A Journey Through Majestic Shores & Wilderness Serenity

Surrounded by mountains, vibrant Vancouver is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and cosmopolitan adventurers alike. Meandering oceanside pathways surround eclectic neighbourhoods – Stanley Park, the West End, Gastown, Yaletown, Chinatown. A major global city, it is renowned for its cultural diversity and thriving art, theatre, music and food scenes. Its perfectly picturesque setting makes it popular filming location – with old-growth cedar forests, mountains covering 75% and two-thirds of Canada's bird species and land mammals. A big, bustling city perched on the edge of wilderness.

With more time to reflect, rejuvenate, and embrace the Ocean State of Mind, days at sea with Explora Journeys invite moments of unhurried exploration. Against a backdrop of endless blue, indulge in a varied programme of wellness, dining and entertainment, enriching the mind and indulging the senses, designed to satisfy even the most curious of minds. These moments at sea offer a rare chance to disconnect from the outside world and reconnect with yourself and your loved ones. With so many onboard experiences, each day at sea is unique and memorable.

The terrain is big and the crowds are small in this lesser travelled wonder that wholly embraces the ‘Last Frontier' spirit. Primal nature reigns in the Anan Bear & Wildlife Observatory, where both brown and black bears feast on pink salmon during a few frenzied weeks each year. Cosy comforts of town open to adventures beyond: follow a boardwalk to Rainbow Falls; take a jet boat into the great Stikine River; spy Bald Eagles riding air currents between craggy glaciers and jagged peaks. Then ponder the history and mystery of 3,000-year-old messages at Petroglyph Beach, left by the indigenous Tlingit peoples.

Fishing is famous; whale and wildlife sightings are epic; stories of battles between Russian fur traders and Tlingit are legendary. Lace up your hiking shoes, for Sitka won't let you down with its vast wilderness of volcanoes, mountain forests, islands and glaciers. Seek scenic walking trails amongst rocketing Tlingit and Haida totem poles. Flock to the Raptor Center, where eagles, owls, and hawks are restored to health. Kayak Sitka Sound, witness former WWII installations, spy dormant Mount Edgecumbe through percolating clouds, then ponder the peace within the blue-domed St. Michael's Russian Orthodox Cathedral, where Russia officially handed over the reign of Sitka to the United States.

Since time immemorial, bears and bald eagles have gathered in Haines, where the great Alaskan wilderness meets the fjords and glaciers of the Inside Passage. Humans too now join the migration to fish for sockeye and chinook in paradisical streams or float and hike riverside trails in Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, where feathered councils congregate all year round. Chart mankind's arrival in this northern wilderness in the galleries of Fort William H. Seward and pause to gorge on Alaskan scenery around the lakes and rivers of Chilkoot State Park.

Endicott Arm is mystic; a wild fjord extending inland some 48 kilometers (30 miles); a photographer's paradise, a naturalist's Valhalla, and an escapist's Utopia. Sailing between towering rock walls, we slip past unconquered mountains, the tumbling mirth of waterfalls, and forests without footpaths or blemish of an axe. Our quest at the fjord head is the daunting Dawes Glacier— over 182 meters tall (600 ft)—slowly shouldering her way from the Stikine Icefield. She sparkles with an other-worldly blue hue and, with regularity, dramatically calves huge, hulking icebergs into the fjord. Here, Mother Nature presides in all her dignity.

Encircled by emerald rainforests and mist-veiled mountains, Ward Cove opens the door to Alaska's untamed beauty. Nearby, glacial blue lakes, tall waterfalls, and snowcapped peaks surround visitors to the spectacular Misty Fjords National Monument, best appreciated by floatplane or boat. Discover the living heritage of Tlingit and Haida cultures through intricate totems at Saxman Village, or wander Creek Street's storied boardwalks. From bear-viewing expeditions to serene kayaking, Ward Cove invites adventure shaped by nature and spirit.

With more time to reflect, rejuvenate, and embrace the Ocean State of Mind, days at sea with Explora Journeys invite moments of unhurried exploration. Against a backdrop of endless blue, indulge in a varied programme of wellness, dining and entertainment, enriching the mind and indulging the senses, designed to satisfy even the most curious of minds. These moments at sea offer a rare chance to disconnect from the outside world and reconnect with yourself and your loved ones. With so many onboard experiences, each day at sea is unique and memorable.

On the rugged southern edge of Vancouver Island, Victoria, bustling capital of British Columbia, dynamically harmonizes with the magnificent Olympic Mountains. Victoria's history dates to pre-colonial time when native peoples inhabited the area. In 1849, Vancouver Island became a British crown colony, widely evident in Victorian architecture, including the majestic Craigdarroch Castle.

Indigenous Peoples' legacies live on in festivals, ceremonies, dances, and art. Along the rugged Pacific coastline, lush rainforests, gardens, lakes, waterfalls, and charming fishing villages. Majestic mammals and marine wildlife abound in its waters, including four species of whales. Vibrant and verdant, you too will blossom in its perfect climate.

Surrounded by mountains, vibrant Vancouver is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and cosmopolitan adventurers alike. Meandering oceanside pathways surround eclectic neighbourhoods – Stanley Park, the West End, Gastown, Yaletown, Chinatown. A major global city, it is renowned for its cultural diversity and thriving art, theatre, music and food scenes. Its perfectly picturesque setting makes it popular filming location – with old-growth cedar forests, mountains covering 75% and two-thirds of Canada's bird species and land mammals. A big, bustling city perched on the edge of wilderness.