Alaska Inside Passage: Ultimate Adventure

Day 1 Embark on your adventure in Juneau

Leave the big city life behind in Juneau, Alaska and immerse yourself in the breathtaking views of Mount Juneau and its surrounding glaciers. Though admittedly, leaving Juneau is no small task - nearly as large as Rhode Island and Delaware combined, the Juneau area is nearly 3,300 square miles and the only U.S. capital with an international border.

As you leave the harbor, watch for the eagles that abound year round, but especially during the summer salmon spawning period. Don’t be surprised if you also find a variety of elegant birds, silly seals, hardy sea lions, playful porpoise and hopefully a few of the large population of humpback and orca whales that roam the Inside Passage waters. After meeting your crew and getting acquainted with your ship’s features, finish the evening with a delicious meal while keeping an eye on lookout for orca and humpback whales as you cruise to Windham Bay. Safe to say this won’t be your average vacation.

Day 2 Windham Bay, Chuck River Wilderness Area and Whale Watching

Wake up to the glory of Windham Bay, a unique combination of lush rainforest, fresh and saltwater habitat with numerous estuaries. An animal and bird watcher's paradise, it is also where renowned naturalist John Muir noted the first Alaskan gold discovery in 1878. The area soon became the largest gold discovery in the territory, and the miner population in Windham Bay peaked at about 200 in the early 1900's. Not all that much has changed here since.

Push your senses and your muscles with the exhilarating combination of sea kayaking and trekking. Or ride a skiff to the same shore and take a relaxing walk on the trail that boasts a 350-foot elevation gain. Fairly easy Chuck River hiking trails lead to the Chuck River Wilderness where large black bear and bald eagles often feed on the salmon runs. Get there by kayak and enjoy the views.

After lunch, move into the waters of Frederick Sound – the summer feeding ground for the largest concentration of humpback whales in the Northern Hemisphere. Scan the water for movement and thrill as humpbacks, orcas and Stellar sea lions feed, swirl, jump and crash back down to the surface. Learn fascinating facts and behavioral theories about the whales from your onboard naturalists as you watch the action. By the time dinner is over, you will be anchored inside the appropriately named Scenery Cove, listening to whales and hoping for sea birds like marbled murrelets, common loons, red-throated loons, Barrow’s goldeneyes and common mergansers at sunrise.

Day 3 Thomas Bay, Baird Glacier, Cascade Creek

Thomas Bay is known for glaciers, gold and quartz deposits, moose, brown bears, black bears, squirrels, wolves, birds and rabbits. It is also known as "The Bay of Death," due to a massive landslide in 1750, and the "Devil's Country" since 1900 when several people claimed to have seen devil creatures in the area. Devils or not, Thomas Bay offers several ways to take it all in.

Take on the exposed terminal moraine of the Baird Glacier Trail, until you reach the top of the glacier itself. An impressive feat of nature, shorter hikes to Baird Glacier are also available. Soak it in through a 6-mile guided kayak excursion from Scenery Cove to Cascade Creek and then treat yourself to a short trek. Soar above the stunning mile-wide LeConte Glacier in a floatplane. Trek it your way on one of the several varied length hikes of the scenic Cascade Creek Trail. Or take a quiet day spent onboard, putting your feet up, getting a massage and staring at the gorgeous scenery.

Dinner includes a reading from “The Strangest Story Ever Told,” a story about Thomas Bay and native bigfoot-like creatures call Kushtaka. Known to some as the “Land of the Kushtaka,” native lore is rich with Kushtaka stories and strange encounters have been recorded for many years here. Taking advantage of Alaska’s long daylight hours, you may choose to get in one more short kayak excursion before bed.

Day 4 LeConte Bay, Stikine River, Ideal Cove

Wake to the sounds of “bergy bits” and brash ice as they gently roll past the hull of the ship as you ease through the ice-rich waters of LeConte Bay, home to the Northern hemisphere’s most southerly tide water glacier. Shake off sleep with a yoga class. Then rove through the ice-encrusted waters by kayak or skiff. A treasure trove of adventure and natural beauty, whether you choose a 4-hour guided kayak, a 1.5-hour kayak or opt for a skiff excursion, it is sure to please.

After lunch, choose a leisure kayaking or skiff excursion, hiking at Ideal Cove, or an optional guided overnight trip via kayaking, hiking and camping ashore. Hiking on the 4.5 or 8.2-mile Three Lakes Loop Trail may take up the afternoon. Or a good book and a comfy chair may be in order. After dinner, don’t miss the sights as you turn toward Wrangell via the Wrangell Narrows, and are guided by over 30 bright red and green navigation lights, locally known as Christmas Tree Lane.

Day 5 Wrangell, Chief Shakes Tribal House

Once under the jurisdiction of the Russians, the British, and the Americans, as well as originally a Tlingit territory, Wrangell has the unique status of being the only Alaskan city to have been governed under four "flags". Today, it is home to native culture, wildlife and wonder. Rise early to go after abundant King Salmon just waiting to be hooked. Brush up on your Tlingit culture at Chief Shakes Tribal House for native storytelling and visit Kiksetti Totem Park on Front Street to view recently carved totem poles and hear their unique story. Or hitch a ride on the jet boat tour up the Stikine River to pick up the overnight campers. Bear-lovers may choose to travel by jet boat to view the black and brown bears fishing for salmon at Anan Creek.

After lunch, Canoe Pass offers one of the most scenic kayaking opportunities of the trip. Along the Eastern shore of Etolin Island within the South Etolin Wilderness Area, Canoe Pass is a smooth, narrow, 5-mile stretch of pristine Alaskan water. End the day with a soak in the hot tub or maybe a DVD as the vessel cruises toward Yes Bay on the northern end of Behm Canal.

Day 6 Yes Bay

It is tough to say “no” in Yes Bay. Maybe that is why wildlife abounds in Yes Bay and the surrounding Tongass National Forest - humpback whales, orcas, porpoise, seals, sea lions, black bears, brown bears, mink, marten, eagles and otters. Say yes to a kayak tour up the bay and choose your wildlife-seeking hike: Wolverine Creek Trail and the scenic hike following the river to Lake McDonald – also a perfect spot to cast a fly for trout.

After lunch, wile away the hours over a good book, take out a kayak for a leisurely paddle or indulge in the good fun of platform diving contests and swim races around the ship. Or take to the skies for magnificent views of brown and black bears at Traitors Cove/Margaret Creek or Anan Creek on an add-on flight tour. By dinner, saying yes to bed will be easy to do.

Day 7 Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness

Watch the sun rise over the steep and sometimes sheer walls of the Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness Area, a haven for ducks, brown and black bear, mountain goats, Sitka deer, mink, river otters, and in a few places, moose. Humpbacks and orcas, porpoise, sea lions, and seals ply the waters of Behm Canal and the inlets. Glide through Walker Cove by kayak (close-in or long distance) and stop at shoreline beaches to stretch your legs. Or explore it all by skiff, soaking in the splendor of this utterly wild, roadless and largely forgotten corner of the world.

In the afternoon, anchor inside Rudyerd Bay and Punchbowl Cove to leisurely take in its famous scenic waterfalls and vast granite walls. Man the rope swing, race around the ship and show off with a platform dive, if you dare. Or judge the activity from the dry decks of the ship. This evening, you will be greeted with cocktails and a cheery camaraderie as you join the Captain in a farewell toast. Enjoy a sumptuous Alaskan seafood and prime beef dinner. After dinner, share in conversation with all the new friends you’ve made on your journey and show your video footage on the lounge's flat screen TV's.

Day 8 Ketchikan

While others end their adventure and new cruise-mates join later in the day, you will be transferred into Ketchikan to experience the native culture of Totem Bight or Saxman totem parks, Totem Heritage Center (optional tour arrangements), stroll around piling-supported Creek Street - home to Dolly's House Museum, shop or maybe take a zip line ride before transferring back to your Wilderness ship for your second week of Southeast Alaska exploration.

Day 9 El Capitan Passage and Devilfish Bay

Wake to breathtaking views of the expansive Tongass Forest, the nation's largest national forest, rising on either side of Devilfish Bay. The El Capitan Passage, a 27-mile long waterway dividing Prince of Wales and Kosciusko Islands, offers many ways to get closer to nature. Drop crab pots en route to prime fishing waters. Wind through the high forests of on an old logging trail. Paddle the scenic, 4-mile roundtrip around Devilfish Cove. And don't miss Beaver Falls and El Capitan Cave, the largest known cave in North America.

In the afternoon, get a taste of life in the remote wilderness. Stop by Marble Island, named for the famous Tokeen Marble Quarry, to pick up freshly harvested oysters and fish from a local family. During cocktail hour, family members will come aboard to share their unique perspective of life in the Alaskan outback. Then, as the sunset casts its shadows over the Karheen Passage and Tonowek Narrows, relax over a delicious meal and maybe indulge in a sauna or hot tub soak before bed. Tonight some may choose to kayak and then camp ashore (additional fees apply, please contact us for details).

Day 10 Klawock

As the sun rises over the Tlingit village of Klawock, the living history of native Alaska lies in wait. Spend the morning gaining a better understanding about the importance of carving in Alaskan culture, mixing with the locals and gazing up at the twenty-one restored totem poles that color the town. Hear the stories of the totems at the park and at the carvers' shed where the art of carving and restoring totems is passed on to the local youth. In the afternoon, you may choose to kayak close-in or for distance. Explore the Klawock area on foot or by kayak, keeping an eye out for bears, eagles, sea birds and whales.

Day 11 Little Port Walter and Mist Cove

Anchored in Little Port Walter, the day offers many options. This morning, choose between a half-day fishing excursion, fly fishing, a hike on Sashin Lake Trail, or take it easy with a shorter hike to the site of an ancient native fish weir to explore an abandoned cannery. Later, visit a NOAA field fisheries site and hike in Mist Cove for seemingly never-ending views, until you come face-to-face with an enormous waterfall. Whether you cheer or paddle, save time for the pre-lunch kayak races.

Continue your adventure into the afternoon or take to the water in a new way. Search the depths while snorkeling. Swim through the refreshing port waters. Give your best Tarzan cry on the rope swing or show some style with a platform dive. Then show 'em how its done during the rope swing and platform diving contests held after lunch, and make sure to sweet-talk the crew who will judge the contest based on style. If you haven't had enough chances to defend your honor already, join in the swim races around the ship. Back onboard, meet a fisheries expert from Deer Lake aquaculture who joins us for dinner and a presentation.

Day 12 Frederick Sound

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 slip into the waters of Deep Cove, Patterson or Saginaw Bay, 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 13 The Brothers Islands / Stephen's Passage

There’ll be plenty of wildlife viewing today. The Brothers, a pair of islands at the confluence of Stephen’s Passage and Frederick Sound, are home to some of Alaska’s most abundant wildlife. The area is the summer feeding ground for the largest concentration of humpback whales in the northern hemisphere. Keep watch for frolicking orca, humpbacks, and sea lions. Tonight, anchor in quiet bay and listen for the call of the wild.

Day 14 Endicott Arm and Ford’s Terror Wilderness Area

On the last full day of your journey, prepare to have your breath taken away by sculptural glacial views and snow-covered mountains. Endicott Arm frequently offers respite to seals on the smaller, "bergy bits" and sometimes, it gets a little crowded. Kayak toward the glowing blue of Dawes Glacier face from 6 hours or 1.5 hours away. Or grab your camera and see it all from the ease of a skiff.

During the lunch hour, tides permitting, the ship will move up to Ford's Terror, a narrow passage named after a naval crewmember who was stranded in the turbulent tidal water for six hours. Armed with tide tables, you can safely skiff through Ford's Terror and admire the magnificent domes, hanging valleys and pristine wilderness that surround it. Back aboard, you will be greeted with cocktails and a cheery camaraderie as you join the Captain in a farewell toast. Anchored at Woods Spit, enjoy a wonderful dinner and even better conversations with all the new friends you've made on your journey.

Day 15 Juneau / Disembark

When you wake this morning, be sure to look out the window as you voyage into Juneau. A Bon Voyage breakfast ends your ship journey, however there are many enticing ways to extend your journey from here. A flight or helicopter tour over the Juneau Ice Field, trekking over Mendenhall Glacier and exploring the ice caves or dog mushing.