This 8-day cruise aboard Wilderness Explorer gives an in-depth exploration of Alaska. Snug-in your kayak to visit the remote bays off of Icy Strait or join the team on a skiff to watch sea lions play. Have your binoculars ready, and look for puffins, Guillemots, gulls, snoozing sea lions, bears, mountain goats, orca and humpback whales in Glacier Bay National Park, Frederick Sound and Chatham Strait. Aside from all these exciting activities, you will also have time to reflect and enjoy the amazing view of Alaska glaciers.
Highlights
Spend a full day in Glacier Bay National Park, joined by a park ranger
Discover orca and humpback whales in Frederick Sound and Chatham Strait
Enjoy wildlife viewing of black and brown bears, eagles, sea otters, harbor seals, sea lions, sea birds
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Welcome to Alaska’s capital, where your home on the water awaits. Come aboard, meet your crew, and unpack your adventurous spirit. Your course is set for glaciers, and the Tongass—the largest national forest in the U.S.
Nothing like kick-starting the morning with on-deck yoga stretches and a chaser of exploration mode d’jour—motor, paddle, boots. It might be your toughest transition of the day. In and around Icy Strait, glide through giant bullwhip kelp (it can grow to over 100 feet long). Skiff to a rocky outcropping and watch sea lions play. Mud boots serve their purpose on a forest hike with your top-notch guides, who are sharp and have plenty to share about everything Alaska—animals, plants, and even geology. At the end of this unforgettable day, you’ve earned a soak in the hot tub.
Enter, the granddaddy of national parks—Glacier Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve. Once you round Point Gustavus, a park ranger joins you on board with a font of knowledge. The specialness of this place starts to sink in, as one of its truly privileged visitors. Sea lions jockey for position among puffins, black oystercatchers, and other seabirds at South Marble Island. Mountain goats climb and bears scrounge for food along the park’s inland shores. Motor deeper into the park to Margerie and Grand Pacific, two tidewater glaciers on their downward march into the bay.
Chatham Strait stretches for 150 miles in the Tongass National Forest. Options aplenty, your captain navigates to the best. Anchor in a remote Chichagof Island inlet. Backpacks loaded and adventure toys lowered (skiffs, paddle boards, kayaks), it’s time to go play. Get energy pumping on a high-stepping hike with your wellness hosts through moss-covered trees. Stick to the water and don’t forget to look above and below the surface. A nosy seal could be watching your every stroke. Find the rhythm of walking meditation and beachcomb rocky shores. Tiny creatures cling to rocks. Go deep on training, diet, and mindfulness—your wellness hosts provide presentations and lead discussions on stepping up the healthfulness of your routine. Tonight, take a nightcap to the sun deck and watch the sky.
Salmon streams dot the coastline—where there’s salmon, there are bears. Kuiu Island is home to one of the world’s densest populations of black bears. Scope the intertidal zones of Saginaw Bay for them from a kayak or skiff. Eagles fish here too, their white noggins give away their perches. Core strength, plyometrics, and agility will be the focus as you explore the Keku Islands. Kayak or paddle board and find your flow-state. Take the pace down a notch checking out tide pools and abundant life in the intertidal zones. Or, find a serene spot to sit for peaceful self-reflection and guided meditation. Out here, it’s remote and remarkable.
Early bird or night owl, make a plan and rise early for sun salutations or wind your day down with starlit chaturanga. Humpbacks beeline it here each season to feast in the krill-rich waters. After your breakfast, look for whales eating theirs. Chances are high they will be—time to hang and enjoy the show. Based on wind and weather, your expedition team has the lineup of adventures all mapped out. Cruise past Five Fingers Lighthouse, Alaska’s oldest light station and The Brothers Islands, where sea lions nap on rocky nobs. Paddle into the deeps of Port Houghton or Windham Bay or head ashore for a hike. When a bear takes notice, they generally scram. But carrot-billed black oystercatchers give you a talking-to. Tonight, toast another big day in Alaska.
Snow covered mountains. Glacier-carved valleys. White thunder of calving ice. It’s an impressive Wilderness Area. And the perfect setting for a power yoga and deep core session on the bow. Give your body a well-deserved rest on a skiff ride up Endicott Arm, harbor seals pups laze around on icebergs. If the tides are right, slip into Fords Terror. The fjord’s steep walls are streaked with waterfalls. Choked with ice, at the end of the arm, meet Dawes Glacier. Blue ice marches down from the Coast Mountains. With a sharp crack, a calving slice makes a mega-splash. Your hosts lead one last discussion with tips and training to utilize back home. Tonight, celebrate with a festive Farewell Dinner and “photo journal” from your expedition team.
Day 8: Juneau | Disembarkation
1 Breakfast
It’s your last morning of freshly baked pastries. Eat them up and get in your farewells as you cruise into Juneau to transfer to the airport or begin your UnCruise hotel stay or land tour.
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.
$3,795
Select a Date
Navigator Cabin
#215; 302. Queen or twin beds, view window, and private bath with shower.
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Trailblazer Cabin
#105-106; 207-214; 303; 305-306; 309-312. Queen or twin beds, view window, and private bath with shower.
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Pathfinder Cabin
#107-114; 202-206. Queen or twin beds, view window, and private bath with shower.
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Admiral Cabin
#301, 304, 313-314. Sitting area, refrigerator, fixed queen bed, large picture window, and private bath with shower.
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Navigator Single
#104. L-shaped twin beds; view window; private bath with a shower
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 years of age 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.
The trip was terrific with great planning on your part. Most of the adventures were not mainstream and somewhat off the beaten path which made it especially enjoyable!! We felt taken care of and you all were readily available to respond to questions and issues. I would highly recommend your company and friends have already expressed interest based on our pictures and excitement.
Gale Cantor
TrustScore 4.8 | 142 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 142 reviews on
23 hours ago
Excellent trip saw much more than would have seen with out Adventure Life's help.
Anonymous traveler
2 days ago
Erin made things easier than I thought possible. So good at answering questions in a timely manner and explaining all. I feel she looks out for me.
Fran Folkman
2 days ago
Very personable and knowledgeable! Able to answer questions and provide advice based on personal experiences.
Robert Thompson
2 days ago
Erin is a seasoned travel planner and is very personable. She is a good listener and uses our questions and concerns to make the trip just as we want it. She is very good at moving the booking process along and meticulous with the details.
This is why we came back to have her plan this trip for us.
Lynn Oveson
2 days ago
Erin C. was incredibly helpful and thorough. I had answers immediately or within the same day.