Alaska Adventure

Arrive in Vancouver and transfer to your group hotel. Upon check-in, the reception staff provides you with cabin tags. Please fill out the luggage tags clearly, showing your name and cabin number to allow us to deliver your luggage to your cabin. Enjoy a welcome drink and meet fellow expeditioners at our voyage briefing this evening.

On a sightseeing tour, get a glimpse into Vancouver’s main highlights, including Stanley Park, Granville Island, Prospect Point, and Gastown, before transferring to the pier for embarkation. After boarding, there’s time to settle into your cabin before learning important safety briefings. This evening, meet your expedition team and crew at the Captain’s Welcome Dinner.

Sail the southern stretches of British Columbia’s Inside Passage, navigating through narrow straits and channels that are inhabited by vast pods of orca, while admiring views of cascading waterfalls, snow-capped mountains, temperate forests and the abundant marine life.

On Annette Island, experience the extraordinary history, art, and cultural traditions of the Tsimshian tribe of Metlakatla Indian Community, the only Indian Reserve in Alaska.

Disembark in historic Wrangell, an important town that was founded by Russians in 1834, and which once thrived on fur and gold trading. Enjoy Wrangell’s main highlights, including a visit to Petroglyph Beach to see ancient rock carvings, and a visit to the city museum to learn about Wrangell’s colorful history. In the afternoon, anchor in Thomas Bay, a wilderness location shrouded in the mysterious local legends, for exploration around Baird Glacier.

As we glide through Endicott Arm, enjoy views of snow-covered mountains and spot seals resting on ‘bergy bits’ that have calved from Dawes Glacier. Tides permitting, explore the narrow passage of Ford’s Terror. Later, as we enter into Frederick Sound keep your eyes peeled and your cameras ready for orca, feeding Steller’s sea lions and humpback whales, famous for their acrobatic behavior such as tail lobbing, pectoral slapping, breaching, and picturesque dives that showcase their massive flukes.

In Tracy Arm, glide along the steep-walled fjords of a watery Wilderness area that has been likened to Yosemite and enjoy views of snow-covered mountains. Zodiac-cruise or kayak in search of wildlife at the back of the Tracy Arm, home to the twin Sawyer Glaciers. Spot for harbor seals resting on ‘bergy bits’ which calve regularly from the active tidewater glaciers.

Nestled between two river valleys and beneath the craggy mountain peaks of the Chilkat Range lies Haines, the adventure capital of Southeast Alaska, and one of the best places in Alaska to hike, view wildlife and investigate the gold rush era history at Fort William H. Seward.

Enjoy the next two days exploring the narrow straits and small islands around Chichagof Island, searching for wildlife and admiring the superb scenery from hiking trails. The islands along Icy Strait, such as Inian Island, Point Adolphus, Elfin Cove and George Island, offer some of the best opportunities for Zodiac-cruising and kayaking experiences. Home to an abundance of all-star Alaskan wildlife, keep a look out for whales, Steller sea lions, sea otters, harbor seals, bald eagles and brown bears. We attempt to navigate Peril Strait, which leads us from Chatham Strait to Sitka on the North Pacific coast, a navigation that if successful, rewards us with stunning scenery, genuine adventure and ultimately, bragging rights.

Along the Gulf of Alaska, explore around Kruzof Island where brown bears are abundant and Mount Edgecumbe volcano looms in the horizon. Saint Lazaria National Wildlife Refuge is home to 500,000 nesting seabirds and is excellent for Zodiac-cruising and kayaking when the weather is favorable. Alternatively, protected Sitka Sound offers abundant marine wildlife viewing opportunities.

Disembark in Sitka and transfer to the airport to continue your journey.