area. Marvel at the sounds of nature and the sea – your tranquil soundtrack while a local expert narrates. Duration approximately 3 hour(s). Transportation is included. A minimum of 2 passenger(s) is required to operate this option.
While in Juneau, only one option may be selected. Due to the nature of this option, once purchased it will be non-refundable.
Individuals must have the ability to board the vessel. There is a short walk from the ship to the vessel.
Ketchikan, AK: Misty Fjords Flightseeing Experience the magnificent beauty of Misty Fjord National Monument, a 2.1 million acre park covered by glaciers ages ago. Your pilot will narrate as you soar over majestic fjords, cascading waterfalls, and jewel-like lakes to discover some of Alaska’s most spectacular scenery. Sheer walls of granite rise over 3,000 feet comprising a truly awe-inspiring sight. Experience the tranquility of the Alaskan wilderness in a truly remote setting. Just don’t forget your camera for this amazing experience! Duration approximately 2 hour(s). Transportation is included. A minimum of 1 passenger(s) is required to operate this option.
This option is non-refundable if cancelled within 14 days prior to tour.
Actual flight time is approximately 65 minutes. Total time from ship and back is 90 minutes.
Passengers weighing over 260 pounds will be charged $450 for this option. All passengers are required to provide their weight at time of booking.
Culinaries
Enjoy a lively dinner theater performance about the first brave men to summit Denali.
Must See
Relax aboard a 7-night Holland America cruise — your fabulous floating resort.Cruise past Hubbard Glacier, one of Alaska's largest glaciers.Sail through Glacier Bay, a treasure trove of glaciers and coastal islands.
Choice Highlights
Fairbanks A home rule city in the state of Alaska, Fairbanks is the largest city in the Interior region. The city of Fairbanks was founded by Captain E. T. Barnette in August 1901 while headed to Tanacross, where he intended to set up a trading post. Fairbanks has a history of gold mining, which dates back to when it was founded. In 1939, major infrastructure in the territory occurred for the first time, in part of a larger effort by the federal government during the New deal and World War II, which fostered an economic and population boom in Fairbanks. The city of Fairbanks is home to a number of attractions and events which draw visitors from outside of Alaska throughout the year.
Sternwheeler Discovery Board the legendary Fairbanks riverboat, the Sternwheeler Discovery, for an unforgettable cruise showcasing Alaska’s diverse culture and rich history. Make stops along the way to meet the people and get a taste of local life.
Music of Denali Dinner Theater Telling the story of the first men to reach the summit of Denali is the focus of the rollicking Music of Denali Dinner Show. Told over a period of two hours while guests dine on a family-style meal of Alaskan salmon, BBQ, mashed potatoes and apple crisp, the show is sure to delight.
Denali National Park In 1917, Alaska named its first national park Mount McKinley National Park and nearly 70 years later the park was expanded and renamed Denali National Park. This vast land has a fascinating ecosystem and is more than a park — it is a wildlife reserve. And perhaps its biggest claim to fame is being the home to North America’s highest peak, Denali, ascending more than 20,000 feet. This massive park is now more than 6 million acres, an area that can be compared to the size of Massachusetts. The park is home to nearly forty different varieties of mammals, but the most popular residents are moose, caribou, wolves, plus brown and grizzly bears. Denali is Alaska’s heartland and brings you up close to its majestic beauty and natural wonders.
Tundra Wilderness Tour The Tundra Wilderness Tour offers wonderful diversity for visitors. Travel 53 miles into the park to the Toklat River area where incredible scenery and some of the best opportunities to view the park’s wildlife await you. This tour also provides in-depth information about the history of the park. While we can’t promise or predict when wildlife will show, the tour allows plenty of opportunity to look for Dall sheep, moose, caribou, wolves and grizzly bears.
Luxury Domed Rail Reliving the golden age of train travel, are the luxury domed railroad cars provided by Princess Cruises. Allowing guests to travel from the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge a mere 8 hours to Whittier and the awaiting cruise ship, the domed cars provide ease of travel for up to 880 passengers. With panoramic views from the dome-covered cars and the open-air viewing platforms, guests are delighted with the majestic wonder of Alaska.
Anchorage A young city founded in 1915, Anchorage is a vibrant city of just over 300,000 people. From its humble origins as a railroad town for the Alaska Railroad, the largest city in Alaska maintains its frontier history in an idyllic mountain setting.
Hubbard Glacier Nicknamed the galloping glacier, Hubbard Glacier is located in Disenchantment Bay. At 76 miles long, this is the longest tidewater glacier in North America and slightly larger than the state of Rhode Island. A tidewater glacier is a slow moving mass of ice and snow that flows into the ocean.
Glacier Bay Located just west of Juneau is the national park known as Glacier Bay. A UNESCO World Heritage site, this park features some of the world’s most spectacular tidewater glaciers, which regularly calve into the sea. Calving is the process of ice breaking from the face of a glacier and forming ice bergs.
Skagway Lying at the head of Lynn Canal is Skagway, one of the driest places in an otherwise soggy southeast. While Petersburg averages over 100” of rain in a year and Ketchikan a drenching 154”, Skagway gets only 26” annually. At the height of the gold rush, Michael J. Heney, an Irish contractor, convinced a group of English investors that he could build a railroad over the White Pass Trail to Whitehorse. The construction of the White Pass & Yukon Route was nothing short of a superhuman feat, and the railroad became the focal point of the town’s economy after the gold rush and during the military buildup of WWII.
Juneau As the third largest city in Alaska with a population of around 30,000, Juneau was the first town founded after Alaska’s purchase from the Russians. The town was founded on gold nuggest and in 1880, Sitka mining engineer George Pilz offered a reward to any local Tlingit chief who could lead him to gold-bearing ore. Chief Kowee of the Auk Tlingit tribe arrived with such ore, and Pilz sent Joe Juneau and Dick Harris, two vagabond prospectors, to investigate, and the town formed around the original mining camp.
Ketchikan Ketchikan is known for its totem poles. These can be viewed at Totem Bight or Saxman Village. They tell stories of the Native people. It is said that the Tlingits were inspired to carve totem poles after finding a carved log washed up on the beach.
Inside Passage The Inside Passage is a coastal route for oceangoing vessels along a network of passages which weave through the islands on the Pacific coast of North America. Extending from southeastern Alaska, in the United States, through western British Columbia, and to northwestern Washington state, ships using the route can avoid some of the bad weather in the open ocean and may visit some of the many isolated communities along the route.
Mode of Transport
Experience a scenic motor coach ride to Denali National Park, a luxury domed railcar journey from Denali to Talkeetna, and a 7-night cruise aboard a Holland America ship.
Accommodation
Stay at the Westmark Hotel in Fairbanks, McKinley Chalet Resort in Denali National Park, Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, and enjoy a 7-night cruise aboard Holland America's Noordam or Nieuw Amsterdam.
Check out our Q&As
-
What kind of wildlife might I see during the Tundra Wilderness Tour in Denali National Park?
During the Tundra Wilderness Tour in Denali National Park, you have the opportunity to see a variety of wildlife including Dall sheep, moose, caribou, wolves, and grizzly bears.
-
What is special about the train journey from Denali to Talkeetna?
The train journey from Denali to Talkeetna is special because it takes place in a luxury domed railcar, offering panoramic views of the incredible Alaskan landscape through glass ceilings and open-air observation platforms, with expert commentary provided by rail guides.
-
What can I expect during the cruise past Hubbard Glacier?
When conditions allow, the cruise will take you up close to the Hubbard Glacier, one of Alaska's largest glaciers, where you can capture the stunning natural beauty of the glacier's surface.
-
What activities are available in Skagway during the cruise?
In Skagway, you can explore its rich gold rush history and enjoy the town's adventurous offerings. There is also an optional tour available that includes historical highlights such as Brackett's Toll Road and the Gold Rush Cemetery.
-
What is included in the cruise experience aboard the Holland America ship?
The cruise aboard the Holland America ship includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, and nightly entertainment. The ship is designed to be a fabulous floating resort with state-of-the-art lounges and a variety of dining options.
-
What is the significance of Glacier Bay during the cruise?
Glacier Bay is a spectacular national park and preserve that is a treasure trove of tidewater glaciers and scenic coastal islands, offering a rich world of marine life and some of Alaska's most breathtaking natural beauty.
-
Can I pre-purchase optional excursions/activities?
Yes, the majority of optional excursions and activities are available for advance purchase for applicable tours provided that you make your options purchase prior to 15 days of the tour departure. Collette makes it convenient to reserve presold options by visiting our website for a full listing of activities and excursions or when your reservation is made with our reservations staff. In addition, there are benefits to prepurchasing options including a price guarantee once your tour is paid in full. So, while the cost of an optional activity may change from the time you book your tour, once payment is received in full, your preselected options are guaranteed by Collette at their original price. Although you can still purchase options while on tour, reserving them ahead of time ensures you a spot in the event that the activity sells out. Collette will provide a refund if you cancel a presold option prior to tour departure. Any presold options canceled while on tour are nonrefundable.
-
Can my children travel on tour?
Children over the age of 5 may travel on a Collette tour accompanied by an adult. Child land rates are valid for ages 5-12, sharing a room with two full-paying adults. Participation in any products that include Safari or Game Drive components, is limited to travelers aged 13 and up. This will include tours to Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa and India.
-
What is the difference between a twin room and double room?
In certain countries, hotel rooms tend to be smaller than U.S. standard accommodations. A double room is designed to accommodate two people, but may not have two separate beds. A twin-bedded room has two separate beds of any size, and is the type most commonly utilized.
-
Do you provide VISA processing for all applicable destinations?
Collette does not process VISAs. Every nation has its own specific requirements. Check the embassy or consulate website for the country you are visiting to find the forms and information you need. The process of getting a VISA can take two weeks to two months.
-
Do I need a passport?
Government-issued ID is required for all air travel. A valid passport is required for all trips outside the USA. All passengers should check with the appropriate foreign consulate for entry and validity requirements. We recommend that your passport has six months validity, and at least 3 blank pages. Passports and visas are the responsibility of each client. International Borders. Any child under age 16 (traveling without a parent or legal guardian to Canada) must have written permission from a parent or legal guardian. Please be advised that if you have been convicted of an offense, or have committed a criminal act that is an offense under the laws where it occurred and would be an offense in Canada, you may be inadmissible into Canada. You will need to apply for a Minister's Permit of Approval of Rehabilitation at a Canadian Consulate. All other travelers should contact the appropriate consulate for entry requirements in other international destinations. In South Africa, children are required to have a passport as well as additional documentation to travel with you into and out of the country. Please consult the South African Embassy for the current specific requirements related to your travel dates. If travelling internationally with a child under the age of 18, please check directly with the airline for the legal documentation that is required. It is the sole responsibility of the guest to procure the proper documentation to travel and many requirements vary by airline and destination. Collette will not be responsible for costs incurred for missed flights or canceled tours where a guest fails to secure proper documentation.
-
Is there a lot of walking on tour?
We pride ourselves on bringing travelers the very best experiences a destination offers. Our itineraries include many activities and may consist of walking on uneven terrain or significant walking at times. Some of the most unique sightseeing can mean accessing locations that restrict motorcoaches, especially in historic areas. Some hotels/lodges in remote locations may not have elevators. For your comfort, we recommend bringing walking shoes.
1 Select your preferred date
Book with Confidence
-
Free Date Changes
CTS demo white label allows you to make 20 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 0 days before the start of the tour.
-
Low Deposit
CTS demo white label requires a minimum deposit of 55% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
-
Terms and Conditions