Heart of Alaska Cruise - Itinerary
Touching the Heart of Alaska is a peak experience with Princess! Travel the 1,000-mile-long inland waterway of the Inside Passage, keeping watch for wildlife and native fishing villages along the way. Explore Ketchikan, known as the Salmon Capital of the World. At Juneau, Alaska’s state capital, visit the U.S. Forest Service Observatory for 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 and the heart of the Klondike National Park. Take in the spectacular views of pristine Glacier Bay National Park and College Fjord, where you can see up to six gleaming glaciers at once, cascading down into the sea.
Continue on an Alaska wilderness adventure. Board the McKinley Express for your trip to Talkeetna and spend the night at the lovely Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge. At Denali National Park, take a Natural History Tour and (weather permitting) catch a glimpse of dazzling Mt. McKinley from Primrose Ridge. Fairbanks is a frontier city with a heart of gold. Try your own hand at panning for gold, or take a nostalgic sternwheeler riverboat cruise along the Chena River. Fairbanks has perfected the art of historic frontier hospitality, and you’ll be planning your return trip before you even depart!
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 - Vancouver
Travel to Vancouver and transfer to our Princess ship for departure later in the evening. (D)
2nd Day - Inside Passage
Relax in the luxurious surroundings of our Princess ship 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 National Park
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/Mt. McKinley
Disembark your ship and board your railcar, which is waiting right at the dock. Magnificent scenery unfolds during your Direct-to-the-Wilderness rail journey aboard the McKinley Express. Arrive in Talkeetna and continue by motorcoach to the lovely Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge for the night. (B)
9th Day - Mt. McKinley/Denali
Enjoy a leisurely morning surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature. Then, reboard Princess Rail in Talkeetna and sightsee to Denali National Park. This evening, arrive at the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge where you can soak up your surroundings wrapped in Princess comfort.
10th Day - Denali
Wake up feeling rested and fully alive. During your Natural History Tour you'll get a fascinating overview of the park's flora and fauna. And, weather permitting, you'll catch a glimpse of dazzling Mt. McKinley from Primrose Ridge. Enjoy another night at the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge. .
11th Day - Denali/Fairbanks
After a leisurely breakfast, you'll transfer to the depot to reboard Princess Rail for the continuation of your luxury sightseeing trip to Fairbanks, a frontier city with a heart of gold. Relax at your hotel or go out on the town to soak up local history and culture.
12th Day - Fairbanks
You'll be immersed in everything Alaskan as you glide along the Chena River during your nostalgic Sternwheeler Riverboat Cruise. Later, enjoy an informative tour of Fairbanks and visit the El Dorado Gold Mine, with opportunity to pan for your own gold. Enjoy another night in Fairbanks.
13th Day - Fairbanks
Your tour ends this morning in Fairbanks.
