Alaskan Wilderness Adventure Cruisetour

Topic: Tour CalendarNEW September 4 to 16, 2008

Join Henk and Thressa Witte on a spectacular tour to Alaska! You will cruise north for seven days aboard the majestic Holland America ms. Veendam and then spend four fantastic days exploring the wonders of the “Great Land.” On a Holland America cruisetour, you’ll see more history, wildlife, and scenery than most people see in a lifetime.

Highlights of Your Tour

• One night in beautiful Vancouver
• Seven-night Glacier Discovery cruise on the luxurious ms. Veendam
• Motorcoach drive on the Parks Highway in Alaska to Denali National Park
• Scenic rail journey aboard the McKinley Explorer from Denali National Park to Anchorage
• Two days in the amazing Denali area, with overnight stays at a Holland America Lodge
• Tundra Wilderness Tour in Denali National Park
• One night in fascinating Anchorage
• Transfers from airport in Vancouver to cruise ship and from the hotel in Anchorage to the airport
• Roundtrip airfare from Grand Rapids (or your gateway city)
• Meals on board the ms. Veendam

Tour Program

September 2008

Day 1 ~ 04, Thursday - Departure, Vancouver

Your amazing adventure begins with a departure from Grand Rapids (or your gateway city). Upon arrival in Vancouver, we’ll transfer to our downtown hotel for a one-night stay. One of Canada’s most popular destinations, vibrant Vancouver is poised against the backdrop of British Columbia’s beautiful coastal mountains. You’re sure to enjoy the free time you have here! This is a very “walkable” city—with excellent museums, unusual boutiques, and outstanding restaurants. You may wish to explore colorful Chinatown, Stanley Park, British-flavored Gastown or there’s always great shopping on Robson Street.

Day 2 ~ 05, Friday - Vancouver, Board Your Ship

It’s time to rise and shine. This morning you’ll have time to enjoy several hours of independent sightseeing or shopping before we board our ship. We’ll rendezvous at the hotel early this afternoon and transfer to the elegant ms. Veendam—your luxurious “home” for the next seven nights. It’s time to unpack, relax, and enjoy your cruise!

Day 3 ~ 06, Saturday - Cruising the Inside Passage

Today spend a full day cruising the protected waters of the famous Inside Passage. Enjoy the procession of birds and sea mammals on British Columbia’s spectacular coastline. Take some time to acquaint yourself with the ship’s five-star amenities and onboard activities.

Day 4 ~ 07, Sunday - Ketchikan

Today we’ll visit Ketchikan, the Salmon Capital of the World. Built on pilings out over the water, Ketchikan was once the ancestral home of the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian tribes and its totem pole collection is a major attraction. An optional tour can show you native totem carvers at work or you can explore this picturesque town on your own. Whatever you decide, you’re sure to have a wonderful day.

Day 5 ~ 08, Monday - Haines/Skagway

Nestled on the shores of America’s longest fjord, Haines is in a spectacular setting. Fill your day with a float trip through the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, which protects the habitat of the nation’s avian symbol, or visit Sheldon Museum, art galleries, and local hops in town. Optional high-speed catamaran access for shopping and excursions in Skagway will also be available.

Day 6 ~ 09, Tuesday - Juneau

We’ve arrived at Juneau, Alaska’s state capital. Walk right off the ship and you’re downtown! Explore the historic Franklin Street area or consider an optional tour of the mighty Mendenhall Glacier. Located at the foot of grand mountain peaks on the Gastineau Channel, the town of Juneau has the massive Mendenhall Glacier and the immense Juneau Icefields at its back door. Juneau is the place to let your imagination run wild. Explore the lush Tongass National Forest. Visit the rustic shops in town or get out and kayak, dogsled, raft, hike, whale watch, flight see, or fish. There’s no end to the adventure because of the long daylight hours. Climb aboard the Mt. Roberts Tramway for a great spot to hike and shoot a souvenir photo.

Day 7 ~ 10, Wednesday - Sitka

The onion domes of St. Michael’s Cathedral are your first clue that Sitka was once a Russian settlement. Discover the echoes of its heyday at a performance by the New Archangel Dancers. Be greeted by Tlingit native people, then stand on the spot where the United States took possession of Alaska in 1867 for $7.2 million, less than two cents per acre. The dramatic setting in the shadow of Mt. Edgecumbe is one of the loveliest in the Great Land. Take a stroll through old growth forest in Sitka National Historical Park, shop the downtown district, and poke around the Sheldon Jackson Museum for a close-up look at some of the city’s most prized arts, crafts, and Russian relics.

Day 8 ~ 11, Thursday - Hubbard Glacier Scenic Cruising

Come face to face with a gigantic wall of ice that fills your view and extends for miles in either direction. It’s a giant on the move, advancing faster than almost any other glacier on the continent. When it reaches saltwater at Disenchantment Bay, the massive glacier measures five miles in width and 40 stories in height, dwarfing even the largest ships. As you glide along this sparkling blue wonder, watch for seals basking on the ice. Listen for the loud, deep rumble and wait for the mighty crack and thunderous crash of the falling ice into the cold dark water. At any moment, you could be witness to an eternal drama as nature’s hand sculpts icebergs before your very eyes.

Day 9 ~ 12, Friday - Seward, Anchorage, Denali National Park

It’s time to leave the ship and continue your memorable adventure on land. Arriving in Seward, we’ll disembark and board the McKinley Explorer Coach for the journey to the Denali National Park via Anchorage. Enjoy the magnificent scenery along the Parks Highway to one of the world’s last intact ecosystems at Denali National Park. Upon arrival, we’ll unload the motorcoach at our lodge for a two-night stay. Enjoy the balance of your day and evening in this wilderness retreat…there are a variety of optional outdoor activities to choose from! Sip an espresso by the fire, revel in dazzling Nenana River views, dine in the eatery that suits your mood, browse wildlife exhibits, and shop to your heart’s content. The new Denali Visitor Center, just a shuttle ride away, educates and entertains with a variety of programs and exhibits.

Day 10 ~ 13, Saturday - Journey to Denali National Park

This morning board a motorcoach and head into the wild tundra of Denali National Park. Today’s six to eight-hour Tundra Wilderness Tour seeks out wildlife like caribou, moose, grizzly, wolves, and Dall sheep. Your first possible glimpse of Mt. McKinley will be at Savage River. Other points of interest are the “drunken forest” of Teklanika, Igloo Canyon, grizzly spotting at Sable Pass, and caribou sightings at Toklat River. Your adventure leads to the lofty, isolated grandeur of Mt. McKinley—a wonder unto itself, as viewed from Stony Hill, just 36 miles away. While on the tour, you will enjoy a box snack along the way. Back at your lodge, relive the adventure over drinks and dinner. There’s still time for an optional activity, too!

Day 11 ~ 14, Sunday - McKinley Explorer Rail to Anchorage

It’s time to say goodbye to the majestic Mt. McKinley and wave a fond farewell to Denali National Park. Today, board the McKinley Explorer railcar and sit back to watch and enjoy the spectacular scenery along the journey back to Anchorage. The Luxury Dome windows provide unobstructed views of the dramatic scenery and the open-air viewing platforms are perfect for snapping pictures of wildlife. Built larger for unequalled room for head and legs, they offer the smoothest ride and matchless viewing with a nearly 360 degree panorama. From majestic peaks and rugged river canyons to soaring bridges and mystifying tunnels, you’ll be awestruck at the natural beauty, wonders unique to this historic Alaska Railroad route. Arrive in Anchorage, where this ocean-view city backs up to a stunning range of mountains. After checking into your hotel, you will have the rest of the evening to relax.

Day 12 ~ 15, Monday - Anchorage / Departure

Anchorage, beautifully situated on Cook Inlet and surrounded by the Chugach Mountains, is a hub of activity with everything from fine restaurants and frontier saloons to museums and art galleries. Take advantage of the many optional tours that spotlight Alaska’s history, culture, and outdoors lifestyle. Our flight departs in the early evening, so you will have some additional time for sightseeing and last-minute shopping. Tonight we transfer to the Anchorage International airport for our return flights back home.

Day 13 ~ 16, Tuesday - Arrival back in Grand Rapids

Arrive back in Grand Rapids (or your gateway city) after an overnight flight from Anchorage. We hope you’ve enjoyed your vacation in spectacular Alaska!

Sailing on the ms. Veendam

Holland America ships were designed for Alaska cruising, with airy viewing lounges, wraparound decks and private verandahs that offer guests the chance to experience—in intimate elegance—Alaska’s majesty. The mid-sized ships, which accommodate fewer guests, are easier to navigate and have a more intimate atmosphere. All the details have been taken care of, from elegantly appointed staterooms with luxurious Euro-Top beds and premium linens to flat-panel televisions and DVD players. Dining aboard ship is diverse and room service is offered complimentary 24 hours a day. Being in Alaska means spectacular scenery and wildlife, so a full-time naturalist cruises with the ship.

CONTACT US: for more information regarding this tour or to have the brochure mailed to you

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about joining a Witte Tour

DOWNLOAD: the brochure and application form (Adobe PDF)

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