Whales, Wildlife & Glaciers: Discover the Inlets and Wildlife of Alaska

traveling 7 nights from Sitka to Juneau.

Rates & Dates

Itinerary
Rates and Dates
Ports and Places
Land Packages
Vessels

alaska-whales-wildlife-glaciers-cameron-zegers

Photo by Cameron Zegers

Itinerary

See Glacier Bay National Park, hiking, kayaking, and riding skiffs. Take in the wildlife from whales to bears, and learn about Chilkat Tlingit Native culture.

INCLUDED HIGHLIGHTS:

Full day in Glacier Bay National Park, featuring an expert naturalist program
Haines history and adventure—hike, bike, explore
Learn about Chilkat Tlingit Native culture
Wilderness wildlife—whales, Dalls porpoise, sea lions, and black bears
Birdwatching—eagles, puffins, black oystercatchers, and other sea birds
Kayak, paddle board, and skiff in rugged wildlife-rich coves
Hike and beachcomb in Tongass National Forest
Captain’s choice wilderness exploration

Departure Dates & Rates

Select year and month

2020

May

2020

Jun

2020

Jul

2020

Aug

2020

2020 Alaska
Adventure
Savings

Save $1,000 per couple ($500/person) per week aboard the Safari Endeavour — Commander cabins and above. Promo code: WAVE1000AK.

Offer valid on NEW 2020 Alaska reservations booked January 2–February 28, 2020.

Restrictions apply.

Your day-by-day details

Sitka to Juneau

DAY 1

Sitka, Alaska – Embarkation

Welcome aboard! It’s time to relax and meet your crew. And as you sail away in Sitka Sound, what’s also worthy of your precious time are the unmistakable views of Mt. Edgecumbe—a volcanic wonder in its own right.

DAY 2

Krestof Sound / Nakwasina Sound

Shhh. If you don’t say a word, you can hear the sounds of these Sounds. Dense Baranof Island forest to one side. Small, wild, lesser-known islands on the other. You might even spot black bears loping on shore although they’re likely to catch a whiff of you first. And keep watch for neighboring sea lions and eagles, too. Your first day offers options to drop anchor and find adventure. Slip into a kayak. Nose along shore in a skiff. Or head into the Tongass National Forest on foot with your expedition team. The possibilities, endless. Reward yourself when you get back to the boat, the crew will have a treat waiting.

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DAY 3

Icy Strait

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.

DAY 4

Glacier Bay National Park

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 sea birds 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.

DAY 5

Chichagof Island

Your course is set—wildlife-rich Alaskan wilderness. Head to the bridge or bow, and watch for whales and other creatures before tucking into Port Frederick or some other wild inlet. You’re about to get a close up look. Muskeg under foot, head out on a bushwhacking hike in the Tongass National Forest or board a skiff, eyes wide for bears on shore.

DAY 6

Lynn Canal / Captain’s Choice

Not so much a canal, as a fjord—in fact, North America’s deepest at over 2,000 feet. This once major route of Klondike gold rushers is now a busy inlet for humpbacks, orcas, Dall’s porpoise, Steller sea lions, salmon, halibut, and mischievous river otters. And that’s at water level. Look up, and you see bald eagles. Looking like golf balls in the tree tops when they’re not soaring overhead. But it’s not all looking and seeing today, your captain is on task to pick the prime spot for adventure. Feel the burn on a long paddling excursion. Search tide pools for microscopic life. Or, hike a shadow-filled forest.

DAY 7

Haines, Alaska

The unofficial adventure capital of Alaska. Hard-charging or smell the flowers, pick your speed. In this bald eagle hotspot, you have choices to make. Hit the trailhead with your guides to the top of Chilkat Peninsula or the shores of the inlet. Some of the best trails with the best views. The local history—native culture, influence from European explorers, as a US Army outpost, and its gold rush past. Then see the sites on foot or by bike with free time in town. It’s a big day. Tonight, celebrate your voyage with a Farewell Dinner and special photo recap from your expedition team.

DAY 8

Juneau – Disembarkation

It’s your last morn of freshly baked pastries. Eat ’em 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.

Passport required (non USA citizens). Itineraries are guidelines; variations in itinerary and the order of days may occur to maximize your experience.