Alaska & Canada

The Last Great Wilderness

Glaciers that calve into cerulean fjords. Grizzlies fishing in wild rivers. The Northern Lights dancing above silent tundra. This is North America's untamed frontier.

6.2M
km² of Wilderness
100K+
Glaciers
48
National Parks
Turquoise lake in the Canadian Rockies

Two Countries, One Untamed Frontier

From Alaska's raw volcanic coastline to the crystalline lakes of the Canadian Rockies, this vast region offers some of the planet's most dramatic landscapes — almost all of it accessible yet wonderfully uncrowded.

Whether you arrive by cruise ship, float plane, or scenic rail, the scale of nature here is humbling. Mountains stretch beyond the horizon, wildlife outnumbers people, and the silence is something you feel in your bones.

Glacier Cruises
Grizzly Viewing
Northern Lights
Rocky Mountaineer
Inside Passage
Indigenous Culture

Iconic Regions

Each corner of this vast territory offers a completely different wilderness experience — from temperate rainforests to frozen tundra.

Banff turquoise lake with mountains
Alberta, Canada
Banff & Lake Louise
Impossibly turquoise lakes, towering peaks, and wildlife-rich valleys in the heart of the Canadian Rockies.
Denali mountain peak Alaska
Alaska, USA
Denali National Park
Six million acres of wild land bisected by a single road — home to Denali, North America's tallest peak at 6,190m.
Alaska Inside Passage glaciers
Alaska, USA
Inside Passage
Cruise through a maze of islands, fjords, and tidewater glaciers — whales, eagles, and bears at every turn.
Jasper National Park landscape
British Columbia, Canada
Jasper & The Icefields
Dark sky preserve, ancient glaciers, and the legendary Icefields Parkway — one of the world's most scenic drives.
Northern Lights over Yukon
Yukon, Canada
Yukon & Northern Lights
The aurora borealis at its finest — remote lodges, dog sledding, and Canada's last true frontier territory.

Wildlife Encounters

The wilderness here belongs to the animals first. Grizzlies, orcas, moose, and bald eagles are residents — you're the visitor.

Grizzly bear fishing for salmon

Grizzly Bears

Watch them fish for salmon in Alaska's rivers — Katmai and the Great Bear Rainforest are front-row seats.

Orca whale breaching

Orca Whales

Pods of resident orcas patrol the Inside Passage and Vancouver Island's coastal waters year-round.

Bald eagle in flight

Bald Eagles

Alaska has more bald eagles than all other US states combined — thousands gather along rivers each autumn.

Moose in Canadian forest

Moose & Caribou

The largest deer on earth roam Denali, Jasper, and the Yukon — spot them at dawn near lakes and wetlands.

Ways to Explore

From luxury rail journeys to helicopter glacier landings — there's no shortage of extraordinary ways to experience this wilderness.

Rocky Mountaineer train through mountains

Rocky Mountaineer

Travel by luxury glass-dome train through the Canadian Rockies — considered one of the world's greatest rail journeys.

Glacier cruise Alaska

Glacier Cruising

Sail past towering tidewater glaciers in Glacier Bay or Kenai Fjords, watching house-sized chunks of ice calve into the sea.

Northern Lights aurora borealis

Aurora Viewing

The Yukon and Fairbanks sit under the auroral oval — watch the Northern Lights dance from remote wilderness lodges.

Hiking in mountain wilderness

Backcountry Hiking

Trek through untouched wilderness on trails like the Chilkoot Pass, West Coast Trail, or Denali backcountry routes.

Dog sledding in snow

Dog Sledding

Mush your own team of huskies across frozen lakes and snowy forests — an authentic northern Canadian experience.

Kayaking in glacial lake

Kayaking & Canoeing

Paddle through glacial lakes, coastal fjords, and mirror-still rivers — from Lake Louise to the Kenai Peninsula.

When to Visit

Alaska and Canada transform with each season — the experience you want determines the best time to go.

🌸

Spring

April — May

Snow melts, waterfalls roar, bears emerge. Fewer crowds and shoulder-season pricing. Ideal for the Canadian Rockies.

☀️

Summer

June — August

Peak season with 20+ hours of daylight in Alaska. Cruises, hiking, fishing, and wildlife at their best. Book early.

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Autumn

September — October

Blazing fall colours across the Rockies and Yukon. Northern Lights season begins. Salmon runs draw grizzlies to rivers.

❄️

Winter

November — March

Dog sledding, skiing, and the aurora borealis at its peak. Frozen landscapes of extraordinary beauty for the adventurous.

14-Day Rockies to Alaska

A curated rail, cruise, and lodge itinerary through the best of Western Canada and Alaska's Inside Passage.

01

Arrive in Vancouver

Settle into this vibrant coastal city. Explore Stanley Park, Granville Island, and the waterfront before your journey north.

02

Rocky Mountaineer to Kamloops

Board the iconic glass-dome train through the Fraser Canyon and Coast Mountains. Overnight in Kamloops.

03

Kamloops to Banff

Continue through Kicking Horse Pass and the Spiral Tunnels into the heart of the Canadian Rockies.

04

Banff & Lake Louise

Explore the turquoise lakes, take the Banff Gondola, and spot elk and bears along the Bow Valley Parkway.

05

Icefields Parkway to Jasper

Drive one of the world's most scenic routes — glaciers, waterfalls, and turquoise lakes at every bend. Walk on the Athabasca Glacier.

06

Jasper National Park

Free day for hiking, wildlife spotting, and canoeing on Maligne Lake to Spirit Island.

07

Fly to Whitehorse, Yukon

Arrive in Canada's northern frontier. Evening aurora viewing (seasonal) from a wilderness lodge outside town.

08

Drive to Skagway, Alaska

Cross into Alaska on the stunning South Klondike Highway. Visit this Gold Rush-era port town on the Inside Passage.

09

Inside Passage Cruise Begins

Board your cruise ship and set sail through sheltered waterways between ancient rainforest-covered islands.

10

Glacier Bay National Park

Cruise through the park's tidewater glaciers. Watch ice calve into the sea while humpback whales surface nearby.

11

Juneau — Alaska's Capital

Shore excursion to Mendenhall Glacier, whale watching in the Auke Bay, or a helicopter glacier landing.

12

Ketchikan & Misty Fjords

Explore the totem pole capital and float through the spectacular Misty Fjords — granite cliffs rising from emerald water.

13

At Sea — Inside Passage

A full day cruising through the passage. Spot orcas, bald eagles, and sea otters from the deck.

14

Disembark in Vancouver

Return to Vancouver. Extend your stay or connect to your homeward flight — with memories for a lifetime.

Essential Travel Tips

Practical advice to help you prepare for the vastness, the weather, and the wonder of Alaska and Canada.

🧥

Layer Everything

Temperatures can swing 20°C in a single day. Pack merino base layers, a fleece mid-layer, and a waterproof shell — even in summer.

🐻

Bear Safety

Carry bear spray on all hikes. Store food properly, make noise on trails, and never approach wildlife. Your guide will brief you.

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Visa & eTA

Australian citizens need an eTA for Canada (apply online) and an ESTA or visa for the USA. Process both well before departure.

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Two Currencies

Canada uses CAD and Alaska uses USD. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, but carry some cash for remote areas and tips.

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Pack Binoculars

Wildlife is often viewed at a distance. Good binoculars (8×42 or 10×42) will transform your experience — more useful than a telephoto lens.

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Plan for Distances

Distances here are vast — Banff to Jasper alone is 4 hours. Don't under-estimate drive times and always factor in wildlife stops.

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Bug Protection

Mosquitoes and black flies are fierce in summer, especially in Alaska and the Yukon. Bring DEET-based repellent and a head net.

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Travel Insurance

North American healthcare is expensive. Ensure your policy covers medical evacuation — some lodges are only accessible by float plane.

Your Northern Adventure Starts Here

Let our wilderness travel specialists design your perfect Alaska and Canada journey — from luxury rail to remote lodge experiences tailored to your style.

Start Planning Your Trip