Juneau to Sitka cruise

Why Join This Cruise:

• Fabulous 7 night/ 8 day cruise through some of Alaska's most stunning scenery, including the unique and rare chance to spend 2-3 days in Glacier National Park, typically only visited for one day by larger ships


• Travel aboard a small, luxury motor yacht (max. 22 guests), ensuring a very personalised expeditionary experience with flexibility in the daily itinerary to maximise wildlife and scenic viewing opportunities


• Access Alaska's remote wilderness, with the chance to see vast glaciers, towering waterfalls, lush primeval forests and as well as a wide range of wildlife, including whales and bears


• Wide range of activities available, including hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, dingy sailing and water skiing (included in overall cost)

Trip Overview
Travelling aboard a stunning luxury motor yacht, this cruise offers a fabulous introduction to the highlights of Alaska's Inside Passage. Possibly the greatest draw card of this particular trip is the chance to spend 2-3 days inside Glacier National Park, a World Heritage Site of some 3.2 million acres.

Beginning in either Juneau or Sitka, travelling only by day so you miss nothing along the way, this leisurely and flexible trip provides a privileged insight into this backwater wilderness, with a wide choice of activities to suit everyone.

Daily Itinerary

**Please note that this itinerary also operates in reverse from Sitka to Juneau, see departure dates below**


Day 1 Sail from Juneau
Transfer to your yacht after a guided city tour and visit to the stunning Mildenhall and glacier. Meet with your crew and cruise to a secluded overnight wilderness anchorage.

Days 2-3 Glacier Bay National Park
One of America's crown jewel national parks, you will spend the next two days exploring this vast wilderness off 3.2 million acres (a little larger than the state of Connecticut). Tidewater glaciers sweep like rivers of ice down massive mountain valleys, terminating before us in the waters of Glacier Bay. If conditions permit, you will take to zodiacs and weave among the icebergs that have fallen from the face of the glaciers. Evenings at anchor in hidden coves, and mornings to be spent paddling the kayaks in the quiet of this majestic wilderness. Look out for puffins and sea lions, mountain goats and bears, moose, eagles, and scenery more spectacular than almost any other place on earth.

Day 3 Icy Strait
Look out for the telltale blow of the humpback whale as you cruise in Icy Strait. You will be guarantee a very warm welcome in tiny Elfin Cove, a miniscule village tucked into Chichagof Island, with time to explore onshore. In the evening you'll anchor in a remote bay with an opportunity to kayak.

Days 4-7 Wilderness, Whales, and Hot springs
Over the next four days you'll cruise into the heart of Alaska's Inside Passage. Each day's itinerary is flexible and will depend upon local conditions and the wishes of those onboard.

Wander through misty coves where colourful sea life clings to the intertidal rocks, and where the silence remains unbroken except for the clear call of a Pacific loon, or a marbled murrelet. Spot a bear and her two cubs as they amble along the shoreline just beyond the bow. You'll spend your days cruising the waters where humpback whales, Steller's sea lions, orcas and porpoise feed and frolic. Slip into scenic bays, enjoy guided nature hikes and soak in natural hotsprings. The evening anchorages will vary from remote coves to dramatic, waterfall-laced fjords where cliffs rise over 2,500 feet straight up out of the water. It simply does not get better than this.

Day 8 Sitka
After breakfast we'll arrive in Sitka and you'll be transferred to the airport for connections home.


Optional Adventure Activities

• Hiking


• Kayaking


• Mountain biking


• Laser sailboats


• Water-skis

**All included in the overall cost



The Boats
The following Boats operates this cruise:

SafariQuest (max 22 guests)

Please refer to the Alaska Boats section for full details

Cruise dates for 2009

Juneau to Sitka
23th - 30th May
6th - 13th June
20th - 27th June
4th - 11th July
1st - 8th August
15th - 22nd August
29th August - 5th September

Sitka to Juneau
30th May - 6th June
13th - 20th June
11th- 18th July
25th July - 1st August
8th - 15th August
22nd - 29th August
5th - 12th September

Guide Price for 2008

	Prices based on 2 sharing from:
Mariner cabin	£2,720pp*
Captain cabin	£3,265pp*
Admiral cabin	£3,920pp*

*Please note: These prices exclude International flights, are based on shoulder season rates and increase in high season, and are subject to exchange rate fluctuations.

What's included?

• Airport to Yacht transfers


• All-inclusive fare including Exclusive Shore
• Excursions featuring behind-the-scenes tours, local guests/experts, area history, culture and geography


• All taxes and port fees


• Gourmet dining featuring hand-crafted meals, including premium wine, beer and spirits

What's not included?

• All flights and travel arrangements getting to and from the points of embarkation/ disembarkation


• Gratuities

Single Supplements on board
Please contact the office for a quotation

Pre/ post Cruise Extensions
For those wishing to extend their stay in Alaska and explore further, we can certainly help you with these arrangements. Please contact the office to discuss ideas


To discuss this trip, for further details or to check boat availability, please either:

Call 01285 880981
Email voyages@steppestravel.co.uk

Steppes Travel cruise destinations include: Alaska, Amazon, Antarctica, Arctic, Baja Mexico, Galapagos.