Itinerary

Day 1: Juneau

Arrive in Juneau, settle into your hotel and join up with fellow travelers at a welcome dinner.

Day 2: Juneau, ferry to Haines

After an early morning check-in at the Alaska Ferry terminal, we steam out of Juneau and up Lynn Canal, the longest and deepest fjord in North America. We arrive in Haines by late morning for a fun day of discovery in this beautiful area, rich in natural and cultural history.

Day 3: Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve

This morning we board large rubber rafts for our relaxed and very scenic float through the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. Bald eagles, as well as bears and other wildlife, are drawn by the easy pickings of spawned-out salmon. We should see scores of eagles perched in trees and on shoreline stumps. We’ll also keep an eye out for black and brown bears, wolves, and moose under the spectacular backdrop of the Chilkat Mountains. In the afternoon we drive out to the Chilkoot River or Chilkoot Lake, where bears come out to fish and forage along the banks. Of course these are wild bears so they’re not obligated to show up for us, but the places we go are well-known for bear sightings. 

Day 4: Scenic Flight to Gustavus

Today we take a spectacular scenic charter flight into Gustavus, at the entrance to Glacier Bay National Park. In the late 1800s, John Muir built a cabin near what is now called Muir Glacier. Muir was a tireless advocate for the protection of this “unspeakably pure and sublime” place. This afternoon, we’ll stroll a trail near park headquarters through a lush temperate rainforest of spruce and hemlock.

Day 5: Glacier Bay National Park

Today is spent on a fantastic full-day boat cruise up the West Arm, deep into the heart of Glacier Bay National Park. The West Arm features impressive tidewater glaciers, vast glacial outwash fans, and steep fjords. Each June thousands of harbor seals give birth to pups on floating icebergs, and the area also offers chances to see brown bears, mountain goats, sea lions, and a variety of other wildlife and birds. Our on-board naturalist guide gives us a full overview of this unique, evolving landscape.

Day 6: Glacier Bay National Park

This morning we enjoy a half-day whale watching cruise to Point Adolphus, one of the best places to watch whales in North America, known for its high concentration of humpbacks. At various times of the year, humpback, orca, gray, and minke whales are all seen in the waters of Glacier Bay. In the afternoon, you'll hike with your guide through the lush and impressive temperate rainforest, or add-on optional sea kayaking in Bartlett Cove (at an additional cost).

Day 7: Glacier Bay and Juneau

We catch the scenic flight back to Juneau, arriving in time for lunch. This afternoon we drive out to explore the vast and very impressive Mendenhall Glacier. In the evening, a festive farewell dinner celebrates this unforgettable journey!

Day 8: Juneau

After breakfast we enjoy a thrilling ride up the Mount Roberts enclosed tramway, to the beautiful Mountain House (Shaa Hít) recreation and cultural complex set in towering Sitka spruce and subalpine grasses and wildflowers. This is our access to the Nature Center, Juneau Raptor Center's bald eagle display, and Mount Roberts Trail System.