Off Ship
Embark on daily guided excursions that include kayaking, paddle boarding and land hikes.
Cruise Alaska’s Inside Passage
An eye-opening journey into Alaska’s remote landscapes and spectacular wildlife.
Unveiling some of the most visually stunning landscapes in Alaska, this small-ship voyage through the famed Inside Passage journeys far beyond the tourist trail to winding fjords and dramatic glacial landscapes, providing exclusive front row seats to brown and black bear sightings and the most spectacular concentrations of humpback whales in the Northern Hemisphere.
Encompassing unique opportunities for wildlife-watching, water and land-based excursions and privately guided hikes, this voyage is suited to those seeking active wilderness explorations. Setting the scene for what’s to come, this fulfilling journey begins with a floatplane to Chichagof Island for an unforgettable guided bear-viewing experience.
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
Sail the Inside Passage
Sail the waters between Juneau and Ketchican, taking in spectacular views of passing glaciers and rainforests.
Bears & Orcas
Scout the waters and coastlines for species including orcas, humpbacks and brown bears.
4
Expeditionary Ship
Sail on a small ship, nimble enough to venture off the beaten track with expert guides.
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Day 1
Juneau
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Day 2
Juneau - Fortress of the Bears Waterfall Creek floatplane full day tour
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Day 3
Sailing the Inside Passage: Juneau
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Day 4
Sailing the Inside Passage: Tracy Arm Wilderness & Frederick Sound
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Day 5
Sailing the Inside Passage: Thomas Bay
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Days 6-7
Sailing the Inside Passage: Glacial Landscapes, Wrangell Narrows and Blashke Islands
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Day 8
Sailing the Inside Passage: Behm Canal
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Day 9
Sailing the Inside Passage: Misty Fjords National Monument
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Day 10
Ketchikan - Seattle
Day 1
Juneau
Arrive into Juneau before being transferred to The Jorgenson House hotel for the next two nights.
Day 2
Juneau - Fortress of the Bears Waterfall Creek floatplane full day tour
Take a 30-minute floatplane over the Alaskan wilderness to Chichagof Island for a guided bear-viewing excursion. Land at Waterfall Creek before taking a short hike to the shoreline where brown bears are often fishing for salmon. Spend four hours viewing the brown bears in their natural habitat before returning to Juneau for a second night.
Day 3
Sailing the Inside Passage: Juneau
Take to the waters of the famed Inside Passage, sailing past glaciers, rainforests and unique species.
Day 4
Sailing the Inside Passage: Tracy Arm Wilderness & Frederick Sound
Sail through the winding Tracy Arm fjord, passing hundreds-strong waterfalls, sheer-sided granite walls, and some of the largest icebergs in Alaska. Inspect remote rainforests for bears and mountain goats and look out for territorial arctic terns while hiking a scenic 11-mile trail, marvelling at the little-visited Patterson Lake.
Day 5
Sailing the Inside Passage: Thomas Bay
Venture deeper into the Alaskan wilderness, exploring the coves by kayak, or for the more adventurous, hike up Cascade Creek Trail to Falls Lake.
Days 6-7
Sailing the Inside Passage: Glacial Landscapes, Wrangell Narrows and Blashke Islands
While immersed in the back-country of Alaska’s secluded wilderness, renowned for its gold and quartz-rich terrain, perhaps board a kayak or balance atop a paddle-board to weave among majestic glacial landscapes in search of humpbacks.
Day 8
Sailing the Inside Passage: Behm Canal
Scout the waters and coastlines for species including orcas, humpbacks, brown bears and mountain goats. Paddle the canal, seeking porpoises, seals, sea lions, or step foot on the densely forested shore to look for signs of brown and black bears, minks, martens.
Day 9
Sailing the Inside Passage: Misty Fjords National Monument
Explore Misty Fjords National Monument; a spectacular region of icy blue lakes, glacial valleys and deep fjords carved over thousands over years,where bears, mountain goats, Sitka black-tailed deer and eagles roam the landscapes.
Day 10
Ketchikan - Seattle
Disembark for onward travel.
Scout for bears
Fortress of the Bears by Floatplane
Access the untamed landscapes of Chichagof Island, home to the highest population of bears per square mile on Earth. Board a floatplane and soar across the skies spotting marine wildlife roaming the waters below, before touching down at Waterfall Creek for an afternoon of bear-viewing. In the company of a naturalist guide, listen out for splashing in the waters of the creek, a sign of bears fishing for salmon nearby. Continue down to the rocky shoreline to see the majestic brown bear in their natural habitat, savouring their catch. After four hours with the bears, return to the floatplane for a scenic flight back to Juneau.
Sailing the Inside Passage
In the company of experienced expedition leaders, sail on a small expeditionary ship through narrow bays and inlets in which other ships cannot navigate, spending each day exploring forests, glaciers and coastline in the company of expert naturalist guides. Constantly scouting the landscapes for incredible Alaskan wildlife, including orcas, humpbacks, sea otters, dolphins, moose and brown bears, embark on hiking trips, kayaking excursions, paddle boarding adventures, skiff rides and more. Absorb the solitude of the wilderness while unwinding in the observation deck hot tub or sipping a sundowner in the lounge.
Welcome to the Wilderness
Sail towards Behm Canal and the surrounding Tongass National Forest, arguably one of the richest wildlife-watching waters in southeast Alaska, scouring the nutrient-rich waters for the telltale orca dorsal fin. In the aptly named “Yosemite of the North”, where sea-water filled valleys meet 3,000-foot-tall cliffs and moose meet river otters, glide over the waters of this relatively unknown haven before toasting your voyage with a farewell dinner.
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A note on price
Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.
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