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To fully explore Alaska why not take a pre- or post-cruise landtour, or maybe both. Princess Cruises offer a huge selection in the Canadian Rockies and in the Alaska National Parks.
In the Rockies there are 4 to 8 night pre-cruise tours. Some include the luxury of the Rocky Mountaineer Train and domed observation cars. There is a choice of accommodation – 3-4 star hotels, or renowned word-class mountain resorts such as the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Many tours travel the Rockies between Calgary and Vancouver.
Step off your cruise at Whittier south of Anchorage and onto the Denali or McKinley Express train direct to the wilderness. You’ll stay in Princess’s custom built lodges with waterside locations, superb views, and a range of dining venues. A wide range of excursions is available – wilderness tours in search of bears, moose and caribou or perhaps white-water rafting.
Rocky Mountain Landtours
– a typical 6-night itinerary
Starting from Calgary and its authentic western feel, travel to Banff National Park with sights such as Bow Falls, Surprise Corner and the Hoodoos. Enjoy the blue waters of Moraine Lake and travel into Yoho National Park, perhaps for stay at Chateau Lake Louise. Tour stunning scenery then into Jasper National Park along the Icefields Parkway to the Athabasca Glacier.
At Jasper board the Rocky Mountaineer Train to Kamloops. View the natural wonders of Pyramid Falls and Little Hell’s Gate. Continue on the Rocky Mountaineer through Thompson and Fraser River Canyons to reach Vancouver for a city tour and overnight before joining the cruise.
Tours for cruises starting in Seattle are similar and include a cross-border trip between Seattle and Vancouver.
Wilderness Landtours
From Whittier port south of Anchorage the Denali Express with its glass domed observation cars travels through superb scenery – see beaver dams, salmon in the rivers – to Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge overlooking the Nenana River. Stay two nights here for a full day to tour explore the wilderness on an optional excursion or just relax.
Tour options include a continuation to Fairbanks in North Alaska, or a return to Anchorage, or perhaps to Mount McKinley Princess Lodge with views of North America’s highest mountain – ‘Denali’ in the local language. From Mt McKinley perhaps go on to Kenai Fjords National Park and stay at the Princess Lodge.
Alternative tours can cruise across Prince William Sound to Valdez and on to Copper River and its Princess Lodge. Perhaps fish for salmon or take a river rafting trip.
For travellers from the UK the return flight from Fairbanks or Anchorage will usually go to Seattle, with an overnight hotel before returning to the UK. Another possibility is to go from Seattle to Victoria on Vancouver Island then on to Vancouver for a flight back to the UK. Call us for info.
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using Google Earth to explore the ports, glaciers and wilderness |
