Juneau back to Juneau cruise

Why Join This Cruise:

• Fabulous 8 day voyage by small ship accessing some of Alaska's most stunning scenery


• One of the best places in the world to see Humpback whales and bears, with sightings guaranteed


• Travel aboard a small luxury ship (max. 36 passengers) ensuring a very personalised experience


• This itinerary includes a rare chance to spend extended time in Glacier Bay National Park


• Impeccable onboard staff with many years of experience of this region


• Includes optional daily excursions on foot, by zodiac or kayak led by knowledgeable onboard guides

Trip Overview
Travelling aboard a stunning recently fully re-fitted and very comfortable small ship, this 8-day voyage offers a wonderful introduction to the wildlife and wilderness of Alaska's Inside Passage.

This trip combines an extended stay inside Glacier Bay National Park, a World Heritage Site of over 3.2 million acres, with days exploring the quieter backwaters on foot, by zodiac or kayak on the lookout for Humpback whales, which come to these waters in considerable numbers in the summer months to feed, and both brown and black bears.

Experience vast slabs of ice calving off the front of glaciers, watch bears foraging along the shoreline and hike through the dense Pacific rainforest as you learn about the indigenous flora and fauna, accompanied by your knowledgeable expeditionary guides.

Daily Itinerary

Day 1 London/ Seattle
Depart London on the British Airways flight direct to Seattle, arriving mid-afternoon. Overnight in Seattle.

Day 2 Seattle/ Embarkation in Juneau
Depart Seattle on the Alaska Airlines flight up to Juneau, the administrative capital of Alaska and your embarkation point. After meeting fellow guests and Expedition Leader you'll firstly be taken on a guided tour of the lovely Mendenhall Glacier, located just outside town, before embarking the Safari Explorer in late afternoon. Overnight anchorage at Funter Bay.

Day 3 Icy Strait & Elfin Cove
Crossing Icy Strait we'll search for the tell-tale blow of the humpback whale on the way to tiny Elfin Cove, a remote fishing village tucked into Chichagof Island. Afternoon landing to stretch our legs and meet the people who choose to live in this wilderness of forests and islands. This evening we'll anchor in a remote bay and lower zodiacs to explore, keeping our eyes open for sea otters and bears.

Days 4 & 5 Glacier Bay National Park
Over the two day in the park we'll travel nearly 60 miles cruising up-bay to mighty Grand Pacific and Margerie Glaciers, which frequently calve huge icebergs into the bay. If conditions permit, we'll lower the zodiacs and weave among the icebergs. We'll enjoy evenings at anchor in hidden coves, and mornings paddling our kayaks in the quiet of this majestic wilderness. Here in the bay there are sea otters, sea lions, mountain goats, bears, eagles all amidst spectacular scenery.

Day 6 Frederick Sound & Sea lions
Today we'll cruise around Admiralty Island to the prime humpback-viewing waters in Frederick Sound. We'll take time for zodiac trips and sea kayaking in Saginaw Bay, and cruise up-close to a sea lion colony at the Brothers Islands.

Day 7 Admiralty Island - Bears
We'll drop the kayaks and launch the skiff for up-close exploration of this island-speckled bay. Never logged, the thick evergreen forest crowds right down to the gravel beaches. Here is an outstanding opportunity to spot the huge brown - or grizzly - for which Admiralty Island is famous. At low tide they're right down on the beaches, seeking a shellfish supper. Once again under way, we'll watch for humpback whales before anchoring at Wood Spit for more exploration.

Day 8 Ford's Terror & Endicott Arm
Cliff-walled fjords sliced into the mountainous mainland are on show today as we approach an area widely acclaimed as the most beautiful in all of Alaska. Snow gleams on mountaintops high overhead, as bears amble on the shoreline and mountain goats cling to impossibly precarious perches. Seemingly every few hundred yards another sparkling waterfall tumbles down the cliffs. Enjoy a zodiac ride amongst icebergs at Ford's Terror, with kayaking available for those who wish.

We'll anchor overnight at Taku Harbor to enjoy the Captain's Farewell Dinner in a lovely setting

Day 9 Disembark in Juneau
Disembarkation directly after breakfast followed by group transfer to the airport for your flight back to Seattle to connect to the overnight flight back to the UK

Day 10 London
Arrive back into the UK

Optional Adventure Activities

• Hikes through the rainforest


• Zodiac cruising around glaciers & icebergs


• Whale & bear watching


• Kayaking (1 & 2 man kayaks available, very stable)

**All included in the overall cost



The Boat
The Explorer (max 36 guests)

Cruise dates for 2009
Low Season
29th May - 5th June

Mid Season
5th - 12th June
28th August - 4th September
4th - 11th September

High Season
12th - 19th June
19th - 26th June

26th June - 3rd July
3rd - 10th July
10th- 17th July
17th - 24th July
24th - 31st July
31st July - 7th August
7th - 14th August
14th- 21st August
21st - 28th August

Guide Price for 2008/09

Cabin Type & Season of Travel (from price quoted per person)	Low	Medium	High
Mariner cabin	£3,050	£3,570	£4,095
Captain cabin	£3,625	£4,625	£4,630
Admiral cabin	£4,270	£4,795	£5,335
Commodore cabin	£5,095	£5,570	£6,095
Single Cabin	£4,350	£4,875	£5,395

Notes
Please note that these prices are a guide only and are subject to exchange rate fluctuations and fuel surcharges.

Single Supplement
For those solo travellers wishing to secure their own cabin, The Explorer does have one dedicated single cabin available. Please check for availability.

Flight Information
British Airways offer the only direct flights from London Heathrow to Seattle (flying time approx. 9 hours 35 mins, 7/8 hour time difference). We can are help book your International flights for you if you would like, although they aren't included in the guide prices above, or you can make your own arrangements.

Alaskan Airlines operate regular daily flights between Seattle & Juneau (approx. 2.5 hours).

Visa Information
For British and certain European Passport holders, you will be required to complete an online electronic visa for travel to States. Please contact the office on 01285 880981.

What's included?

• Overnight Seattle accommodation


• Internal flights Seattle - Juneau return


• Pre-voyage guided tour of Mildenhall Glacier


• 7 night/ 8 day voyage on full board basis


• All drinks included on board


• All lectures & on shore-based excursions


• Complimentary use of kayaks


• Airport-yacht transfers

What's not included?

• International flights to Seattle


• Airport-hotel transfers in Seattle


• Any additional accommodation, services or excursions not mentioned in the itinerary


• Travel insurance, vaccinations and visas, if applicable


• Gratuities for the crew


• Items of a personal nature

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.