11 Days • 10 Nights
Alaska Inside Passage Cruise & Denali
Tour Includes
About the Trip
Trip Highlights
- A scenic Inside Passage cruise
- Glacier Bay's calving ice and wildlife
- The gold-rush town of Skagway
- Juneau and Ketchikan
- The Alaska Railroad to Denali
- Grizzlies, moose and North America's highest peak
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 11-day journey.
Met at Vancouver airport and transferred to your hotel. Explore the harbour city and enjoy a welcome dinner before boarding your cruise tomorrow.
You board your cruise ship and set sail north into the sheltered, scenic waterways of the Inside Passage, settling into life aboard as the coastal wilderness slips by.
The ship calls at Ketchikan, famed for its totem poles, Native Tlingit heritage and salmon-rich waters, with time to explore or take a wildlife or floatplane excursion.
A day in Juneau, Alaska's remote capital, where you can visit the Mendenhall Glacier, go whale watching for humpbacks, or ride the tramway for mountain views.
The ship calls at Skagway, a preserved gold-rush town, where you can ride the historic White Pass railway into the mountains along the Klondike stampeders' route.
A spectacular day cruising Glacier Bay National Park, watching towering tidewater glaciers calve into the sea amid whales, seals, sea otters and eagles, a highlight of any Alaska voyage.
You disembark in Southcentral Alaska and transfer to Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, ringed by mountains and sea, for an overnight before heading inland.
You board the scenic Alaska Railroad north to Denali National Park, gliding through wilderness to your lodge near the park.
A full-day wilderness tour into Denali, searching for grizzlies, moose, caribou and wolves beneath North America's highest peak.
You return to Anchorage by rail or road through spectacular scenery, with a farewell dinner in the city.
After breakfast you transfer to Anchorage airport for your onward flight, having seen Alaska by sea and land.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- 10 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast, full board aboard the cruise and a welcome dinner
- Airport transfers
- Touring, sightseeing and wildlife activities as per itinerary with expert guides
- Ground transport, rail or car hire as specified
- National park entry and cruise fees as per itinerary
- a 5-night Inside Passage cruise, the Alaska Railroad, a Denali wilderness tour and glacier viewing
Exclusions
- International airfare
- Visa or tourist card fees where applicable
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Shore excursions beyond those listed
- Cruise gratuities and beverages
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa & ESTA: Alaska is part of the USA, so Visa Waiver Program travellers need an approved ESTA before flying, and other nationalities need a US B-2 visa; a valid passport is required. We advise you based on your nationality
- Currency & tipping: The currency is the US Dollar and cards are accepted everywhere; tipping is expected as elsewhere in the USA, around 18 to 20 percent in restaurants and tips for guides, drivers and crew
- Best time to visit: The main season runs May to September, with long daylight hours, open roads and peak wildlife; June to August is warmest and busiest, while late August and September add autumn colour and early Northern Lights
- Northern Lights: The aurora is best seen from late August to April on clear, dark nights, especially around Fairbanks; the peak summer months have too much daylight for aurora viewing
- Wildlife: Alaska is one of the world's great wildlife destinations, with bears, moose, whales, eagles and more; always keep a safe distance, carry bear awareness in the backcountry and follow your guide's advice
- Weather & layers: Alaskan weather is changeable even in summer, so pack warm and waterproof layers, sturdy footwear and a hat; conditions can shift quickly, especially on glaciers and at sea
- Getting around: Distances are vast and some areas are roadless; itineraries combine scenic rail, small-ship or day cruises, flights and self-drive, all arranged for you. Daylight is very long in summer, so plan for plenty of activity
- Health & power: No vaccinations are required, but travel insurance is essential as US healthcare is costly; bring insect repellent for summer mosquitoes. Power is 120V with type A and B plugs, so bring an adapter
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of cruise is this?
This uses a comfortable large cruise ship on the classic Inside Passage route with a Glacier Bay day, ideal for first-time visitors. We can also arrange intimate small-ship expedition cruises for a more adventurous, wildlife-focused voyage.
Which direction does the cruise sail?
This itinerary sails northbound from Vancouver, ending with the land journey to Denali, which builds beautifully to the interior. We can also arrange southbound or round-trip cruises to suit your flights.
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included, along with any meals named in the itinerary such as a welcome dinner or cruise meals. Alaskan seafood, from king crab to wild salmon, is a highlight, so most other meals are left free with our recommendations.
When is the best time to visit Alaska?
The main season is May to September, with long daylight and peak wildlife; June to August is warmest, and late August to September adds autumn colour and the first Northern Lights. Winter trips focus on the aurora and are timed separately.
Will we see wildlife?
Very likely — Alaska is superb for wildlife, with excellent chances of seeing bears, moose, eagles, sea otters and, on the water, whales and sea lions. Our guides and cruises maximise sightings, though wildlife can never be guaranteed.
Can we see the Northern Lights?
In summer there is too much daylight for the aurora, but our autumn and winter itineraries (late August to April), especially around Fairbanks, offer excellent chances on clear, dark nights.
How do we travel around Alaska?
We combine the best options, the scenic Alaska Railroad, day or small-ship cruises among the glaciers and fjords, flights over roadless areas and comfortable self-drive or coach touring, all arranged and built into your itinerary.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. We can adjust the balance of parks, cruises and wildlife, add a Denali stay, an Inside Passage voyage or an aurora extension, and tailor the pace and lodges to your interests.
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