EXCURSIONES EN TIERRA

OVERVIEW

Join the magic of the steam train and travel back in time aboard the pride of the White Pass fleet, Engine #73. Pulled by an authentic steam engine, enjoy the live commentary and views from the comfort of your vintage railcar while following the footprints of the Klondike Gold Rush. Board a parlor car for a fully narrated tour aboard the historic White Pass & Yukon Route. Against all odds, the iron trail was carved through some of the North's most rugged terrain in 1898 to include mountains, glaciers, gorges, waterfalls, tunnels & trestles. Travel 40 miles roundtrip up one of the steepest grades in North America, enjoying a light snack, non- alcoholic beverages, and a Prosecco toast while your narrator discusses the Klondike Gold Rush and the history of the building of the railroad. After traveling around the summit loop, travel back to Skagway. Each guest will receive a souvenir as a remembrance of a rare ride aboard a working steam train.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride through the wilderness on a train pulled by a vintage steam locomotive on the “Scenic Railway of the World.”
• Learn about the significance of the area during the Klondike Gold Rush in the 1890s.
• Pass incredibly scenic natural wonders on the train ride back to Skagway. Locally sourced snack included.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress warmly in layered clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Feast on freshly caught, wild Alaskan salmon grilled over an open fire to bring out its flavors and enjoy the outdoor setting along a beautiful creek. This salmon bake has been operating for more than 30 years and has been fine-tuned to a culinary art form. The salmon will be grilled over a fragrant Alderwood fire, imparting the fish with a unique taste. Be sure to bring a hearty appetite, as this is an all-you-can-eat feast. Besides succulent salmon, the menu will include classic dishes such as Barbecue ribs, baked beans, wild rice pilaf, cornbread and various salads. Go back for seconds or even more but leave room for blueberry cake for dessert. To enhance the alfresco dining experience, local musicians will perform throughout. Afterwards, you will have time to roast marshmallows over a crackling fire, walk to a nearby waterfall and see the remnants of an old mine.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Savor an all-you-can-eat feast of salmon and other Alaskan dishes.
• Dine alfresco in an idyllic forested setting.
• Enjoy a musical performance while you dine.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress warmly in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Bring rainwear as a precaution.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

This wilderness expedition to the spectacular Davidson Glacier leads you through fjords, rain forests, colorful wildflowers, and towering mountains. Your adventure begins with a 75-minute journey through North America's deepest fjord aboard a high speed 26 passenger expedition boat. Watch for whales, seals, sea lions, and cascading waterfalls along the way to a remote beach at Glacier Point, one of the most beautiful places in Alaska. After a short, adventurous drive across the forested glacial moraines, and a quarter mile walk, the forest suddenly opens to a breathtaking view of the glacier. The crystal blue ice tumbles from the jagged peaks into a pristine lake where 12 passenger, 31-foot voyager canoes wait to take you towards the face of the glacier. Throughout your tour, expert guides share their extensive knowledge of this amazing area. Enjoy a picnic lunch at the beach amid fields of wild strawberries and iris tops before your return trip to Skagway.

OVERVIEW

The adventure begins with a scenic motorcoach ride along the Klondike Highway, paralleling the route used by prospectors during the 1898 Klondike Gold Rush. You'll ascend to the 3,290-foot White Pass Summit, while you take in the magnificent scenery surrounding you. Your ride continues as you travel just a few miles north to the famous Yukon Suspension Bridge. While at the bridge, experience the sensation of a swaying walkway 57 feet above the rapids of the Tutshi River. Enjoy the scenery from the main platform and then walk through the museum-quality displays that detail the area's unique human and natural history. Next, you will head to Liarsville Gold Rush Trail Camp for a salmon bake buffet. Enjoy wild Alaska salmon grilled over an open wood fire, baked chicken, a variety of salads, beans, rice pilaf, cornbread and dessert while in the destination of the recreated tent city from 1898. After your meal, wander through the Liarsville camp, named for the journalists that reported from the area during the height of the Gold Rush. You may return directly to the ship or be dropped off in Skagway for independent sightseeing and shopping.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress warmly in layered clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Step back into the days of the Klondike Gold Rush on this scenic journey through Alaska and British Columbia. Begin your adventure aboard the historic White Pass & Yukon Route Railway, where vintage railcars climb through breathtaking mountain passes, towering waterfalls, rugged cliffs, and pristine wilderness once traveled by hopeful gold miners. Upon arriving in Fraser, British Columbia, continue by motorcoach along the Klondike Highway for a relaxing narrated drive back to Skagway. Along the way, enjoy spectacular photo opportunities and fascinating stories about the history, culture, and natural beauty of the region.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride the world-famous White Pass & Yukon Route Railway through dramatic mountain scenery.
• Travel the historic route once used during the Klondike Gold Rush & learn about the history and legends of this era..
• Photo stops at some of the region’s most picturesque viewpoints.
• Experience both Alaska and British Columbia in one unforgettable excursion.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in layers as weather conditions can change quickly.
• Wear comfortable walking shoes.
• Guests should carry a valid passport as the tour travels into Canada.

OVERVIEW

Cruise through spectacularly scenic Neets Bay to a bear observatory where you can watch these magnificent animals in their natural habitat. Tongass, the largest national forest in America, blankets the shores of the bay, making for an extraordinary setting. Few places are so wild and pristine, which is why wildlife thrives throughout the area. While cruising the typically calm bay, you may spot whales, sea lions and bald eagles, all of which are prevalent there. Even so, the highlight will surely be the opportunity to observe bears as they feast on spawning salmon. Enjoy a short walk through the rainforest as you keep an eye out for bears. The end of the trail will bring you to the viewing platform, an excellent spot to see bears catching and eating large salmon along the stream. It can be quite the show, especially if the bears are leaning over the water with their mouths open, just waiting for salmon to unknowingly leap within easy reach.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Look for bears along a stream where they typically come to fatten up on spawning salmon.
• Enjoy the rare opportunity to observe animals in their natural habitats, undisturbed by humans.
• Watch for whales, sea lions and bald eagles as you cruise through Neets Bay to the bear locale.
• Admire the gorgeous setting of Tongass National Forest, the largest such forest in America.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Pan for gold in the creek that launched a gold rush that lasted 60 years and then feast on wild salmon, another classic Alaskan experience. Accompanied by a costumed prospector, you will visit Last Chance Basin, where Joe Juneau struck it rich in 1880. After watching a panning demonstration, you will have the opportunity to coax a nugget out of the creek and take home whatever you find. Later, you may view the remnants of the old mine as your guide recaptures the history of Juneau’s gold discovery. Next, you will dine on freshly caught, wild Alaskan salmon grilled over an open-fire at the Gold Creek Salmon Bake. Be sure to bring a hearty appetite, as this is an all-you-can-eat feast with plenty of other entrees and side dishes. You will also have time to roast marshmallows over a crackling fire, walk to a nearby waterfall and see the remnants of an historical mine.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Pan for gold in the creek that launched the Juneau gold rush.
• See one of the original gold rush mines.
• Learn fascinating facts about the discovery of gold in Alaska.
• Savor an all-you-can-eat feast of salmon and other Alaskan dishes.
• Dine alfresco in an idyllic forested setting.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress warmly in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Bring rainwear as a precaution.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Experience the ultimate treetop adventure and come away with a newfound confidence in your physical abilities, mental fortitude and sheer willpower to push yourself to new heights. Rooted in the culture of the Tlingit People, this aerial course includes swinging ropes, balance bridges and daring climbs into the tree canopy while wearing a harness and smart belay system. An orientation and practice run on the ground will help prepare you for the fun and challenges that lie ahead. Afterwards, you will warm up on the easy Xíxch' (Frog) Course, move on to the moderate Yéil (Raven) Course and then pull yourself along a rope while hanging high above the forest floor on a Tyrolean Traverse. That’s the Xóots (Bear) Course. With your confidence now soaring, you will be ready for the high-flying Ch'áak' (Eagle) Course, which ends in the treetops 50 feet above the ground. The descent will be just as exhilarating as you soar back to earth on an auto-descent device, called the “Eagle’s Flight”.

HIGHLIGHTS

• These aerial ropes adventure will have you swinging, scrambling, and climbing through multiple elements.
• Climb high into the tree canopy by negotiating a series of aerial ropes courses.
• Prepare for the ultimate challenge by warming up on easier aerial ropes courses.
• Enjoy literal bird’s-eye views of the forest from high above.
• Gain newfound confidence in your abilities to meet new challenges.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes; thick-soled shoes recommended.

OVERVIEW

Your journey begins with an entertaining historic tour through downtown Skagway, and along nine miles of stunning coastline to our Adventure Camp in Dyea. Kick off your visit with a “Musher Talk.” In the Musher Talk, we will share fascinating information about this extreme Alaskan state sport and welcome any additional questions you may have. Of course, we make sure you have plenty of time to meet some of the actual athletes who do these amazing things, our sled dogs! Not to worry—we have litters of puppies too that are ready for cuddles and kisses. Human socialization is essential to their development and racing success. After that, take a chance to pan for gold in our riverside sluice! Once your guide shows you the art of gold panning, you can test your luck to see what you can find while learning about the history of the gold rush that took off from this area. Then you will have time to take a short self-guided nature hike next to a beautiful waterfall and dense Alaskan forest or browse the gift shop and relax in our saloon with a deck overlooking the picturesque stream. All of this in a spectacular Alaskan setting! This is a tour full of Alaskan adventure, history, and awe-inspiring wilderness.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit a musher’s camp to learn how the dogs are trained to pull sleds through the snow.
• Interact with the dogs, which are superb athletes with remarkable strength and stamina.
• Pan for gold with a sluice much like the ones prospectors used during the Klondike Gold Rush.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear layered, weather-appropriate clothing.
• Flat, comfortable walking shoes are recommended, and repellent are recommended.

OVERVIEW

Delve into the fascinating culture of the indigenous people of Southeast Alaska by visiting authentic totem poles in the rainforest and paddling a canoe across a gorgeous mountain lake. As you wander through Totem Bight State Historical Park, you will see colorful, hand-carved totem poles and a large clan house similar to ones built in the early 19th century. The park offers a fascinating insight into the culture of the indigenous people, as will your experience on Lake Harriet Hunt, where you will board a 37-foot canoe patterned after the ones that the Tlingit and Haida built. The lake provides a beautiful setting for your paddling adventure because the dense forest comes to the edge of the water. In time, you will disembark for an Alaskan-style snack. You will have the opportunity to walk through an old-growth forest while the guide points out the most interesting flora and perhaps fauna.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Gain insight into the fascinating culture of Alaska’s indigenous people.
• Paddle a canoe like the ones the indigenous Tlingits and Haidas built.
• Enjoy a snack and an interpretive nature walk through an old growth forest.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat, comfortable, water-resistant walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Dine on a delicious meal featuring local seafood and see many of the iconic attractions that define Seattle. While driving through the heart of downtown, you pass landmarks such as Pike Place Market – one of America’s oldest farmers markets – and the Space Needle that has towered over the city since the 1960s. Where possible, you will pause for photos. A multi-course lunch follows at the waterfront restaurant Palisade, which overlooks Elliott Bay Marina. It is only natural that seafood will be top of mind and the menu will reflect the bounty of the sea. You might start with a bowl of clam chowder, select locally caught salmon or crab for the entrée and finish with a chocolate torte covered with fruit coulis sauce. While transferring to the Seattle International Airport, you will stop at Hamilton Viewpoint Park for one last look at Seattle and the Cascade Mountains in the distance.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Dine on a variety of dishes made with locally sourced ingredients such as seafood.
• Pause for photos at several of Seattle’s most iconic landmarks.
• Transfer to Seattle International Airport in plenty of time to make your flight.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Join your captain and crew on a cruise through the waters surrounding the naturally beautiful islands around Ketchikan. Once onboard, relax inside the heated main cabin or out on the observation deck, as you prepare for your first sighting of the iconic American bald eagle Along the way, you will be treated to panoramic views of the historic lighthouse on Guard Island and the Tlingit and Haida hand-carved totem poles and clan house at Totem Bight State Park. You will also witness a diversity of ecosystems as you cruise past coastal residential areas on Revillagigedo Island and along the undeveloped shoreline of Gravina Island, much of which is blanketed by the Tongass National Forest, our world’s largest temperate rainforest. Wildlife is abundant, so keep an eye out for not just bald eagles, but harbor seals, sea lions, seabirds, and whales. While taking in the scenery, enjoy a hot chocolate, freshly brewed coffee, or soda of your choice alongside a snack sampler plate of Alaskan specialties, including a traditional alder-smoked salmon.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Admire Alaska’s natural beauty while cruising to and from Guard Island.
• Relax in the boat’s heated main cabin or out on the observation deck.
• See the colorful, carved Tlingit and Haida totem poles at Totem Bight State Park.
• Look for wildlife such as bald eagles, harbor seals and humpback or orca whales.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.