Visit the highlights of Southeast Alaska in this 11-day small ship cruise getting close to thundering tidewater glaciers and watching stunning wilderness alongside Naturalists and Cultural Heritage Guides. Enjoy daily shore excursions through scenic landscapes and national historic sites. Learn about local native culture and history by exploring fascinating locations such as Glacier Bay National Park, Skagway, Juneau, Tracy Arm Fjods, Frederick Sound, Petersburg, Wrangell, Thorne Bay, Metlakatla, and Ketchikan.
Highlights
Watch Margerie Glacier calve giant icebergs in Glacier Bay National Park
Follow in the footsteps of gold seekers and ride the White Pass Railroad
Navigate Tracy Arm past glaciers, wildlife, and waterfalls
Attend a ceremonial dance and meet locals in Metlakatla Indian Community
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 historical sites that highlight the community’s rich Alaska Native and Russian history, including the Sheldon Jackson Museum, Russian Bishop’s House, and St. Michael’s Cathedral. Embark for the winding narrows north of town while spotting for bald eagles, sea otters, bears, whales, and other wildlife.
Savor the serenity of raw wilderness on an unscripted day of Southeast Alaska discovery. The options are countless, dictated by the day’s unique circumstances. Opportunities may include a coastline kayak paddle, up-close whale encounters, or a hike through an alluring old-growth forest. You may do a beach landing on an unspoiled shoreline to explore a tidal flat or track along with a foraging bear from the safety of your DIB (shallow water expedition craft). Regardless of the activity, experience the magic of the archipelago’s many remote coves, bays, and inlets.
This remarkable national park fjord extends 65 miles, contains eight tidewater glaciers, and provides pristine habitat for a wide-array of wildlife, including both brown and black bears, wolves, mountain goats, Steller sea lions, and humpback whales. The highlight for many is the Margerie Glacier, known for its dramatic calving displays. A Glacier Bay National Park Service Ranger narrates the day’s program and a Native Huna Tlingit interpretive naturalist joins the voyage to reveal traditional cultural ties to this ancient treasure.
Stroll the boardwalks of the rollicking Klondike gold rush town of Skagway, and then board the White Pass & Yukon Route railroad for a journey retracing the steps of the gold-seekers into Canada. Built in 1898, the railroad climbs nearly 3,000 ft. in 20 miles and offers stunning wilderness views. This excursion crosses the border into Canada, so passports are required. A guided walking tour through scenic Haines features a visit to pre-WWI Fort Seward National Historic Site, with parade grounds overlooking Lynn Canal.
Spend the day visiting highlights of the scenic capital city of Juneau, including the world famous Mendenhall Glacier. In downtown Juneau, visit the newly renovated Alaska State Museum. There is time to explore on your own. You may choose to visit the Juneau-Douglas City Museum, Alaska State Capitol, or take in the spectacular panoramic views of the Mount Roberts Tram. You can also delve deeper into local Native culture and history by exploring fascinating exhibits, art displays, and a walk through a clan house at the recently opened Walter Soboleff Center. End the day’s adventure with a relaxing evening at Orca Point Lodge, an exclusive day-lodge on Colt Island. Enjoy the beautiful grounds, beach, and marine life touch-tank. Dine on Alaskan salmon, Alaskan king crab, or prime rib from the warmth of the lodge, or nestled next to a beachside bonfire.
Journey through Tracy Arm Fjord, an area the famous naturalist John Muir referred to as, “a wild, unfinished Yosemite.” This glacial fjord is renowned for its pristine waterfalls, towering icebergs, abundant harbor seals, and granite cliffs that rise from sea level to 4,000 feet. At 32 miles long and averaging just a mile wide, the unique features of Tracy Arm are contained in a relatively small geographical space, adding to the dramatic beauty of the area. As ice conditions permit, navigate the entire length of the arm, stopping in view of both the Sawyer and South Sawyer Glaciers. DIB excursions provide the opportunity to view the majesty of the area in even greater detail. Later, scout for humpback whales and other marine mammals in the world-renowned whale waters of Frederick Sound.
Discover the charming Mitkof Island fishing town of Petersburg. Founded by Norwegian fishermen in the late 1800s, Petersburg is nicknamed Alaska’s “Little Norway.” Experience Scandinavian culture with a folk dance show by local youth at the iconic Sons of Norway Hall. Later, enjoy a narrated bus tour and take time to explore the vibrant community at your own leisure.
Home to a little over 2,000 permanent residents, Wrangell is the only town in Alaska to have been under the jurisdiction of three flags, and ruled by four nations - the Tlingit, Russia, England, and the United States. Enjoy several options to explore this colorful history, including a guided walking tour and a trip to the Wrangell Museum. Visit the intriguing State Historic Park, Petroglyph Beach, which contains the highest concentration of petroglyphs in Southeast Alaska.
Experience the frontier spirit of Alaska’s timber years on a tour of Thorne Bay, once the largest logging camp in the world. This tight-knit community is located on the eastern side of Prince of Wales, an island renowned for its high concentration of black bears. Here, meet resident artisans and enjoy a walking tour of the town while keeping an eye out for the island’s fauna. In Kasaan, walk an enchanted forest path laden with intricately carved totem poles to the Chief Son-i-Hat Whale House, the only remaining traditional Haida longhouse in the United States. Inside stand four original house posts, or “Gáats,” that were most likely carved at Old Kasaan in about 1880 and then installed at Naay I’waans (Whale House). The tallest interior post, the “Head House Totem,” dates to an even earlier time and was brought here from its original location inside Son-i-Hat’s uncle’s house in Old Kasaan, about 7 miles away.
Immerse yourself in the extraordinary history, art, and cultural traditions of the Metlakatla Indian Community on Annette Island. Visit a traditional Tsmishian longhouse, enjoy a ceremonial dance performance, and meet Native artists. Later, your ship glides beneath the 3,000-foot glacier-sculpted cliffs of Misty Fjords. Discover the fjord’s natural history, listen to the calls of a myriad of seabirds, feel the mist from glistening waterfalls, and see famous New Eddystone Rock, a stunning volcanic core.
Day 11: Disembark in Ketchikan
1 Breakfast
Disembark in Ketchikan, otherwise known as Alaska’s “First City” and “Salmon Capital of the World.” A transfer to the airport or your hotel is complimentary.
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.
$6,895
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Category AA
Averaging 104 sq. ft. One queen bed or two twin beds, picture window, wardrobe, private bathroom with shower. Located on Bridge, Upper and Main decks.
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Category AAA
Averaging 120 sq. ft. One queen bed or two twin beds, large picture window, wardrobe, private bathroom with shower. Located on the Main deck.
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Owner´s Suite
Averaging 208 sq. ft. One queen bed, large picture windows, wardrobe, private bathroom with shower. Located on the Upper deck.
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Vista View Suite
Averaging 147 sq. ft. One queen bed with side and forward views from large windows, comfortable sitting area, private bathroom with shower. Located on the Upper deck.
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.
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.
Lisa Bridge
TrustScore 4.8 | 134 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 134 reviews on
22 hours ago
Very responsive to all questions
Teresa Cardoso
1 day ago
Kelly and Rhenee were excellent to work with on planning our trip. The logistics all worked smoothly and everyone was friendly and on time. Our accommodations were very good, particularly the incredible Patagonia Camp in Torres del Paine! Our guides on every excursion were outstanding and made the hikes memorable! Overall we had a wonderful trip with incredible memories!
Scott Gibson
1 day ago
Adventure Life is definitely a first-class safari tour company, and our representative was Franny Friesz. First of all, she responded immediately after we contacted Adventure Life. We told Franny that we had never been on a safari, and she was more than eager to offer a mountain of information about the trip. She informed us fully about all the ups, downs, and all arounds! She even prepared a number of packages for us to review -- even after we made changes to the areas we wanted to explore. Friendly, helpful, professional, and extremely knowledgeable -- these words describe Franny, and what a wonderful trip she prepared! We couldn't have asked for better service than Franny of Adventure Life. We HIGHLY recommend her and her outstanding company! Bon Voyage!
Prima Burke
2 days ago
The staff at Adventure Life made planning my family's trip to the Galapagos Islands as easy as possible. They listened to what we were hoping to experience and made thoughtful suggestions about how to accomplish our vacation goals while meeting the needs of travelers ages 17-76! They patiently answered questions and follow up questions in the months leading up to the trip. They helped us trouble shoot and customize the trip in every way possible. The logistics involved in traveling from Boston to the Galapagos are innumerable. The Adventure Life staff helped us arrange every detail and the team they assembled in the Galapagos was tremendous. I have never done a trip this big before and after working with Adventure Life this time--would not hesitate one second in working with them again.
Jennifer Howard Schroeder
3 days ago
Kevin got right on our request and had us booked within the week