Banff, Lake Louise & Whistler Cruisetour: Journey Through The Rockies

Snow-capped mountains peak out from behind tall glass skyscrapers on the edge of the Pacific Ocean. Nestled somewhere between eastern culture and western tradition, Vancouver is a study in nature and urbanity coexisting peacefully.

In the shadows of the dormant, snow-capped Mount Edgecumbe, sits the quaint city of Sitka. The only community within Alaskas Inside Passage to skirt the Pacific Ocean, Sitkas lush green hills and salty ocean air stand in contrast to typical descriptions of the Last Frontier.brSharing an equally important historical connection for the native Tlingit people and Russian settlers, Sitka is both the ancestral homeland of the Tlingit and the former capital of Russian America. A walk around the citys downtown brings you closer to its history with views of the Blockhouse, Russian Bishops House, St. Michaels Russian Orthodox Cathedral, and the storied Castle Hill. Sitkas many museums, art galleries, and cultural centers all offer a more in-depth view of the citys past and present. Stop into the Sitka Historical Museum, Sitka Cultural Center, and Shee-tka Kwaan Naa Kahidi Community House to see photographs, artifacts, traditional art, and native dance performances. Nearby, Harrigan Centennial Hall showcases regular performances by the New Archangel Russian folk dancers.

Located on Chichagof Island, Icy Strait Point is built on the site of the former Hoonah Packing Company salmon cannery. The facilities restored outbuildings now house a variety of restaurants, a museum, and local arts and crafts shops. More than just a tourist destination, the port is a cultural hub for the original inhabitants of the areathe Huna people. In addition to modern amenities, you can enjoy a variety of activities indigenous to the area including native dance performances, brown bear viewings, and whale watching.

Once a location for Russian fur traders and the site of the Dalton Toll during the Klondike Rush, Haines has long been a traditional stopping place for those on their way to Alaskas interior or to Canadas Yukon.brWith its rugged mountain vistas and seascapes, Haines offers plenty of adventure for outdoor enthusiasts. Hiking, biking, and kayaking are just a few ways you can explore this glacial paradise. For the ultimate experience, grab a snow machine, boat tour, seaplane, or even try heli-skiing and bring your inner adventurer even closer to Hainess rugged landscape. Also known as the Valley of the Eagles, Haines is a birders paradise. With nearly 400 bald eagles calling the region home and 260 different species of birds visiting the Chilkat Valley at any given time, you can rest assured youve never seen variety like this in the wild.

Experience the breathtaking expanse and beauty of the Hubbard Glacier. Named after National Geographics first society president, Gardiner Hubbard, this frosty-blue glacier is a sight, unlike anything youve ever seen.brWhile many of the worlds glaciers are retreating, the 8-mile-wide Hubbard Glacier continues to gallop across the Russell Fjord, at times temporarily damning its passage. The longest ice river in North America, this 76-mile stretch of glacier water begins at Mount Logan in Canadas Yukon and meanders its way through Alaska to the Russell Fjord Wilderness. Witness this awe-inspiring phenomenon from onboard as you cruise through the misty, chilled air of the Gulf of Alaska. See whales, harbor seals, and otters hunting as your ship turns from Yakutat Bay into the narrow Disenchantment Bay to come face-to-face with the towering Hubbard Glacier.

Seward is one of Alaskas oldest communities. Lying at the foot of Mount Marathon on Resurrection Bay, this scenic city offers unlimited ways to explore its natural splendor.brFounded in the early 20th century as settlers plotted the construction of the northbound rail line, Sewards ice-free port and crowning Harding Icefield quickly established the city as an important shipping terminal on the Kenai Peninsula and the southern terminus of the Iditarod National Historic trail. Temperate rainforest climate and active glaciers combine to offer countless tidewaters, marine-rich waters, lush forest trails, and a variety of wildlife.