fbpx

Peregrine Travel Centre

Alaska and British Columbia – Wilderness, Glaciers and Culture – Northbound

Alaska and British Columbia – Wilderness, Glaciers and Culture – Northbound

From AUD $10,313

Book Now Request a callback
Email Us Print

Description

Epic scenery and iconic wildlife Voyaging from Vancouver to Seward and then overland to Anchorage, this expedition cruise showcases the marvels of British Columbia and Alaska. You’ll see towering mountains whose flanks are clad in old growth rainforest, and you’ll also see glittering glaciers and deep blue fjords. As we progress, we’ll be on the lookout for some of Alaska’s many wild species, including Bald Eagles, moose, bears, Steller sea lions, otters, orca, humpback whales and many, many seabirds.  
A land many cultures call home Alaska has a rich and complex history and is home to numerous cultures. From native peoples including the Tlingit and Haida, to the Russian settlers and the American Gold Rush pioneers – there’s so much to discover on your voyage. Activities such as kayaking up to waterfalls in the Misty Fjords, small boat cruising near glaciers, and authentic cultural experiences will ensure Alaska is imprinted onto your very soul.  

Trip Name
Alaska and British Columbia - Wilderness, Glaciers and Culture - Northbound
Days
14
Overview
Vessel Type: Expedition Ship Length: 140 metres Passenger Capacity: 530 Built: 2019 In 2019, Hurtigruten adds a brand new ship to its fleet: the MS Roald Amundsen. The state of the art vessel features new and environmentally sustainable hybrid technology that will reduce fuel consumption and show the world that hybrid propulsion on large ships is possible. MS Roald Amundsen is the first of two hybrid ships Hurtigruten will add to its fleet over the next few years, cutting emissions by sailing with electrical propulsion. Hybrid technology, combined with the advanced construction of the hull and effective use of electricity on board will reduce fuel consumption and CO2-emissions on the ships by 20 percent. The build of these two ships represents the largest single investment in the history of Hurtigruten.  The future of shipping will be silent and emission free. MS Roald Amundsen will lead the way towards an even more sustainable way of traveling. Sailing on electrical power is not only a great benefit for the environment, but it will also enhance the impact of experiencing nature for the guests. The ship will be specially constructed for voyages in polar waters and serve as a comfortable basecamp at sea – bringing adventurers from all over the world to the most spectacular destinations in the most sustainable way. Facilities on board One of the most eye-catching exterior design features of the ships will be the two-level indoor/outdoor Observation Deck wrapped around the top of the ships’ raked bow. In a vast area behind it, you’ll find the core of the onboard experience: Amundsen Science Center.   Packed with state of the art technology and high tech gadgets such as touch screens and science equipment, the immersive edutainment area will be the place guests and staff/crew meet, mingle and create a deeper understanding for the areas they explore. The flexible venue will feature lecture spaces, a small library, and speciality areas for workshops in photography, biology, and more. The area, featuring large windows, will also be the onboard HQ for Hurtigruten’s hand picked Expedition Team.   The stunning scenery will be reflected in a rich and comfortable interior design. Scandinavian materials from nature, such as granite, oak, birch and wool will be used to create relaxed and stylish cabins and public areas. All cabins are outside, 50 % will have private balconies, aft suites will feature private outdoor Jacuzzis with spectacular views.  MS Roald Amundsen will feature three restaurants inspired by Nordic and Norwegian heritage: Aune Main Dining, named after the Norwegian ship chandler and polar expedition supplier Tinus Aune. Fredheim - the ships’ informal and social meeting place – named after a 1900s hunting station on Svalbard. Lindstrøm, a speciality restaurant named after Adolf Lindstrøm, the favorite chef of the Norwegian polar heroes. Artwork on board When the world’s first hybrid powered expedition ship embarks on her maiden voyage, every piece of art on board will be handpicked by HM Queen Sonja of Norway’s art foundation - the Queen Sonja Print Award. Read more about the exciting collaboration here.

Itinerary



Day 1 - DAY 1 A taste of Vancouver
Enjoy British Columbia’s largest city Your expedition cruise starts with an overnight stay in Vancouver, a bustling and beautiful seaport city set against steep mountains.   Vancouver's various neighbourhoods buzz with world-class farm-to-table cuisine. Don’t miss Gastown, Vancouver’s Victorian neighbourhood. Here you'll find the 553-foot Vancouver Lookout, which offers a perfect 360-degree panoramic view over the city.   
Day 2 - DAY 2 Your expedition begins
Explore British Columbia’s largest cityAfter an enjoyable breakfast at your hotel, we’ll take you on a city tour showcasing the main highlights of fabulous Vancouver.   When the tour is over, you’ll be dropped at the pier where your expedition ship MS Roald Amundsen awaits you. Settle in and take your time to get to know the ship, before listening to the safety briefing. Your knowledgeable Expedition Team will lead the way on excursions and landings. Get to know them and sit down to enjoy a welcome dinner — your grand Alaska adventure is now underway.   
Day 3 - DAY 3 Canada's Inside Passage
See sublime scenery as we sail the Inside PassageThe Inside Passage coastal route takes us through the great North American Pacific Fjordland, a protected stretch of water over 930 miles long. Unlike other cruises which pass through at night, you’ll be able to view the sublime scenery in all its glory during the day.   Our smaller expedition ship allows us to reach areas that larger vessels can’t, meaning you’ll get to explore lesser-travelled channels with breathtaking scenery. Keep your cameras and binoculars at the ready to catch sight of whales, including humpback, fin, minke and perhaps even orca.  
Day 4 - DAY 4 Unspoiled Misty Fjords
Revel in a wilderness where wildlife thrivesPart of the Tongass National Forest, Misty Fjords is a pristine wilderness of evergreens, waterfalls and snowcapped peaks. The revered naturalist writer John Muir described the area as one of the most beautiful places he’d ever seen.  Weather permitting, you'll join the Expedition Team to tour Misty Fjords in our small expedition boats or take kayaks out. Misty Fjords is rich in wildlife. You’ll scan for mountain goats, black and brown bears and moose as you explore. The waters are home to Pacific salmon, otters, Steller sea lions, harbour seals, orcas and Dall’s porpoises. Skywards, you might spot herons and Bald Eagles. 
Day 5 - DAY 5 Wrangell's petroglyphs
Visit one of Alaska’s oldest harbour townsWe continue cruising the Alaskan islands towards Wrangell. Only a mile out of town, Petroglyph Beach is where you'll see ancient rock carvings among the sand. Visit the local museum to learn more about Wrangell's fascinating past. Now part of the United States, it was once governed by Britain, Russia and the Tlingit people. Cross to Shakes Island, where the Chief Shakes Tribal House and totem poles tell the story of the Indigenous Tlingit people.  Hikers will enjoy the nature trails, surrounded by alluring scenery at the mouth of Stikine River, and the foot of Mount Dewey at the edge of the rainforest.  
Day 6 - DAY 6 The wonders of the southeast
Discover southeast Alaska’s magical waterwaysExplore Alaska in true expedition style on today’s exploration day in this magical corner of the Inside Passage. Conditions permitting, we may take to the water in our small expedition boats, and seek out secluded coves, iceberg-filled bays, and thickly forested shorelines. Try and catch a glimpse of some of Alaska’s most iconic wildlife, including Bald Eagles, Pigeon Guillemots, otters, whales and even bears, if luck is on our side. 
Day 7 - DAY 7 Tracy Arm and Endicott Arm
See the lesser-known gems of Holkham BayHolkham Bay is home to two beautiful fjords – Tracy Arm and Endicott Arm. Your Captain will decide which offers better exploration options on the day.  At the end of each fjord, fresh icebergs calve from the glaciers against a stunning backdrop of rocky cliffs. This area is a breeding ground for harbour seals, who are often seen on the floating ice. You might also see whales, bears and mountain goats. 
Day 8 - DAY 8 Tlingit crafts in Haines
Discover an artistic heritage in the 'Valley of the Eagles' Near the head of the Lynn Canal lies the frontier town of Haines, which was originally home to the Chilkat Tlingit people. They are renowned for their weaving skills, with mountain goat fur and cedar bark woven into intricate designs, and here, you’ll see excellent examples of their work. Haines has a flourishing art scene, with galleries and workshops showcasing totem carvings, silverwork and sculptures. Taking home some Alaskan arts and crafts is a great way to support local creators. The beautiful landscapes here are also ideal for hiking and wildlife spotting. 
Day 9 - DAY 9 William Henry Bay
Feel immersed in ancient nature as you explore an old-growth forest We drop anchor at William Henry Bay, on the edge of the Chilkat Range mountains, for a day of exploration. Local guides will lead you through the old-growth forest. They’ll keep a lookout as you watch for brown and black bears, Sitka black-tailed deer and moose.  Back in the comfort of the ship, we’ll get going again as we cruise towards Sitka. Keep an eye out for humpbacks as we pass Point Adolphus on Chichagof Island — it’s known as one of the best places for whale sightings in North America. 
Day 10 - DAY 10 Blended cultures of Sitka
Take in Sitka’s views and mix of cultures Surrounded by Tongass National Forest, Sitka is only accessible by sea or air. Get out on deck for stunning views of the Sisters Mountains and Mount Edgecumbe volcano.  Inhabited by the Tlingit people for 10,000 years, the town was settled by Russian explorers around the turn of the 19th century before being sold to the United States after Russia lost the Crimean War. Today, Sitka has roots in all three cultures.  A visit to the Russian Orthodox cathedral and Russian Bishop's House is recommended. Admire ornate Haida and Tlingit totem poles at Sitka National Historical Park and enjoy a walking trail through the forest to the ocean.  
Day 11 - DAY 11 Glaciers of Icy Bay
Spot wildlife in these glacier-fed waters Today is an exploration day in Icy Bay. Three glaciers – Guyot, Yahtse and Tyndall – regularly calve into this bay. If conditions allow, you’ll explore in our small expedition boats or by kayak, immersing you in the remarkable beauty of this icy landscape.  Wildlife abounds in the Gulf of Alaska, offering unrivalled photography opportunities. Humpback whales, orcas, Stellar sea lions, sea otters and harbour seals lazing on floating chunks of ice are often seen in these waters. 
Day 12 - DAY 12 Remote Cordova
Soak up Cordova’s traditional small-town vibe Located in the Chugach National Forest and only accessible by boat or plane, remote Cordova has retained its traditional small-town authenticity. Only a select number of visitors each year get to admire the town’s spectacular setting between Orca Inlet, Hawkins Island, Mount Eccles, Eyak Lake and the Copper River Delta. Sadly, Cordova is probably best known for the catastrophic Exxon Valdez oil spill that occurred in 1989. Today, after significant clean-up efforts, its coastline has recovered — a remarkable testament to what can be done to heal damaged ecosystems — and you might spot wildlife such as sea otters, eagles, Tundra Swans, beavers, moose and bears.  
Day 13 - DAY 13 Ivy League glaciers
Get ready to experience nature’s raw powerToday we visit College Fjord, which features five tidewater glaciers and five valley glaciers, as well as a dozen other types.  The 1899 Harriman expedition team, which charted the fjord, named the glaciers after their alma maters, including Vassar, Harvard and Yale. Princeton is missing, apparently a deliberate snub.  We’ll get as close to the glaciers as we safely can, taking our small expedition boats into the fjord or even exploring by kayak if conditions permit. From the water, you might catch sight of humpback whales, Bald Eagles, otters and sea lions, all of which inhabit this icy wilderness. 
Day 14 - DAY 14 Seward’s stunning beauty
Travel inland to Anchorage via spectacular landscapesYour expedition cruise ends in Seward, the only deep-water, ice-free port with road, rail and air connections to Alaska’s interior. Keep your eyes open as we cruise into Resurrection Bay as the area is known for its population of beluga whales. 
Day 15 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
04-05-202517-05-2025AUD $10,313Polar Outside. From
04-05-202517-05-2025AUD $11,369Arctic Superior. From
04-05-202517-05-2025AUD $16,072Expedition Suite. From
28-05-202510-06-2025AUD $11,165Polar Outside. From
28-05-202510-06-2025AUD $12,314Arctic Superior. From
28-05-202510-06-2025AUD $17,436Expedition Suite. From

Inclusions

    • Journeying from Vancouver to Seward and on to Anchorage, discover Alaska’s captivating fjords, Gold Rush-era history, and rich culture.
    • Experience rugged wilderness, the glaciers of Icy Bay and College Fjord, and authentic fishing towns such as Sitka and Cordova.
    • Seek out wildlife such as whales, eagles, moose, bears and much more on landings and small expedition boat cruising with your Expedition Team.

Map

Related products

Related Blog Posts

Browse Trips in

Canada
More of activity:
North America Cruises