Venture Ashore has announced three new tour experiences, further extending the company’s portfolio of experiential shore excursions for the first time in the Alaskan region. Part of the company’s “Essential Collection,” these curated itineraries highlight Alaska via a trolley tour of Ketchikan, a Skagway Yukon sled dog experience led by former Iditarod mushers and a whale-watching cruise with a visit to 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. Venture Ashore is part of the portfolio of brands under City Experiences, a provider of experiential travel offerings. Below are highlights of the new experiential offerings:
On the “Trolley Tour Of Ketchikan, Saxman Totem Village & Wildlife At Herring Bay” itinerary, passengers step onboard a cable car trolley, riding past the town’s cannery, City Park, residential areas and the waterfront, including Creek Street, the former historic Red Light district with its wooden boardwalks. Next, they will head south to Herring Bay to spot wildlife. During salmon season, black bears, bald eagles, blue herring and seals are often spotted in this area. The final stop is the Saxman Totem Village, 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. Travelers can watch carvers turning tree trunks into works of art and culture. Returning to downtown Ketchikan, they can be dropped off at Creek Street to stroll the boardwalk, go shopping or continue the ride back to return to their cruise ship.
The “Whale Watching And Mendenhall Glacier Combo Tour” starts with a short drive through downtown Juneau to Auke Bay, as guests look out for humpback and orca whales, Dall’s porpoises, stellar sea lions, harbor seals, bald eagles and more. Arriving at the Bay, they will step aboard the boat while guides share the habits and the best spots to spot whales and other wildlife. From there, it’s back to land to visit the Mendenhall Glacier, and the Visitor Center to learn more about the 13-mile glacier.
On the “Skagway Yukon Dog Sledding And White Pass Summit Adventure,” guests will travel through the Klondike Highway, taking in the wildlife and views of the White Pass railroad as they 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 guests through the Tormented Valley as they take in the views of Summit Lake, stopping at Canadian customs (passports are required here) Fraser B.C., and the Yukon Territory along the way. At the Tutshi Dog Sledding Camp, guests 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. The ultimate thrill comes when guests board a UTV-style dog cart pulled by Alaskan huskies.
Earlier this year, nine new Venture Ashore experiential tours from Walks and Devour Tours were added to the “Essential Collection,” ranging from offerings available in Barcelona, Lisbon, Civitavecchia, Rome and Venice.
Venture Ashore offers a range of tour offerings. also offers private tours and small group tours, varying by destination and demand, accommodating up to 25 people or as few as six. Parties of 12 or more can avail of a dedicated groups service, with a team of personal specialists to support a seamless experience from start to finish for a tailor-made itinerary.
For more information, visit ventureashore.com or cityexperiences.com.
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