Best of Alaska

DAY 1: WELCOME TO ANCHORAGE!

Fly to Alaska where you’ll enjoy a complimentary transfer to our hotel. Later, meet your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner in Anchorage. D

DAY 2: AWCC/PORTAGE GLACIER CRUISE/ALYESKA RESORT

Travel south along Turnagain Arm and the Chugach Mountain Range on your way to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. Learn how this facility takes in orphaned and injured animals. Next, cruise across Portage Lake on the mv Ptarmigan. You’ll stand just 300 yards from a relic of the Ice Age, watch for fractures of ice to break off from the glacier and crash into the water below. A delicious lunch awaits us at Alyeska Resort followed by a tram ride to the top of Mt. Alyeska. We return to Anchorage for our overnight. B, L

DAY 3: HAPPY TRAILS KENNELS/MCKINLEY EXPLORER/DENALI

An Alaskan visit wouldn’t be complete without seeing sled dogs in action! Meet the champion dogs at Happy Trails Kennels, where veteran Iditarod racer Martin Buser will share stories of his races, and give a dog sled demonstration. Then, climb aboard the luxurious domed rail cars of the McKinley Explorer as we head to Denali for a two-night stay at this magnificent national treasure. See the wide open tundra and watch out for wildlife such as eagles and bears. The remainder of the day is yours to relax or choose an optional excursion, such as a nature walk, rafting trip down the Nenana River, a light tour over Denali, or a Ranger talk. B, L

DAY 4: DENALI NATIONAL PARK

You’ll be snapping plenty of photos during a spectacular five-hour guided tour of Denali National Park, home of majestic Denali (formerly Mt. McKinley), lush forests, and crystal-clear waters. Be on the lookout for wildlife, such as “The Big 5” mammals: moose, caribou, Dall sheep, wolf, and grizzlies. B, L

DAY 5: RIVERBOAT DISCOVERY/ALASKA PIPELINE/SALMON BAKE & SALOON SHOW

Today, coach to Fairbanks for a ride along the Chena River on The Riverboat Discovery, an authentic sternwheeler. Then get up close to the famous Alaska pipeline. Tonight you’re in for a treat at Pioneer Park. Enjoy generous portions of prime rib, beer battered cod and grilled salmon grilled over an outdoor alder wood fire and rounded out with roasted potatoes, baked beans, salad and blueberry cake. Then sit back and enjoy songs, stories, and historical highlights of Fairbanks, also known as “The Golden Heart City.” B, L, D

DAY 6: WHITEHORSE/MACBRIDE MUSEUM

This morning, fly from Fairbanks into Canada’s majestic Yukon Territory. This afternoon visit MacBride Museum, a nod to all things Yukon. Learn the fascinating stories, see gold rush equipment, and more. Our home this evening is Whitehorse, the capital of the Yukon. B

DAY 7: SKAGWAY/GOLD PANNING

Travel from Whitehorse to Skagway passing Emerald Lake and Carcross in the Yukon. Upon arrival into Skagway, we’ll be treated to an authentic barbecue lunch including ribs, chicken and various side-dishes. Then, get ready to find your own fortune! Experience a glimpse of the life of a prospector when you join a colorful cast of characters to learn the art of gold panning. Practice your technique in warm-water troughs; gold is guaranteed in every pan! Haul your bounty into the Gold Shack to have it weighed and browse among a collection of gold-nugget jewelry and mining-related souvenirs. We spend the next two evenings in Skagway. B, L

DAY 8: WHITE PASS & YUKON RAILROAD

Today we travel on the captivating White Pass Trail aboard an old-fashioned narrow-gauge train round trip from Skagway. Relax in vintage passenger coaches as you retrace the original route to the White Pass Summit, passing Bridal Veil Falls, Inspiration Point and Dead Horse Gulch. Enjoy breathtaking views of mountains, glaciers, gorges, waterfalls, tunnels, trestles and historic sites. Afterwards, the afternoon is yours to explore more of Skagway, perhaps visit the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, have a bite to eat at the famous Red Onion Saloon or browse the shops for souvenirs. Later, we gather for dinner. B, D

DAY 9: SKAGWAY/MS ZAANDAM

Stroll the wooden sidewalks of this famous Gold Rush town, do some last minute souvenir shopping, or take in a Ranger-led walking tour before embarking on our home away from home the next four nights, the MS Zaandam. Get acquainted with the ship’s amazing amenities before dinner; and don’t miss the evening entertainment, which includes everything from Broadway reviews to stand-up comedians. B, D

DAY 10: TRACY AND ENDICOTT ARMS

Cruise along the rugged coast of Southeast Alaska towards the Tracy and Endicott Arms. This scenic passage will wind through the glacier-cut fjords and lush temperate forests of one of the greatest cruising routes in the world, Alaska's Inside Passage. This dramatic landscape creates opportunities to spot calving glaciers and various wildlife such whales, sea lions, harbor seals, and sea otters. B, L, D

DAY 11: KETCHIKAN

Explore this uniquely Alaskan port, famous for its rich native culture, salmon fishing, and scenic Misty Fjords. Ketchikan is one of the best spots along the Inside Passage to explore the rich cultural sights of Native Alaskan nations like the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian. You can see intricately carved totem poles at the Totem Heritage Center and Totem Bight State Park. And leave time to explore the sights in the town itself, including historic Creek Street, a boardwalk built over the Ketchikan Creek, where you can shop for souvenirs, smoked salmon, and local art.B, L, D

DAY 12: INSIDE PASSAGE AND SHIPBOARD FUN

Today, glide through Alaska’s spectacular Inside Passage, one of the most scenic sea-lanes in the world. You’ll see steep mountain walls on both sides of the ship, brilliantly colored forests, blue glaciers and seaside villages dotting the coastline. Take a break from the= beautiful sights and partake in one of the ship’s many activities such as bingo, cooking demonstrations and naturalist talks. B, L, D

DAY 13: VANCOUVER

Alas, we must say farewell as we disembark in Vancouver, British Columbia, and head for home—carrying enough “midnight sun” memories to last a lifetime! B

ACCOMMODATIONS:
Nights 1-2: Hotel Captain Cook, Anchorage, AK
Nights 3-4: McKinley Chalets, Denali NP, AK
Night 5: Westmark Fairbanks, AK
Night 6: Best Western Gold Rush Inn, Whitehorse, YT
Nights 7-8: Westmark Skagway, AK
Nights 9-12: MS Zaandam

Dates

• Departure: June 20, 2025
• Return: July 2, 2025

Price Per Person

*Includes roundtrip airfare from STL/MCI/SGF(call for other gateway cities)

• June 20 Departure: STL/SGF
• June 27 Departure: STL/MCI
• July 25 Departure: STL/MCI
• August 22 Departure: STL

*Passport Required

Temperatures:

Anchorage: 62° / 55°

Denali: 69° / 46°

Talkeenta: 68° / 50°

Fairbanks: 73° / 52°

Seward: 62° / 50°

Whitehorse: 62° / 50°

Skagway: 64° / 52°

Identification:
Valid passport required to travel.

Canadian Trip Information:

The currency is the Canadian Dollar. Although credit cards are recommended for ease in monetary transactions, there will be places where you may convert your US currency to Canadian Dollars. The current exchange rate is $0.73 USD = $1 CAD. Gratuities should be paid in the local currency whenever possible. Like the USA, Canada uses 110 volts, 60 Hz. It is not necessary to use an adaptor or converter with appliances and devices that you use in the US. Please check with your carrier regarding cell phone service and fees.

Please note that Canada views any type of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) conviction as a serious offense. A past conviction of DUI will likely not allow one to travel into Canada. Should this be a concern, we suggest visiting the following website for information: http://www.cic.gc.ca.

Other General Information
We will send 3 key communications for your tour; “Get Ready” is your email confirmation and initial tour information sent upon registration, “Get Set” email will be sent about two months before departure, “Go” trip documentation mailing is sent via USPS 3-4 weeks before departure and will include your daily itinerary, luggage tags and final departure information.

Travel Protection is optional and highly recommended and can be purchased until the day before departure. We offer Travel Guard from AIG, which costs 8.5% of your tour, information about which will be sent with your Get Ready email.

Unless otherwise noted, your Sunrise Tour includes: Professional Sunrise Tour Director, meals as indicated, local step on guides including gratuity (international tour guide gratuity inclusion vary by tour), deluxe motorcoach transportation w/rest room, admission to activities and events as indicated, airfare from designated airports, transportation to/from designated airports from our convenient local pickup points*, luggage handling at hotels when available

We believe tipping is a personal and discretionary interaction between our guests and our staff. A typical gratuity for your Sunrise Tour Director and motorcoach driver may be $5-$7per person, per day on tour. Sunrise Shuttle drivers appreciate gratuities (suggest $5 per person) for excellent service as well. Our staff will not solicit gratuities or pass out envelopes.

We are happy to offer refreshments on most motorcoach travel days on tour. We recommend you bring a refillable water bottle to maintain healthy hydration.

If less than 4 people request a pickup point, we may ask that you choose another pickup point from which to join your Sunrise Tour.

If you would like to join a tour from a city not listed as a departure point, we would love to have you along! Please discuss arrangements with our friendly reservation team. From a departure city not listed, typical airfare will be +$100 higher than our published fare for domestic tours, and +$200 for international tours.

If you have a TSA precheck or Airline Rewards numbers, you MUST give those numbers to our reservations team at least 60 days before departure, otherwise they may not be applied.

Preferred seating may not be available on group air. In some cases, seats are not assigned until the airport. Your tour fare includes an economy seat on the flight; it does not include seat selection. Seat upgrades may be available at an additional cost.

To help make our tours the most comfortable in the business, we limit Sunrise Tours motorcoaches to 80% capacity, or 44 passengers on a coach built for 55. We reserve the right to amend this practice.

Your Tour Director will rotate seats on the motorcoach each day of your tour. A single fare does not guarantee two seats on coach; you may be seated next to another friendly Sunrise Tours guest.

Terms and Conditions
Please refer to our policies HERE for more information on our terms and conditions.