Spend 8 days on this hotel-based Alaska tour of the Inside Passage. Explore some of the main cities most Alaska cruises visit, such as Juneau, Sitka, and Ketchikan. Plenty of free time allows for the independent traveler to spend time as you like in each location, and guided tours allow for some introduction to the region's widllife, history, and culture. This popular land-based Inside Passage tour can easily be customized to suit each traveler's preferences. Spend time in each location, overnighting in hotels as you explore south Alaska. Explore Juneau, visit Mendenhall Glacier, and cruise out in the bay for some whale watching! Enjoy a kayak and cruise in the Sitka Sound and a rainforest hike in the Ketchikan area.
Highlights
Visit Mendenhall Glacier and whale watch in the Juneau Bay area
Hike through the Alaskan rainforest regions surrounding Ketchikan
Travel by flight between locations and stay in hotels in each destination
Paddle in kayaks throughout Sitka Sound, spotting wildlife along the shore
Moderately active but not overly strenuous. This level includes activities like casual cycling, yoga, or excursions/activities that typically last 3-5 hours total each day.
Arrive to Juneau, Alaska, a bustling sea port and the start or end point for many Alaska cruises. Grab a taxi from the airport and travel into the town of Juneau. Settle in to your hotel this evening.
Spend a full day touring the highlights of Juneau today. Transfer first to the spectaular icewall of the Mendenhall Glacier and its visitors center. Roam the area, take some pictures, and wander through the exhibits as you learn more about the natural formation and history of glaciers. Continue on to Auke Bay where you will board the North Star, a 48 passenger jet boat designed for whale watching. The indoor cabin has large viewing windows for spotting wildlife, as well as an outside viewing deck and hydrophone system that allows you to hear the whales communicating underwater. Next enjoy a Gold Creek Salmon Bake in a beautiful rainforest setting. Smell the wild Alaskan salmon grilling over an alderwood fire. Enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet tonight including some local favorites such as Chilkoot Baked Beans and Cheechako Chicken. After your feast, roast marshmallows over a campfire or visit the nearby Salmon Creek waterfall. Return to Juneau's pier this evening and walk back to your hotel for the night.
Spend the day at your leisure in Juneau. Multiple excursion options are available in town, or arrange another guided tour in advance for this day. Spend your time wandering the streets and window shopping for amazing local handicrafts and handmade jewelry along the main road. Travelers can also opt to customize this day and continue on to Ketchikan a day earlier.
Start out today heading back to the airport in Juneau and fly on to Ketchikan this morning. The hotel shuttle takes you to the hotel before check-in where you can drop off your luggage and set out for a motorcoach tour to a secluded lake. Here you board a traditional Indian-style 37 foot canoe! Set out for a paddle with your guide. Keep your eyes open to the shoreline for wildlife while learning the rich history of the Ketchikan area. Come ashore for a guided nature walk and native snack including smoked fish, clam chowder and rolls with jam. Return to shore and back to town to settle into your hotel for the evening.
Spend another free day in Ketchikan. Opt to go on another guided excursion or a flightsee tour today - there are a variety of tour options. Kayaking and ziplining are also available in the region. For those wanting a relaxing day, spend your time wandering the Creek Street area to shop for handicrafts and art made by locals. Head back to the airport this afternoon and fly on to Sitka this evening. The hotel shuttle meets you and takes you to your new hotel.
Spend the first half of the day on an introductory paddle around the Sitka Sound. Start out with a kayak safety briefing as your guide explains how to paddle and where you plan to go. Practice in the clear shallows before pushing off into the sound. Explore your first group of islands, paddling through mazes of reef and kelp forest. Your guide helps you identify the colorful marine life including sea stars, sea anemones, urchins, and jelly fish. Keep an eye out for other wildlife in the bay such as sea otters, harbor seals, sea lions, porpoise, bald eagles and a variety of birdlife. Step ashore for a bit to stretch your legs and enjoy a snack. The half day wilderness exploration finishes up with a 30 minute boat cruise back to Sitka.
Spend a free morning in Sitka before your return evening flight to Juneau. Spend time today visiting some of the attractions in Sitka, including the local museums or art galleries. Go for a walk on the nearby trails, or set out on a fishing or shore-watching excursion. Take the shuttle back to the airport and board your flight back to Juneau tonight, or if you prefer, spend an extra night in Sitka and fly directly out tomorrow morning.
Day 8: Return Home
Grab a taxi from your hotel to the airport for your flight home.
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.
Initial deposit is 25%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check, or credit card. Final payment by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and $20,000 maximum charge
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
TrustScore 4.8 | 182 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 182 reviews on
3 hours ago
Easiest trip to plan ever. We received quick answers and Mary was very knowledgeable about different areas of the world that we had questions about.
We have book 2 trips, FABULOUS trip to Antartica which we have already taken and just booked for a future trip to Africa.
Michelle
8 hours ago
Planning service is personal. people actually listening to you and using that information constructively to help you plan a great trip. They have extensive travel knowledge and experience in the area they cover. The planning is detailed and comprehensive in meeting your needs. It makes a difference!
Allison Wynn
18 hours ago
The pre-planning and execution of the plan was excellent. They were even able to help get glasses returned when a member or our party left them in a hotel.
Roger
1 day 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
2 days 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!