Located along the Bering Strait at the westernmost point of Alaska, Nome offers the rustic charm of a former gold-mining town, set in the middle of a magnificent wilderness. As you weave in and out of the brightly colored houses, discover the pioneering legacy that is still prevalent in local traditions: fishing, reindeer herding, sled-racing to name a few. Experience the local communities that live from the land and thrive on manual labor. The surrounding plains provide stunning vantage points for observing Arctic fauna.

During one of your Zodiac outings, discover the village of Savoonga. Located on St. Lawrence Island, at the southern entrance of the Bering Strait, it provides a great glimpse into the lifestyle and traditions of the Yupik people. Be greeted by a number of smiling villagers, happy to spend a few hours with you. Savoonga’s 800 inhabitants mainly subsist on walrus and bowhead whale hunting. Traditional singing and dancing are also part of daily life for the villagers, who are masters at the art of walrus tusk sculpture.

Part of the earth’s history was written between Alaska and Russia. Aboard your ship, discover the origins of the world, a unique environment that seems to stretch out to infinity. Lost in the middle of the Bering Sea, the Pribilof archipelago is made up of four volcanic islands where nature has crafted exquisitely beautiful landscapes. Here, on the islands, find majestic volcanoes, lava deserts, and crater lakes, offering travelers a magnificent vantage point from which to observe a fauna composed almost exclusively of fur seals.

Located in the middle of the Bering sea, Saint-George Island is the second largest island of the Pribilof archipelago. A special atmosphere emanates from this landscape of volcanic craters and tundra - wild lands surrounded by a sumptuous coastline of majestic cliffs. As you hike, spot varied species of migratory birds that come and settle here all year round and enjoy the flora and fauna of this forested island. Also look for World War II relics. This a perfect place for observing fur seals, also called Pribilof seals. Fur seals have made St. George Island their home with its rich biodiversity. Mammal sightings may include: sea lions, humpback whales, and perhaps a pod of orca. Birders delight in the opportunity to view eagles, gulls, and murres.

During the cruise, discover an exceptional site: Unalaska Island and its port, Dutch Harbor. Clinging to the southwestern tip of Alaska, between the Pacific Ocean and the Bering Sea, the port of Dutch Harbor offers a stopover at the heart of the Aleutian Islands archipelago. A single bridge connects the port to the small town of Unalaska, founded in the 18th century by pioneering Russian fur trappers. Rich in history, Unalaska is home to ancient indigenous cultures and remains from WWII can be seen and tales told. During your visit hope to meet the locals for such tales and perhaps be treated to a folkloric performance from the local community. With gentle valleys nestling between volcanic peaks, Dutch Harbor reveals a primitive natural beauty which you must explore as you hike with a team of naturalists.

After a short Zodiac journey between the rocks in the company of your naturalist-guides, land in this former village of which many vestiges remain. Originally called Ougnagok by the Aleuts, this small hamlet, which was home to some 100 inhabitants in the 19th century, was renamed Delarof, after Evstratii Ivanovich Delarov. While working for the Shelikhov-Golikov Company, he was the first Greek mariner to discover the Aleutian Islands. These days, this small ghost-village now overrun by willowherb is called Unga. When your cruise calls here, you have the opportunity to visit the Aleutian Islands’ forest and perhaps explore the former gold mine.

Around you: run-down wooden houses scattered around a flowery meadow, a church with crumbling walls but a roof that still stands, a cemetery… You are in the ghost-village on Unga Island, on the southern cost of the Alaska Peninsula, on the edge of the string of Aleutian Islands. Created in the mid-19th century, this village was abandoned in 1969 after having served as a trading post for sea otter fur, and then as a fishing port. Nature now reigns supreme on this island measuring a little over 400 km2. Puffins, great horned owls, black-legged kittiwakes, stoats and otters live here in harmony, surrounded by a wide variety of seaside flora.

Here you are in the heart of Katmai National Park and Preserve. Here, the rocky cliffs are punctuated with white marks. These are the remains of ash deposits that accumulated following a volcanic eruption in the past. Board your Zodiac and, a little further south, explore every part of Geographic Harbor and its tall cliffs covered in vegetation and plunging into the sea. Along the sandy beach, grizzly bears improvise hunting sessions, in search of fish and clams. In the thickets, these omnivores eat berries, roots, and grasses. Brown bears are at home here and the presence of humans doesn’t seem to disturb them. This makes for a fascinating and unforgettable show.

Formerly a Russian colony located on Baranof Island, to the west of the Alexander archipelago, Sitka is brimming with history. The historical national park of Sitka shelters totems carved out of red cedar, a tree that is abundant in this region. These totems are testimonials of the former presence of the Tlingit Indians. Hike the Totem Trail in the park or other nature trails or take in the Raptor Rehabilitation Center for a closer look at Alaska’s birds. This place is full of natural wonders. Admire the mountain range around the port. In the distance, the snow-peaked volcano stands majestic. Numerous islands scattered around Sitka stretch out in a vision of idyllic Alaska.

Situated on Baranof Island, Hoggatt Bay’s landscapes are exactly what most people expect to see on a picture-postcard of Alaska. Surrounded by mountains, it is home to very dense forests where the vegetation is subject to the evapotranspiration phenomenon (emission of water vapor resulting from evaporation and plant transpiration). In this enchanting setting, some grizzly bears feast on seaweed, shellfish and even grass that they find along the beaches, while others prefer simply to fish for salmon in the river.

Wild and extraordinary, Prince Rupert is a dynamic town where the open spaces are “larger than nature”. Located on the remote Kaien Island, off the coast of British Columbia, this little town founded in 1910 witnessed the history of the Northwest Pacific with the birth of American Indian nations, such as the Haida and Gitksan. During this port of call, make a point of admiring its grandiose landscapes where more than 300 pairs of bald eagles have made a home; its picturesque residential districts where the sea mist often lingers; and its famous Museum of Northern British Columbia, home to a large collection of ancient totems.

Right near the north coast of Vancouver Island, in British Columbia, hides the small wooded island of Cormorant. Surrounded by pebble beaches, it offers wonderful opportunities for hikes and for whale watching. The surrounding waters are also home to harbor seals, orcas, Steller sea lions, dolphins, and a multitude of seabirds. When your ship calls at Alert Bay, a small sheltered fishing port located in the island’s south, set off to discover the indigenous culture and its traditions. The ‘Namgis community, which is part of the Kwakwaka’wakw First Nations, lives here in harmony with the other village inhabitants.

Your ship sails along Discovery Passage, between Vancouver Island and Quadra Island. As the channel tapers, arrive at Seymour Narrows, a narrow, 5-km-long passage which, in the past, posed a significant challenge for sailors. Between 1850 and 1950, some one hundred ships hit the rocks hidden under the water, and the outcome was often fatal. At the time, due to the strong currents that run through Seymour Narrows, it was considered to be one of the most dangerous waterways in British Columbia. But in 1955, the decision was made to blow up Ripple Rock, two submerged rocks responsible for most of the shipwrecks. This historic explosion made access to this passage much safer.

Cosmopolitan Vancouver is one of Canada's most multi-cultural cities. Located in British Columbia on Canada's west coast, Vancouver is surrounded by mountains and outdoor activities are popular. In the city, you can immerse yourself in the Asian atmosphere of bustling Chinatown, shop for pashminas and silk saris at the Punjabi Market Indian district, and explore the historic area of Gastown. Say farewell to your fellow passengers and crew and start your journey back home.