This 8-day wilderness tour takes you through Alaska's most abundant wildlife areas while taking in the breathtaking glacier fjords. In the western Kuiu Island bay, you may kayak, hike, and explore by skiff. Explore beautiful waterfalls, towering icebergs, numerous harbor seals, and granite cliffs at Tracy Arm. Get to know a rarely-visited native village and a picturesque fishing town. You'll disembark having explored the true Alaska few travelers get to experience.
Highlights
Search for bald eagles, sea otters, bears, whales, and other wildlife
Enjoy a morning hike to Lake Eva on northern Baranof Island
Explore Sumner Strait, a body of water nestled between Kuiu and Kupreanof
Experience private access to the beautiful wilderness of Hobart Bay
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Explore beautiful Sitka, the only community in Southeast Alaska that faces the open ocean waters of the Gulf of Alaska. Visit fascinating sites that highlight the community's rich Alaska Native and Russian history on an exclusive tour guided by an expedition leader. Embark for the winding narrows north of town while searching for bald eagles, sea otters, bears, whales, and other wildlife.
Enjoy a morning hike to Lake Eva on northern Baranof Island. This trail immerses guests in a beautiful rainforest setting of lush undergrowth and towering spruce and hemlock. During late summer and early fall, salmon run in the lake’s outlet stream. After sailing south along eastern Baranof Island—the “Waterfall Coast”—the vessel will stop in Kasnyku Bay to visit Hidden Falls. This area often provides an excellent opportunity to view Alaska’s coastal brown bears as they pursue salmon. Brown bears exist in various color phases, from dark brown to blonde, and can grow to 1,500 pounds. Alaska has over 98 percent of the United States’ population of brown bears.
Thus far on the itinerary, the vessel will have been among the Inside Passage’s “ABC” islands (Admiralty, Baranof, and Chichagof). These islands are home to a high density of brown bears. As your journey continues southward, beginning at Kuiu Island, be in black bear territory. Enjoy kayak and skiff exploration in a western Kuiu Island bay. Beachcomb and hike along the beautiful secluded coastline of the area. Options include Rowan Bay, Bay of Pillars, or Tebenkof Bay.
Sail between the beautiful Cape Decision lighthouse, perched atop wave beaten rocks on southern Kuiu Island, and the Spanish Islands. Explore Sumner Strait, a body of water nestled between Kuiu and Kupreanof Islands to the north and Zarembo and Prince of Wales to the south. This strait offers countless possibilities for in-depth exploration, and the Kruzof Explorer, with her expedition Zodiac, aluminum sportfishing boat, and kayaks, is the perfect vessel for adventure. The islands of this area play host to black bears, Sitka black-tailed deer, wolves, and countless bald eagles. Destination options include Keku Strait, Red Bay, Totem Bay, and more. We may even call on the small community of Port Protection. This place gained national notoriety due to a popular television show, which chronicles the challenges and beauties of life in the remote town.
Today’s excursion will take you to the remote Anan Wildlife Observatory, renowned for offering some of the best brown and black bear viewing in the world. After docking in the picturesque town of Wrangell, board a high-speed jet boat for transport to the trailhead that leads to the observatory. Once ashore, a U.S. Forest Service representative provides an introduction and safety orientation; then, a 20-minute guided hike (rated moderately tricky) to the observatory. Guests are given several hours at the observatory deck, which overlooks a creek hosts a large run of pink salmon. Bears and eagles, all in pursuit of the wild salmon, are often viewed and photographed mere meters away. This is an exclusive, small-group experience with the necessary permitting handled before the voyage.
By way of an exclusive agreement with a local Alaska Native organization, guests have private access to the beautiful wilderness of Hobart Bay. Enjoy guided hiking, kayaking, skiff rides, or sipping your favorite beverage and enjoying Alaskan snacks near a campfire. A variety of marine life and birds frequent this area, as well as black bears and other terrestrial animals.
Journey through Tracy or Endicott Arm in the Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness, a place the famous naturalist, John Muir, referred to as “A wild, unfinished Yosemite.” Renowned for its pristine waterfalls, towering icebergs, abundant harbor seals, and granite cliffs that rise from sea level to 4,000 feet, this wilderness is often referred to by locals as one of the most scenic areas in the state. Both of these dramatic glacial fjords offer stunning views of tidewater glaciers. Traveling aboard the Kruzof Explorer provides the unique opportunity to kayak in this beautiful Alaska wilderness area.
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.
Please confirm embark/disembark locations before reserving flights, as this itinerary operates in reverse on alternating departures.
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Kruzof Stateroom
One queen bed, landscape window, spacious wardrobe, en suite bathroom with shower. Approx. 121 sq.ft.
Notes
Discount for a 3rd or 4th guest in the same stateroom will be 15% off the regular rate, regardless of age.
Children 15 & under receive a 15% discount.
Prices are per person and in USD. Single supplement are 50% of the cabin rates.
Beyond expectations! Then again we weren't sure what to expect. Lovely stay at the lodge, met other like-minded travelers (many had their trips planned by Adventure Life) and the owner was a gracious hostess. It felt like you were one happy family, visiting with a favorite aunt.
Nancy Sin
TrustScore 4.8 | 179 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 179 reviews on
20 hours ago
What made our Costa Rica experience great was the wonderful places we stayed and transportation to get to our different areas to visit was excellent! The white water rafting and the snorkeling & dolphin watching were really fun!
Michell Murphy
1 day ago
I received a quick and friendly response from my contact, Christina Mayo, both in email and phone calls. My request for information was provided in less than a day. She took a few minutes to chat about family and events. Dealing with her has always been a pleasure!
Mary Ann
2 days ago
First class all the way. Enjoyed our Guide, Karla, Driver Mark so much. Personalized tour of Antigua during Easter was like a National Geographic in person. Trip of the Lifetime. Such a spiritual and magical tour. Many Thanks.
Ben Shaver
Ben Shaver, Jr.
4 days ago
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
6 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!