The Inside Passage

An inside Passage Map is included on the reverse of the Alaska Explorer. The 'Inside Passage' for Alaskans refers to the section of the Marine Highway that runs between Skagway or Haines and Ketchikan. In reality the Inside Passage continues southward from Ketchikan through the many islands and fjords of coastal British Columbia, Canada, and into the Puget Sound area of Washington. During the Ice Age, virtually all of the Inside Passage was buried under a smothering blanket of ice. This accounts for the scenery that visitors will see along the way - U shaped valleys that were smoothed by the moving ice, waterfalls, fjords with sheer sided walls, and glaciers that are still shaping the landscape. The inside passage features magnificent landscapes with the peninsula town of Haines situated next to the longest, deepest and most spectacular fjord in North America.

The Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian native tribes are in residence, and one can observe the influences of Russia and Scandinavia throughout the Inside Passage towns.

The Alaska Explorer Map includes on the reverse an Inside Passage Map at a scale of 1:3,800,000. The Alaska Explorer and Inside Passage Map, detailing along with information on Alaskan wildlife, Alaskan history, biographies of early explorers and a historical timeline, includes detailed information on Anchorage, Valdez, the Hubbard Glacier, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Sitka, Skagway, juneau and Ketchikan along with color photos.

Wildlife is abundant, featuring bald eagles, whales, sea lions and sea otters, as well as many varieties of fish and birds. Alaska's state capital of Juneau, houses more than half of southeastern Alaska's residents and is sometimes described as "Little San Francisco" with its cosmopolitan bustle of restaurants and museums. Situated amongst the towering mountains and clear water fjords, Juneau makes its historical home amongst the fabulous wild backdrop of southeast Alaska.

The Inside Passage is great for activities such as rafting, camping, hiking and biking as well as offering opportunities for cultural observation of local crafts and customs and is well connected by sea, air and road.