Our ultimate adventure! Explore the unparalleled landscapes of British Columbia, Alaska, and the Yukon, some of the last true wilderness regions on earth. After picking up passengers in San Francisco, Eugene, Portland, and Seattle, we cross the border to beautiful British Columbia. At our first camp, in the Fraser River Valley, take a swim in McLeese Lake, and keep an ear open for indigenous pygmy owls.

From Quesnal, home to the original Hudson Bay Trading Company, hike to the twin cascades of Deserter Falls. Mosey to more waterfalls in Smithers, or take a more strenuous hike to Glacier Gulch to view Kathlyn Glacier. Kispiox Village is home to an array of totem poles depicting natives such as killer whales, wolves, frogs, eagles, ravens, and humans, while 'Ksan Historical Village offers a fascinating overview of traditional structures such as longhouses, and a museum with over 600 pieces. A visit to Mt. Layton Hot Springs, will entice you with an array of hot water pools, slides, and an exciting cannonball drop.

Boarding our ferry in Prince Rupert, we'll cruise the Chatham Sound to Petersburg. Look for spawning salmon along the Blind River Rapids, or hike to Raven's Roost for spectacular views of the Wrangell Narrows. Another ferry voyage through the Inside Passage brings us to Juneau and the nearby Mendenhall Glacier. Admire the blue ice of the Juneau Icefield on the East Glacier Loop Trail, or take a tram to the top of Mt. Roberts for spectacular views of mountains, glaciers, fjords, and temperate rainforests. Lynn Canal, the final segment of the Inside Passage, will deliver us to Haines.

Take a flightseeing trip over Glacier Bay in a classic Cessna bush plane, hike the Rapinski Ridge Trail to look for wildlife, or head into nearby Skagway to ride the incredible White Pass and Yukon Railroad; a vintage narrow-gauge train that climbs from sea-level to 880 meters (2885 feet) in just 20 minutes. A hike to King's Throne is the highlight of our time in Kluane National Park. After a visit to historic Whitehorse, enjoy a relaxing soak in the Tahkini Hot Springs. Set at the confluence of the Yukon and Klondike rivers, Dawson City was the heart of the Yukon's great gold rush, and is home to the original "sourtoe" cocktail.

Tooling along the Top of the World Highway, we'll pay a visit to Funky Chicken, AK, where we might try our luck at panning for gold. En route to Denali, the centerpiece of our trip, we visit Fairbanks, then camp beside spectacular Chena Hot Springs. During our journey along the scenic Denali Highway, watch for spectacular views of the Alaska Range across the Nenana River Valley.

You'll have plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife on the tundra and taiga of Denali National Park, the crown jewel of Alaska's preservation parks. Encompassing six million acres, Denali is home to caribou, moose, wolves, foxes, bald eagles, and bears, as well as wildflowers, spruce groves, and possible views of the three-mile high peak of Mt. McKinley. Options here include backpacking into the trailless backcountry, taking ranger-led discovery hikes, or booking an optional Nenana River rafting trip or a flightseeing excursion.

Bid farewell to the wilderness and hello to western civilization in Anchorage, where our expedition ends.

Flexible Itinerary means that we may alter an itinerary depending on weather, local events, etc. Although we make every attempt to run our trips as advertised, please be aware that the itinerary may change to give you the best trip possible.

Alaskan Expedition San Francisco departure. (call for Portland, Seattle, and other departures)

Alaskan Expedition 2007 Fri, June 08 – Thu, July 05 27 Days: $1299 plus †$351 for food/parks