Alaska & the Inside Passage

Arrive in Vancouver and transfer to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may choose to relax or begin exploring the city on your own. A Viking Host is available to help you plan your time in Vancouver so you can make the most of your visit.

After breakfast, enjoy a second day to experience British Columbia on your own. Nestled between the Strait of Georgia and the North Shore Mountains, Vancouver offers an array of outdoor opportunities to explore. Alternatively, join an optional excursion to see the sights of Victoria or travel to Whistler, a famed mountain resort town that was a key venue during the 2010 Winter Olympics. (B)

Begin your half-day tour at Stanley Park, one of North America’s largest urban parks. Here, you will view well-known landmarks and learn about the carvings on the First Nations’ totem poles. In Chinatown, stroll through the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, an authentic representation of the Ming Dynasty garden tradition. Head to Gastown, a historic neighborhood dating back to 1867, and then browse Granville Island Public Market’s fascinating stalls. Afterward, transfer to your ship. (B)

Disembark your ship in Seward and depart via motor coach for the quaint, historic village of Talkeetna. You will stop en route in the coastal town of Girdwood and enjoy a tram ride up the slopes of Mt. Alyeska, taking in the awe-inspiring views. After lunch on your own, continue to Talkeetna and check in to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Your Viking Tour Director is available to help you plan your time in Talkeetna so you can make the most of your visit.

After breakfast, you may choose to continue your discovery of Talkeetna or participate in a variety of outdoor activities such as flightseeing, a jet boat ride, kayaking or hiking. This afternoon, board a motor coach and journey north to Denali. Enjoy a welcome reception along with an introductory talk about Denali National Park, home of its remarkable namesake mountain. This evening, you may begin exploring on your own or relax in your hotel. (B)

Today, travel deep into Denali National Park with a local naturalist. As you take in the breathtaking natural scenery before you, your guide will provide insight into the flora and fauna inhabiting this vast region. Keep your eyes open for some of the park’s residents—moose, caribou, Dall sheep and more. This evening, enjoy a salmon barbecue dinner. (B, L, D)

Later this morning, following breakfast and some free time, venture south on a scenic journey to Anchorage on board an impressive dome railcar. Arrive in the evening and check in to your hotel. Your Viking Tour Director is available to help you plan your time in Anchorage so you can make the most of your visit. (B, L, D)

Discover the highlights of Anchorage’s historic downtown on a tour including Earthquake Park, established in memory of the monumental 1964 event, and Lake Hood, the world’s largest seaplane base. You will also enjoy a visit to the Alaska Aviation Museum, where you can view vintage aircrafts and learn about Alaska’s aviation history, as well as hearing fascinating stories about the adventures of bush pilots. Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure. (B)

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and proceed to the airport for your return flight. (B)

Disembark your ship in Seward and depart via motor coach for Anchorage. You will stop en route at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, a sanctuary for orphaned and injured animals, to witness wildlife in their natural habitat. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel. A Viking Host is available to help you plan your time in Anchorage so you can make the most of your visit.

This morning, discover the highlights of Anchorage’s historic downtown during a city tour to Earthquake Park, established in memory of the monumental 1964 event, and Lake Hood, the world’s largest seaplane base. You will also visit the Anchorage Museum, where you can peruse its compelling exhibitions showcasing Alaska’s history, culture and art. This afternoon, you may have time at your leisure or join an optional excursion to Palmer, where you will visit local farms and a microbrewery. (B)

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and proceed to the airport for your return flight. (B)

Fly to Calgary International Airport, where a Viking Representative will greet you and transfer you to your hotel. After check-in, the rest of the day is yours to explore at your leisure. Your Viking Tour Director is available to help you plan your time in the Canadian Rockies so you can make the most of your visit.

Savor a hearty breakfast, then journey to Banff National Park, where you will admire the turquoise waters of the iconic Lake Louise. Spend time marveling at the incredible vistas, ringed by dramatic mountain peaks, before stopping by the beautiful Bow Falls for photos. This evening, enjoy dinner on your own. (B)

Ride into the heart of British Columbia on board the Rocky Mountaineer’s plush, glass-domed railcar. Enjoy refined service and fine dining as your route takes you into pristine wilderness that would otherwise be inaccessible—scaling peaks, weaving along silver canyons and tracing jewel-like lakes. After crossing the Continental Divide, pass by Craigellachie, where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven in 1885. Disembark in Kamloops, where you will stay overnight. (B, L)

Enjoy another full day of picturesque landscapes on board the Rocky Mountaineer. Your route follows the steep slopes and rock sheds along the Thompson River, passing old frontier towns and traversing Fraser Canyon. Marvel as the scenery changes from semidesert grasslands to lush green fields and a temperate rainforest. Our destination is Vancouver, nestled between the Cascade Range and the Pacific Ocean. Transfer to your hotel, then enjoy a relaxing evening on your own. (B, L)

After breakfast, take a ferry to Vancouver Island and enjoy a visit to Butchart Gardens, a tranquil oasis of lush greenery and colorful blooms. After time to stroll its pathways, enjoy lunch at the café before embarking on a sightseeing tour of the city’s highlights, including Fisherman’s Wharf, the Inner Harbor and the iconic Empress Hotel. In Downtown Victoria, explore a mix of heritage buildings, eclectic shops and cozy eateries before returning to Vancouver. (B, L)

After breakfast, enjoy a full day at your leisure. Immerse yourself in Vancouver’s diverse culture as you explore the modern downtown area on foot. Or visit one of the city’s museums. This evening, you will enjoy dinner at your hotel. (B, D)

Today, after breakfast, check out of your hotel and enjoy a guided tour of Vancouver’s highlights. See Stanley Park, a 1,000-acre haven of beaches, gardens, totem poles and forest trails that is considered one of the greatest urban parks in the world. In Gastown, view the restored Victorian architecture, galleries, shops and pubs that comprise the city’s old district. After, you will transfer to your awaiting ship to begin your voyage at sea. (B)

Disembark your ship in Seward and depart via motor coach for Alaska’s largest city, Anchorage. You will stop en route in the coastal town of Girdwood for a tram ride to the summit of Mt. Alyeska. After lunch, take a scenic tour of Anchorage, from its historic downtown to Lake Hood, the busiest float plane base in the world. This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant with your fellow guests. (L, D)

After breakfast, venture to the quaint village of Talkeetna, where you will meet a local bush pilot and listen to fascinating stories about his experiences. Later, set out into the Alaskan wilderness on a two-hour jet boat ride with a local naturalist as your guide, learning about the area’s majestic rivers. Along the way, visit a Dena’ina encampment and get a glimpse into the lives of southern Alaska’s earliest settlers. (B)

This morning, drive north to Denali. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch and learn about the unique flora, fauna and topography of the region. Then, the remainder of the day is free for you to begin your discovery of Denali on your own or relax at your hotel. Your Viking Tour Director is available to help you plan your time in Denali so you can make the most of your visit. (B, L)

Today, travel deep into Denali National Park with a local naturalist. As you take in the breathtaking natural scenery before you, your guide will provide insight into the flora and fauna inhabiting this vast region. Keep your eyes open for some of the park’s residents—moose, caribou, Dall sheep and more. This evening, enjoy an Alaskan salmon barbecue dinner. (B, L, D)

This morning, visit an Iditarod dog kennel, where you will learn about the art of mushing and meet some friendly puppies. Afterward, journey to Fairbanks on board an impressive dome railcar, watching the scenic Alaskan landscape pass by. In Fairbanks, check in to your hotel. You may choose to relax or begin exploring the city on your own. Your Viking Tour Director is available to help you plan your time in Fairbanks so you can make the most of your visit. (B)

Today, join a tour of Fairbanks including a visit to the Morris Thompson Cultural Center and the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, an 800-mile engineering marvel. After lunch on your own, embark on a riverboat cruise along the scenic Chena and Nenana Rivers, stopping to explore a recreated Athabascan village. This evening, attend a farewell reception with your fellow guests before dinner at your leisure. (B)

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and proceed to the airport for your return flight. (B)

Disembark your ship, board your motor coach and journey to Girdwood, once a supply camp for gold miners and now a popular ski destination. En route, visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, a sanctuary dedicated to preserving Alaska’s wildlife through conservation, education and research. Learn about their commitment to protecting animals including grizzly bears, coyotes and wood bison, before continuing to Girdwood to check in to your hotel. This evening, dine with your fellow guests. (D)

Following breakfast at your hotel, you will take a short drive to the Portage Valley. Here, you will climb aboard your vessel and set out along the waters of the Portage River for a leisurely cruise. Learn about the valley’s features, including hanging glaciers and steep mountains, and stay alert for sightings of wildlife such as bears, moose and eagles. After your cruise, head to a local eatery to enjoy lunch with your fellow guests, then return to your hotel for an evening at leisure. (B, L)

After breakfast, board your coach and head north toward Talkeetna, stopping at a local musher’s kennels to learn about the “Last Great Race,” the world’s longest dogsled race—the course spans 1,000 miles from Anchorage to Nome. Discover the origins of this annual event and meet some of the canine competitors. Upon arrival in Talkeetna, check in to your hotel. You will have the evening at leisure to enjoy your hotel’s amenities or begin exploring Talkeetna on your own. (B, L)

After breakfast, venture onto the Susitna River in search of local wildlife during a jet boat journey. Continue on foot as you embark on a nature walk through the forest, where you will see a traditional Dena’ina encampment. After, head to the Talkeetna Rail Depot to board a deluxe domed railcar. Savor lunch on the rails as you travel toward Denali, the home of Denali National Park, known for its lush forests and dramatic mountain views. Upon arrival, you will check in to your hotel. (B, L)

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, followed by a reception where you will learn about the flora and fauna native to Denali National Park. Then you will travel by motor coach into the heart of this natural paradise, accompanied by a guide. The park is renowned for its efforts in wildlife conservation and supporting intact ecosystems—listen as your guide shares insights and keep watch for sightings of moose, caribou, Dall sheep and more during your journey. This evening, dine at your leisure. (B, L)

After breakfast, board your motor coach for the journey south to Anchorage, stopping at a farm en route where you will meet your guide and learn about Alaska Grown, an agricultural initiative which aims to highlight products grown in Alaska to support local farmers. Upon arrival in Anchorage, check in to your hotel and enjoy dinner at your leisure. (B)

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and proceed to the airport for your journey home. (B)