Ultimate Alaska

Arrive independently to Juneau, make your way to the designated meeting point and join your transfer to the port to board your vessel. Settle into your comfortable cabin as we set sail from this picturesque port town towards Tongass National Forest.

The plan for today will be a flexible one, with your captain choosing the perfect spots for on-shore excursions and explorations around the Lynn Canal or St James Bay. We may kayak or paddleboard in the bays looking for harbour seals and pods of orcas, take guided walks along the rocky shores, or bushwhack into the hidden pockets of Tongass National Forest.

Tucked beneath snowcapped peaks, Haines is the ultimate spot for adventure. Enjoy a day of activities today, whether that be hiking, biking, kayaking or learning about the history of the area – including the European explorers, the Klondike gold rush, and its past as a U.S. Army outpost. Various fantastic hiking trails are available, including one which leads to a trading outlet for Chilkat Tlingit.

In the morning we will wake to the ship meandering along the glacier-carved fjords along the Chichagof coast. Our likely plan of action today will be to anchor in Chichagof Island inlet and hop into our kayaks, skiffs or paddleboards to explore the waters and search for whales, seals and seabirds soaring above. A hike up through the moss-covered trees and rain-fed waterfalls will be strenuous but rewarding, or you may wish to stay on lower ground and beachcomb the rocky shores whilst looking for seals, sea creatures and bears. Boasting one of the world’s largest populations of bears, today might be our best chance to see them!

We will also meet up with a local select cut logger to learn the trade of a backwoods Alaskan making an ecologically safe living off the land

Today will take you through the channels of deep, twisted mangroves of the Icy Strait where you will be on the lookout for whales, seals and sea lions, as well as smaller marine wildlife like starfish and jellyfish. If the tides are right, you can head out in the skiff with one of the guides for a closer exploration of the rugged shore here. Take a paddle, head out on a trek or explore from the skiff…the choice is yours! In nearby Point Adolphus the focus will be on spotting the humpback whales that are often seen here.

Likely to be the highlight of your trip, we now spend 2 days in the 3.3 million-acre Glacier Bay National Park for some thoroughly enjoyable exploration. The park was completely covered by ice just over 200 years ago but receding glacier activity has made it now easier to access the inner reaches and enjoy a deeper discovery of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your onboard naturalists are experts on the glacial activity here, as well as the wildlife habitats that are also a treat to discover. As you get up as close as possible to the stunning Grand Pacific and Margerie Glaciers, you will also be on the lookout for Steller sea lions and the abundant seabirds that flock here including puffins, common murres, pigeon guillemots, cormorants and much more. On South Marble Island the birdlife is particularly abundant, whereas along the shoreline of Tidal Inlet we might be lucky enough to spot bears foraging along with mountain goats. In the far outback areas of Glacier Bay or the famed “George Island” we might get a close-up opportunity for sea otters and a World War II cannon that sits in the wilderness today.

We make our way back to Juneau where some shipmates will disembark, and some new ones may embark. While we are here you may enjoy some free time to explore this unique state capital. You might want to purchase a tramway ticket which provides a ride up the Mt. Roberts Tram, where views unfold as you ascend 1,800 feet through the forest. At the top, explore the trails and Nature Center; back at the bottom, explore Alaska’s heritage at the Alaska State Museum. Both options also include a lunch voucher for a local restaurant.

Another day of adventures as we navigate through the scenic Tracy Arm and Fords Terror Wilderness areas, past countless chunks of floating ice, glacially carved fjords and masses of designated wilderness area. Whether it’s via kayaking or skiffing, we will be on the lookout for the good numbers of Harbour seals that are often spotted here.

Today we are on the lookout for humpback whales as we spend some time in the Stephens Passage area. Your captain will navigate to Port Houghton where, with the help of your guides, your routes for kayaking, paddleboarding or hiking into the Tongass will be mapped out. Enjoy an adventurous day searching for wildlife.

On day 11 we will venture deeper into Alaska’s backcountry wilderness as we make our way to the remote Thomas Bay for more adventure opportunities. Kayak and skiff in the crystal clear waters through glacial landscapes marked by moraines, enjoy an interpretive walk through a grassy meadow into the forest, or take a strenuous hike through the outwash of Baird Glacier.

Having wound our way into the Wrangell Narrows, the following day will be spent in picturesque Wrangell, one of Alaska’s oldest towns. This is a cultural hotspot and the Tlingit cultures have deep roots here. As a special treat this morning, local islanders will come aboard to share a presentation that brings their stories and legends to life. You can then head ashore to see the totem poles at Kiksetti Totem Park and visit the famed Chief Shakes Tribal House.

Today it’s all about the wildlife as we scour the remote waterways and the isolated Tongass National Forest coves, streams, and bays for fascinating animals such as mink, eagles and even black bears! A gentle guided hike on the Cleveland Peninsula may bring sightings of otters, porpoises, orca and seals and a guided kayak ride through the deserted waterways of the Behm Canal will be one to remember.

Our final adventure takes us to the beautiful Misty Fjords National Monument area. A haven for wildlife, we will be hopeful for sightings of deer, salmon and maybe even some black and grizzly bears as we enjoy an exploration on foot and by sea through the largest Wilderness Area in the Tongass National Forest. You may also enjoy a kayaking excursion through the wetlands and bays surrounded by the awe-inspiring backdrops of deep glacial fjords, waterfalls and imposing granite cliffs. In the evening you can join your captain for a special farewell dinner and slideshow presentation celebrating your voyage.

Arrival in Ketchikan signals the end of your voyage and after breakfast you will disembark and join your transfer to the airport for onward or homeward travel. Should you wish to extend your stay in Alaska, please enquire for options and suggestions.