Alaska and Copper River Cruise - Itinerary
Covering over 13 million acres, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is the largest unit in the U.S. National Park System. Magnificent mountain ranges, grinding glaciers, roaring rivers, and abundant wildlife await your discovery. Travel the 1,000-mile-long Inside Passage. Ketchikan is known as the Salmon Capital of the World. At Juneau, get a close-up look at the mighty Mendenhall Glacier. Skagway, with its worn boardwalks, false-fronted buildings, and old-time saloons, is the gateway to Gold Rush Country. Sailing through pristine Glacier Bay National Park and College Fjord is like entering nature’s own Ice Age showroom.
Take a high-speed catamaran from the cruise ship dock across dazzling Prince William Sound, keeping an eye out for seals, dolphins, and eagles. Go rafting down the Gulkana River or flightseeing over the “Crown of the Continent.” Or, snuggle into an oversize chair at Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge and sip a cappuccino while gazing out the 2-story wall of windows at dramatic views of towering peaks and the waters from which the famed Copper River salmon hail. At Denali National Park, catch a glimpse of dazzling Mt. McKinley from Primrose Ridge.
The sequence of touring and days may be altered to adjust to religious holidays, special closings of sites, air schedule changes, etc. Hotels listed subject to availability. Meal inclusions may vary by departure.
1st Day - Hometown/Vancouver
Board our flight to Vancouver and after arrival, transfer to our ship for an evening sailing. (D)
2nd Day - Inside Passage
Relax in the luxurious surroundings of the Coral Princess as we cruise through the 1,000-mile-long inland waterway of the Inside Passage. Be sure to keep watch for wildlife and native fishing villages as you enjoy the views of this magnificent waterway. There's plenty to do on a Princess ship; check the daily newsletter for scheduled activities. (B,L,D)
3rd Day - Ketchikan
Established in 1887 as an Indian fishing camp, Ketchikan is now an important mining, logging and fishing town, known as the Salmon Capital of the World. Be sure to go ashore: you may choose to inspect the excellent display of native Alaskan art and artifacts at the Tongass Historical Society Museum, or take an optional tour to Saxman Village to watch native carvers at work. (B,L,D)
4th Day - Juneau
We make a stop at Alaska's capital, the first city founded in Alaska after the American purchase in 1867. Explore on your own, or shop for native crafts and gold nuggets. Take an optional tour to the U.S. Forest Service Observatory and Visitor Center for a close-up look at the mighty Mendenhall Glacier. On the way back to town, visit the Chapel by the Lake, a little log church with a truly inspirational view of Auke Lake and Mendenhall Glacier. (B,L,D)
5th Day - Skagway
Skagway, at the north end of the Lynn Canal, is the gateway to Gold Rush Country and the heart of the Klondike National Park. It was a mighty lively place in the Days of '98 and still is -- and it looks much the same, with worn boardwalks, false-fronted buildings, and old-time saloons. An optional activity that is a good way to catch the flavor is to drop in on the hilarious "Days of '98" show. Or, you may want to take a ride on the narrow-gauge White Pass & Yukon Route railroad.
(B,L,D)
6th Day - Glacier Bay
Today we'll enjoy more spectacular glacial views as we cruise through pristine Glacier Bay National Park. Keep your camera handy! (B,L,D)
7th Day - College Fjord Cruising
Sailing into College Fjord is like entering nature's own Ice Age showroom, with 16 gleaming glaciers cascading down to the sea. Here we can see up to six glaciers at once - with names such as Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, and Radcliffe - all named for the colleges that supported the Harriman Expedition leading to their discovery in 1889. (B,L,D)
8th Day - Whittier/Copper River
This morning we disembark our ship and board a high-speed catamaran right at the cruise ship dock. Gliding across dazzling Prince William Sound, keep an eye out for seals, dolphins, and eagles. We continue by motorcoach over Thompson Pass and along waterfall-laced cliffs stopping at Worthington Glacier. At the Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge, sit by the fire and gaze out at towering Mts. Drum, Wrangell, and Blackburn. The lodge itself is nestled on a bluff and boasts a wall of windows two stories high to do justice to the dramatic views of towering peaks and the waters from which the famed Copper River salmon hail. (B)
9th Day - Copper River
A full day to linger at the lodge is absolute bliss. You may want to just relax in the Great Room with its open-timbered ceiling, grand staircase, native stone fireplace, and spacious seating areas. Or, snuggle into an oversized chair on the cozy upper landing and sip a cappuccino as alpenglow paints the Wrangel-St. Elias range. You may hop the shuttle to the park Visitor Center. Or perhaps you will want to experience the wilderness by rafting the Gulkana River or flightseeing over the "Crown of the Continent." The choice is yours!
10th Day - Copper River/Denali National Park
The Denali Highway takes you through rugged terrain filled with every imaginable species of wildlife. And the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge, where we will spend two nights, is a wonder unto itself.
11th Day - Denali Park
The highlight of the day is a Natural History Tour of Denali National Park. Covering six million acres of untouched wilderness, it is one of North America's great wildlife preserves, as well as home of Mt. McKinley. Within the Park boundaries are found more than 130 species of birds, nearly 500 wildflowers, and in excess of 40 species of mammals. The balance of the day is free to relax and/or explore on your own.
12th Day - Denali Park/Anchorage
Enjoy the morning at leisure, then sightsee aboard Princess rail to Anchorage for an overnight stay.
13th Day - Anchorage
Your tour ends this morning in Anchorage. Transfer to the airport for your return flight to your hometown.
