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Hiking through the mountains

Northern Passages & Glacier Bay

Example 8 Day Cruise aboard Wilderness Adventurer
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Join the Wilderness Adventurer for this 8-day voyage that takes you into the jewel of the US National Park System. Kayak, paddle board, and skiff to explore this majestic region and spend two days in Glacier Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hike ashore in Glacier Bay National Park and along Chichagof Island’s waterfall coast as well as visit South Marble Island to view sea lion haul-outs. These are just two of the many highlights on this spectacular cruise.
Alaska travel and dall sheep grazing on Alaska hillsideFamily paddle boarding.View of Mendenhall glacier on an Alaska cruiseA Bald Eagle catches a fish.Hiking through the mountains
Highlights
  • Park ranger joins you on board in Glacier Bay National Park
  • Go whale watching in Icy Strait and Lynn Canal or Chatham Strait
  • Enjoy wildlife searches—bears, sea otters, harbor seals, sea lions, Dall’s porpoises
  • Look for birds and wildlife at South Marble Island—birding and sea lion haulout
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Juneau, Alaska – Embark

There’s nothing like a hearty greeting from your crew and some bon voyage bubbly. With all souls settled in on board, you’re underway. From the bow, Southeast Alaska welcomes you with Coast Mountain views.

Day 2: Captain’s Choice

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Lynn Canal or Chatham Strait, your captain makes the call. Either choice, go with the flow. The water is fine. The guides help you gear up, and lead your adventure along the rocky outcroppings. By kayak or paddle board, take in the size of this wilderness. Bald eagles dot the tree tops. Harbor seals bob up and under. Pods of orcas—the largest in the dolphin family—skim along the water’s surface.

Day 3: Glacier Bay National Park

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
What a privilege. At 3.3 million acres—this UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve is massive. At Bartlett Cove, a park ranger joins in on your day’s exploration and shares the park’s history. Orange-beaked puffins, guillemots, marbled murrelets are just a few possible sightings. Keep a tally—the list will grow. Arriving at South Marble Island, you can hear and smell ‘em before you see ‘em—it’s a haulout for sea lions. Perched above around the bend, watch for mountain goats, and lower along shore, foraging bears. Up bay, glacial silt turns the water a milky white. Margerie and Grand Pacific Glaciers—one holding steady, the other retreating. Lounging harbor seals laze on bits of bergs. And if time allows, tuck up in Tidal Inlet. End this very full day with your feet up for the sail into Icy Strait.

Day 4: Icy Strait

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Nearly to the Pacific Ocean, Icy Strait is remote and wild. The plan? Whales and marine mammals. Spouts and fin slaps are certain giveaways. More rollicking sea lions and birds. But don’t forget to look straight down. Porpoises and dolphins may hitch a ride on the bow wave. And don’t worry about missing any wildlife; it’s a favorite mission of the crew to point out any creatures they spot. Make a break for it and head for a quiet pocket along the rugged coastline. A different sort of wild than the open strait, muskeg leads to forest bushwhacks. Skiff the shore and down along kelp-threaded channels.

Day 5: Chichagof Island | Peril Strait

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Kick off the morn with on-deck yoga stretches (your guides love it when you join them). Meander through glacier-carved fjords along the Chichagof coast. Then stop. 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. Later, wend along a twisting channel known for dramatic currents. Peril Strait runs 50 miles to Salisbury Sound.

Day 6: Sergius Narrows | Neva Strait

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
There’s an eerie, enigmatic feeling in these woods. Morning fog catches like cotton balls on trees. The aptly named narrows squeezes to only 300 feet wide in one spot and a shallow 24 feet deep. The shorelines are close and it’s good territory for play. Skiff ashore and hike into the backcountry. Otters back float working to crack snacks resting on their bellies. Opening at Hoonah Sound, the squeeze is back on. Wind into Neva Strait. Watch the scenery change in the late fading light—from the hot tub of course.

Day 7: Krestof & Nakwasina Sounds

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
There aren’t many straight lines along Baranof Island. Its western side is spattered with remote, uninhabited islands. These features mean endless opportunities for adventure. Secluded coves. Tree-covered islets. Drop anchor, pick your modus operandi, and get going. Kayak, paddle board, or skiff—you’re on the level with curious sea lions and possibly whales. Rocky intertidal zones make good beach combing. Turn a stone or two to see what’s underneath. There are no groomed trails here—get out on a guided hike John Muir would approve of. Toast your voyage with a festive Farewell Dinner and a “photo journal” of your trip. A gift to you, from your expedition team.

Day 8: Sitka, Alaska | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
Cruise into Sitka this morning over breakfast. Farewell new friends! Disembark and transfer to the airport.

Ship/Hotel

Wilderness Adventurer

Kayaking in Wilderness Adventure
Wilderness Adventurer
Wilderness Adventurer

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$2,995
Wilderness Adventurer's Navigator Cabin
Select a Date
Navigator
Main Deck, cabins 200-208, 210. Queen or twin beds, private bath with shower and view window.
Wilderness Adventurer' Trailblazer Cabin
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Trailblazer
Observation Deck, cabins 301-302, 307-320. Queen bed or twin beds, private bath with shower and view window
Wilderness Adventurer's Pathfinder Cabin
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Pathfinder
Observation deck, cabins 303-306. Outside entry, double bed with private bath with shower and view window.
Navigator Cabin
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Single
Main Deck, cabin 202. Twin bed; view window; private bath with shower

Notes

- All rates are in USD, per person, based on double occupancy.
- Rates do not include port taxes and fees, which vary by itinerary.
- Children 8-13 are welcome on all sailings and will receive a $500 per child savings


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.
Included
  • 7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners
  • 7 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Park and Entrance Fees 
  • Premium spirits, wine, beer & non-alcoholic beverages.
  • Transfers and baggage handling between airport/vessel on embark/disembark day
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Port taxes/fees
  • Optional snorkeling: arranged and paid for locally.

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