Inside Passage Voyage
Where can you 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, while small ship cruising in comfort through protected waters on a nimble ship? In Southeast Alaska - a land of fjords and islands teeming with wildlife. 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, taking time to birdwatch and identify 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.
Day 1: Juneau, Alaska/Embark Ship
Your Inside Passage Voyage begins with a morning flight to Juneau, Alaska's state capital. You'll 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 we board the expedition ship for your Alaska cruise in the late afternoon.
Day 2: Tracy Arm
Today you'll enter Tracy Arm, a spectacular 22-mile-long fjord, with many waterfalls cascading from its high, glacially carved walls. The captain will maneuver among large icebergs, keeping an eye on the shoreline, where you can sometimes find black bears feeding, and watching the steep granite cliffs high above, where mountain goats may be spotted.
Day 3: Petersburg
Today you'll 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'll 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 can go ashore for a walk along a quiet forest trail accompanied by naturalists, or perhaps go kayaking.
Day 5: Glacier Bay National Park
Spend the entire day in magnificent Glacier Bay, where you'll see the enormous glaciers that flow from the ice fields far above. Some of these end abruptly at the water's edge, and you can 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 6: Point Adolphus and Inian Pass
The waters just off Point Adolphus are consistently one of the favored summer feeding areas for humpback whales. Spend the morning whale watching and then cruise along the intricate northern coastline, where you might find playful sea otters. If weather permits, there will be a barbecue lunch ashore.
Day 7: Exploring Southeast Alaska's Islands, Bays and Fjords
Today is a day with the luxury of no specific plan. Perhaps a stop at an isolated beach, where the tidepooling and beachcombing are good and there are forest trails to walk. Or, 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, kayaking!
Day 8: Sitka/Disembark Ship/Seattle
After breakfast, disembark in Sitka, a unique town with a strong Russian heritage. 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, transfer to the airport for flights home or to Anchorage to start your next adventure with Alaska Wildland Adventures.
Note:
We do not expect any major changes from this schedule. However, in the spirit of adventure travel, there may be itinerary changes unforeseen and out of our control. Please read the Alaska Wildland Adventures
Disclaimer of Liability.
Trip Length:
8 Days / 7 Nights
Departures:
May 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30*, 31*
June 7, 13*, 14*, 20, 21, 27*, 28*
July 4, 11*, 12*, 18, 19, 25*, 26*
Aug. 1, 2, 8*, 9*, 15, 16, 22*, 23*, 29, 30
Sept. 5*, 6*
* Indicates that this is a Reverse Itinterary.
Trip Price*:
Category 1: $5390
Category 2: $6190
Category 3: $7120
Prices are in U.S. dollars, per person, double occupancy.
Solo supplement pricing available upon request.
*Trip price includes accommodations aboard ship, all meals, all shore excursions and sightseeing, use of kayaking equipment, entrance fees, group transfers as indicated in above itinerary, tips (except to ship's crew), taxes and service charges, and services of Lindblad Expeditions' natural history staff. Trip price does not include beer, wine, or liquor, or gratuities to ship's crew.
This trip is recommended but not operated by Alaska Wildland Adventures. Prices and dates are subject to change without notice.
|
Email A Friend