Alaska\u2019s iconic landscapes and abundant wildlife are reason enough to visit, but the stories behind them offer an even deeper connection to the Great Land. Discover the people, history, and traditions that have shaped this remarkable state.<\/p>\n
In 2027, Holland America Line celebrates 80 years of exploring Alaska with a curated collection of Alaska Heritage Tours in five ports, featuring memorable experiences that have resonated with guests over the years.<\/p>\n
From the legacy of the Klondike Gold Rush to the wildlife that roams its vast wilderness, Alaska\u2019s stories add depth to every destination. Explore five featured ports through Heritage Tours that bring the Great Land\u2019s local character to life.<\/p>\n<\/div>
These five destinations offer a glimpse of the Great Land’s many sides, with Alaska Heritage Tours highlighting its history, natural wonders, and cultures.<\/p>\n<\/div>
Alaska\u2019s capital blends a lively waterfront with extraordinary access to the natural world. Here, glaciers carve the landscape, forested islands dot the waterways, and humpback whales gather in the rich waters of the Inside Passage. Exploring Juneau reveals how closely this community is tied to the surrounding wilderness.<\/p>\n
Heritage Tour:<\/strong> Best of Juneau: Whale Watching, Mendenhall Glacier & Orca Point Lodge Meal Cruise Tour<\/a><\/p>\n Get to know Juneau through three quintessential Alaska experiences\u2014glaciers, whales, and wilderness. Eighty years ago, guests would travel the Mendenhall Loop Road directly to the glacier face. Today, journey to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center and learn how these immense rivers of ice shape the landscape. Then cruise the island-studded waters of Stephens Passage, where humpback whales surface to feed in summer. A naturalist shares insights into the whales and other wildlife along the way. The excursion concludes with a stop at secluded Orca Point Lodge, where a surf-and-turf feast featuring wild-caught Alaska fish and game offers a taste of the region in a tranquil, remote setting.<\/p>\n<\/div> In Skagway, the Klondike Gold Rush still feels ever-present. Tucked into the northern end of the Inside Passage, this small town preserves the spirit of the thousands who passed through in search of their fortunes in the Yukon. You can still strike gold on a memorable train ride along a railway built against extraordinary odds.<\/p>\n Heritage Tour:<\/strong> White Pass Summit Scenic Railroad<\/a><\/p>\n Step aboard the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad for a journey through the rugged mountain terrain that challenged gold seekers more than 125 years ago. The restored and replica vintage railcars climb past waterfalls, deep valleys, and towering trestles on the way to the 2,865-foot White Pass Summit \u2014 a route travelers have enjoyed for 80 years. Along the route, a guide recounts the story of the Klondike Gold Rush and the ambitious engineering feat that made this passage possible. Designated an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, the railway remains an impressive link to the region\u2019s past.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> Ready to experience the Great Land\u2019s wonders? Find Alaska cruises & cruisetours<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> Few places capture Alaska\u2019s vast beauty like Denali National Park & Preserve. From the towering presence of North America\u2019s highest peak to the open tundra and sweeping valleys, this is the quintessential place to see some of Alaska\u2019s most iconic wildlife.<\/p>\n Heritage Tour:<\/strong> Denali Tundra Wilderness Tour<\/a><\/p>\n Venture 43 miles into Denali National Park on a narrated journey through its extraordinary wilderness. Along the way, keep watch for grizzly bears, caribou, Dall sheep, moose, and wolves as they move through their natural habitat, and take in expansive views of the surrounding mountains and, when conditions allow, Denali itself. A knowledgeable driver-guide brings the landscape to life, offering insight into the park\u2019s wildlife and environment throughout this five- to six-hour excursion.<\/p>\n<\/div> Alaska\u2019s largest city offers a different perspective on the Great Land, where urban life meets dramatic coastal scenery and rugged mountain landscapes. Beyond the city, the Turnagain Arm shoreline leads to forested valleys, alpine vistas, and wildlife habitats that reveal the extraordinary natural setting in which Anchorage has grown.<\/p>\nSkagway: Following the Gold Rush<\/h3><\/div>
Denali: Answering the Call of the Wild<\/h3><\/div>
Anchorage: Where Mountains Meet the Sea<\/h3><\/div>