Travel on an 8-day expedition from Juneau to Ketchikan aboard Wilderness Discoverer. Explore Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier, navigate Frederick Sound for whale watching, and visit Thomas Bay, the Blashke Islands, Behm Canal, and Misty Fjords National Monument. Experience Southeast Alaska’s fjords, forests, and wildlife through skiff tours, kayaking, and guided hikes. This itinerary combines glacier scenery, cultural history, and coastal communities in a clear, structured journey on this Alaska adventure cruise.
Highlights
Explore Endicott Arm and observe Dawes Glacier scenery
Watch humpback whales while cruising Frederick Sound waters
Explore Misty Fjords National Monument by skiff
Kayak, paddle board, skiff, and hike in glacial landscapes and old growth
Navigate Thomas Bay and experience glacially carved landscapes
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
As you walk the gangway to the Wilderness Discoverer, the trip begins. Meet the captain and crew and settle into your cabin for the week. A welcome drink is served in the lounge. After departing the dock, head to the outdoor deck or use the binoculars in your cabin to watch for wildlife, including possible whale spouts on the horizon.
Day 2: Endicott Arm Fjord and Dawes Glacier Wilderness Area
Overnight, the ship reaches Endicott Arm. Steep granite cliffs rise above blue water, and icebergs move through the fjord. U-shaped valleys reflect past glacial activity. Harbor seals rest on floating ice with their pups nearby. As the ship slows and the temperature drops, Dawes Glacier becomes visible. Dress warmly and board a skiff for a closer view of the glacier, or join a kayak outing for a paddle, conditions permitting.
Misty spouts on the horizon signal what is in store. Humpback whales are in the neighborhood. As you navigate whale-rich waters, your expedition team has the day’s adventures ready. Paddle at your own pace, watch for sea stars and shorebirds along the shoreline, or charge ahead on a longer kayak journey or a guided hike into the heart of the Tongass. Skiff tours, snorkeling opportunities, and hikes offer another perspective on this wildlife-filled region. Either way, today is about going big in whale country.
Glacially carved Thomas Bay is a mosaic of moraines, muskegs, and shimmering mudflats. Enjoy an open paddle over glassy waters where fjord walls reflect like mirrors, exploring at your own pace. Or join a skiff tour over these waters or a waterfall hike or bushwack. Depending on when Captain sets sail, you may get to witness Wrangell Narrows, nicknamed Christmas Tree Lane for its vibrant red and green navigational lights. It is a peek into everyday life in Southeast Alaska’s backcountry.
Today, you have space to roam. Remote and rugged, the Blashke Islands are a choose-your-own-adventure playground, where dense forests beckon exploration. Hike, kayak, snorkel, skiff, or opt into a full-day yak-and-whack expedition. Here, you can experience the unique intertidal life that exists between this wonderland of islands. Keep your eyes out for orcas, who frequent these waters.
Winding through remote coves and forested bays, Behm Canal is Southeast Alaska in its purest form. This day offers a choice of low-elevation trail hikes alongside rushing streams, with opportunities to photograph dripping moss, dense forest, and the wildlife that calls this place home, including black bears, eagles, and mink on land, and porpoises, seals, and otters in the water. Calm, protected waters make this one of the best places of the week for open paddling, with options for all-day hikes, kayaking, and skiff tours as you explore the quiet beauty of the canal.
Some places do not just take your breath away; they leave you speechless. Misty Fjords is one of them. Sheer 3,000-foot cliffs, glacially carved valleys, and rainforest-cloaked slopes cradle every paddle and skiff ride. Explore Walker Cove or Rudyerd Bay by water during an open paddle, skiff, or even (if the conditions are just right) a long-drop paddle where you’ll enjoy the experience of feeling truly left in the wilds of Alaska, or float quietly and take it all in. End the day with a festive Farewell Dinner and a slideshow of the week’s best moments, lovingly assembled by your guide team.
Day 8: Ketchikan | Disembark
1 Breakfast
All good journeys must end, and this one concludes in Ketchikan, the Salmon Capital of the World. After breakfast, say farewell to your crew and fellow adventurers. Ask for local tips if you are staying longer. There is still plenty of Alaska to explore. Until next time!
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$4,4002-3 travelers
Please confirm embark/disembark locations before reserving flights, as this itinerary operates in reverse on alternating departures.
Navigator
Main Deck, cabins 201, 204-208 and 210. Queen or twin beds, private bath with shower and view window.
Trailblazer
Observation Deck, cabins 310-325. Queen or twin beds, private bath with shower and view window.
Pathfinder
Observation Deck, cabins 300-309. Outside entry, queen bed, sitting area, private bath with shower and view window.
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
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.
Initial deposit is 20% of the cruise plus port taxes and fees and 50% of any land services, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 130 days prior to departure by Visa, Mastercard or Discover
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
