Day 1 - Ketchikan

Ketchikan, Alaska, United States: Ketchikan is renowned for its vibrant totem poles, overcast skies, steep streets reminiscent of San Francisco, and its lush island locale. Home to about 13,500 people, the town becomes lively in the summer as cruise ships line the shoreline, floatplanes head off to Misty Fiords National Monument, and commercial fishing boats laden with salmon navigate the Tongass Narrows. Although Ketchikan's robust, blue-collar history of logging and fishing has declined due to reduced timber-industry jobs and the influx of cruise-tourism, its resilient frontier spirit still lingers. The town is a mecca for art aficionados, with a thriving arts community offering a vast collection of Alaskan art. This intriguing town, situated at the base of 3,000-foot Deer Mountain on Revillagigedo Island, serves as a charming introduction to Alaska.

Day 2 - Prince Rupert

Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada: Located 40 miles south of the Alaskan border, Prince Rupert is British Columbia's largest north coast community, set on Kaien Island at the Skeena River's mouth. Surrounded by deep green fjords and coastal rainforests, it boasts a rich cultural heritage rooted in the Tsimshian people. Once poised to rival Vancouver for trans-Pacific trade, the town shifted its focus to fishing and forestry after the untimely demise of its main visionary, Charles Hays, in the Titanic disaster. With a laid-back, small-town atmosphere, Prince Rupert serves as a port of call for BC and Alaska ferries, while still relatively new to cruise ships.

Day 3 - Great Bear Rainforest

Great Bear Rainforest, British Columbia, Canada: The Great Bear Rainforest is an awe-inspiring wilderness located on the northern coast of British Columbia. As one of the world’s largest temperate rainforests, it is a sanctuary for diverse wildlife species, including the rare Kermode bear, also known as the spirit bear. This untouched paradise, with its tangled waterfalls, dense ancient woodlands, and pristine riverbanks, offers a glimpse into the unspoiled beauty of nature and plays a critical role in preserving the ecological balance of the region.

Day 4 - Great Bear Rainforest

Great Bear Rainforest, British Columbia, Canada: Continuing your exploration of the magnificent Great Bear Rainforest, you'll witness its elemental beauty composed of tall hemlock, cedar, and spruce trees, thriving under the gentle sway of coastal breezes. This precious ecosystem is a haven for marine life and land creatures alike. As you traverse its rivers and coastal inlets, you gain insight into the traditional stories and cultural practices of the Indigenous communities who call this thriving woodland home.

Day 5 - Great Bear Rainforest

Great Bear Rainforest, British Columbia, Canada: Immerse yourself further into the tranquillity of the Great Bear Rainforest, where each day uncovers a new facet of astonishing natural splendour. Keep an eye out for majestic eagles soaring over the treetops, playful seals basking in the sunlight, and otters gracefully navigating the cold, clear waters. This delicate tapestry of life highlights the intrinsic value of conservation efforts that help maintain the forest's unmatched biodiversity.

Day 6 - Great Bear Rainforest

Great Bear Rainforest, British Columbia, Canada: The Great Bear Rainforest’s enchanting allure lies in its intricate tapestry of life and lush landscapes that instil a sense of peace and awe. As you navigate its calm waters and dense corridors, you'll encounter the delicate interplay between land and sea, revealing the rainforest's vital role in supporting populations of grizzly bears, wolves, and other indigenous wildlife that roam freely across this undisturbed terrain.

Day 7 - Lowe Inlet Provincial Marine Park

Lowe Inlet Provincial Marine Park, British Columbia, Canada: Nestled along the Douglas Channel, Lowe Inlet Provincial Marine Park offers a serene and picturesque retreat for nature enthusiasts. This area is particularly famous for Verney Falls, a breathtaking waterfall that cascades directly into the ocean. The park is rich in biodiversity and is a nurturing ground for roe-laden salmon. This distinctive locale invites visitors to partake in quiet reflection and admire the stunning vistas and wildlife.

Day 8 - Prince Rupert

Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada: Returning to the vibrant port town of Prince Rupert, located just south of the Alaskan border, you again find yourself surrounded by the deep green fjords and the culture of the Tsimshian people, who have lived here for thousands of years. With its retained small-town charm and beautiful setting on Kaien Island at the Skeena River's mouth, Prince Rupert stands as a gateway to further adventures or a restful conclusion to your expedition.

Day 8 - Seattle

Seattle, Washington, United States: Seattle is a picturesque seaport city located in western Washington, bordered by Puget Sound to the west and Lake Washington to the east. It is the state's largest city, named after a friendly Suquamish Indian chief. From its beginnings in 1851, Seattle rapidly developed, especially with the arrival of the Great Northern Railway and the Alaska Gold Rush. Opening of the Panama Canal elevated Seattle's status as a significant Pacific port, transforming it into the prominent commercial and transportation centre it is today, housing a population of over 684,451 residents.