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Eastern Coves

« All Wilderness Explorer cruise options
Make new friends and memories on your Alaskan small ship cruise Breaching humpback whaleHumpback whales bubble-net feedingExplore Alaska on your small ship cruiseExplore glacial bays
Dates Deck + Cabin Type
Trailblazer Cabin Pathfinder Cabin Explorer Cabin
Aug 24 '13
$3,595 $3,895 $4,995
Port taxes: $175 per person
- All rates are in USD, per person, based on double occupancy.
- Rates do not include port taxes and fees, which vary by itinerary.
- Children 12 years of age or younger receive a 25% savings on Family Departure dates.
Deposit & Payment

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Day 1 Embark on your adventure in Juneau

Meet your crew and get acquainted as you set sail toward the Tracy Arm Wilderness. 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.

Day 2 Tracy Arm Wilderness / Frederick Sound

At the end of Tracy Arm, a winding fjord with sheer granite walls, cascading waterfalls, and some of the largest floating icebergs in all of Alaska, sits the twin Sawyer Glaciers—North Sawyer and South Sawyer. The fjord is home to brown and black bears, deer, wolves, harbor seals, birds such as arctic terns and pigeon guillemots, and mountain goats, usually spotted high on the cliffs. Later today, move into Frederick Sound—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 / Cascade Creek

Choose kayaking and a lush forest trek on a scenic Cascade Creek trail. Or go big on the 5-mile hike to the glacially-fed and rarely visited Patterson Lake for spectacular kayaking. 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 Baird Glacier / Wrangell Narrows

In an area known for glaciers and rich in gold and quartz, take on the otherworldly boot-sucking Baird Glacier until you stand atop the milewide glacier. 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

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.

Day 6 Yes Bay

Wildlife abounds in Yes Bay and the surrounding Tongass National Forest — orca, porpoise, seals, sea lions, brown and black bears, mink, marten, and eagles. Say yes to a kayak paddle up the bay or venture out on a wildlife-seeking hike along one of the area’s scenic trails.

Day 7 Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness

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 steep, sometimes sheer, walls are a haven for ducks, brown and black bear, mountain goats, Sitka deer, mink, moose, river otters, and other wildlife. Glide through Walker Cove by kayak or explore by skiff soaking in the splendor of this largely forgotten corner of the world. This evening join the Captain in a farewell toast and reminisce about your Alaskan journey over a sumptuous dinner.

Day 8 Private dock, north of Ketchikan — Disembark

Known as the “Salmon Capital of the World,” Ketchikan is located on the edge of the Tongass National Forest. A Bon Voyage breakfast ends your ship journey; however there are many enticing ways to extend your journey from here. Transfer directly to the Ketchikan airport, local accommodations or arrange for an add-on overnight land tour to Juneau, Ketchikan, Wrangell or Alaska’s interior.

Itinerary Notes

Included in your fare:
* Educational programming - interpretive lectures, guest speakers, narrative
* All meals aboard the ships
* Kayaking, guided hiking, and small boat exploration
* Onboard Expedition Leaders
* Airport transfers

Not included in your fare:
* Airfare to and from your home city
* Liquor, beer, wine
* Discretionary gratuities to vessel's crew, typically 5-10% of fare
* Travel insurance
* Select optional onboard excursions, payable on board.
* Optional pre- or post-night hotel stays or land extensions
* Fishing excursions, caving, jet boat trips or guided overnight trips
* Port charges, taxes and fees

Deposit & Payment

Initial deposit is $950 for one week cruises, $1700 for two or three week cruises, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card. We accept Visa, Mastercard, AmEx, and Discover. Alternatively, you can send a check to our Missoula, Montana, office or register online at: https://www.adventure-life.com/forms/fourways.php

Final payment is due 70 days prior to departure.

Final payment by Visa, Mastercard, Discover or AmEx.

Booking last minute? No problem! Please contact one of our trip planners, and we can get you on your way if booking less than 70 days prior to departure.

Click here to see a copy of our Terms and Conditions.

Cancellation Policy

Days Prior to departureFee
91 days or moreHalf of deposit
90-61 daysFull deposit
60-46 days55% trip cost
45-31 days80% trip cost
30-0 days100% trip cost

Wilderness Explorer

Wilderness ExplorerEnjoy the scenery from the main deckConvenient kayak launchCozy cabins
    Ship Highlights
  • Passengers : 76

The newly renovated 76-guest Wilderness Explorer is equipped for action, adventure, and exploration. As with her sister “Wilderness” ships, its interior complements the outside and public and private spaces are loaded with amenities. The ship offers a main lounge that evokes the feel of a National Park Lodge or neighborhood pub, dining room, and ample space on deck for taking in the great outdoors.

On board the Wilderness Explorer:
Three accessible decks are fully equipped for comfort and action. Guests enjoy over-the-top views from the bow or from under-the-stars in two hot tubs; on-deck sauna and fitness equipment; and the EZ Dock launch platform makes getting in the water a synch, even for a novice. Onboard are kayaks; stand-up paddle boards; inflatable skiffs; hiking poles; yoga mats; hydrophone for listening below-surface; and a bow-mounted underwater camera pipes the action to the lounge and to your cabin TV.

Guest Accommodations:
The three cabin categories aboard the Wilderness Explorer: Trailblazer, Pathfinder and Explorer provide single and double accommodation. All cabins are above deck with view windows.

Common to all Wilderness Explorer cabins are flat-screen TV/DVD and iPod docking station.

Cabins
Comfortable twin cabinTrailblazer Cabin
Feature queen or twin beds, private bath with shower and view window.
Comfortable stay in the Navigator CabinPathfinder Cabin
Feature queen or twin beds, private bath with shower, and view window.
Cozy cabinsExplorer Cabin
Feature a sitting area, fixed queen bed, private bath with shower and large picture window.

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800-344-6118 (Toll-free)
406-541-2677 (Outside US)
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Adventure Life
712 W Spruce St., Suite 1
Missoula, MT 59802

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