Arrive at Fairbanks, Meet your program leaders, Dine with fellow travellers

Afternoon: After checking into the hotel, please look for the Road Scholar Meet and Greet table located near the Holland America counter. Your leaders will meet you here to provide details on your program schedule.

Dinner: Dinner will be held in the Road Scholar meeting space. This will be a chance for you to meet your fellow travellers as you begin your journey in wondrous Alaska.

Lodging: Westmark Fairbanks

Meals Included: Dinner

Orientation and Introductions/Morris Thompson Cultural Center Native Presentations/Museum of the North, U of Alaska Fairbanks

Note: Group will walk from the hotel to the Morris Thompson Cultural Center which is about a 1/2 mile walk. Bus will be taken to the U of Alaska and back to the hotel.

Breakfast: Hotel Restaurant

Morning: Our Road Scholar group leaders will provide an overview of the program and introductions will allow everyone to become acquainted with each other. The group will then walk to the Morris Thompson Cultural Center for a guided exploration of the center provided by the center's director. Morris Thompson, a Koyukon Athabascan, was born, raised, and is now laid to rest in Tanana, his Native home in Interior Alaska. As a native political leader and business man, he dedicated his life to Alaska issues and its peoples. The center is dedicated to his memory.

Lunch: Enjoy a traditional Athabascan meal prepared for our group at the Cultural Center.

Afternoon: Following lunch enjoy a one-hour Cultural Connections Show featuring traditional music and dancing by Alaska Native youth dancers.

After the performance the group will board a bus to visit the Museum of the North on the University of Alaska's Fairbanks campus. The museum exhibits are a great introduction to Alaska’s diverse wildlife, people and land. Exhibits highlight the objects and artifacts, people, wildlife, geography and history of each of Alaska's five major geographic regions. Pieces and objects representing 2000 years of Alaskan art and historical paintings from the 19th and 20th century round out the exhibits.

Dinner: At hotel restaurant with the group.

Lodging: Westmark Fairbanks

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Scenic vistas abound as you travel by train from Fairbanks to Denali, Welcome to the Subarctic by Denali Education Center

Breakfast: Early rise and depart for train depot for trip on the McKinley Explorer. Breakfast will be served on the train after departing Fairbanks.

Lunch: At hotel after arrival in Denali National Park.

Afternoon: After checking in at the lodge, take the opportunity to hike near the entrance to Denali National Park. A shuttle is available from the lodge to the park's Visitor's Center. It is the main National Park Service welcome and information center.

The center offers visitors a chance to learn more about the park by speaking with park rangers, viewing the 20 minute park film, "Heartbeats of Denali," and exploring the exhibit area.

Dinner: Dine at the Salmon Bake restaurant.

Evening: Following dinner, head to the Denali Education Center for a Welcome to the Sub arctic presentation. A non-profit educational partner of Denali National Park and Preserve since 1989, the Denali Education Center provides Road Scholar programs during the summer months. Their presentation will provide an excellent background for your trip into the park tomorrow.

Lodging: McKinley Chalet Resort

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Take the "Tundra Tour" into the heart of Denali National Park and watch for wildlife!

Note: Group will depart the lodge between 5:30 and 6:30 am.

Breakfast: 5:00 am early morning breakfast at the McKinley Chalet.

Morning: Group will depart very early this morning for a Denali Tundra tour via coach returning at approximately 1:30 pm. A boxed snack will be provided on the bus along with a boxed lunch. Traveling 53 miles into the park to the Toklat River rest area, the Tundra Wilderness Tour provides the opportunity to see the incredible scenery within the park. It includes a narrated history of the park road and some of the best opportunities to view the park’s wildlife inhabitants. One never knows when wildlife will show, but there will be opportunities to look for Dall sheep, moose, caribou, wolves and grizzly bears. On days when Denali (Mt. McKinley) is visible, it may be possible to travel to Stony Hill Overlook (another eight miles down the road) and view the entire mountain from base to summit. Stops are made at least once every 90 minutes for rest stops.

Lunch: Boxed lunch and boxed snack provided on the bus trip.

Afternoon: Free time to explore the park. Be sure to take advantage of the park shuttle which stops at the chalet. There are several short hikes that begin in the area of the visitor's center.

Also near the visitor's center are the kennels for the sled dogs of Denali which have have been important to the park for so long that they have become a part of the resource, and a cultural tradition worthy of protection. The dogs and the kennels where they live represent important pieces of American history and symbols of cultural and native significance, the pioneer experience in the far north and the history of Alaska's first national park.

Dinner: Dinner at your leisure at the hotel's grill.

Lodging: McKinley Chalet Resort

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Magnificent views from Denali en route to Anchorage by AK Railroad: Hurricane Gulch, Mt. McKinley and wildlife!

Breakfast: Breakfast at Chalet Resort.

Morning: Free time to explore the vicinity near the Park entrance. Take an opportunity to learn more about the Park from the displays in the Visitor Center. Depart via coach to train depot for trip to Anchorage at approximately 11:00 am.

Lunch: Lunch provided on the McKinley Explorer.

Afternoon: Relax and view the scenic beauty as you pass through Broad Pass, the highest point on the Alaska Railroad at 2,363 feet. North of Talkeetna you will cross the startling 918-foot Hurricane Gulch trestle, towering 296 feet above the creek below. 70 miles south of Talkeetna,marks one of the most spectacular views of Mt. McKinley. If the weather is good the train will slow to allow passengers to snap a few photos. Keep an eye out for bears, moose, eagles, beavers, wolves and swans.

Dinner: On the train as you continue your journey

Evening: Arrive Anchorage and transfer to hotel.

Lodging: Westmark Anchorage Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Anchorage Museum, Turnagain Arm--arguably one of the most beautiful stretches of highway in America and Alyeska tram

Note: The group will walk to the Anchorage museum and back to the hotel which is about a half mile walk each way.

Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at hotel.

Morning: Visit the Anchorage Museum. Enjoy the large variety of exhibits that explain pre-historic, historic and present Anchorage and Alaska. The Alaska Gallery displays more than 1,000 objects and is one of the finest presentations of Alaskan history and ethnology in the state. Full-scale and miniature dioramas provide a look at the early lifestyles of Alaska’s Native peoples. Exhibits also cover the exploration and settlement by the Russians, the gold rush era, World War II and statehood. Then board a motor coach for a trip along Turnagain Arm. South of Anchorage, the Seward Highway hugs the dramatic shorelines of Turnagain Arm, and is one of the world's great drives, ranking right up there with Italy's Amalfi Drive. This route is one of 15 roads in the US that have been designated as an "All-American Road." Here explorer Captain Cook searched for the Northwest Passage. Local lore has it that the arm is so named because Cook entered it repeatedly, only to be forced to turn back by the huge tide of water that pushes up the inlet.

Lunch: Lunch during motor coach trip provided by hotel.

Afternoon: As you continue towards Seward, watch for beluga whales which are frequent visitors to the arm as they patrol the muddy waters in search of salmon and hooligan, a variety of smelt. High tide is the best time to see these rare creatures. Continue your travel down the Kenai Peninsula to Seward.

At Alyeska Resort travel up the mountain on the Alyeska tram. From the Tram, you can see miles in all directions. Views include Turnagain Arm, seven “hanging” glaciers and endless peaks deep into the Chugach Mountain range. Below the tram moose and bear can sometimes be sighted.

Dinner: Dinner at Windsong Lodge after arrival in Seward.

Lodging: Windsong Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Behind the scenes at the Alaska SeaLife Center, board the ship and enjoy its hospitality

Breakfast: Early breakfast at the Windsong Lodge

Morning: Transfer from the Windsong Lodge to downtown Seward. Spend time in the SeaLife Center where you will see marine life and birds in a behind the scenes visit to learn about the role of the SeaLife Center in education, research and the rehabilitation of marine animals. It is Alaska's only public aquarium and ocean wildlife rescue center. View puffins, octopus, sea lions and other sea life while learning about their mission to promote understanding and stewardship of Alaska’s marine ecosystems.

Lunch: Lunch will be served on board the ship or if you prefer, you may dine in Seward. Boarding begins at 1:00 pm.

Afternoon: Be on board MS Zaandam by 5:00 pm. Snacks available on LIDO Deck. If you have any questions, please look for the Road Scholar hospitality desk on board the ship. Brief introduction provided by Road Scholar Staff prior to dinner.

Dinner: Life boat and life preserver drill prior to departure from Seward followed by group seating for dinner.

Lodging: M/S Zaandam

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Enjoy breakfast as the ship continues our sailing towards Glacier Bay.

Morning: Spend time on deck viewing glaciers and watch for wildife in the waters.

Lunch: Lunch on board ship at your own leisure.

Afternoon: Road Scholar presentation followed by special Road Scholar cocktail party with music and appetizers.

Dinner: Dine together as group as we travel in the Gulf of Alaska on the way to Glacier Bay.

Lodging: M/S Zaandam

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Cultural and Naturalist interpretation, Glacier Bay Tidewater Glaciers, and maybe some calving!

Breakfast: Breakfast on board ship at your own leisure.

Morning: After the Glacier Bay National Park Ranger-Naturalists board the ship near Gustavus at the mouth of the Bay, they will be on hand to explain the history of the area and point out the glaciers and other features of the area.

Lunch: Eat lunch where you can enjoy the scenery.

Afternoon: Spend time out on deck to watch for wildlife and enjoy the scenery. If a glacier is fed by enough snow to flow out of the mountains and down to the sea, we call it a "tidewater" glacier which is the type of glacier seen from the ship in Glacier Bay. Watch closely when the ship stops near a tidewater glacier and you may very well see a calving glacier which is a sight to be seen. Listen for the sound as the great blocks of ice up to 200 feet high break loose and crash into the water. In the early afternoon we will have a lecture on board the ship. Following late afternoon a Huna Tlingit cultural ambassador will discuss personal experiences, clan and family traditions and the historic use of the Glacier Bay area. Learn about traditional subsistence practices and the traditions that have sustained the Huna Tlingit people dating back thousands of years.

Dinner: As a group.

Evening: Evening meeting with an orientation to Skagway and a presentation on history of the area.

Lodging: M/S Zaandam

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: Ramps can be steep getting on and off the ferry.

Breakfast: At your leisure--but be prepared to meet in our meeting space by 8:30 am for a special guest presentation. Our speaker will discuss growing up in Alaska.

Morning: After our presentation, disembark and explore the town of Haines. Board a ferry for Skagway and ride the White Pass and Yukon Railway.

Lunch: En route.

Afternoon: Ride the White Pass & Yukon Railway across the White Pass a short distance into Canada. Built in 1898 during the Klondike Gold Rush, this narrow gauge railroad is an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. Its steep grade (about 3,000 feet in 20 miles) includes tunnels, bridges and trestles. On the return trip to Skagway you will have a chance to take in the panorama of mountains, glaciers, gorges, waterfalls, tunnels, trestles and historic sites from the comfort of vintage parlor cars one more time. Once back in Skagway take time to explore the town. This time may be limited depending upon the departure time for the ferry back to Haines.

Dinner: Dinner on board at your own leisure or, eat on your own in Haines.

Evening: Road Scholar meeting with an orientation to Juneau and its history. Time for a late evening walk on shore before the ship departs for Juneau.

Lodging: M/S Zaandam

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Take a day boat excursion to look for bald eagles, whales, sea lions and seals, enjoy a Salmon Bake brunch and guided walk on Colt Island, visit Mendenhall Glacier and enjoy time to explore Juneau.

Breakfast: On board ship at your leisure.

Morning: Disembark and board a motorcoach for an exclusive narrated drive to Auke Bay. Board a catamaran for a cruise to Colt Island's Orca Point lodge where we will take a "Native Plants & Intertidal Marine Life” walk.

Lunch: Enjoy a salmon bake brunch at Orca Point Lodge.

Afternoon: After brunch at the lodge enjoy a “Wild Alaska Salmon” talk by the lodge host. Reboard the catamaran for continuation of sightseeing cruise – emphasis on whale watching. The onboard naturalist will explain the behavior and habitat of wildlife you may encounter, including humpback and killer whales, Steller sea lions, Dall’s porpoise, harbor seals, bald eagles, bears and deer. Arrive back at Auke Bay and embark on a motorcoach transfer to Mendenhall Glacier followd by a return to Juneau to independently visit points of interest such as the Alaska State Museum, the Juneau Museum, the State Capitol, the Russian Orthodox church building and historic Franklin Street area.

Dinner: Group dinner on ship as we depart Juneau.

Evening: Road Scholar meeting and presentation.

Lodging: M/S Zaandam

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Ketchikan - Native Culture & Historic Totems, Visit with Saxman Mayor and previous Mayor of Ketchikan Borough, visit SE Discovery Center

Breakfast: Travel south through Clarence Straits toward Ketchikan. Road Scholar presentation(s).

Lunch: On board at your leisure as we approach Ketchikan.

Afternoon: Disembark for a presentation at the Totem Heritage Center where they will discuss culture and crafts of the native people. Go behind-the-scenes to examine a collection of totems up close along with native crafts. Learn about the native culture from a Tlingit tribal member and mayor of Saxman the native community and prior mayor of Ketchikan Borough. Independently spend time at the Southeast Discovery Center looking at the exhibits. Explore the historic Creek Street area and note totems in the area of the library and Creek Street. Spend time exploring the core of the downtown area.

Dinner: Dinner as a group on board, or at your own option, eat in town.

Evening: Explore Ketchikan until "On Board Time". Short Road Scholar presentation.

Lodging: M/S Zaandam

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

At Sea as you enter Canadian Waters and enjoy presentations by Road Scholar staff

Breakfast: Enter Canadian waters. Road Scholar presentations.

Lunch: Travel the coast of British Columbia. Road Scholar presentations. Farewell meeting.

Dinner: Dinner as a group.

Lodging: M/S Zaandam

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Early morning arrival in Vancouver at Canada Place Pier. Disembark.

Meals Included: Breakfast