In Southeast Alaska is the largest national forest in the United States – home to grizzly bears, black bears, mountain goats, bald eagles and wolves. On our way to view Alaska’s massive glaciers, we enter some of the world’s deepest fjords to hike and kayak while other vessels’ guests stay shipside. In the still of the evening, watch bears ambling along wild shorelines. Everywhere in the swirling currents below, the world’s largest mammals, the great whales, forage in bountiful waters along the sheltered coastline. We meet Alaska and its wildlife at eye level for a vacation of a lifetime.
Dream destinations
Alaska Icy Straits
8 Days
DAY ONE JUNEAU, ALASKA – EMBARKATION
Arriving in Juneau, you will be transferred from the airport to our hospitality area. Upon boarding, your crew greets you with champagne and smiles. Set sail for a week of scenic channels and secluded wilderness.
DAY TWO GLACIER BAY NATIONAL PARK
Accompanied by a National Park Ranger, over the two days in the park you’ll travel nearly 60 miles cruising up-bay to the tidewater glaciers of Grand Pacific and Margerie, which frequently calve huge icebergs into the bay. If conditions permit, we’ll lower the inflatable and weave among the icebergs that have fallen from the face of the glaciers. Enjoy evenings at anchor in hidden coves, and mornings paddling your kayak in the quiet of this majestic wilderness. And what will we find? Here in the bay there are puffins and sea lions, mountain goats and bears, moose, eagles, and scenery more spectacular than any place on earth. Glacier Bay is at its best when explored by small groups over the course of two days to hike and kayak inside the bay and wilderness areas.
DAY THREE GLACIER BAY NATIONAL PARK
Enjoy another exclusive day exploring the glaciers and wildlife of Glacier Bay National Park.
DAY FOUR ICY STRAIT
Today’s the ultimate day of exploration. Set your course for arguably the richest whale waters in Southeast Alaska. Keep watch for the telltale blow of the humpbacks as you scour the nutrient-rich waters in search of porpoises, sea lions, and other wildlife. Join the Captain on the bridge or go on deck with your Expedition Leader. Late afternoon, we’ll drop the skiffs and kayaks for closer inspection of the remote coastline with eyes set on shore for possible bear sightings. During the evening, take in the wilderness solitude while relaxing in the upper deck hot tub or enjoy a nightcap with your fellow mates in the salon.
DAY FIVE CHICHAGOF ISLAND / BARANOF ISLAND
With no binding agenda, today you’ll cruise along the waterfall coast of Chichagof Island. Marvel at the grand scenery of Alaska’s wilderness as the crew expertly guides you through those “not in the guide book ” places known only to the locals. This evening, perhaps tucking away in magical Red Bluff Bay, there’ll be time for skiff operations and sea kayaking to look for sea otters and bears before calling it a day near Barnaof Island.
DAY SIX FREDERICK SOUND
Spend the day cruising the feeding grounds of Frederick Sound—another excellent chance for viewing humpback whales and other marine wildlife. Watch sea lions’ playful antics at a large rookery and cruise picturesque bays, where evergreen forests crowd the shores.
DAY SEVEN FORD’S TERROR / ENDICOTT ARM
Cliff-walled fjords sliced into the mountainous mainland are on tap today as you slip slowly into an area widely acclaimed as the most beautiful in all of Alaska. Alaska has more designated Wilderness Areas than any state in the nation and Ford’s Terror—a pristine tidal inlet and fjord—is one of them. View rugged ice-covered mountains gleaming high overhead and a glacier that actively calves into the ice-filled fjord of Endicott Arm. Toast your voyage with a festive Farewell Dinner, and before turning in, your Expedition Leaders will share a “photo journal” of your trip together.
DAY EIGHT JUNEAU – DISEMBARK
Gather for breakfast before returning to historic Juneau. A transfer to the Juneau airport or the Baranof Hotel is included.