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
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 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
7 hours ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days 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
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
