YMT's Alaskan Vacation Adventures!

AlaskaOffers Proposed Alaska Cruise and Signature Northwest Tour Itinerary

Day 1 (Thursday) – Fly to Seattle, WA: Today, your Alaskan adventure begins with your flight to the Seattle, Washington area. Upon arrival at the Seattle International Airport, those who purchased their airline tickets from Your Man Tours, Inc. will be met in the baggage claims area and transferred to the hotel.

Day 2 (Friday) – Seattle City Tour before boarding Holland America’s ms Zaandam: This morning you are off to see the sights of Seattle via your spacious motor coach. Your friendly and knowledgeable driver guide will be sure to show you all the highlights from the growing downtown to the Space Needle to the always busy waterfront and Pike Place Market. Next, it’s Bon Voyage as you sail to your awaiting Alaska experience. Holland America’s stellar five-star service will soon take your breath away.

Day 3 (Saturday) – Scenic Inside Passage Cruising: When explorer John Muir first sailed the Inside Passage he could hardly tear himself away from the rail for fear of missing some new marvel. “Never before,” he wrote, “have I been embosomed in scenery so hopelessly beyond description tracing shining waves through fjord and sound, past forest and waterfall, islands and mountains.” All this while you’re gliding along in the lap of luxury aboard Holland America Lines.

Day 4 (Sunday) – Juneau (12:00PM - 10:30PM): In Alaska’s capital you may choose to taste salmon baked over an alderwood fire, pan for gold, flightsee the Juneau Ice Field, or walk right up to the Mendenhall Glacier located just outside the city limits. There are ample shore excursions to fill your day. Juneau is nestled at the feet of snowcapped Mt. Juneau and Mt. Roberts and is nicknamed “Little San Francisco” because of its narrow streets and flights of wooden steps hugging the hillside on which its multicolored houses are built.

Day 5 (Monday) – Scenic cruising Glacier Bay National Park: One of Alaska’s noblest and most impressive natural beauties is the climax of your cruise. The overwhelming grandeur of glaciers, exotic wildlife, and pristine environment combine to offer a breathtaking view of raw nature. You’ll spend the entire day cruising a 60-mile passage, passing glaciers galore, abundant wildlife, and scenic beauty unique in all the world. Great chunks of the glaciers are continually falling into the bay with a deafening roar, which enhances the fascinating spectacle. Please note: on 6/4/09 departure, Glacier Bay National Park will be replaced by the Tracy Arm. Cruise along the narrow, 26-mile-long fjord, witnessing an astounding panorama of 7,000-foot mountain peaks and nearly vertical rock cliffs. See the twin Sawyer Glaciers, nestled within the end of this waterway, and watch as icebergs calve into the jade-colored water below.

Day 6 (Tuesday) – Sitka (8:00AM - 5:00PM): Home to the first vehicular bridge in the United States, the O’Connell Bridge, Sitka’s charm will easily draw you in. Perhaps take the time to see Saint Michael’s Russian Orthodox Church–one of many historic buildings reflecting the town’s Russian America beginnings–or enjoy an optional shore excursion while on the island.

Day 7 (Wednesday) – Ketchikan (7:00AM - 1:00PM): Nicknamed “the salmon capital of the world,” this important fishing port is also home to the world’s largest collection of Native American totem poles. You will enjoy your stroll through the picturesque waterfront district of this quaint boardwalk city built on stilts, as well as the historic and former “Red Light” district amid gold shops, gift shops, and restaurants.

Day 8 (Thursday) – Victoria, BC (6:00PM - MIDNIGHT): As the sun begins to set, explore BC’s intriguing capital city with a touch of English charm. Explore the city on your own or take advantage of your ship’s shore excursions where you may take a horse drawn trolley along the waterfront; visit the downtown area with stunning views of the thousands of lights trimming the Legislative Buildings; or other attractions and sights in this “City of Gardens.”

Day 9 (Friday) – Disembarkation and transfer to Leavenworth, WA: After you disembark in Seattle, you’ll make your way to Leavenworth. Originally founded as a tiny timber community, Leavenworth found revitalization in 1955 and was transformed into a mock Bavarian village. You’re sure to love this town, home to a museum that boasts over 5,000 nutcrackers dating from prehistoric to modern origins!

Day 10 (Saturday) – Spokane, WA plus the Grand Coulee Dam: This morning you will motor coach through Penticton’s famous wine country. On highway 20, which is one of the most spectacular highways in the state of Washington, is the Grand Coulee Dam. This is a must stop for pictures of this 555 foot high, 5,223 foot wide engineering marvel.

Day 11 (Sunday) – Butte, MT by way of beautiful Lake Coeur d’Alene: Today, as you leave Spokane, you will tour its downtown area for a visit to Riverfront Park and the sites of Expo 74. Then into northern Idaho and a fantastic picture stop in Coeur d’Alene. Lake Coeur d’Alene is the centerpiece for this resort city and a very worthwhile stop. Then, on to Butte, Montana and “Big Sky” country.

Day 12 (Monday) – West Yellowstone, MT via North Yellowstone National Park: Depart Butte, MT for your first of many sights of Yellowstone National Park. Entering the park from the north at Gardiner the first stop will be in the outstanding hot springs area of Mammoth. You will be amazed at the many beautiful springs and terraces of this famous geothermal area. The Lamar Valley is next. Keep a look out for wildlife such as Bison, pronghorn antelope and perhaps a bear or wolf as you travel through these rolling hills. Then on to the Canyon area known as the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone for a spectacular view from the North and South Rim. The Norris Geyser Basin noted for pretty springs and open areas of geysers, vents and fumeroles will be your last fantastic sight of the day before arriving at your West Yellowstone hotel for your night’s stay.

Day 13 (Tuesday) – Jackson, WY via Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park: Today, your eyes will continue to be filled with the breathtaking beauty of two of our greatest national parks. Yellowstone, a masterpiece of unspoiled nature, is the most beautiful in the U. S. and probably in the world. With its boiling geysers, hot springs, steep canyons, mud volcanoes, deep pine forests, dizzying waterfalls, and fossilized trees, Yellowstone is a glorious untamed cross section of North America. Your highlight will be seeing Old Faithful gushing 100’s of feet in the air. Teton National Park adjoins Yellowstone to the south and is just as impressive. This high alpine valley with abundant wildlife has some magnificent views across to the granite crest of the Grand Teton Range. This will be one of the most awesome sightseeing days of your trip.

Day 14 (Wednesday) – Salt Lake City via Teton National Park and National Forest Preserves: Travel South toward Salt Lake City. The first part of your day will be spent exploring still more of Teton National Park, as well as the natural forest preserves of Caribou and Bridger-Teton National Forests before entering the more populated areas around Salt Lake City. Just outside of Salt Lake City you will view the Great Salt Lake at the base of the beautiful Lakeside and Terrace Mountains. Then into Salt Lake City for an interesting city tour. Sights you will see include Mormon Square, the Beehive House, Delta Center, Salt Palace Convention Center, the State Capitol Building and much more of this extremely interesting city.

Day 15 (Thursday) – Return Home: Although your vacation is coming to an end, you will take with you new friends, memories, stories to share, and plans for your next YMT adventure!