Alaska trip | Expedition Cruise Silversea: Majestic Alaska

Located on Alaska's southeast coast, on Revillagigedo Island, the city of Ketchikan is known for its abundant salmon, breathtaking landscapes and incredibly rich First Nations culture. Ketchikan is idyllically located along a network of waterways known as the 'Inside Passage', winding through some of the most breathtaking wilderness areas in the world. Known as 'The Salmon Capital of the World', Ketchikan flaunts a thriving centuries-old fishing culture and houses the world's largest collection of totem poles. Visitors can look forward to a variety of activities, including: learning about native Alaskan culture, visiting local art galleries, fishing on one of the many lakes and rivers, zip-lining across misty fjords, or spotting whales, dolphins and sea lions.

Tucked away in the northernmost reaches of Southeast Alaska's famous 'Inside Passage', the town of Skagway has a colourful history. The town has restored gold-ore era buildings, streets lined with western-style wooden planks and offers visitors excellent shopping, entertainment, museums and an array of excellent dining options. Take an epic steam train ride along the steep Chilkoot Trail on the spectacularly scenic White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad, visit the fascinating Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park or take beautiful hikes to Yakutania Point and Smuggler's Cove. Visitors can look forward to an array of other delightful activities, including whitewater rafting on countless waterways, tours around beautiful Emerald Lake, cycling through lush rainforests, or exploring the breathtaking Yukon territory on horseback.

The rugged, undeveloped and remote Wrangell - St Elias National Park and Preserve in south-central Alaska is the largest park in the US and promises the adventure of a lifetime. The sights alone are enough to amaze - enjoy the spectacular glory of the looming mountains (four major ranges that converge in the park), huge glaciers and ice-fed rivers, or trek along the park's primitive roads. A visit to the Kennecott Mines national historic monument, a perfectly preserved relic of copper mining in the early 20th century, is a must.

The city of Valdez, located at the northeastern tip of the spectacularly beautiful Prince William Sound, is surrounded by some of the best coastal scenery in Alaska with majestic tidal glaciers and some of the highest mountains in the world. This outdoor paradise offers a range of adventurous outdoor activities for visitors, including: whitewater rafting through the impressive Keystone Canyon,, kayaking among majestic icebergs and seal spotting.

Sandwiched between Mount Marathon and the shimmering waters of Resurrection Bay, picturesque Seward is surrounded by lush rainforests and is easily accessible from Anchorage. The vast surrounding wilderness makes Seward an ideal base for kayaking, hiking, fishing, whale watching and glacier viewing excursions. It also serves as the gateway to the impressive Kenai Fjords National Park, which offers exceptionally beautiful scenery and a remarkable variety of unusual marine animals. Many visitors take a day cruise along the coast south of Seward to see glaciers calving into the sea and spot seals, sea lions and whales.

Sandwiched between the Gastineau Channel and alpine-covered mountains, Alaska's remote capital, Juneau, has restored historic buildings, fascinating museums and vibrant nightlife. This geographically remote city is the only state capital in America without a road network. It is a popular stopover for cruise visitors, who congregate here for the spectacular natural scenery and to view ancient calving glaciers. The area offers an excellent variety of wildlife, including humpback whales, seals, eagles and brown bears. Juneau offers visitors a plethora of exceptional wilderness attractions, including the Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness area, Glacier Bay National Park and Admiralty Island National Monument, with the largest national forest in America. Don't miss the huge world-famous Mendenhall Glacier. Other popular activities include kayaking, fishing, hiking and hunting.

Located at the upper end of the impressive Inside Passage - the longest and deepest fjord in North America - the quiet town of Haines lies in the scenic Chilkat Valley, home to one of the highest concentrations of bald eagles in North America. While many travellers pass through Haines on their way to Canada's Yukon and Interior Alaska, this quiet summer destination offers numerous reasons to stay. Holidaymakers can explore the museums, enjoy a thriving arts community, camp within walking distance of downtown, visit local restaurants and admire the breathtaking mountain and ocean scenery. Adventurous travellers can enjoy hiking, kayaking, fishing, whale watching and many other outdoor activities.

In the Gulf of Alaska lies the picturesque town of Sitka, located on part of Baranof Island and Chichagof Island. This coastal community is known for its eclectic cultural heritage, incredibly scenic natural landscape and abundant flora and fauna. Sitka belonged to Russia until 1867, which explains its rich Russian heritage, and it also flaunts a rich mix of American and indigenous Tlingit influences. Visitors can watch traditional dance, walk along the totem pole-lined rainforest trail and observe various animals, such as sea lions, sea otters and humpback whales, as well as bald-headed eagles and coastal brown bears. Other highlights include enjoying views of the impressive Mt Edgecumbe, a dormant volcano; visiting the Tongass National Forest, the largest temperate rainforest in the world; and exploring the beautiful surrounding landscape with snow-capped mountains and forested islands. Other popular activities include kayaking, quad biking and fishing.

Canada, the land of loggers, beavers, hockey and maple syrup. While Canada certainly offers all these traditional associations in abundance, this beautiful country has so much more to offer than a few clichés. With its unforgettably beautiful, natural landscapes and cosmopolitan cities, Canada has something for everyone. Popular tourist destinations include the beautiful Rocky Mountains around Banff and Lake Louise, luxury ski resorts like Whistler and Blackcomb, the French-speaking cities of Montreal or Quebec, or the uber cool and eternally busy urban centres of Vancouver or Toronto. Whether you visit an Inuit lodge in Nunavut, take a dog sled ride through the Yukon to see the spectacular northern lights shining through the night sky or indulge in a delicious high tea on Vancouver Island, you will be amazed at the possibilities Canada has to offer.

From the skyscrapers of New York City to the scenic country roads of New England, The United States of America is a place of beauty and of unprecedented diversity. Visit the glorious Golden Gate Bridge, the famous Empire State Building, the Iconic Statue of Liberty and catch a glimpse of the lights of Las Vegas! Not to mention the country's natural treasures: the many national parks with beautiful landscapes and wildlife. The beaches on both the east and west coasts are also well worth a visit. The United States is a country of such vast dimensions that a lifetime in the United States can still feel like you have barely seen any of the country.

Stretching along Canada's western border, British Columbia has it all: a strong legacy of the 'first nations', stunning scenery, rich wildlife and a strong, cosmopolitan capital. The province consists largely of untamed wilderness - rugged mountain peaks, lush forests, mountain lakes and sparkling rivers, making it an excellent destination for outdoor activities such as fishing, kayaking, surfing and rock climbing, hiking, cycling, skiing and golf.

Alaska lies north-west of Canada and is the largest and least densely populated state in the United States. This wild landscape is known as America’s last frontier and boasts some of the most beautiful natural scenery in the world. Famous for its varied terrain, Alaska boasts endless open spaces, volcanic valleys, majestic snow-capped mountains, charming small towns, remote indigenous communities and alpine forests teeming with wildlife.
Explore the vast, flat tundra in the north and catch a glimpse of the magical Northern Lights, kayak amongst icebergs and spot playful humpback whales, or visit Anchorage, home to Alaska’s finest art and indigenous culture museums. This state is a popular destination for outdoor activities such as mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, fishing, skiing and much more. Don’t miss the impressive Denali, North America’s highest mountain and the jewel in Alaska’s crown.

On the south coast of Alaska, to the east of the Kenai Peninsula, lies the large ocean inlet of the Prince William Sound. This extraordinarily scenic channel is ringed by the coastal mountains of the Chugach Range and is surrounded by the peaceful Chugach National Forest. Forming part of the Gulf of Alaska, this area encompasses about 16 000 square kilometres of protected waterways, islands, fjords and glaciers. The sound's waters provide an ideal habitat for an astonishing abundance of marine life including whales, porpoises, sea otters, sea lions and seals. Visitors can look forward to spotting this impressive array of wildlife and soaking up the breathtaking scenery on glacier and wildlife cruises, or while kayaking and rafting in the calm and pristine waters.

The Kenai Peninsula is located in Alaska, in the extreme northwest of the United States of America. This breathtakingly beautiful area is one of the most visited in the state, with an incredible array of attractions and outdoor activities to enjoy. Anglers should head to Anchor, Soldotna or Homer (with access to Kachemak Bay), while downtown Kenai is home to a popular annual bird festival and also offers excellent salmon fishing. The small town of Ninilchik offers shellfish digs and a photogenic Russian Orthodox church. Head to Seward for the Alaska SeaLife Centre and to easily reach the beautiful Kenai Fjords National Park, where adventurous travellers can view wildlife and explore the Harding Icefield (found at Exit Glacier).

Located on the scenic Gulf of Alaska, the town of Yakutat is best known for its idyllic location. Surrounded by the Tongass National Forest and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, this Alaskan town attracts all kinds of outdoor enthusiasts who want to explore its incredible natural landscapes. Visitors can look forward to exploring pristine beaches, discovering its many bays and inlets, hiking in the mountains, enjoying world-class birdwatching, admiring magnificent glaciers, surfing remote waves and snowboarding on powder-white slopes. Highlights include: Hubbard Glacier, the largest tidal water glacier in North America; and Malaspina Glacier, the largest pedestrian glacier in North America. Don't miss the chance to join a fishing excursion and enjoy one of the best saltwater fishing opportunities in Alaska.

Located in Alaska's Alexander Archipelago in the Alaska Panhandle, Chichagof Island is the fifth-largest island in the United States. It is home to the highest population of coastal brown bears per square mile of any place on Earth. Visitors can look forward to an arrya of tours on the island such as the Chichagof Island Arctic Cat Tour, the Chichagof Island Jeep Adventure, the Wilderness Tour and Brown Bear Search. Other highlights include: visiting the city of Hoonah, sampling Alaskan beer and locally sourced seafood, and spotting an array of wildlife. Other popular activities include: salmon fishing, learning about local Tlingit cultures, and enjoying a seaplane adventure.

Located on the eastern shore of Alaska's Prince of Wales Island, Thorne Bay is known for its enchanting nature and wide range of outdoor activities. The Thorne River flows into the beautiful bay, which is surrounded by dense forests and rugged snow-capped peaks, making this destination popular with photographers, kayakers and hikers. Thorne Bay is a paradise for fishing enthusiasts, who can enjoy miles of river bends and saltwater fishing in the Clarence Strait, as Alaskan natives have done for centuries. The city is famous for the world's largest logging camp and the largest tree grab seen at the entrance to the city. Other highlights include the atmospheric El Capitan Cave, beautiful Sandy Beach and Balls Lake Trail and Picnic Site.

Baranof Island, also known as Baranov, Sitka or Shee Island, is an enchanting natural paradise in Alaska’s Alexander Archipelago. Escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy outdoor activities amidst breathtaking landscapes featuring vast forests, towering snow-capped mountains and azure seas and rivers. The area, which is largely part of the Tongass National Forest, is renowned for its population of brown bears and is also home to bald eagles, humpback whales, river otters and owls.
Far off the beaten track, you’ll discover the most beautiful spots via walking trails, bays, channels and islets, ideally by small boat or kayak. It’s a perfect place for fishing and whale-watching. Be sure to explore the rich culture of the Tlingit people on the island, evident in their impressive totem poles, silverwork and basket weaving. The town of Sitka and its marina offer good facilities and restaurants.

Tongass stretches across most of southern Alaska and is the country's largest national forest. It borders the famous Inside Passage and offers unique opportunities to watch spawning salmon, eagles, bears and the stunning vistas of wild Alaska. Visitors can look forward to walking on hiking trails, hiking through Alaskan wilderness, dog sledding on a glacier, fishing in fresh streams or relaxing in a remote forest cabin. Don't miss a visit to the Anan Wildlife Observatory in Wrangell, the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Centre and the Steep Creek Bear Viewing Area in Juneau, or immerse yourself in native culture at the beautiful Southeast Alaska Discovery Centre, in downtown Ketchikan. Other highlights include the Pack Creek Brown Bear Viewing Area on Admiralty Island and the Fish Creek Bear Viewing Area in Hyder.

Southeast Alaska spills over into the majestic Alexander Archipelago, which is largely part of the Alaskan Peninsula and runs parallel to the Coastal Mountains on the mainland. The group of more than 1,000 islands is covered in lush temperate rainforests, consisting mainly of Sitka spruce and western hemlock, most of which are part of the incredibly rugged landscape of the Tongass National Forest. Here you will find Glacier Bay National Park, which is home to beautiful, protected wilderness inhabited by abundant wildlife, notably the famous Alexander Archipelago wolf. Visitors can cruise narrow fjords, marvel at the immense LeConte Glacier, hike through dense rainforest, observe hundreds of feeding humpback whales and anchor in quiet, secluded bays.

Situated on Chichagof Island, Hoonah is the largest Tlingit community set on Alaska's panhandle in the southeastern region of the state. It is known for its authentic cultural heritage as well as its beautiful and vast landscape, which has provided for Hoonah's people for centuries. This charming town offers an array of exceptional opportunities such as enjoying world-class dishes, learning about the local Native Tlingit culture, and spotting one of the many brown bears which make up the largest population of brown bears on earth. Other highlights include browsing the locally-owned collection of shops, visiting the inviting cafes and restaurants, and exploring the incredibly scenic surrounding landscapes. Don't miss the opportunity to try the longest zipline in North America.