Duration: 13 Days
If you live by the motto, “Go big or go home,” it doesn’t get any bigger than this grand tour of Alaska and the Yukon Territory. Where else can you see bears the size of buffalo, glaciers the size of states, and national parks the size of nations? In this great expanse of pure wilderness, the majestic mountains, never-ending landscapes, and supersize wildlife of the 49th state are waiting to transport you to another state of mind. Big sights are accented by even bigger experiences as you board the Alaska Railroad to the tallest peak in North America, the sternwheeler Discovery for a Fairbanks river cruise, and a small ship to witness the dominating glaciers and playful whales of Prince William Sound. You’ll also follow the tracks of caribou and moose in the 6-million-acre Denali National Park, trace the trail of gold seekers during the Klondike Gold Rush, and follow in the paw steps of Alaska’s famous dogsledding huskies.
Traveller Notes
- We’ve packed everything you need for the perfect holiday—from hand-selected hotels and dining to the friendly expertise of Globus Tour Directors and Local Guides, to seamless transportation between destinations and VIP access to the world’s most iconic sites! Touring by private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi.
- Your Train: The historic Alaska Railroad travels through Alaska’s spectacular scenery. This upgraded experience in Deluxe Dome Service features confirmed seats in the upper-level dome car, priority seating in the dining room, and a private outdoor viewing deck.
- While wildlife in Alaska is frequently seen year-round, May through early June and September departures offer greater opportunities for wildlife viewing. Departures after mid-August offer fall foliage. The Northern Lights (aurora borealis) are most visible in late August and September, weather permitting.
- This holiday visits remote regions where some facilities are not up to the first-class standards you’d expect from Globus. However, we have selected the best available hotels that satisfy our high standards of cleanliness and comfort.
Please note: Itinerary is based on 2024, and is subject to change. Full details will be confirmed in 2024.
Welcome to Alaska!
Meet your Tour Director between 3 pm and 7 pm in the hotel reception area.
FREE TIME TIPS
EXPLORE MORE in Anchorage with a dinner out in this iconic Alaskan city. Your Tour Director can point you in the right direction. Tap your GlobusGO mobile app for the best bites, brews, and things to do!
Riding the Rails
Travel north into the majestic wilds of Alaska and visit the Iditarod Headquarters, home of the world-famous dogsled race. Continue to Talkeetna, the starting point for climbers attempting to summit Denali (formerly known as Mount McKinley), the highest peak in North America at 20,320 feet. Board the historic Alaska Railroad for a scenic trip to Denali National Park. Tonight, enjoy a [LF] private presentation by a Local Naturalist at the Murie Science & Learning centre followed by dinner. (B,D)
LOCAL FAVOURITE
CONSERVATION HEROES Enjoy dinner at the Murie Science and Learning centre where stewardship and education are key to preserve and nurture the wild places of American national parks. You'll hear fascinating and informative information presented by a Local Naturalist in this vital site named for wildlife biologist Adolph Murie who made lasting contributions to the understanding of wolves and wildlife management in Denali.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
EPIC RIDE Board the Alaska Railroad train for spectacular views through its panoramic windows designed for soaking in the stunning scenery on this full-day journey that truly showcases America's 49th state. Keep an eye out for views of Denali (formerly known as Mount McKinley)-as well as wildlife along the way!
Wilderness Wonders
Journey into the 6-million-acre Denali National Park with a Naturalist Driver Guide on the Tundra Wilderness tour exploring the majestic wilderness. Your late afternoon and evening are free for optional adventures such as float trips, a dogsled demonstration, a helicopter ride over the park, or a delicious dinner and rollicking musical comedy performed in a camp house reminiscent of the Gold Rush era. (B,L)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NATURAL WONDERS Venture deep into Denali National Park and Preserve with a Naturalist Driver Guide in search of fantastic wildlife and natural wonders. Stay alert for wildlife, including Denali's Big-Five, the grizzly bear, caribou, moose, Dall sheep, and the formidable yet elusive wolf. Named for the highest mountain peak in North America, Denali is a natural treasure of pristine and untamed wilderness at its finest.
Bites & Brews
This morning, spend a little more time marveling at the wonder of Denali National Park. Then, enjoy a friendly atmosphere during lunch at the [LF] 49th State Brewery to taste some local specialties and play Alaska lawn-games. Travel into the heart of Alaska to Fairbanks, where the remainder of the day is at leisure. (B,L)
LOCAL FAVOURITE
LOCAL TASTES Craft brewing as well as great food is a hallmark of Alaskan culture. Taste the tradition of Alaska with lunch at the fabulous 49th State Brewing Co. Taste the attention to detail born of glacial aquifers, fine malts and hops, and yeast, served Cicerone Certified beer servers and proper glassware to accompany various styles of beer, along with a hearty menu to satisfy your appetite. More than a place to have a beer and a bite, the 49th State Brewing Co is the place to make memories of a lifetime.
Native American Traditions
Start the day by boarding the sternwheeler Discovery for a cruise on the Chena River, with a stop at a recreated Chena Indian Village to learn about Athabascan Native culture. Later, during a city tour, visit the University of Alaska-Fairbanks Museum and a stop at the Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURAL GEMS Experience frontier living in an Athabascan village on the Chena River. Here in the Alaskan forests, cabins are made of spruce logs, and the old ways of living with the land are beautifully preserved in the heritage of the Athabascan Native culture. Learn about traditions and survival in an unforgiving yet beautiful environment, where generations of Athabascans skillfully survived for over 10,000 years, ultimately adapting to village life and Western culture in the past century.
Goldminers & Old Timers
Continuing the journey into Gold Rush history, motor over the Top of the World Highway and enter Canada's Yukon Territory. Passing through the village of Chicken, today promises to be filled with breathtaking scenery.
Tonight, you have reservations at Diamond Tooth Gerties, featuring ragtime music, can-can girls, and an old-fashioned casino. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT CULTURAL GEM Get a rush of nostalgia for the old frontier with casino games, nostalgic tunes, and can-can shows at Dawson City's rip-roaring Diamond Tooth Gertie's saloon to relive the days of the Gold Rush, prospectors, barkeeps, and piano players in the Wild West.
There's Gold in the Yukon!
Step back in time at the site of Klondike Gold Rush Claim #1, where the first gold strike was made. Continue to the Robert Service Interpretive centre to learn of the numerous poems and ballads he composed while exploring this remote area. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Your Tour Director will have suggestions for additional sightseeing, shopping, and dining. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LEGENDARY LIVES Walk in the footsteps of historic figures of the Yukon Gold rush. Stand in the spot where George Carmack and Skookum Jim discovered the first shiny glimpse of gold in Bonanza Creek in 1896 to stake the first Gold rush Claim in the Yukon. Enter the humble cabin (now a historic site) where bank teller and famed poet Robert Service penned some of the Yukon Territories' most famous ballads and poems. See the artifacts belonging to this legendary "Bard of the Yukon."
Roaring Rapids & Rip-Roaring Times
Trace the trail of the gold seekers on their way to the Klondike. View the Five Finger Rapids, which once posed a major obstacle to the hordes of fortune seekers stampeding into the Yukon. Your day concludes in Whitehorse, capital of the Yukon, for a free evening. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NATURAL WONDERS Marvel at the sight of The Five Finger Rapids on the Yukon River. Here, four islands divide the river into five narrow channels of which only the eastern is passable. The Five Finger Rapids is mentioned in Jack London's novel The Call of the Wild and posed a significant challenge to the throng of fortune seekers on the hunt for gold.
A Dog's Life
A city tour stops at the Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre, where you can meet the Ice Age giant mammals that once ruled the ancient subcontinent. See the historic SS Klondike Riverboat and learn about its importance on the Yukon River in the Gold Rush days. Later, head to Whitehorse's premier dogsled facility, [LF] Muktuk Adventures, where you will personally meet the huskies and their trainers. Afterward, enjoy a special Taste of the Yukon dinner. (B,D)
LOCAL FAVOURITE
CULTURE & TRADITION Get up close and personal to Alaska's amazing sled dogs and their trainers at Muktuk Adventures. Learn about the training and care of the Alaskan champions and the spirit needed to race in world-famous Iditarod and Yukon Quest competitions. An experience that leads the pack!
Depart the Yukon Territories and head to Alaska along the rugged mountains of Kluane National Park, home to 19,625-foot Mount Logan, Canada's highest peak. Continue on the Alaska Highway to Tok, the "Dog Sled Capital of the World." (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
WILDERNESS TREASURES On your way to Alaska's dogsledding town of Tok, you'll drive along the mountains of Kluane National Park and Reserve in the southwest of the Canadian Yukon. Witness a vast wilderness of ice fields, forests, and towering peaks, including Canada's highest summit, Mount Logan. Here, spectacular sights created by the glacier-fed Alsek River are home to grizzly bears, Dall sheep and more than 100 bird species.
Sights on the Sound
Head to Alaska's northernmost ice-free port, Valdez, home of the Alyeska Pipeline Terminal. As you travel toward some of the highest coastal mountains in the world, enjoy views of Thompson Pass, Worthington Glacier, and Bridal Veil Falls before arriving in the "Switzerland of Alaska"- Valdez. Visit the Valdez Museum to learn of the areas Native Culture, early explorers, the 1898 Gold Rush, and the 1964 Good Friday Earthquake. Free time this evening. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NATURAL WONDERS Located near the head of a deep fjord in Prince William Sound, Valdez is a mix of tidewater glaciers, rainforests, majestic mountains, and wildlife on land and sea. Orcas and humpback whales, otters, sea lions, and birds are among the many animals you might spy from this spectacular seaport.
True Fish Stories
Board a boat today and get a closer look at the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Terminal, the many massive glaciers, and the playful sea life of Prince William Sound. Keep your eyes open for eagles, whales, mountain goats, dolphins, and sea lions! Continue to Anchorage for a farewell dinner. (B,L,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURE & TRADITIONS Go further with a scenic cruise on the spectacular Prince William Sound. Cruise along the 3-mile face of Columbia Glacier with a watchful eye out for wildlife, including seals, sea otters, birds, and even whales!
Safe travels until we meet again!
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
