Jewels of the Russian Far East & Alaska

Begin your journey in Anchorage, where a world of spectacular natural landscapes and intriguing culture awaits. Settle in for a one-night stay. This evening you will join your Tour Director and fellow travellers for a welcome dinner. (D)

Your adventure starts today with a visit to Anchorage’s Alaska Native Heritage Centre, a gathering place that celebrates, perpetuates, and shares Alaska Native Culture, language, heritage, and tradition. Sit back and watch Native artisans as they work on their crafts and enjoy live traditional dance performances before a private visit with an Alaskan native storyteller, who will bring you into their culture as they share the stories about their history and people. Drive through the scenic Matanuska-Susitna Valley, considered one of the most important agricultural regions in Alaska.

The valley is rimmed by three major mountain ranges: The Alaska Range, and the Talkeetna and Chugach Mountains. Indulge in expansive views of alpine peaks and valleys, rivers and streams, and vast spruce and birch forests before arriving at your lodge for the next two-nights. This evening you will have a unique opportunity to meet a local Alaskan, Howard Carbone. Revel in his stories of climbing Denali, nature in the area, and living in Alaska through photographs, videos, and stories. (B/D)

Freechoice: Enjoy a jet boat ride down the Susitna river with an onboard naturalist and visit a Dena’ina Indian Encampment. Alternatively, set out to explore Talkeetna’s best hiking trails with a naturalist guide on a hike through old-growth forest, alive with songbirds, wildflowers, berries, and mushrooms. Watch for loons and kingfishers on the lakes, moose and bears in the woods and enjoy the view of Denali on the horizon. Enrich: A classic Alaskan experience awaits. Fly into the heart of Denali National Park, soaring over glaciers and icebergs, keeping an eye out for moose, black bears, Dall sheep and mountain goats. Land on a snow field high on a glacier and take a walk in this remote environment before returning back to your lodge. (B)

Travel aboard luxury dome rail cars from Talkeetna to Denali National Park. Large, panoramic windows allow for mostly unrestricted views of the scenery around you and provide an excellent vantage point for photos. As you approach Denali National Park, journey along the snaking Indian River and enjoy expansive sights of Hurricane Gulch, and make sure to look to your left to view the highest mountain in North America, Denali, and the stunning Alaska Range. On arrival visit the Denali Education Centre and enjoy a talk from a local resident about what it takes to live life in Alaska, before checking into your lodge for a two-night stay. (B/L/D)

Freechoice: Discover the spectacular wildlife that call Denali National Park home as you travel 62 miles towards the Stony Hill Overlook. Board a comfortable national park’s tour bus and immerse yourself in a scenic journey of natural wonders, a narrated history of Park Road, and some of the best opportunities to view the park’s inhabitants. Alternatively, spend up to 8 hours exploring Denali National Park on a hiking adventure with your guide. Hike, identify the flora and fauna, capture photos and simply enjoy having a professional, local Alaskan guide take you on a sightseeing adventure. (B/L)

Today we journey back through scenic mountain scenery to Anchorage. Stop in the small community of Willow for a visit to an authentic sled dog kennel. Meet with a veteran Iditarod musher before an exhilarating and adorable dog sled ride through the property, while safely in an ATV. After your dogsled run, meet the canine athletes that pulled your ATV and interact with the puppies. Following lunch with Vern Halter the owner of the kennel and an Iditrarod champion, continue to Anchorage and your hotel, the Anchorage Marriott Downtown Hotel for a one-night stay. Tonight, relive your experiences at your farewell dinner. (B/L/D)

Fly to Nome, set at the tip of the Seward Peninsula and overlooking the Bering Sea. A world of wonder awaits as you step on board and raise your glass to toast the start of your luxurious cruise. (B/D)

Acquaint yourself with the exceptional range of facilities on board your ultra-luxurious Discovery Yacht. Choose a class in one of the fitness spaces or relax in one of the therapy lounges in the Spa Sanctuary. Tempt your palate from one of the exceptional dining venues or try a wine tasting. (B/L/D)

Cruise the Bering Sea and over the International Date Line on your way to Russia. Nestled against mountain peaks, Provideniya was built for military purposes that played a large part during WWII and is the gateway to the Chukotka Peninsula. (B/L/D)

The Chukotka and Kamchatka Coast is the definition of remote, and the most perfect region for a discovery voyage on board Scenic Eclipse. Few roads and scarce infrastructure, with abundant wildlife including brown bears, reindeer and Arctic foxes roaming freely. Due to the extraordinary nature of the region, the sailing and expedition schedule is flexible. Your experienced Captain and Discovery Leader will use their expertise to design this section of your voyage from day to day, making the most of the long daylight hours, weather and ice conditions to give you the best experience possible in this extraordinary part of the world.

Some of the possible landing sights that you may visit include Meinypil’gyno, one of the most important sites in the world for breeding Spoon-billed Sandpiper; Anastasia Bay, where we will be looking for walrus haulouts and birdlife, including the bluethroat and Siberian rubythroat; Tymlat Village for an authentic taste of the Koryak way of life. Prepare for a feast of the senses, as these wonderful, hardy folks display their unique culture through dance, games and delicious fresh food. Along the voyage we will be looking for marine wildlife, such as the Largha Seal, Gray and Beluga Whales, and wildlife hidden in the forested fjords, such a brown bears. Discovery: Enjoy discovery excursion on water in a Zodiac, kayak or paddle board, and on land through guided walks with your specialist Discovery Team. (B/L/D)

Spectacular sea cliffs, arches and stacks, shaped by harsh climate and tectonic forces, signal your arrival in the Commander Islands. At Commander Bay on Bering Island, you will pay tribute to explorer Vitus Bering and visit his grave and memorial. You will dock beneath towering emerald cliffs at Peregtegrebnaya Bay, preferred summer nesting site for red-legged and black-legged kittiwakes. Cape Monati, southernmost point of Bering Island, is a possible place to spot albatross and whales. Northern fur seals haul out at Severo Zapadnyi along with much larger, tawny-golden Stellar sea lions.

Your Discovery Yacht will cruise around the volcanic islands of Ariy Kamen, surrounded by thousands of kittiwakes, puffins and murres. Your last landing is Nikolskoe village, where Russia’s remaining Aleut community will passionately share their culture with you through lively performances. Discovery: Enjoy discovery excursions on water in a Zodiac, kayak or paddle board, and on land through guided walks with your specialist Discovery Team. (B/L/D)

Discovery: Careful Zodiac navigation by the expert Discovery Team members will take you to the mouth of this powerful river, past salmon fishing camps and as far upstream as we can go. Look for brown bears and Steller’s sea eagles as distant mountains beckon us. Back in the bay, look out for basking largha seals and fantastic views of the 3,000-metre Zhupanovskiy volcano. (B/L/D)

Early morning, you will cruise into Avacha Bay to see the “home” volcanoes before disembarking. Farewell fellow adventurers as you board your included flight to VladivostokThe itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the tour will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information. (B)