In Southeast Alaska, meander through the largest national forest in the United States - home to grizzly bears, black bears, mountain goats, bald eagles and wolves. Everywhere in the swirling currents below, the world's largest mammals, the great whales, forage in bountiful waters along the sheltered coastline. Meet Alaska and its wildlife at eye level for a vacation of a lifetime on this 8-day journey, including 2-days of in-depth exploration of Glacier Bay National Park with a Park Ranger, kayaking and small-boat exploration, quiet nights at anchor in secluded bays & coves, beachcombing and guided hikes, and daily insights from your onboard Expedition Leaders/Naturalists.
Highlights
Hike, kayak, and wildlife watch in Glacier Bay National Park
Search for humpback whales and you travel through Icy Strait
Cruise along the waterfall coast of Chichagof Island
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Upon arrival, transfer from the airport to board the ship. Your crew greets you with champagne and smiles. Cruise to a secluded wilderness anchorage this evening.
Over the two days in the park, travel nearly 60 miles, cruising up-bay to Grand Pacific and Margerie Glaciers, which frequently calve huge icebergs into the bay. If conditions permit, lower the inflatables 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 kayaks in the quiet of this majestic wilderness. 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 on a nimble ship over the course of two days to hike and kayak inside the bay and wilderness areas.
During today's ultimate day of exploration, there's no agenda to follow except to experience every moment scouring the nutrient-rich waters in search for humpbacks, porpoise, sea lions, and other wildlife. Marvel at the grand scenery of the Alaskan wilderness as your crew expertly guides you through those "not in the guide book" areas that only the locals know. Join the Captain on the bridge or out on deck in search for marine mammals. Late afternoon, have the opportunity to drop the skiffs and kayaks to further explore the shoreline of a remote bay. The afternoon and evening is spent at Point Adolphus, Alaska's most famous humpback whale feeding area. Be on the watch for the telltale blow of humpback whales as you cruise through Icy Strait. Before retiring for the evening enjoy the wilderness solitude while relaxing in the upper deck hot tub or enjoy a nightcap with your fellow yachtmates in the saloon.
With no binding agenda today, cruise 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 a waterfall-laced fjord, there is time for skiffing, beachcombing or treks ashore, and kayaking to look for sea otters and bears before calling it a day near Baranof Island.
Spend the day exploring in Frederick Sound and Stephen's Passage — another excellent chance to view humpback whales and other marine wildlife. Pass by Five Fingers Lighthouse and watch for playful antics at a large sea lion haulout made from dozens of rocky islets. Later, cruise picturesque bays, where evergreen forests crowd the shores.
Cliff-walled fjords sliced into the mountainous mainland are on tap today as you tuck into an area widely acclaimed as the most beautiful in all of Alaska. Snow gleams on mountaintops high overhead, as bears amble on the shoreline and mountain goats cling to impossibly precarious perches. Seemingly every few hundred yards another sparkling waterfall tumbles down the cliffs. Enjoy a skiff ride at Ford's Terror, named after an early mariner who was somewhat taken aback when a waterfall appeared at the turn of the tide where none had been visible at high tide. Anchor overnight at Taku Harbor to enjoy a festive Captain's Farewell Dinner, followed by a slideshow presentation in the saloon by the Expedition Leaders recapping your week-long journey.
Day 8: Disembark in Juneau, Alaska
1 Breakfast
After breakfast arrive in Juneau. A transfer to the Juneau airport or local hotel is included. Safe travels to all!
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.
Navigator
Main Deck, cabins 200-208, 210. Queen or twin beds, private bath with shower and view window.
Trailblazer
Observation Deck, cabins 301-302, 307-320. Queen bed or twin beds, private bath with shower and view window
Pathfinder
Observation deck, cabins 303-306. Outside entry, double bed with private bath with shower and view window.
Single
Main Deck, cabin 202. Twin bed; view window; private bath with shower
Notes
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.
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Mary has kept in regular contact and prepared me for everything so far
Michael Sinner
2 months ago
Very prompt responses. Erin found us the trip we were looking for and gave us good advice.
Nancy Brown-Koeller
2 months 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
2 months 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
3 months ago
Personal, knowledgeable service. We felt so informed and supported before our trip. Highly recommend and would use again.