Starting from: $6,990
Dates:
2010
April 27, 28
September 4, 5
* Reverse Itinerary
† Photo Cruises
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ship details...
• Sea
Bird
• Sea
Lion
Alaska, British Columbia & San Juan Islands
The coast of Southeast Alaska and British Columbia is a maze of fjords,
channels, rivers and glaciers gliding towards the sea.
This majestic
region is ideally suited for small ship cruising that enables up close
and personal exploration from Seattle, Washington to Alaska's Glacier
Bay National Park, including the San Juan Islands. This wilderness expedition
travels through some of the most spectacular scenery in North America,
sailing past mist-shrouded fjords and tidewater glaciers. These waters
are among the best for whale watching, with good chances of finding humpback
and orca whales.
Along the way, meet people of Native American, Russian
and Scandinavian ancestries. Kayak, beachcomb and explore forest trails
under the guidance of our expert Naturalists. You may also join our optional
land extension to Denali National Park.
Itinerary:
Day 1 - Seattle/Embark Ship
Embark the ship in the heart of Seattle, with the Olympic Mountains,
majestic Mount Rainier and the Seattle skyline as the backdrop.
(D)
Day 2 - San Juan Islands, Washington
The San Juan Islands are the gems of northern Washington State
and today we explore them with the freedom of no specific plan.
With kayaks and Zodiacs at the ready, we are able to explore
this archipelago of some 170 idyllic forested islands. The varied
coastlines offer wonderful opportunities for exploring, especially
for kayaking. Search for seals, sea lions, river otters, bald
eagles and orcas as sea birds form patterns in the sky overhead.
(B,L,D)
Day 3 - Alert Bay and Johnstone Strait
Early this morning, we arrive in Queen Charlotte Sound on course
for Alert Bay on Cormorant Island. Once the ship is secured in
the early afternoon, we make our way to the U'Mista Cultural
Center at the northern end of the bay. U'Mista is home to a stunning
collection of potlatch masks created by the Kwakwaka'wakw peoples.
At the Center, anyone related to any member of this tribe is
able to trace their ancestry. After our visit, we walk or ride
to the Big House, just a short distance away where the Tsasala
Cultural Group puts on a dance with performers in age from three
to 92. Before each dance, the performers explain the story of
the dance movements, as the story unfolds in subtle rhythmic
movements.
Back on board we head the short distance to Johnstone Strait.
Johnstone Strait is one of the foremost viewing areas for orca
whales in the entire Northern Hemisphere and since nineteen whale
pods are known to spend part of the year here, there is an excellent
chance of exciting whale watching. (B,L,D)
Days 4-5 - Inside Passage of British Columbia
You’ll feel like a true explorer as we continue northward looking
for whales, dolphins, bears, deer and other wildlife. This is
an area where vast sections of untouched coastal rain forest
still exist — and where an expedition ship proves to be the perfect
vessel. Without a specific plan, open to spontaneity and adventure,
we’ll freely rove within the near-limitless expanse of pristine
wildness — to explore any intriguing bay or inlet we happen upon,
or reverse course to follow a sighted whale pod. Our small ship
gives us this freedom. Our onboard kayaks and Zodiacs can be
lowered swiftly to bring it all even closer. Wherever we choose
to stop and explore, we’re certain to be the only human life,
accompanied by spectacular birds and animals. In such a populated
and busy world, these opportunities are tonic for the mind, body
and soul. (B,L,D)
Day 6 - Misty Fiords
Misty Fiords National Monument, often referred to as "Yosemite
of the sea" for its sheer majesty, is 2.3 million acres of
pristine wilderness that will leave you with exquisite memories
of your stay in Alaska. Head out on a personal kayak reconnaissance
or take a Zodiac cruise beneath glacier-carved cliffs with saw-tooth
tops. Float past sheer cliffs and icy waterfalls, easily navigating
in and out of areas the “big white boats” that ply Alaska’s waters
can't get near. (B,L,D)
Day 7 - Frederick Sound and Chatham Strait
These waters are prime areas for both killer whales and humpback
whales. It is also fertile ground for the majestic bald eagle
which you may see keeping watch atop a tall spruce. As for whales,
it’s not uncommon here to see schools of up to 30 humpbacks or
orcas. We’ll then get to observe fascinating behavior — breaching,
tail-slapping and variations on feeding — as we fill the deck,
delighting in their activities and listening to the play-by-play
from our expert naturalists, as our skilled Captain and crew
keep us in perfect proximity. We may also see Steller's sea lions
hauled out on the rocky islands and dozing. Once ashore, we’ll
have the opportunity to walk along a quiet forest trail, accompanied
by our naturalists. The still waters are excellent for kayaking,
offering another option for appreciating this area close up.
(B,L,D)
Day 8 - Sitka
Whale sightings may make for some exciting diversions en route
to Sitka. In the native Tlingit language, Sitka means the village
behind the island and it has been home to various cultures for
thousands of years. When visiting here, one can’t help but wonder
about the ways in which cultures survive, passing down their
characteristics from generation to generation.
Sitka has a strong Russian heritage, which is readily apparent
as you visit St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Church with its onion
domes right in the middle of town. Gaze up at the grand totem poles
that line the wooded trails through Sitka National Historic Park.
At the Raptor Rehabilitation Center, we have close views of species
normally seen at a distance in the wild — bald eagles, hawks, falcons
and owls. Sitka’s oceanfront setting is framed by the volcanic
peak of Mount Edgecumbe and a string of small islands. The crystalline
waters of Sitka Bay abound with sea stars and translucent moon
jellyfish. (B,L,D)
Day 9 - Southeast Alaska's Islands, Bays and Fjords
Today is a day with the luxury of no specific plan. There are many
options for landings on islands such as Baranof and Chichagof,
where bald eagles nest and brown bears make themselves at home.
If you’re a beachcomber, the shoreline is rich with treasures.
The forest trails are dense and beautiful, whether you choose
the long walk option or a short stroll, accompanied by one of
our naturalists familiar with the local terrain. Hemlock and
spruce abound in the old-growth forest. When kayaking, we always
offer choices. If you’re looking for exercise and excitement,
choose a more strenuous course. If you want scenery and relaxation,
you’ll have the option to paddle slowly — exploring, poking into
little inlets and relishing the quiet and up-close, personal
view. (B,L,D)
Day 10 - Glacier Bay National Park
We spend the entire day amidst the coves, fjords, tidewater glaciers,
freshwater lakes and majestic mountains of Glacier Bay National
Park — one of the best places on earth to observe the ebb and
flow of glaciers. Here, we’ll be accompanied by a National Park
Ranger who gives us up-to-the-minute information about this ever-changing
environment.
You’ll see glaciers that end abruptly at the water’s edge and
observe them “calving” — tons of ice crashing into the sea — accompanied
by an exhilaratingly thunderous sound. Mountain goats scaling the
peaks as well as harbor seals and Steller's sea lions are some
of the creatures we may observe in these icy waters. These sea
lions are a threatened species — although the population in Southeast
Alaska is still robust, elsewhere in Alaska their population has
declined almost 80% in the last 30 years.
Look up during the day and chances are the sky will be filled
with soaring sea birds. If you’ve never seen a puffin, you may
have the opportunity to see not only one kind, but two: the tufted
and the horned puffin. As you observe them flying to and from their
nests, you’ll find the puffin to be both clumsy and graceful at
the same time. Designed for underwater fishing, they paddle and
flap their way into the air, then make a quick dive below the surface.
A visit to Tidal Inlet may bring the sight of brown bears lumbering
up the hillside. If the timing is right, a bear and her cub may
be playing in the water. With our engines idling so we can be as
unobtrusive as possible, we’ll watch their interactions, knowing
the cub will be on its own by the same time next year. (B,L,D)
Day 11 - Point Adolphus & Chichagof Island
Our day begins on the waters off Point Adolphus, a favored feeding
area for humpback whales. Keep watch on deck and you may find
yourself rushing to the side as a pod of whales begins lunge-feeding
right off our bow. As we watch with awe, our Naturalist lowers
the hydrophone and we’re not only watching the whales, we’re
listening in on their communications. A sense of wonder pervades.
When questions come up, as they surely will, our marine mammal
expert can tell you everything you want to know and more. After
some thrilling whale watching, you’ll cruise the intricate coastline
of Chichagof Island, looking for playful sea otters. (B,L,D)
Day 12 - Juneau, Alaska/Disembark Ship/Seattle
After breakfast, disembark in Juneau, Alaska's state capital. Here
we'll visit the Alaska State Museum, viewing its fascinating
permanent collection with an emphasis on Alaska's native peoples
and natural history. Explore on your own before flights home
in the afternoon. Fly from Juneau to Seattle. (B)
What's Included:
What's Not Included:
- Airfare from Seattle to Juneau, or vice versa.
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