Encounter iconic Alaskan wildlife around Chicagof Island on this 13-day journey aboard Sylvia Earle. Sail along Tracy Arm towards the twin Sawyer Glaciers, keeping your eyes peeled for whales, harbor seals, and bears. Visit the Metlakatla Indian Community on Annette Island, and with special permission, spend three days in Haida Gwaii, where Haida locals welcome you to their community and share stories about their history and culture. Near Bella Coola, enjoy an exclusive Zodiac excursion in search of grizzly bears. Enjoy splendid scenery featuring cascading waterfalls, snow-capped mountains, temperate forests, and abundant marine life as you navigate British Columbia’s Inside Passage.
Highlights
Explore estuaries and tide flats along the Dean River Channel
Enjoy an exclusive grizzly bear-viewing excursion by Zodiac
Experience Tongass National Forest, the largest forest in the U.S
Visit Haida Gwaii and learn about unique history and culture
Watch for iconic wildlife such as orca, brown bears, Steller sea lions
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive in Sitka and transfer to your 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 enable them to deliver your luggage to your cabin. Enjoy a welcome drink and meet fellow expeditioners at the voyage briefing this evening.
Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Sitka before transferring to the pier to embark the Sylvia Earle. 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.
The islands along Icy Strait, such as Inian Island, Point Adolphus, Elfin Cove and George Island, offer some of the best Zodiac-cruising and kayaking experiences. Your expedition leader will draw on their experience to decide the best places to encounter iconic Alaskan wildlife, especially whales, Steller sea lions, sea otters, harbor seals, bald eagles and brown bears.
Nestled at the base of towering mountains overlooking the Gastineau Channel, Juneau’s rich culture, and history is reflected throughout the town and its beautiful attractions. In Alaska’s scenic capital, visit nearby Mendenhall Glacier, one of Alaska’s most famous glaciers. The glacier is 2.4 km / 1.5 miles wide and is fed by the Juneau Icefield, and ranks as the largest, most rugged glacier that is accessible by road in Alaska. Hike the trails near the glacier to enjoy panoramic views. Back in town, enjoy free time to explore and learn about Juneau’s local history and art with a visit to the newly-built Alaska State Museum.
Explore Tracy Arm, featuring spectacular glaciers and wildlife-viewing opportunities. Flanked by colossal granite cliffs with snow-capped mountains in the distance, Zodiac-cruise or kayak among icebergs of tidewater glaciers in search of wildlife. At the end of the waterway are the main attractions: the twin Sawyer Glaciers, which calve regularly to create the icebergs floating in the fjord.
In Misty Fjords National Monument, affectionately called ‘The Yosemite of the North, sail along fjords flanked by towering granite cliffs where bald eagles soar, brown bears and black bears prowl the shoreline fishing for salmon, and abundant marine mammals frolic and patrol the waters. Visit Walker Cove or Rudyerd Bay, soaking in the familiar scenery that Alaska is famous for, and perhaps Zodiac to shore for a hike or a paddle in the bay.
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.
Sii.ngaay ’laa! Greetings and welcome! Over three days, your time in Haida Gwaii will be tailor-made by Haida locals who know the area as no one else can. Mixing culture and history through storytelling, your local Haida guides share their unique experiences with you on village walks, nature hikes, dance performances and wildlife-viewing excursions. At Naikoon Provincial Park, explore North Beach and hike Tow Hill. Visit the Haida Heritage Centre at Ḵay Llnagaay, an award-winning Inuit cultural center that celebrates the living culture of the Haida people with exhibits on history, wildlife and culture. Protected by Parks Canada and the Haida people who draw cultural inspiration from their ancestors, an optional excursion to Gwaii Haanas Natural Park Reserve is offered, where cedar and Sitka spruce forests tower above the Haida people’s ancient carved poles and fallen longhouses. Here, bald eagles soar overhead, bears scavenge salmon on wild beaches and the ocean teems with whales, porpoises and sea lions.
As an expeditioner, your sense of adventure is your most prized possession. Be prepared to explore forests and cruise the coast, searching for whales, bears, and sea lions. Visit traditional long-house villages and learn of the Haida’s struggle for independence.
We explore the estuaries and tide flats along the Dean River Channel, where some of the highest numbers of grizzly bears are known to gather. In a wilderness area rarely visited by cruise ships, enjoy a grizzly bear-viewing excursion by Zodiac. Exclusive to Aurora Expeditions, this is a bear-viewing experience not to be missed!
Sail British Columbia’s Inside Passage, navigating through straits and channels that are home to vast pods of orca. Enjoy splendid scenery featuring cascading waterfalls, snow-capped mountains, temperate forests, and abundant marine life.
Day 13: Vancouver | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Disembark in Vancouver and transfer to the airport to continue your journey.
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.
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Aurora Stateroom Triple
22.67m2 (244ft2) - There are two Aurora Stateroom Triple cabins featuring portholes, all with private en-suites. Located on Deck 3, they're close to the mudroom and loading platforms.
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Aurora Stateroom Superior
19.9m2 - 20.8m2(214.2ft2 - 223.9ft2) - Located on Deck 7, the Staterooms feature french balconies, floor to ceiling windows, en-suite bathrooms and a comfortable desk area. Perfect for polar adventurers who travel with plenty of gear.
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Balcony Stateroom C
19.5m2 - 28.7m2 (209.9ft² - 308.9ft2) - 11 Balcony Stateroom C cabins - most economical, fitted with all the necessities and comfortable for up to 2 people. These cabins are scattered throughout Deck 6.
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Balcony Stateroom B
19.5m2 - 28.7m2 (209.9ft² - 308.9ft2) - 17 Balcony Stateroom B Cabins - standard cabin, many fitted with interconnecting features making them great for families or groups. These cabins are located at the fore and aft of Deck 4 and 6.
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Balcony Stateroom A
19.5m² - 28.7m² (209.9ft² - 308.9ft²)- 23 Balcony Stateroom A cabins - premium cabin, and the most abundant on board. These cabins are located in preferred positions on Deck 4 and 6 which provides easy access between Decks via the internal stairs or elevator.
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Balcony Stateroom Superior
29.2m2 - 35.2m2 (314.3ft2 - 378.9ft2) - Located on Deck 4 and 6, the Staterooms feature floor to ceiling windows, en-suite bathrooms and a comfortable desk area. Some of these rooms are equipped with wheelchair accessible bathrooms.
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Junior Suite
Up to 41.6m2 (447.8ft2)- 4 Junior Suites take in some impressive scenery from their vantage points on Deck 7. When you aren't enjoying a landing, you can relax in the suites' separate lounge area, or just watch the world float by from the private balcony.
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Captain’s Suite
43.8m2 (471.5 ft2) - Captain's Suite - the largest of all our rooms, will take you to the polar regions in ultimate style and comfort. Complete with large lounge area, balcony, walk-in wardrobe and en-suite, you'll need to get in early to secure this suite.
Initial deposit is $2,500 plus $250 USD deposit for any activities at the time of booking, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 Days prior to departure by Only Visa and Mastercard credit cards are accepted
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
11 Breakfasts, 10 Lunches, 11 Dinners
12 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Comprehensive pre-departure information
Beer, House Wine, and Soft Drinks with Dinner
Educational Lectures and Guiding Services from Expedition Team
Complimentary access to onboard expedition doctor and medical clinic (initial consult)
Port Surcharges, Permits, and Landing Fees
Captain's Welcome and Farewell drinks including four-course dinner, house cocktails, house beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages.
A 3-in-1 waterproof polar expedition jacket
Complimentary use of Muck boots during the voyage
All shore excursions and Zodiac cruises
All airport transfers mentioned in the itinerary.
On-board accommodation during voyage including daily cabin service
Excluded
Gratuities
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Additional excursions during free time
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Passport and Applicable Visa Expenses
Airport Departure Tax - Airport arrival or departure taxes
Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks (outside of dinner service), laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses, Wi-Fi, email or phone charges
Hotels and meals not included in itinerary
Optional activity surcharges
Reciprocity and Vaccination Charges
Passengers traveling with Aurora Expeditions are required to be covered by a reputable travel insurance policy that includes baggage loss, cancellation & curtailment of the holiday, medical, accident, and repatriation/emergency evacuation coverage worth at least $250,000 USD.
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.
Jack Charney
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
1 day ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
