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Hiking through the mountains of Alaska

Ultra Adventure 2015

Example 22 Day Cruise aboard Wilderness Discoverer
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Join the Wilderness Discoverer on this "Ultra" 22-day expedition through the very best of Alaska's coastal region. Spend two days in Glacier Bay - the jewel of the US National Parks system, explore remote scenic bays and coves by kayak, paddle board, and skiff. Visit Wrangel's Kiksetti Totem Park, view stunning glaciers in Endicott Arm, look for whales, and stop by a sea lion haulout. All of this and more awaits you on the Ultra Adventure.
Humpback whale in Alaska.Kayaking though the Alaskan mountains.Coastal town of Ketchikan, Alaska.Family sitting on a glacier.Hiking through the mountains of Alaska
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 Juneau, Alaska

Welcome aboard! Meet your crew and get acquainted as your ship sets sail into the Tracy Arm Wilderness.

Day 2: Tracy Arm Wilderness / Frederick Sound

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Enter Tracy Arm, a winding fjord with sheer granite walls, hundreds of cascading waterfalls, and some of the largest icebergs in all of Alaska. At the end of this fjord sits the twin glaciers, Sawyer and South Sawyer. The fjord is home to brown and black bears, deer, wolves, harbor seals, and birds such as arctic terns and pigeon guillemots. Later today, move into Frederick Sound, which is a summer feeding ground for the northern hemisphere’s largest concentration of humpback whales. Keep watch for humpbacks, orca, and Steller sea lions.

Day 3: Thomas Bay

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Choose kayaking and a lush forest trek on a scenic rainforest trail, or go big on a roundtrip 11-mile hike to the glacially-fed and rarely-visited Patterson Lake for spectacular kayaking in the meltwaters of Patterson Glacier. Discover the origin of its “Devil’s Country” nickname during a reading from “The Strangest Story Ever Told,” about the area’s mythical, shape-shifting creatures called Kushtaka.

Day 4: Glacial Landscapes / Wrangell Narrows

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Step into the back country of Alaska's wilderness in an area known for glaciers and for its gold and quartz-rich hills. Explore glacial landscapes marked by moraines, muskegs, and mud. Adventure and natural beauty are sure to please whether you choose kayaking, paddle boarding, skiff riding, or hiking today. An abundance of bright red and green navigation lights guide you along “Christmas Tree Lane” as you cruise the winding Wrangell Narrows this evening.

Day 5: Wrangell

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Home to native culture, wildlife, and wonder, Wrangell is one of the oldest towns in Alaska and the only one ever governed by four nations. Before venturing into town, local islanders join you on board for an in-depth presentation on Tlingit and Haida cultures. View recently carved totem poles at Kiksetti Totem Park and step inside the famed and historically-significant Chief Shakes Tribal House.

Day 6: Behm Canal

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Wildlife abounds in Behm Canal and the surrounding Tongass National Forest. Look for orca, porpoise, seals, sea lions, brown and black bears, mink, marten, eagles, and otters. Paddle along the canal or venture out on an intertidal shore walk or low-elevation trek on the Cleveland Peninsula.

Day 7: Misty Fjords National Monument

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Affectionately called “The Yosemite of the North,” Misty Fjords National Monument represents nearly every ecosystem found in Southeast Alaska. Glacial valleys filled with sea water, and sheer 3,000 foot cliffs are a haven for sea birds, brown and black bears, mountain goats, Sitka black-tailed deer, mink, moose, river otters, and other wildlife. Glide through Walker Cove or Rudyerd Bay by kayak or explore by skiff as you soak in the splendor of this largely forgotten corner of the world. This evening, join the Captain in a toast and reminisce about your first week in Alaska over a sumptuous dinner.

Day 8: Ketchikan

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Alaska’s southernmost city and the “salmon capital of the world” also claims fame to having the world’s largest collection of standing totem poles. Spend the day ashore to enjoy lunch in town on us and explore the notorious Creek Street, once a red-light district. Complimentary laundry service is also provided today. Later, keep watch for eagles as you embark and cruise through the Tongass Narrows out of Ketchikan.

Day 9: Tongass National Forest / El Capitan Passage

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Wake in El Capitan Passage surrounded by breathtaking Tongass National Forest, the largest national forest in the US. Take a “wild” Alaska trek winding through high forest on an old logging trail, find your way to El Capitan Cave, the largest known cave in Alaska and one of the largest mapped caves in the Americas.

Day 10: Klawock Native Village

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Discover living history in Klawock, one of the most historically-accurate Tlingit villages in Alaska. Learn the importance of carving, gaze up at totem poles coloring the town, and hear their stories. Visit the carvers' shed where the art of carving and restoring totems is passed on. Along with its small fishing fleet, this rustic community continues to thrive on the farthest reaches of the wild Alaska coastline. Explore the area on foot keeping an eye for eagles and sea birds.

Day 11: Chatham Strait

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
It's Captain's Choice as you explore the intricate passages and shores along Chatham Strait's Kuiu or Baranof Islands. 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 12: Frederick Sound

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Lush forest, spectacular views, and wildlife 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 treks. This evening, toast another day of amazing adventure with a cold microbrew or cocktail.

Day 13: The Brothers Islands / Stephens Passage

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
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 14: Endicott Arm / Fords Terror

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Snow covered mountains, glowing blues, and the white thunder of calving ice take your breath away at the face of Dawes Glacier. As you glide through Endicott Arm you are likely to find a few seals taking respite on the glacier's smaller “bergy bits.” Tides permitting, explore the narrow passage of Fords Terror.

Day 15: Juneau

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Spend the day leisurely exploring downtown Juneau and enjoy lunch in town on us. Later this afternoon, re-board and get acquainted with your new travel companions as you cruise toward Glacier Bay National Park for your next day's adventure!

Day 16: Glacier Bay National Park

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
One of America’s crown jewel national parks is yours to explore and marvel at for the next two days: Glacier Bay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve. A National Park Ranger joins you to explore coves and corners of the bay that most visitors miss. Tidewater glaciers sweep like rivers of ice down massive mountain valleys, terminating before you in the waters of Glacier Bay.

Day 17: Glacier Bay National Park

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Continue your exclusive wilderness exploration in Glacier Bay National Park. Paddle a kayak and be awed at the face of a massive glacier. Go on a boot-sucking trek through sandbars and rainforest. And ride a skiff along shore for an up-close exploration of Glacier Bay. Here you can find sea lions, mountain goats, sea otters, bears, moose, eagles, and spectacular scenic backdrops.

Day 18: Icy Strait

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Set your course for arguably the richest whale waters in Southeast Alaska. Join the Captain on the bridge or the Expedition Leader out on deck in search of marine mammals. Camera in hand, begin your land and sea exploration of these remote reaches. Ride the skiffs for a closer inspection of the rugged and wild coastline with eyes set on the shore for possible bear sightings.

Day 19: Chichagof Island / Baranof Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Meander along the spectacular waterfall coast of Chichagof Island. In an expeditionary spirit, marvel at the grand scenery as your crew expertly guides the ship through unsung, glacier-carved fjords. Anchor in remote waters for an opportunity to lower the kayaks and skiffs. Explore the shoreline on an intertidal walk or forest exploration with your guides.

Day 20: Captain's Choice

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Follow a flexible agenda on this day. Perhaps explore a tidal inlet by kayak; feel the burn of a rain forest hike; or maybe take the opportunity to smell the breath of a humpback while skiffing in a secluded cove. The possibilities are endless — your Captain knows best.

Day 21: Peril Strait

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Peril Strait runs 50 miles from Chatham Strait to Salisbury Sound. This haven for small boats is highlighted by a very narrow connecting passageway called Sergius Narrows and an opening at Hoonah Sound. This historic and wildlife-rich waterway is a great place to watch the shoreline for bears, the waters for otters and whales, and to look skyward for eagles. The passage narrows to only 300 feet in one spot (24 feet deep). After an adventurous, but “un-perilous” day, toast your voyage with a festive Farewell Dinner and a “photo journal” of your trip presented by your Expedition Leaders.

Day 22: Disembark in Sitka, Alaska

  • 1 Breakfast
Gather for breakfast in the morning as you cruise into Russian-influenced Sitka for disembarkation. Transfer to the airport or begin your hotel stay or 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
$7,295
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
  • 21 Breakfasts, 20 Lunches, 21 Dinners

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