This 8-day cruise aboard Wilderness Adventurer gives an in-depth exploration of Alaska. Snug-in your kayak, 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 also have time to reflect and enjoy the amazing view of Alaska glaciers.
Highlights
Discover Glacier Bay’s glaciers, wildlife, and remote wilderness
Paddle among giant kelp and sea lions in Icy Strait
Cruise Tracy Arm’s icy fjords to the Twin Sawyer Glaciers
Hike Chichagof Island’s lush forests and spot wild bears nearby
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.
Upon arrival in Juneau, transfer from the airport to the check-in area. After boarding, the crew provides a brief welcome and orientation. The ship then departs, beginning a week of travel through remote waterways and wilderness areas.
Start the morning with stretches on deck and a cup of coffee. Paddle a kayak through quiet bays off Icy Strait, moving among long strands of bullwhip kelp. Take a skiff to a rocky area to observe sea lions, or put on boots for a guided forest hike to learn about Alaska’s wildlife, plants, and geology. Back on board, unwind in the hot tub and take in the surroundings.
This national park covers 3.3 million acres (that’s a tad smaller than the state of Connecticut). Let that sink in. Most visitors see the same sliver of the park as everyone else. Not you. Over the course of two days, explore the remote wilderness of Glacier Bay National Park and the surrounding areas. Visit one of the park’s iconic glaciers: Margerie or John Hopkins. Glacier Bay is a wildlife-heavy area: keep your eyes peeled for stellar sea lions, sea otters, and whales. You also pass South Marble Island and Gloomy Knob, popular areas for spotting puffins and other seabirds. Small group excursions within the park may include skiff tours, kayaking, or hard-charger ridge hikes with epic views. The exact order of these excursions varies, but you’re guaranteed to explore parts of Glacier Bay National Park that 99% of visitors never see
Enjoy the top deck for a sunrise or morning stretch. Meander through glacier-carved fjords along the Chichagof coast. Then anchor. It’s a prime time to lower the kayaks and skiffs. Camera in hand, set off on land and sea explorations. Closer inspection by skiff, moss-dripping trees run right down to the water. Any bears in there? With one of the world’s largest populations of bears, it’s possible. Go searching for giant trees and tidal pools. Hiking in the Tongass, it won’t take long to find them. Your eagle-eyed guides lead the pack—and pull up the rear.
Hang out and enjoy the show. You may find yourself in 'whale soup' surrounded by feeding humpbacks swimming these abundant glacial waters. 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. Somewhere nearby, carrot-billed black oystercatchers are saying hello. Tonight, toast another big day in Alaska.
Take an early peek out your window. Fjord cliffs reach skyward. Floating ice. And deep u-shaped valleys. There’s no abracadabra here. Mother Nature’s magic is real. Cruise past harbor seals and their pups lounging on chunks of ice. In classic fjord form, Tracy Arm delivers with the cotton candy blue Twin Sawyers glacier of its furthest reaches. Tides permitting, your skiff driver knows the ropes and guides you along. It’s a mashup of towering walls, temperamental currents, and the Coastal Mountains. So many waterfalls. Mountain goats show off fancy foot work on the cliffs, so keep your eyes open. Finish your week with Captain's dinner and post-dinner cocktials watching the week's “photo journal” by your crew.
Day 8: Juneau | Disembarkation
1 Breakfast
Linger over breakfast this morning cruising into Juneau. Wish your crew and new friends goodbye. Then it’s off 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.
$4,8002-3 travelers
Navigator
Main Deck, cabins 200-208, 210. Queen or twin beds, private bath with shower and view window.
Trailblazer
Observation Deck, cabins 301-302, 307-320. Queen bed or twin beds, private bath with shower and view window
Pathfinder
Observation deck, cabins 303-306. Outside entry, double bed with private bath with shower and view window.
Compass/Single
Main Deck, cabin 202. Twin bed; view window; private bath with shower
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
Kate was great to work with in the planning stage. She was prompt, helpful, and efficient. Our tour guide, Edwin, was knowledgeable and passionate. We were very happy to have traveled with Adventure Life, it made the trip easy and a true pleasure. We could concentrate on enjoying the experience rather than the details of travel.
