Inspiration
Edge of the Wild: Vancouver to Alaska
From the cosmopolitan waterfront of Vancouver to the calving glaciers of Seward, this journey offers a front-row seat to some of North America’s most extraordinary landscapes.
Whispers of the wild north
Sail through glassy fjords, past remote frontier towns and snow-capped peaks, as you uncover the rich history, resilient cultures and untamed wilderness of Alaska.
Watch for eagles soaring above spruce forests, hear the thunder of glaciers breaking into the sea, and step into Gold Rush towns and Indigenous villages that tell stories as powerful as the scenery itself. With immersive shore excursions, slow cruising through the Inside Passage and daily encounters with wildlife, this is Alaska at its most unforgettable: wild, raw and deeply moving.
- Vancouver
- Inside Passage
- Ketchikan
- Juneau
- Skagway
- Sitka
- Hubbard Glacier
- Seward
Pauline Duffin
Pauline specialises in designing highly-personalised adventures, guided by her decades of travel expertise. With a focus on India, South East Asia and South America and a deep love of African safaris, she's renowned for her finely-tuned ability to create experiences that reflect your unique interests.
Vancouver & the Inside Passage
Begin your journey in Vancouver – a city that feels both invigorating and easygoing. Framed by ocean, forest and mountain, it’s a place where nature sets the tone even in the heart of downtown. Wander through Stanley Park, cycle the Seawall or ride the glass elevator to the top of Vancouver Lookout for sweeping city-to-wilderness views. With art galleries, dim sum joints and First Nations cultural sites all within easy reach, this is a city designed for discovery – and the perfect launchpad for the adventure ahead.
The next day is all about the journey as you sail the legendary Inside Passage. This sheltered stretch of water winds through British Columbia’s forested fjords and island-dotted coastlines.
Watch for orcas in Johnstone Strait, bears on Pine Island’s shores and eagles circling overhead. As you cruise north, the landscape becomes increasingly remote and majestic: a preview of the raw beauty still to come.
Ketchikan & Juneau
Your first Alaskan port is Ketchikan: a lively waterfront town known as the Salmon Capital of the World. Set beneath misty peaks and edged by rainforest, this former frontier settlement is home to one of the largest collections of totem poles on the planet. Learn about the Indigenous Tlingit and Haida cultures, walk the historic stilted boardwalks of Creek Street or explore the wild landscapes just beyond town, from the towering granite walls of Misty Fjords to the eagles and black bears of the rainforest sanctuary.
Sail on to Juneau, a state capital like no other. Tucked between mountains and sea, it’s accessible only by air or water. Here, adventure comes naturally. Kayak beneath glaciers, spot humpback whales breaching offshore or fly high above the Juneau Icefield on a scenic flightseeing tour.
Visit the mighty Mendenhall Glacier, join a dog-sledding demonstration or simply ride the Mount Roberts Tramway for panoramic views of this awe-inspiring wilderness. Whatever your pace, Juneau offers a deep connection to Alaska’s wild heart.
Skagway & Sitka
Arrive in Skagway, where echoes of the Klondike Gold Rush still ring through the wooden boardwalks and weathered saloons. Step back to the 1890s in the preserved streets of the historic downtown, or ride the iconic White Pass & Yukon Route railway – a breathtaking journey past gorges, glaciers and waterfalls. For a more active adventure, hike part of the Chilkoot Trail, paddle a fjord, or join a thrilling zipline or ATV expedition into the surrounding wilderness.
In Sitka, history takes a different shape. Once the capital of Russian America, this remote coastal town blends Orthodox churches with Indigenous Tlingit totem poles and frontier charm. Visit St. Michael’s Cathedral, walk forest trails in Sitka National Historical Park or head out by kayak or boat in search of sea otters, whales and bald eagles. Framed by volcanic peaks and wild island-dotted waters, Sitka feels like a true outpost of another time , where culture, wildlife and dramatic scenery live side by side.
Calving Glaciers & Quiet Wonder in Yakutat Bay
Sail into the heart of glacier country and witness one of nature’s most powerful spectacles: the Hubbard Glacier. From the stillness of the deck, feel the hush of anticipation as jagged ice creaks and groans – then roars – into the bay below. With mist in the air, sea lions drifting past and mountains rising in every direction, it’s a moment of awe and intimacy with the raw, untamed beauty of Alaska.
Hubbard Glacier & Seward
Sail into one of Alaska’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders: the mighty Hubbard Glacier. Stretching over 70 miles from its source to the sea, it’s the largest tidewater glacier in North America, with a calving face that’s more than six miles wide. From the deck, listen for thunderous cracks as towers of blue-white ice shear off into the bay, and watch seals drift by on floating ice. It’s a humbling, unforgettable moment – the raw power of nature on full display.
Your journey ends in Seward, a small harbour town surrounded by the jaw-dropping landscapes of Kenai Fjords National Park. Explore by kayak, hike to Exit Glacier or join a boat trip through icy fjords where whales breach and puffins nest. Or take a scenic transfer to Anchorage, where urban life meets the last frontier. Whichever path you choose, you’ll leave with a deeper sense of connection to the wilderness, and to the stories that make Alaska so endlessly compelling.
Talk to our specialists to start planning your trip
