Exploring Alaska's Coastal Wilderness

In Southeast Alaska ? a land of fjords and islands teeming with wildlife ? you can wake to the cry of a soaring eagle, watch tons of ice thunder from the face of a glacier, walk in a spruce forest, and observe lunge-feeding whales. Since 1982, this Alaska tour has explored the magnificent Inside Passage with a small number of guests in the company of naturalists. Walk forest trails to cascading waterfalls, bird watching and identifying wildflowers as you go. Enjoy Zodiac and kayaking forays, and learn about Alaska?s rich Native American heritage. A full day is spent in Glacier Bay National Park.

Itinerary

Day 6: Point Adolphus and Inian Pass

No need to wait to start seeing the animals you?ve come to Alaska to view since our day begins on the waters off Point Adolphus, a favored feeding area for humpback whales. The benefits of small ship cruising will be immediately apparent as you get your first exposure to the advantages of our nimble ship. Keep watch on deck and you may find yourself rushing to the side as a pod of whales begins feeding right off our port or starboard bow. Listen with awe as your naturalist lowers the hydrophone so you can hear their communications. A sense of wonder pervades. When questions come up, as they surely will, your marine mammal expert can tell you everything you want to know and more. After some thrilling whale watching, you?ll cruise the Inian Pass looking for playful sea otters.

Day 5: Glacier Bay National Park

You spend the entire day in magnificent Glacier Bay, where you see the enormous glaciers that flow from the ice fields far above. Some of these end abruptly at the water?s edge, and you watch and hear them calving as tons of ice crash into the sea. Venture near islets that are home to unusual seabirds such as puffins and guillemots, and watch for humpback whales and orcas; then go ashore to walk among towering spruce trees.

Day 8: Sitka/Disembark Ship

After breakfast you disembark in Sitka, a unique town with a strong Russian heritage. You visit Saint Michael?s Russian Orthodox Cathedral, the Raptor Rehabilitation Center, and the Sitka National Historic Park, where totem poles line quiet wooded trails. In the afternoon, you transfer to the airport for flights home.

Day 1: Juneau, Alaska/Embark Ship

Your Alaska vacation begins with a morning flight to Juneau, Alaska?s state capital. You visit the imposing Mendenhall Glacier and the Alaska State Museum, an excellent introduction to Alaska?s natural history and cultures. There is time to explore Juneau on your own before you board your expedition ship for your Alaska cruise in the late afternoon.

Day 3: Petersburg

Today you visit the small town of Petersburg on Mitkof Island. Petersburg was founded more than 100 years ago by rugged Norwegian fishermen, and this heritage is evident today in the attractive rosemaling (traditional painting in floral designs) that decorates the tidy homes and store fronts. A visit to friendly Petersburg provides some insight into the character of a true Alaskan town ? isolated, with an obvious spirit of community and self-sufficiency. There is an opportunity for an optional flightseeing trip via floatplane or helicopter over nearby Le Conte Glacier (weather permitting), and for hikes on forest trails. Later today, you cruise out into the south part of Frederick Sound to look for whales, or to explore the mouth of Le Conte Bay, which is often a virtual sculpture garden of grounded icebergs.

Day 4: Exploring Frederick Sound and Chatham Strait

These waters are often good for whale watching ? humpbacks and orcas. You might also find Steller?s sea lions hauled out on one of the small rocky islands that dot the channels. During the day, you will find a place to go ashore for a walk along a quiet forest trail accompanied by your naturalists, or perhaps go kayaking.

Day 2: Tracy Arm

Today you enter Tracy Arm, a spectacular 22-mile-long fjord, with many waterfalls cascading from its high, glacially carved walls. You maneuver among large icebergs, keeping an eye on the shoreline, where you sometimes find black bears feeding, and watching the steep granite cliffs high above, where mountain goats may be spotted.

Day 7: Exploring Southeast Alaska?s Islands, Bays and Fjords

Today is a day with the luxury of no specific plan. You may stop at an isolated beach, where the tidepooling and beachcombing are good and there are forest trails to walk. Or, you might do some small ship cruising along the shoreline of Admiralty Island, where the massive brown (grizzly) bear is found, along with the highest density of nesting bald eagles in the world. And if conditions permit, you can do some kayaking.