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Hiking through the snow.

Western Coves 2016

Example 8 Day Cruise aboard Wilderness Discoverer
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Explore Alaska's “wild and woolly” wilderness on this 8-day voyage! Embark on this adventure through the western coves of Alaska's coast, where you are treated to wildlife and whale watching in Frederick Sound and Stephens Passage, a Stellar sea lion haulout at The Brothers Islands, and hiking in El Capitan Cave on Prince of Wales Island. Discover the region's epic waterways by kayak, paddle board, and skiff in remote scenic bays. Wildlife and wilderness await on this Inside Passage adventure cruise.
An ice-coated sunriseHiking through the mountainsCoastal town of Ketchikan, Alaska.Humpback whale in Alaska.Hiking through the snow.
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Embark in Ketchikan, Alaska

Welcome aboard! Meet your crew, get settled in, and keep watch for eagles as your ship cruises through the Tongass Narrows out of Ketchikan.

Day 2: Tongass National Forest

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Aha! The wilderness of Southeast Alaska. Wake in a remote cove surrounded by breathtaking Tongass National Forest — the largest national forest in the US. Joined by your expedition team, it’s a water ops morning. Spend it paddling a kayak, paddle boarding, or exploring by skiff. Then settle in as you cruise the northern tip of Prince of Wales Island, nestled right in the heart of the Tongass. It’s a grand first day of exploration!

Day 3: El Capitan Cave / Prince of Wales Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Take a walk on the wild side winding through high forest on an old logging trail, and find your way to El Capitan Cave, the largest known cave in Alaska and one of the largest mapped caves in the Americas. Learn from Forest Service Rangers about karst and the geologic forces that created this intricate cave system. Locals — bears, harbor seals and humpbacks, deer, eagles, humans too — enjoy the calm and serenity of the island.

Day 4: Chatham Strait

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
It's Captain's Choice today as you explore the intricate passages and shores along Chatham Strait's Kuiu Island. Join your expedition team on (or in!) the water. Conditions permitting, take to the water by kayak, skiff, or snorkel. Snorkeling is optional, but hidden beneath the surface lies a magical array of sea life only seen from below. Take a deep breath and go for it! Today's discoveries are within some of the most untouched wilderness of the Tongass National Forest.

Day 5: Frederick Sound

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Lush forest, spectacular views, play time, and wildlife: they are all in abundance in Frederick Sound. Keep watch along the coastline for birds, wolves, and black bears. With many secluded coves to choose from, you may discover the intertidal zones of Security or Saginaw Bays, or perhaps another hidden gem to explore by skiff or paddle a kayak. Gear up for snorkeling or guided hikes. This evening, toast another day of amazing adventure with a cold microbrew or cocktail.

Day 6: The Brothers Islands / Stephens Passage

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
There is plenty of wildlife viewing today. The Brothers, a pair of tiny, rocky islands at the confluence of Stephens Passage and Frederick Sound, are home to some of Alaska’s most abundant wildlife, including a haulout for Stellar sea lions. The area is also the summer feeding ground for the largest concentration of humpback whales in the northern hemisphere. Keep watch for orca, humpbacks, and porpoise.

Day 7: Tracy Arm Wilderness

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
At the end of Tracy Arm, a winding fjord with sheer granite walls, hundreds of cascading waterfalls, and some of the largest icebergs in all of Alaska, sits the twin Sawyer Glaciers—Sawyer and South Sawyer. The fjord is home to brown and black bears, deer, mountain goats, harbor seals, and birds such as Arctic terns and pigeon guillemots.

Day 8: Disembark in Juneau, Alaska

  • 1 Breakfast
Bid adieu to new-found friends over breakfast before disembarking. Transfer directly to the Juneau airport or begin your add-on overnight stay or extended land tour.

Ship/Hotel

Wilderness Discoverer

Wilderness Discoverer
Wilderness Discoverer in the San Juans PNW
Wilderness Discoverer

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$3,195
Wilderness Discoverer's Navigator Cabin.
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Navigator
Main Deck, cabins 201, 204-208 and 210. Queen or twin beds, private bath with shower and view window.
Interior Cabin
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Trailblazer
Observation Deck, cabins 310-325. Queen or twin beds, private bath with shower and view window.
Wilderness Discoverer's Pathfinder Cabin.
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Pathfinder
Observation Deck, cabins 300-309. Outside entry, queen bed, sitting area, private bath with shower and view window.
Wilderness Discoverer's Explorer Double Cabin.
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Admiral
Sun Deck, cabins 400-403. Separate sitting area, queen or twin beds, private bath with shower, large picture window with sofa bed/triple.

Notes

- All rates are in USD, per person, based on double occupancy.
- Rates do not include port taxes and fees, which vary by itinerary.
- Children 8-13 are welcome on all sailings and will received a $500 per child savings

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.
Included
  • 7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners

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Beyond expectations! Then again we weren't sure what to expect. Lovely stay at the lodge, met other like-minded travelers (many had their trips planned by Adventure Life) and the owner was a gracious hostess. It felt like you were one happy family, visiting with a favorite aunt.
Nancy Sin
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