A Grand Journey from Japanese Shores to Alaskan Wilderness

Witness five glaciers — Valdez, Shoup, Columbia, Meares, Worthington — as they spill their loads of ice directly into super-scenic Prince William Sound. The encircling mountains and thundering waterfalls give this tiny town the moniker of the “Switzerland of Alaska”. Walk trails that disappear into lush forests; paddle alongside Puffins; go with the flow whilst rafting the chalky blue Lowe River, Valdez has it all. Bears, Bald Eagles, Trumpeter Swans, even Rufous Hummingbirds from as far away as Mexico all flock here.

Massive and magical, Hubbard is considered the mother-of-all tidewater glaciers in North America. Taller than a 30-storey building (above water). Larger than the state of Rhode Island. The marvel is also the most active, with ice chunks regularly sloughing off in massive dimensions. The thunderous roar of cracking ice echoes against a stellar backdrop with five of the ten tallest peaks in America. The most magical moment you’ll ever enjoy on deck.

Lace up your hiking shoes for Sitka won’t let you down. A true wilderness of volcanoes, mountain forests, islands and glaciers. Fishing is famous; whale and wildlife sightings epic; stories of battles between Russian fur traders and Tlingit are legendary. Thrills that go beyond: flight-seeing Mount Edgecumbe; kayak Sitka Sound; hike former WWII installations; step inside the Fortress of Bears; and find peace in the blue-domed St. Michael’s Cathedral.

On the rugged southern edge of Vancouver Island, Victoria, bustling capital of British Columbia, dynamically harmonizes with the magnificent Olympic Mountains. Victoria’s history dates to pre-colonial time when native peoples inhabited the area. In 1849, Vancouver Island became a British crown colony, widely evident in Victorian architecture, including the majestic Craigdarroch Castle. Indigenous Peoples’ legacies live on in festivals, ceremonies, dances, and art. Along the rugged Pacific coastline, lush rainforests, gardens, lakes, waterfalls, and charming fishing villages. Majestic mammals and marine wildlife abound in its waters, including four species of whales. Vibrant and verdant, you too will blossom in its perfect climate.

Surrounded by mountains, vibrant Vancouver is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and cosmopolitan adventurers alike. Meandering oceanside pathways surround eclectic neighbourhoods – Stanley Park, the West End, Gastown, Yaletown, Chinatown. A major global city, it is renowned for its cultural diversity and thriving art, theatre, music and food scenes. Its perfectly picturesque setting makes it popular filming location – with old-growth cedar forests, mountains covering 75% and two-thirds of Canada’s bird species and land mammals. A big, bustling city perched on the edge of wilderness.

The terrain is big and the crowds are small in this lesser traveled wonder that wholly embraces the “Last Frontier” spirit. Nature reigns in the Anan Bear & Wildlife Observatory where onlookers are strictly limited. Cosy comforts of town open to adventures beyond: climb steep Mount Dewey; follow a boardwalk to Rainbow Falls; cruise the great Stikine River; or hop a small boat to LeConte Bay that is brimming with icebergs. The grass is greener on the golf course where grazing deer may be spotted. Cook-up memories with outdoor culinary classes or ponder the 3,000-year-old messages at Petroglyph Beach. A lifetime of adventures in one compact location.

Urban and wild, the juxtaposition of Juneau is both homeland to the Dena’ina Athabascan peoples and Alaska’s modern capital. Here, rivers become runways for floatplanes to access the bears of Admiralty Island or the five glaciers of the Juneau icefield (tip: don sunglasses and step softly across a white ice wonders). Board boats seeking whales in Auke Bay with or scout hotspots for halibut and salmon. Lichen draped trees, flying squirrels, fox, deer and truffles; its rich rainforest creates a micro-climate that sustains stunning botanical gardens. Juneau has it all.

Rush into Skagway to discover the great Yukon and Klondike goldfields; strike it rich with adventure in this tiny frontier town that sits at the base of the great Coastal Mountains. Hike the Chilkoot Trail; bike a coastal rainforest along the Taiya River; ride the rails on a real gold-rush era, nar¬row-gauge railroad into the heart of the White Pass and Yukon. Bald eagles, brown bears, and an astonishing history that includes Wyatt Earp.

Ketchikan, as the First People named her, fuses the largest collection of authentic totem poles with outrageous outdoor adventures. Cast for salmon and cook your catch at a wilderness campsite; cycle rainforests; paddle in calm waters to meet the locals: harbour seals, humpback whales, and bald eagles. Scout remote coves to witness bears, orcas and to smell, touch, and truly feel the beauty of the forest.

Surrounded by mountains, vibrant Vancouver is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and cosmopolitan adventurers alike. Meandering oceanside pathways surround eclectic neighbourhoods – Stanley Park, the West End, Gastown, Yaletown, Chinatown. A major global city, it is renowned for its cultural diversity and thriving art, theatre, music and food scenes. Its perfectly picturesque setting makes it popular filming location – with old-growth cedar forests, mountains covering 75% and two-thirds of Canada’s bird species and land mammals. A big, bustling city perched on the edge of wilderness.