The Famed Inside Passage

Day-to-Day Itinerary

Day 1 — Seattle, Washington – Embarkation

Transfer to your yacht where the crew greets you with champagne and hors d’oeuvres. Transit the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks into Puget Sound and cruise north toward your evening anchorage.

Day 2 — San Juan Islands / Friday Harbor

Settle into the rhythm of the Salish Sea as the misty San Juan Islands greet us this morning. Forested islands dot the seascape where we wind through the beautiful San Juan’s. Then take time to stroll through the “boater’s haven” of Friday Harbor. Visit the intriguing Whale Museum, or have a look at the many boutique shops in this tiny town. We’ll depart for Canadian waters this afternoon—all eyes open for orca whales!

Days 3-4 — Canadian Inside Passage

Search for orca whales, seals, sea lions, and bears. Learn about local wildlife and fisheries, including little-known details on rainforest wolves and the mysterious Spirit bear. Sail past long-abandoned “boom town” communities as your Expedition Leader/ Naturalist relates lively stories about these once vibrant towns.

Day 5 — Misty Fjords National Monument, Alaska

One of Alaska’s greatest natural and cultural treasures and home to nearly every ecosystem found in Southeast Alaska—glacial valleys filled with sea water and 3,000 foot sheer-walled granite cliffs are a haven for wildlife. Anchor deep inside its dramatic fjords and dine among the echoes of waterfalls.

Day 6 — Ketchikan

Discover the rich, cultural heritage of Alaska’s Tlingit Indians on a Saxman Totem Village tour with local village resident Joe Williams. Browse Ketchikan’s shops or stroll along Creek Street where there’s often a good dose of local color to be found.

Day 7 — Remote Waterways

Wildlife and wilderness cruising is today’s focus. Look for seals and porpoise, and bears along Canoe Pass. Opportunities abound to spot one of nature’s most spectacular sights—the humpback whale. Your evening anchorage allows time to investigate your surroundings by kayak or skiff with your Expedition Leader.

Day 8 — Wrangell Narrows / Petersburg / LeConte Bay

Journey through Wrangell Narrows, a passage dubbed as “Christmas Tree Lane” for the abundant red and green navigational lights. Petersburg’s Norwegian history is quite prominent in the community and you’ll have some first-hand experiences of the local culture before departing. This afternoon, we’ll glide through the ice-rich waters of LeConte Bay before anchoring for the evening in Thomas Bay.

Day 9 — Baird Glacier / Frederick Sound

This morning, enjoy a hike for closer inspection of Baird Glacier and explore the bay by kayak and skiff. Then setting the compass for Frederick Sound, spend the remainder of the day cruising among the richest whale waters in the northern hemisphere.

Day 10 — Red Bluff Bay / Wilderness Exploration

Visit several hidden gems today and en route cruise the “waterfall coast,” part of Admiralty Island National Monument. A refuge and haul-out for hundreds of Steller sea lions, watch and listen as these raucous animals vie for space among the islands’ limited outcroppings.

Day 11 — Pavlof Harbor

Another bounty of choices awaits your arrival in Pavlof Harbor—kayak, hike or watch for bears from the skiff. This afternoon, your Expedition Leader prepares you for two ensuing days in Glacier Bay National Park.

Days 12-13 — Glacier Bay National Park

Explore the spectacular scenery in one of America’s crown-jewel national parks over these two days. Tidewater glaciers sweep like rivers of ice down massive mountain valleys, terminating in the waters of Glacier Bay. If conditions permit, we’ll lower the skiff and weave among the icebergs that have calved off the face of the glaciers. Enjoy evenings at anchor in hidden coves and mornings paddling kayaks in the quiet of this majestic wilderness. It’s quite possible you’ll see puffins, sea lions, mountain goats, bears, moose, and eagles.

Day 14 — Icy Strait

The ultimate day of exploration—with no real agenda to follow except scouring the nutrient-rich waters for humpbacks, porpoise, sea lions and other wildlife, and to marvel at the grand scenery as the crew expertly guides you to those “not in the guide book” areas known by locals. At Point Adolphus, a confluence of currents creates a popular feeding ground for humpback whales. Top off your trip with the Captain’s Farewell Dinner and reminisce about your adventure during a special slideshow presented by your Expedition Leaders.

Day 15 — Juneau – Disembark

After breakfast we’ll arrive in Juneau. A transfer to the Juneau airport or local hotel is included. Safe travels to all!

Dates & Rates

Safari Quest	Categories
2012	Mariner	Commander	Captain	Single	Full Yacht Charter
May 11	$8,295	$9,595	$10,195	$9,195	$192,995
September 7*	$9,195	$8,295	$9,595	$10,195	$192,995
2013	Mariner	Commander	Captain	Single	Full Yacht Charter
August 23	$8,295	$9,595	$10,195	$9,195	$192,995

Safari Explorer	Categories
2012	Master	Commander	Captain	Admiral	Commodore Suite	Single	Full Yacht Charter
September 7*	$8,095	$8,595	$9,195	$10,395	$12,095	$9,195	$318,495
2013	Master	Commander	Captain	Admiral	Commodore Suite	Single	Full Yacht Charter
September 6	$8,095	$8,595	$9,195	$10,395	$12,095	$9,195	$318,495

Safari Endeavour	Categories
2012	Master	Commander	Captain	Admiral	Commodore Suite	Single	Full Yacht Charter
May 27	$6,095	$6,445	$6,895	$7,795	$10,995	$7,795	$607,495
September 2*	$6,095	$6,445	$6,895	$7,795	$10,995	$7,795	$607,495
2013	Master	Commander	Captain	Admiral	Commodore Suite	Single	Full Yacht Charter
September 15	$6,095	$6,445	$6,895	$7,795	$10,995	$7,795	$607,495

All rates are shown in US dollars, per person, double occupancy.
Any stateroom (except Single stateroom) may be sold as a single for 175% of double occupancy rate.
*Starred dates indicate reverse itinerary Juneau to Seattle.

Map

Ships

Safari Explorer

The Safari Explorer is exquisitely appointed with new design features such as an intimate Wine Library and spa area including a large hot tub, sauna, fitness equipment, yoga classes and complimentary massage.

All staterooms feature heated tile floors in the bathroom, Tempur-Pedic® memory foam mattresses, Flat-screen TV/DVD, and an iPod docking station.  All staterooms have view windows (no portholes).

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Safari Quest

While Safari Quest provides guests with an intimate experience, the comfortable staterooms and public spaces provide ample room to get away from it all.

Guests use the casually elegant salon to recap the day's activities, relax, read or watch a movie from our extensive video library on the wide flat screen TV and are always welcome at the yacht's bar, stocked with complimentary microbrews, fine wines, and premium liquors.

Fine cuisine, prepared by the yacht's executive chef, is served in the dining room at one sitting. Guests wear causal clothing to all meals.

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Safari Endeavour

The 86-guest Safari Endeavour (formerly Cruise West Spirit of Endeavour) was recently purchased by American Safari Cruises.

All staterooms feature a mix of twin (some convertible) and king beds. Five stateroom categories include three Master, 21 Commander, 12 Captain, three Admiral and four Commodore Suites. The suites will be created by merging two former staterooms and adding new step-out balconies. All staterooms have one or two outside view windows. Other amenities being added to the ship include two massage rooms, two hot tubs, sauna, exercise equipment, wine bar and a library. An all-American crew of 34 will ensure attentive service with a guest-crew ratio of 2.5 to 1.

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Land Extensions

Winterlake & Redoubt Bay Lodges (Alaska Lodge)

Experience Alaska’s interior on a 5 day, 4 night custom land extension that features two remote fly-in wilderness lodges, Winterlake Lodge and Redoubt Bay Lodge.

Upon arrival at the Anchorage Airport, you will be met by a private driver and transferred to your accommodations at the Hotel Captain Cook. The Captain Cook is Anchorage's only true luxury hotel and is located at the heart of downtown. Deluxe junior suite accommodations and numerous hotel amenities await guests for the evening.

The next morning, guests board a courtesy shuttle from the hotel lobby and transfer to a chartered floatplane to experience a 50-minute scenic journey to Winterlake Lodge. "Weather Permitting," your flight may include views of Mt. McKinley (20,320 feet), Mt. Foraker (17,400 feet) and Mt. Hunter (14,573 feet).

Your scenic flight concludes at the rustic but elegant Winterlake Lodge. The Lodge offers seclusion and spectacular scenery amidst vast wilderness. World-class hiking, kayaking, and canoeing are just a few of the outdoor activities offered at Winterlake Lodge. Optional helicopter-supported adventures can be purchased at the Lodge. Enjoy gourmet food and wine with the visiting expert chef, or relax in the Lodge's handcrafted Alaska wood-fired hot tub.

After spending two nights at the Winterlake Lodge, you will enjoy a farewell breakfast, then board a floatplane for a scenic 50-minute flight to Winterlake Lodge's sister property, Redoubt Bay Lodge. Located at the entrance to Lake Clark Pass, Redoubt Bay Lodge offers the only accommodations within a 171,000-acre critical habitat area. The Redoubt Bay Lodge area is home to one of the state's highest concentrations of brown bears. Guests will delight in viewing bears fishing for salmon.Guests will also enjoy sport fishing for salmon, kayaking around the lakes, hiking and enjoying the natural beauty of the Redoubt Bay Critical Habitat area.

After a full day of exploration at Redoubt Bay Lodge, guests fly back to Anchorage by 50-minute floatplane. Upon arrival, guests will be transferred to the Hotel Captain Cook. You will have time to enjoy dining, shopping, and exploring Anchorage on your own this evening. The concierge staff will be happy to provide recommendations.

One day five, your private driver will transfer you from your hotel to the Anchorage Airport for your departing flights to Juneau or to your home city. If you plan to join an American Safari Cruise, you must arrive in Juneau no later than 2:30pm on the beginning day of the cruise.

Package price per person, double occupancy: $3,625.00

Alaska Railroad and Denali National Park Adventure (Alaska Land & Rail Tour)

Experience Denali National Park and Preserve over 6 days and 5 nights.

Upon arrival at the Anchorage Airport, you will be met by a private driver and transferred to your accommodations at the Hotel Captain Cook. The Captain Cook is Anchorage's only true luxury hotel and is located at the heart of downtown. Deluxe junior suite accommodations and numerous hotel amenities await guests for the evening.

On day two, guests will be transferred to the Anchorage Railroad Depot for an unforgettable journey on Alaska Railroad's Goldstar Dome Train to Denali National Park and Preserve. Sit back and enjoy the comfortable seating and large picture windows. Be sure to keep an eye out for wildlife and magnificent views of Mt. McKinley. Upon arrival at the Denali Depot, you will board a courtesy shuttle to transfer to the main entrance of Denali National Park and check into your accommodations at the Grand Denali Lodge. The Grand Denali Lodge sits high above all the other hotels, less than a mile from the entrance to Denali National Park. By far, it has the most commanding view of any park lodge from its mountaintop setting. This premier facility offers all the comforts you would expect plus unsurpassed views of the Alaska Range and Nenana River Canyon. Each room has two queen beds, telephone with data port, coffee maker, air-conditioning, and private bath and hair dryer.

On day three, guests have the morning free to explore and relax. The hotel concierge staff can provide suggestions for morning activities. At midday, you will board the Roadhouse Shuttle bus for a 7-hour wildlife tour 90 miles into Denali National Park. Along the way, your driver/naturalist will introduce you to the park, its wildlife and the wild lands in Denali. You'll learn about Denali's history, geology, and much more. Located at the end of the 95 miles of the Denali Park road is the Kantishna Roadhouse, a full-service lodge located deep in the heart of Alaska's majestic wilderness. The lodge features delux rustic cabin accommodations, all meals and snacks during your stay, a variety of daily guided (and self-guided) activities, and hosted evening naturalist programs.

On day four, guests are free to choose from the activities at Kantishna. Wildlife viewing, hiking, walking, mountain biking, and gold panning are just a few of the options. At the end of the day, guests are invited to join the naturalist guides for gourmet appetizers, a hearty dinner, and a recap of the day.

On day five, after enjoying breakfast and some morning activity, guests board a chartered flight from Kantishna to Anchorage. Your charter flight will provide breathtaking vistas from the vast, pristine wilderness of interior Alaska. Weather permitting, you may be able to view North America's tallest mountain, Mt. McKinley (20,320 feet).

On day six, your private driver will transfer you from your hotel to the Anchorage Airport for your departing flight to Juneau or to your home city. If you plan to join an American Safari Cruise, you must arrive in Juneau no later than 2:30pm on the beginning day of the cruise.

Tour price per person, double occupancy: $3,500.00

Goldbelt Hotel (Alaska Hotel)

Overlooking the waterfront in downtown Juneau, the 105 room Goldbelt Hotel offers full service accommodations and is in close proximity to most major attractions. Original museum-quality Tlingit artwork, commissioned by Goldbelt, is on permanent display throughout the lobby.

Their newly remodeled rooms offer a choice of one king bed or two queens, and amenities include coffee, iron and ironing board, hairdryer and luxurious bath and body works. The water view rooms offer sweeping and panoramic vistas of Gastineau channel, the cruise ship docks and Douglas Island. The mountain view rooms are equally spacious and offer serene and quiet views of Mt. Roberts and Mt. Juneau.

Stopover Package at the Goldbelt Hotel includes meet and greet service at the airport, limousine-style transfer with Juneau orientation, water-view or mountain-view room, tax and baggage handling.

Price per person, double occupancy: $190.00

Safari Quest - May 2011

The Mystery Birthday Trip is over, but what a fabulous journey getting there! Back in February 2011, Jacques began thinking of a way to celebrate my 70th birthday, something other than a party which he didn’t feel he would have the energy to organize since he was soon to have his second knee surgery. He contacted my cousin-in-law…”cowboy” Bob to learn about his family cruise to Alaska and received very positive comments like “Alaska is as beautiful as any place I have seen. The family was wild about the cruise”. Encouraged by this report Jacques proceeded to the internet and found small boat cruises with a maximum of 22 passengers, and with plenty of adventure in the cruise itinerary. That was it!

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