Off the Beaten Path: Alaskan Adventures by Land and Sea
About the Trip
June 7–21, 2024 (Sold Out) & August 16−30, 2024 | 15 Days
Explore the best of Alaska’s wild side by land and sea on a 7-night cruise followed by majestic mountain adventures. Begin in Vancouver with a panoramic tour of the city. Board the Sapphire Princess® and journey up the coast with stops in Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay National Park and College Fjord. From Whittier, begin your equally scenic land excursions in the legendary salmon-rich Copper River Valley. Venture off the beaten path on your way to Denali National Park and see glaciers, icefields and volcanos. Take a natural history tour, watch for Denali’s “Big Five”: bears, moose, caribou, wolves and Dall sheep and, of course, astonishing views of the highest mountain peak in North America.
Member-exclusive Benefits
We reward all our CAA Members on our Extraordinary Explorations® tours/cruises.
- $25 CAD Beverage card†
- $100 USD Shipboard Credit‡
- 50 CAA Dollars®^
- 25% savings on CAA Travel Insurance◊
Package Includes:
- Airfare from Toronto or Winnipeg to Vancouver and return from Anchorage to Toronto or Winnipeg
- Pre-cruise tour:
- 1-night stay in first-class accommodation in Vancouver
- 1 breakfast and 1 dinner
- Local English-speaking guide
- Hotel porterage of 1 suitcase per person
- 7-night Off the Beaten Path cruise on-board the Sapphire Princess®
- Onboard meals and entertainment as per cruise itinerary
- Shore Excursion Credit of $250 USD per person
- Princess Plus includes:
- Plus beverage package with service charge
- Unlimited Wi-Fi, one device per guest
- Prepaid cruise gratuities
- Premium desserts (2 per day)
- Fitness classes (2 per day)
- Juice bar
- Post-cruise tour:
- 2-night stay in moderate-class accommodation in Copper River
- 2-night stay in moderate-class accommodation in Denali
- 1-night stay in moderate-class accommodation in Mt. McKinley
- 1-night stay in moderate-class accommodation in Anchorage
- 5 Breakfasts and 5 dinners
- Sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary
- Local English-speaking guides
- Destination transfers
Off the Beaten Path: Alaskan Adventures by Land and Sea
Activity Level: Moderate. From spectacular wilderness lodges to a luxury cruise ship, this journey may take you into the wilds, but creature comforts are never far away.
Day 1
Vancouver – Depart Toronto or Winnipeg for your flight to Vancouver. Upon arrival, meet your tour guide and drive to a local restaurant for lunch. After lunch, transfer to your hotel and check-in for a one-night stay. The remainder of your day is at leisure. (L)
Day 2
Vancouver – Breakfast at the hotel. Meet your guide and walk to Canada Place Pier, where you’ll board the Sapphire Princess® for a seven-night Alaska Cruise. (B)
Day 3
At sea
Day 4
Ketchikan
Day 5
Juneau
Day 6
Skagway
Day 7
Glacier Bay National Park (scenic cruising)
Day 8
College Fjord (scenic cruising)
Day 9
Copper River – Disembark in Whittier and begin your scenic journey to Valdez by catamaran. Continue via motorcoach to the Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge, where you’ll be greeted by incredible views of Mount Drum, Mount Wrangell and Mount Blackburn. (D)
Day 10
Copper River – Enjoy your full day at leisure. Choose from a variety of optional excursions that let you explore Wrangell-St. Elias, America’s largest national park. At the end of the day, visit the Whistle Stop Bar & Grill for refreshments. (B/D)
Day 11
Denali Park
Travel along the Richardson and Parks Highways as you head towards Denali National Park. The Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge is your home for the next two nights. Check in at the Guest Service Desk for assistance in planning your Denali adventure. Alternatively, explore the breathtaking main lodge, river view deck and Princess Village, which feature attractions such as the popular Christmas Cottage and Sugar Shack. (B/D)
Day 12
Denali Park – Start your morning with a quick stop at Fannie Q’s Saloon, named after a local homesteader, for a hearty buffet breakfast. Explore Denali National Park on a Natural History Tour, and keep an eye out for Denali’s “Big Five”: bears, moose, caribou, wolves and Dall sheep. Afterward, unwind on the deck overlooking the Nenana River before enjoying dinner at King Salmon Restaurant. (B/D)
Day 13
Mt. McKinley – Today, travel by motorcoach to Denali State Park for an overnight stay at the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge. Take in the sensational views of Denali and the Alaska Range from the Great Room or the expansive deck. Hear stories about climbing Denali at the Hudson Theater or roast marshmallows at the fireside patio. (B/D)
Day 14
Anchorage – View the magnificence of “The Great One” from the lodge’s treehouse, designed and built by Pete Nelson of Animal Planet’s Treehouse Masters. Later in the afternoon, transfer to Talkeetna for your Princess Rail journey to Anchorage. Remainder of your evening is at leisure. (B)
Day 15
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Toronto or Winnipeg.
B - Breakfast | L - Lunch | D - Dinner
Terms & Conditions
*$8,609 is an oceanview cabin based on Cat. OC for June 7 departure, $9,559 is a Mini-suite cabin based on Cat. MD for August 16 departure. **$9,559 is an oceanview cabin based on Cat. OC for June 7 departure, $9,469 is a mini-suite cabin based on Cat. MD for August 16 departure. Ship’s Registry: Bermuda. All CAA Member prices are per person, based on double occupancy, in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated and are subject to change without prior notice until final payment is paid. All prices are correct at press time and apply to new bookings only, based on availability at time of booking. To receive CAA Member-exclusive benefits, there must be one valid CAA Member travelling per booking. Non-members booking Extraordinary Explorations will not receive Member-exclusive benefits.
†Beverage card is one per person, in Canadian funds and has no cash value.
‡CAA Member-exclusive benefits are per stateroom and are based on double occupancy.
^CAA Dollars awarded per adult Member. To earn and redeem CAA Dollars, you must be a current CAA Member in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by membership expiry date). CAA Dollars will be credited at time of departure. For more information on CAA Dollars, please visit www.caasco.com/caadollars.
◊CAA Travel Insurance is underwritten by Orion Travel Insurance Company, a CAA Company. Twenty-five percent (25%) Member savings is made up of a ten percent (10%) Member savings as well as a promotional fifteen percent (15%) savings when you purchase an Extraordinary Explorations tour through CAA Travel, applies to CAA South Central Ontario and CAA Manitoba Members in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by membership expiry date). This promotional offer is valid until December 31, 2023. Ten percent (10%) Member savings applies to Members in good standing of all other CAA clubs. Savings apply to the total premium excluding applicable taxes. Minimum premium applies. Visitors to Canada Insurance is limited to the promotional savings. Certain exclusions, limitations and restrictions apply. Subject to change without notice. A Medical Questionnaire may be required to purchase travel insurance. Extraordinary Explorations vacations are organized and booked by CAA Travel (South Central Ontario) Inc. and CAA Manitoba (“CAA Travel”) on behalf of CAA Club Group (o/a CAA South Central Ontario and CAA Manitoba). In the event of an increase in any of the cost factors, CAA Travel reserves the right to increase the price whereby the provisions of the Travel Industry Act shall prevail. CAA Extraordinary Explorations packages are 100% non-refundable at final payment. CAA Travel service fee for cancellation prior to final payment varies by program. For full payment terms and conditions, please ask your CAA Travel Consultant. CAA Travel reserves the right to cancel or reschedule any tour departure in accordance with operating requirements (minimum number of participants) or circumstances beyond its control. Additional fees for checked luggage or other incidentals may be incurred and vary according to itinerary and airline. Air schedules with some tours are not available at press time and may include several connections or forced overnight at passenger’s expense. CAA Travel strongly recommends the purchase of trip cancellation and emergency travel and emergency medical insurance at the time of booking.
Please note: Participants must be able to embark and disembark cruise ships and coaches without assistance as well as have a good level of mobility for walking tours in destinations where stairs and traditional cobblestone streets can be challenging. International transportation vehicles and facilities may not meet accessibility standards.
Flight
IncludedTour Itinerary
Day 1
Vancouver
Depart Toronto or Winnipeg for your flight to Vancouver. Upon arrival, meet your tour guide and drive to a local restaurant for lunch. After lunch, transfer to your hotel and check-in for a one-night stay. The remainder of your day is at leisure. (L)
Day 2
Vancouver
Breakfast at the hotel. Meet your guide and walk to Canada Place Pier, where you'll board the Sapphire Princess® for a seven-night Alaska Cruise. (B)
Day 3
At sea
Day 4
Ketchikan
Day 5
Juneau
Day 6
Skagway
Day 7
Glacier Bay National Park (scenic cruising)
Day 8
College Fjord (scenic cruising)
Day 9
Copper River
Disembark in Whittier and begin your scenic journey to Valdez by catamaran. Continue via motor coach to the Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge, where you’ll be greeted by incredible views of Mount Drum, Mount Wrangell and Mount Blackburn. (D)
Day 10
Copper River
Enjoy your full day at leisure. Choose from a variety of optional excursions that let you explore Wrangell-St. Elias, America’s largest national park. At the end of the day, visit the Whistle Stop Bar & Grill for refreshments. (B/D)
Day 11
Denali Park
Travel along the Richardson and Parks Highways as you head towards Denali National Park. The Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge is your home for the next two nights. Check in at the Guest Service Desk for assistance in planning your Denali adventure. Alternatively, explore the breathtaking main lodge, river view deck and Princess Village, which feature attractions such as the popular Christmas Cottage and Sugar Shack. (B/D)
Day 12
Denali Park
Start your morning with a quick stop at Fannie Q’s Saloon, named after a local homesteader, for a hearty buffet breakfast. Explore Denali National Park on a Natural History Tour, and keep an eye out for Denali’s “Big Five”: bears, moose, caribou, wolves and Dall sheep. Afterward, unwind on the deck overlooking the Nenana River, then visit Grizzly Burger or Lynx Creek Pizza for a tasty bite. (B/D)
Day 13
Mt. McKinley
Today, travel by motor coach to Denali State Park for an overnight stay at the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge. Take in the sensational views of Denali and the Alaska Range from the Great Room or the expansive deck. Hear stories about climbing Denali at the Hudson Theater or roast marshmallows at the fireside patio. (B/D)
Day 14
Anchorage
View the magnificence of "The Great One" from the lodge's treehouse, designed and built by Pete Nelson of Animal Planet's Treehouse Masters. Later in the afternoon, transfer to Talkeetna for your Princess Rail journey to Anchorage. Remainder of your evening is at leisure. (B)
Day 15
Transfer to the airport for your return flight.
B - Breakfast | L - Lunch | D - Dinner