Vancouver - Seward Alaska (Inside Passage): where the wilderness itself writes the script

Situated on the south-east coast of Alaska, the charming town of Ketchikan is famous for the rich history of its Indigenous people, especially the Tlingit. The town is surrounded by the lush green Tongass National Forest, with its cedars and Sitka spruce, waterfalls and wild animals. Well-signposted walking tours lead you around the town and to sites including the Totem Heritage Center with its important collection of old totem poles. The photos you take around Ketchikan will be just as iconic. They say that whichever way you point your camera, every photo will be picture-perfect.

In Wrangell, you will discover one of the oldest settlements in Alaska, which was not founded by the Indigenous Tlingit people. It was named after Ferdinand von Wrangel, a researcher, explorer and later governor of Russian America. Wrangell is the only town in Alaska to be ruled by four nations: the Tlingit, Russia, Great Britain and the USA. Learn more about its history in the museum or set out in search of the totem poles, which can be found at various places in the town. The gold rush from the middle to the end of the 19th century led to the growth of the town: thousands of people set out from here across the Stikine River to try their luck in the wilderness. These days, the greatest treasure is nature itself – and Wrangell is the perfect starting point for your discoveries.

Picturesque Petersburg is known as Alaska’s “Little Norway”. The houses in the small harbour are packed tightly together, some of them on stilts. Life still moves at a slow pace here. The charming town was founded at the end of the 19th century by the Norwegian immigrant Peter Buschmann as a site for commercial fish processing. Icebergs from the nearby LeConte Glacier were used to keep the fish cool in the flourishing fishing port. The north end of Mitkof Island had already been used as a summer fishing camp more than 2,000 years ago by the Tlingit. Take a relaxing stroll around Petersburg and immerse yourself in the history of the town’s settlement with your experts.

Majestic, spectacular and awe-inspiring: the fjords of Alaska are in a class of their own. Your views on the cruise through the Endicott Arm culminate in the backdrop of the Dawes Glacier. Its flanks show the force and power with which the hulk of ice has broken, shaved and polished its way through the valley – your experts on board will commentate on the glaciological and geological features. The best views can be enjoyed from the deck tour at the bow and from the open deck areas. Steep, rocky cliffs rise up out of the sea, and waterfalls thunder down into its depths. Cruise through the idyllic scenery of Tracy Arm – at 50 km (31 mi.) long and surrounded by unbelievably high and steep gneiss rocks, the fjord was shaped by the Sawyer Glacier, which once filled the entire valley. When you’re not looking at the scenery, marvel at the wildlife: with luck, you will see whales or seals lying on the ice floes.

Chichagof Island is one of approximately 2,600 islands off the coast of the Alaskan mainland. You can see how people live in this natural environment in Elfin Cove, which has around 30 inhabitants. The fishing village is only reachable by boat or seaplane. This makes it a privilege for the few guests on board the ship to explore this remote outpost of civilisation and the surrounding wilderness. Make sure you turn your gaze to the skies: with luck, you might see bald eagles, kingfishers and the rufous hummingbird, which the area is famous for.

Cruising in Tsaa Fjord will reveal some of the most beautiful sides of picture-book Alaska: high alpine peaks, green forests, and active glaciers. Accompanied by the sounds of ice splitting and cracking, your small expedition ship will make its way through the ice floes towards the shimmering turquoise Hubbard Glacier if the conditions are right. One of the most spectacular sights is the edge of the glacier, which you can admire from up close: approximately 5 km (3.1 mi.) wide, the mountain of ice forges its way over 122 km (76 mi.) into the sea. You might see chunks of ice, some of which can be the size of a large building, crashing down into the dark blue water.

Your dreams of exploration will really take shape on Kodiak Island. The largest island in Alaska is known for its unspoilt wilderness. A vast nature reserves stretches over the emerald-green island, with fjord-like bays and mountains up to 1,200 m (3,939 ft) high, lakes and swamps, tundra and spruce forests. It is home to the impressive Kodiak bears, one of the largest species of bear in the world, which can weigh up to 700 kg (1,543 lb) and stand up to 3 m (9.8 ft) tall. With luck, you’ll even spot whales off the coast. The main town, also called Kodiak, was the second-largest settlement in Russian America until 1867. Today, the Russian Orthodox Church and the Baranow Museum are reminders of this time. Discover this charming town on your own or with your experts. Your insights into the history and natural wonders of Kodiak will be further enhanced by the expert lectures on board.

Homer, in its picturesque location in the south of the Kenai Peninsula, is your gateway to Alaska’s wilderness and wildlife. The town is the halibut capital of the world and is also known as an artists’ colony, attracting painters, sculptors and jewellery designers. The greatest works of art, however, are those created by nature, with Kachemak Bay as the centrepiece. It offers a unique coastal landscape with deep fjords, tidal zones and unspoilt coves. The waters here are known for their populations of grey whales, humpback whales, orcas and various seal species. The area is also a breeding ground for many seabirds, including puffins, cormorants and bald eagles. One of the great adventures is watching brown bears in the wild, often fishing for salmon. You will be enthralled by this fascinating mix of natural beauty and vibrant life.