Seattle, Alaska cruise, Denali & Fairbanks by rail & air

Spend the day discovering Seattle. There is lots to see, including the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, Pacific Science Center and an excellent 'Underground Tour'. Further afield there are some excellent vineyards and picturesque Snoqualmie Falls.

Board an early morning fast ferry in comfort class from Seattle to Victoria on Canada's Vancouver Island. You will travel through beautiful Puget Sound en route. Spend the afternoon exploring the capital of British Columbia — its Parliament Buildings, Inner Harbour, the Royal B.C. Museum, or visiting delightful nearby Butchart Gardens.

Embark on a thrilling whale watching trip this morning to see humpback or orca whales. You will travel in a small group and on a modern vessel with expert guides who really know these waters and the animals that inhabit them. The afternoon is free to enjoy some of Victoria's many local galleries, shops, restaurants and breweries.

Board a seaplane for a light aircraft flight to Vancouver on the British Columbian mainland. This short flight takes you over the Gulf Islands in the Strait of Georgia and provides excellent views of Stanley Park, downtown Vancouver and the Coast Mountains. Having checked in to your hotel, spend the afternoon discovering Vancouver.

Join a small group-guided bicycle tour of Vancouver. This is a great way to get to know the city from your expert local guide. Visit the totem poles of Stanley Park, Chinatown, Gastown's steam clock, Canada Place and Granville Island. There is plenty to see and do this afternoon, including the VanDusen Botanical Garden, Grouse Mountain, Vancouver Art Gallery or simply browse the shops or indulge in some of the city's excellent restaurants and nightlife.

There is time for more sightseeing this morning before making your way to Vancouver's cruise terminal to board your Celebrity Cruises ship. There is plenty of time to explore the ship once you have settled into your cabin. During your cruise you will be able to enjoy a host of facilities, including a choice of restaurants and bars, swimming pools, spa, gym, and a varied entertainments programme. All your meals on board are included. Wave farewell to Vancouver as your ship sets sail for Alaska.

Today you will leave Canadian waters behind as you sail north through the Johnstone Strait and the beautiful Inside Passage toward the frigid waters of the Alaskan Panhandle. Keep your eyes peeled for marine wildlife, with the Canadian mainland on your starboard side. As you approach the border with Alaska, the beautiful islands of Haida Gwaii can be seen on the port side.

Surrounded by the vast Tongass National Forest, the small but scenic southern town of Ketchikan is squeezed between the Tongass Narrows and the steep, forested terrain that rises behind it. Ketchikan is famous for its totem poles — the world's largest collection — which can be found throughout the city, making a day here an interesting cultural addition to your time in Alaska.

Icy Strait is in southeast Alaska between Chichagof Island and the mainland and extends 64 km (40 miles) northwest from Chatham Strait to Glacier Bay and Cross Sound. Icy Strait’s nutrient-rich waters are abundant with marine mammals, seabirds and the spectacular scenery here more than compensates for its slightly foreboding name.

Named after the Québécois gold prospector Joe Juneau, Alaska's state capital lies between Mount Juneau and Douglas Island and, despite its importance, is only accessible by sea or air. The area was inhabited for thousands of years by the Auke and Taku tribes before the gold prospectors arrived in the late 1800s. It has been the capital of Alaska since 1906 and today is an important stop in many cruise itineraries.

Situated at the northern end of the Lynn Canal, the most northerly fjord on the Inside Passage, Skagway is an attractive town with gold rush-era buildings surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery. It is connected to Canada's Yukon Territory by the famous White Pass and Yukon Railroad, constructed in the late 1800s to open the gold fields of the Yukon's Klondike region.

The enormous Hubbard Glacier is over 9 km (5 miles) wide and over 120 m (390 ft) high where it meets the sea. At over 121 km (74 miles) long it is the largest tidewater glacier in North America, regularly calving icebergs of three or four storeys in height into the ice-strewn waters of Disenchantment Bay.

Arrive in Seward and disembark after breakfast at the end of your cruise. After checking in to your hotel you may wish to explore this little town. One if its main attractions is the impressive Exit Glacier, part of the Harding Icefield.

Join a full-day tour into Kenai Fjords National Park, which consists of miles of beautiful fjords, coastal landscapes and tidewater glaciers. You will visit the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge as well as the Holgate and Aialik glaciers. Do keep a watch for wildlife as orca and humpback whales, Steller sea lions, seals, sea otters and puffins abound.

You may wish to go sea kayaking today or take a dog-sledding trip on a nearby glacier. This afternoon board the Alaska Railroad train to Anchorage. You will travel in a comfortable GoldStar carriage which includes a glass-domed roof and an open-air viewing platform. Dinner will be served on board. Check in to your hotel in Anchorage upon arrival.

This morning, enjoy a scenic flight over Denali National Park, flying within six miles of the mountain's 20,310 ft (6190 m) summit. Fly from Lake Hood by seaplane over the foothills of Denali to see the length of Ruth Glacier, the Great Gorge and the south face of Mount Denali. A lake landing provides an opportunity for photos of the remote wilderness before returning to Anchorage. Spend the rest of the day at leisure in the city.

Embark on a wildlife viewing excursion today by air and land. Take a 90 minute flight over the endless mountain ranges and two active volcanoes, Mount Redoubt and Mount Iliamna landing at a beach in Chinitna Bay. Take a mini-bus to see where bears roam and enjoy about three hours viewing these majestic creatures with an Alaskan guide before your flight back to Anchorage.

Make your way to Anchorage Airport to board your onward flight. Please note that flights back to the UK will be indirect.

Arrive home today to complete your journey.