Venture Ashore, adds three North American tours to its “Essential Collection” for the first time in Alaska

Venture Ashore, the largest independent cruise excursions provider in the world, announced three new tour experiences of experiential shore excursions for the first time in the Alaskan region.  Part of the company’s “Essential Collection,” these expertly curated itineraries are designed to give great value at an affordable price, featuring the highlights of Alaska including a trolley tour of Ketchikan, a Skagway Yukon sled dog experience led by former Iditarod mushers, and a whale-watching cruise with an up-close visit of Juneau’s Mendenhall Glacier.

Venture Ashore’s “Essential Collection” excursions provide individually curated compilations of the must-see and do experiences in top cities around the world, maximizing cruise guests’ time ashore at a great value with multi-port package discounts in destinations from Barcelona to Venice and Cape Town to Cartagena.

“As Venture Ashore’s portfolio continues to expand and we work with our on-the-ground teams to seek out the best experiences led by the most accomplished local guides, we knew that these unique Alaskan expeditions were an absolute must-do for our for our savvy and curious travelers,” said Rinat Glinert, chief operating officer, Venture Ashore.  “These packages are managed directly through our team and are available for early bookings.  We are looking forward to kicking off the year by delivering our guests the best itineraries at the best prices with the best opportunities, including seeing salmon streams, waterfalls, rainforests, and beaches—all in just one state!”

Venture Ashore is part of the portfolio of brands under City Experiences, a leading provider of world-class experiential travel offerings.  Through its vibrant, personally curated offerings and personal connectivity, City Experiences delivers guests with an amazing experience, all provided through their own unmatched Crew and expert Tour Guides.  Below are highlights of the new experiential offerings.

  Trolley Tour Of Ketchikan, Saxman Totem Village & Wildlife At Herring Bay
You will immediately feel the town’s history by stepping onboard your cable car trolley. Taking in the town’s cannery, City Park, residential areas, and the waterfront, including well-known Creek Street, the former historic RedLight district with its wooden boardwalks. Your professional guide will tell tales of the “good old days,” sharing stories of dance halls, brothels, and bootleggers!

Then, leaving the town behind, you head south to Herring Bay, a quaint area far from the crowds. This beautiful small inlet cove allows you to experience the sights of incredible wildlife. During salmon season, black bears, bald eagles, blue herring, and seals are often spotted in this area. So be sure to keep your eyes wide open and your cameras ready!

Your final stop brings you to the Saxman Totem Village. The park is unique, being the only totem park in Alaska with 29 authentic totems carved by Tlingit and Haida natives. The poles were moved here from the original sites in the 1930s and have been restored by native carvers. Your guide will share tribes carving rituals as you watch carvers turning tree trunks into works of art and culture.  Returning to downtown Ketchikan, you can be dropped off at Creek Street to stroll the boardwalk, do some shopping, or continue the ride back to return to your cruise ship.

Whale Watching And Mendenhall Glacier Combo Tour
Your tour starts with a short drive through downtown Juneau to Auke Bay; on your way, look out for humpback and orca whales, Dall’s porpoises, stellar sea lions, harbor seals, bald eagles, and more.

Arriving at the Bay, you will step aboard your boat and let your experienced captain lead the way through the Alaskan waters. Your knowledgeable guides will share the habits of these beautiful mammals and the best spots to spot whales and other wildlife; have your cameras ready!

From here, it’s back to land to the well-known Mendenhall Glacier. Enjoy the overlook point, take in the spectacular views, get ready to take plenty of pictures, and enjoy the Visitor’s Center to learn about this 13-mile glacier and its surroundings. This tour brings you up close and personal with nature and will fill you with Alaskan memories!

Skagway Yukon Dog Sledding and White Pass Summit Adventure
Start your Skagway adventure by traveling through the Klondike Highway, taking in the wildlife, stunning waterfalls, glacier-covered mountains, and views of the White Pass railroad as you follow in the footsteps of the 1898 Gold Rush stampeders up the White Pass and into the Yukon!

A trip across the Canadian border to the Province of British Columbia (B.C) takes you through the Tormented Valley, a subarctic alpine tundra as you take in the incredible views of Summit Lake, stopping at Canadian customs (passports are required here) Fraser B.C., and the Yukon Territory along the way. Photo opportunities will be available at the Welcome to Alaska, British Columbia, and Yukon signs, perfect spots to create those memories!

Tutshi Dog Sledding Camp is your featured stop, and here you will meet Yukon Quest and Iditarod veteran long-distance mushers that lead the camp. The friendly canines are true athletes, and the camp exists solely for their training. Here, you will glimpse into the history of sled dog use throughout Canada and Alaska. So get ready to play with the puppies and see the dogs in action. The ultimate thrill comes when you board a UTV-style dog cart pulled by real Alaskan Huskies! This is a unique and memorable experience that you won’t want to miss!