This 8-day cruise aboard Safari Quest gives an in-depth exploration of Alaska. Snug-in your kayak, visit the remote bays off of Icy Strait or join the team on a skiff to watch sea lions play. Have your binoculars ready, and look for puffins, Guillemots, gulls, snoozing sea lions, bears, mountain goats, orca and humpback whales in Glacier Bay National Park, Frederick Sound and Chatham Strait. Aside from all these exciting activities, you will also have a time to reflect and enjoy the amazing view of Alaska glaciers.
Highlights
Spend a full day in Glacier Bay National Park, joined by a park ranger
Discover orca and humpback whales in Frederick Sound and Chatham Strait
Enjoy wildlife viewing of black and brown bears, eagles, sea otters, harbor seals, sea lions, sea birds
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
Welcome to Alaska’s capital, where your home on the water awaits. Come aboard, meet your crew, and unpack your adventurous spirit. Your course is set for glaciers, and the Tongass—the largest national forest in the U.S.
Nothing like kick-starting the morning with on-deck yoga stretches and a chaser of exploration mode d’jour—motor, paddle, boots. It might be your toughest transition of the day. In and around Icy Strait, glide through giant bullwhip kelp (it can grow to over 100 feet long). Skiff to a rocky outcropping and watch sea lions play. Mud boots serve their purpose on a forest hike with your top-notch guides, who are sharp and have plenty to share about everything Alaska—animals, plants, and even geology. At the end of this unforgettable day, you’ve earned a soak in the hot tub.
Enter, the granddaddy of national parks—Glacier Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve. Once you round Point Gustavus, a park ranger joins you on board with a font of knowledge. The specialness of this place starts to sink in, as one of its truly privileged visitors. Sea lions jockey for position among puffins, black oystercatchers, and other seabirds at South Marble Island. Mountain goats climb and bears scrounge for food along the park’s inland shores. Motor deeper into the park to Margerie and Grand Pacific, two tidewater glaciers on their downward march into the bay.
Chatham Strait stretches for 150 miles in the Tongass National Forest. Options aplenty, your captain navigates to the best. Anchor in a remote Chichagof Island inlet. Backpacks loaded and adventure toys lowered (skiffs, paddle boards, kayaks), it’s time to go play. Get energy pumping on a high-stepping hike with your wellness hosts through moss-covered trees. Stick to the water and don’t forget to look above and below the surface. A nosy seal could be watching your every stroke. Find the rhythm of walking meditation and beachcomb rocky shores. Tiny creatures cling to rocks. Go deep on training, diet, and mindfulness—your wellness hosts provide presentations and lead discussions on stepping up the healthfulness of your routine. Tonight, take a nightcap to the sun deck and watch the sky.
Salmon streams dot the coastline—where there’s salmon, there are bears. Kuiu Island is home to one of the world’s densest populations of black bears. Scope the intertidal zones of Saginaw Bay for them from a kayak or skiff. Eagles fish here too, their white noggins give away their perches. Core strength, plyometrics, and agility will be the focus as you explore the Keku Islands. Kayak or paddle board and find your flow-state. Take the pace down a notch checking out tide pools and abundant life in the intertidal zones. Or, find a serene spot to sit for peaceful self-reflection and guided meditation. Out here, it’s remote and remarkable.
Early bird or night owl, make a plan and rise early for sun salutations or wind your day down with starlit chaturanga. Humpbacks beeline it here each season to feast in the krill-rich waters. After your breakfast, look for whales eating theirs. Chances are high they will be—time to hang and enjoy the show. Based on wind and weather, your expedition team has the lineup of adventures all mapped out. Cruise past Five Fingers Lighthouse, Alaska’s oldest light station and The Brothers Islands, where sea lions nap on rocky nobs. Paddle into the deeps of Port Houghton or Windham Bay or head ashore for a hike. When a bear takes notice, they generally scram. But carrot-billed black oystercatchers give you a talking-to. Tonight, toast another big day in Alaska.
Snow covered mountains. Glacier-carved valleys. White thunder of calving ice. It’s an impressive Wilderness Area. And the perfect setting for a power yoga and deep core session on the bow. Give your body a well-deserved rest on a skiff ride up Endicott Arm, harbor seals pups laze around on icebergs. If the tides are right, slip into Fords Terror. The fjord’s steep walls are streaked with waterfalls. Choked with ice, at the end of the arm, meet Dawes Glacier. Blue ice marches down from the Coast Mountains. With a sharp crack, a calving slice makes a mega-splash. Your hosts lead one last discussion with tips and training to utilize back home. Tonight, celebrate with a festive Farewell Dinner and “photo journal” from your expedition team.
It’s your last morning of freshly baked pastries. Eat them up and get in your farewells as you cruise into Juneau to transfer to the airport or begin your UnCruise hotel stay or land tour.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$6,1002-3 travelers
Navigator Cabin
C1, C2, C3, C4, C6. King, queen or twin beds, elevated port holes, private bath.
Due to the nature of your explorations, itineraries are guidelines and may change in order to maximize wildlife and natural encounters. Variations in itinerary and the order of days may occur.
Everything was amazing! The planning with Adventure Life went smoothly. The actual trip was fantastic! One of the best trips I have experienced. The cruise staff members were knowledgeable and attentive. I will be writing more about this on the blog!
Mary has kept in regular contact and prepared me for everything so far
Michael Sinner
3 weeks ago
Very prompt responses. Erin found us the trip we were looking for and gave us good advice.
Nancy Brown-Koeller
1 month ago
I don’t have the words to describe it but the last week has been one of the best I can remember. 6 days of adventure in South East Alaska including trekking through lush rain forest, sitting in silence listening to glaciers calving, up early to see the northern lights, kayaking and stupidly swimming in iceberg frozen waters ! (That actually hurt).
Animal sightings including black and brown bears, Minke and hundreds of Humpack Whales, porpoises, sea lions, mountain goats, harbour seals, bald eagles, salmon and more birds than I can count. Wonderful friends and connections made. A huge shout out to Trevor and his totally amazing crew on the Admiralty Dream whose energy and enthusiasm made this most incredible experience.
DAVID JAMES
1 month ago
From the initial booking all the way through the trip, this was by far our favorite trip. Small boat travel is the only way to see a location. The excursions were so much more than I could explain. The locations were remote and awesome.
Lori I
2 months ago
Personal, knowledgeable service. We felt so informed and supported before our trip. Highly recommend and would use again.