trip specifics

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In a land where it is common to see whales, bears and sea lions all in one day, this itinerary is focused on providing guests with a multitude of meaningful ways to experience Southeast Alaska's Eastern coves and its surrounding waterways in small doses. Whether you are looking for moderate activity or vigorous, extended and challenging outdoor pursuits, a plethora of adventure options are available to tailor most any expedition wish.

With a 3-to-1 guest-to-crew ratio this water based Alaskan adventure is unlike any other. In fact, it follows an "un-cruise" concept which eliminates the hassles of traditional cruising. This means guests are pampered by an all-American crew renowned for their friendliness and eager-to-please attitude; they are educated and informed by professional expedition leaders and naturalists who have a vast knowledge and deep passion for Alaska. There is no waiting in long lines, being packed into tourist-clogged towns, or following a tight schedule. Instead, this trip is totally flexible following the flux of wildlife and tucking into the coves and bays that big ships can't get near.

This expedition vessel carries enough equipment and activity options for all to partake in what they wish. Whether this means an "non-activity" such as reading a book on the deck and soaking in the hot tub, or enjoying the challenge of a strenuous hike and an afternoon of leisurely kayaking; The choice is all yours.

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Day 1 - Juneau - Embark

Immerse yourself in the breathtaking views of Mount Juneau and its surrounding glaciers. As we leave the harbor, watch for the eagles that abound year round, and a variety of elegant birds, silly seals, hardy sea lions, playful porpoise and hopefully a few of the large population of humpback and Orca whales that roam the Inside Passage waters. After meeting your crew and getting acquainted with your ship’s features, finish the evening with a delicious meal while keeping an eye on lookout for Orca and humpback whales as we cruise to Windham Bay.

Accommodations: M/V Wilderness Adventurer or M/V Wilderness Discoverer
Included Meals: dinner

Day 2 - Tracy Arm Wilderness / Frederick Sound

At the end of Tracy Arm, a winding fjord with sheer granite walls, hundreds of cascading waterfalls, and some of the largest floating icebergs in all of Alaska, sits the twin Sawyer Glaciers—North Sawyer and South Sawyer. The fjord is home to brown and black bears, deer, wolves, harbor seals, birds such as arctic terns and pigeon guillemots, and mountain goats, usually spotted high on the cliffs. Later today, move into Frederick Sound—summer feeding ground for the northern hemisphere’s largest concentration of humpback whales. Keep watch for humpbacks, orca, and Steller sea lions.

Accommodations: M/V Wilderness Adventurer or M/V Wilderness Discoverer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3 - Thomas Bay / Cascade Creek

Choose kayaking and a lush forest trek on a scenic Cascade Creek trail. Or go big on the 5-mile hike to the glacially-fed and rarely visited Patterson Lake for spectacular kayaking. Discover the origin of its “Devil’s Country” nickname during a reading from “The Strangest Story Ever Told,” about the area’s mythical shape-shifting creatures called Kushtaka.

Accommodations: M/V Wilderness Adventurer or M/V Wilderness Discoverer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 - Thomas Bay / Baird Glacier / Wrangell Narrows

In an area known for glaciers and rich in gold and quartz, take on the otherworldly boot-sucking Baird Glacier until you stand atop the mile-wide glacier. Adventure and natural beauty are sure to please whether you choose kayaking, paddle boarding, skiff riding, or hiking today. An abundance of bright red and green navigation lights guide you along “Christmas Tree Lane” as you cruise the winding Wrangell Narrows this evening.

Accommodations: M/V Wilderness Adventurer or M/V Wilderness Discoverer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - Wrangell, Chief Shakes Tribal House

Home to native culture, wildlife, and wonder—Wrangell is one of the oldest towns in Alaska and the only one ever governed by four nations. Brush up on your Tlingit culture at Chief Shakes Tribal House for native storytelling. View recently carved totem poles at Kiksetti Totem Park. Wrangell offers up many options to make your day.

Accommodations: M/V Wilderness Adventurer or M/V Wilderness Discoverer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 6 - Yes Bay

Wildlife abounds in Yes Bay and the surrounding Tongass National Forest—humpback whales, orca, porpoise, seals, sea lions, brown and black bears, mink, marten, eagles, and otters. Say yes to a kayak paddle up the bay or venture out on a wildlife-seeking hike along one of the area’s scenic trail.

Accommodations: M/V Wilderness Adventurer or M/V Wilderness Discoverer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 - Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness

Affectionately called “The Yosemite of the North”, Misty Fjords National Monument represents nearly every ecosystem found in Southeast Alaska. Glacial valleys filled with sea water and steep, sometimes sheer, walls are a haven for ducks, brown and black bear, mountain goats, Sitka deer, mink, moose, river otters, and other wildlife. Glide through Walker Cove by kayak or explore by skiff soaking in the splendor of this largely forgotten corner of the world. This evening join the Captain in a farewell toast and reminisce about your Alaskan journey over a sumptuous dinner.

Kayaks are available all morning for unguided touring at your leisure. Skiff tours around anchorage available all morning.

Accommodations: M/V Wilderness Adventurer or M/V Wilderness Discoverer
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8 - Private dock, north of Ketchikan — Disembark

Known as the “Salmon Capital of the World,” Ketchikan is located on the edge of the Tongass National Forest. A Bon Voyage breakfast ends our ship journey; however there are many enticing ways to extend your journey from here. Transfer directly to the Ketchikan airport,local accommodations or arrange for an add-on overnight land tour to Juneau, Ketchikan, Wrangell or Alaska’s interior. Parting can be such sweet sorrow, and if your schedule allows it, please feel free to join us as we cruise an entirely different route on the return trip from Ketchikan to Juneau.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast


The Juneau to Ketchikan route takes 8 days and 7 nights. If seven days is not quite enough, consider joining us for the return trip from Ketchikan to Juneau: Western Alaska Adventure which offers an entirely separate itinerary.

Day 1 - Ketchikan
Day 2 - El Capitan Passage and Devilfish Bay
Day 3 - Klawock and Trocadero Bay
Day 4 - Little Port Walter
Day 5 - Bay of Pillars
Day 6 - The Brothers, Frederick Sound and Whale Watching
Day 7 - Endicott Arm and Ford’s Terror Wilderness Area
Day 8 - Juneau

Note: Pricing for the entire 15 day Southeast Alaska's Ultimate Adventure round-trip Juneau starts at $3,395 to $11,395 per person, double occupancy which is discounted from the price of the two separate itineraries individually.


Notes on Itinerary: We may occasionally alter itineraries slightly for safety, or to take advantage of weather, wildlife, and unplanned discoveries. Our ability to be spontaneous makes our style of cruising unique.

A Different Experience: "Un-Cruise" Adventures - InnerSea Discoveries prides itself on the people they bring onboard - the finest chefs, knowledgeable, friendly and personable crew members, experienced expedition leaders and leading naturalists. One of the primary features of these "un-cruises" is the ability to cater to individual needs.

Built on a unique reputation for luxury, these "un-cruises" pamper up to 76 guests with a three-to-one guest/crew ratio, fresh, healthy meals, creature comforts like DVDs and iPod docks, experienced Expedition Leaders/Naturalists who know Alaskan culture and topography, high-end expedition gear plus a wide variety of excursions to suite any activity level.

Family Program: The "Family" itinerary is geared toward entertaining and educating kids from various age groups. In a rare introduction to wilderness lifestyles, kids and the entire family meet and interact with local families such as oyster farmers or commercial fishermen who live a remote, isolated lifestyle. Kids 12 years and younger receive a 25% savings on select "Family Discovery" departures.

Single Travelers: Single rates available upon request.

Land Cost Includes: Your accommodations aboard the specific vessel, All meals aboard the ships, naturalist guided activities, use of kayaking equipment, national park entrance fees and transfer from vessel to airport on day of embarkation/disembarkation.

Not Included: Airfare to Alaska, excess baggage charges, taxes and port fees of $167 per person, gratuities to Naturalist Staff and crew, items of a personal nature such as alcoholic beverages, and insurance of any kind.

Arrival/Departure: Your Southeast Alaska's Eastern Coves cruise begins in Juneau and ends Ketchikan. Please plan flights to arrive before 2:30pm on day 1 of the cruise. On day 8, the final day of the cruise departure flights should be planned to depart no earlier than 11:30.

Adventure Vessels: The small ships used on these adventures are expedition ships capable of nimble exploration through nature's most dramatic hideaways. The shallow draft and hull design allow easy access to Southeast Alaska's wildlife-rich shores and glacially-fed inlets and serve as ideal "launching pads" for an exciting array of daily adventure excursions. Newly-refurbished, the interior spaces offer contemporary colors that complement the wilderness outside and the public and private spaces are loaded with amenities.

Your Choice of Activity Level: In a land where it is common to see whales, bears and sea lions all in one day, InnerSea Discoveries is focused on providing guests with a multitude of meaningful was to experience Southeast Alaska and its surrounding waterways in small doses. Whether you are looking for moderate activity or vigorous, extended and challenging outdoor pursuits, we can tailor most any expedition to suit your skill level.

Adventure activities included:
* Whale-watching * Beachcombing
* Kayaking * Snorkeling
* Paddle Boarding * "Polar bear club" swims
* Inflatable boat excursions * Birding
* Wilderness hiking * Glacier viewing
* Shorter hikes * Friendly sporting contests

Optional activities available as add-on:
* Caving
* River rafting and jet boat excursions
* Glacier Float Plane tour
* Overnight wilderness backpacking
* Overnight kayaking Adventure

Leisurely activities offered onboard:
* Lectures about the surrounding environment
* Scenery Viewing
* Yoga
* Massage (additional charge)
* Hot tub and sauna with a view
* Relaxing lounges and deck areas

Children's Policy: Our small ships and style of cruising are designed to bring you up-close to the scenic beauty of our adventure destinations. Children receive exposure to nature that is unique and engaging. Kayaking, hiking and activities organized by the crew keep children enthralled. For families with kids 12 and under, private charters or "Family Discoveries" departures provide an excellent family bonding experience. Although there is no minimum age requirement, it is the parents' or guardians' responsibility to supervise their children.

Deposit & Final Payment: A deposit of $600 per person is required to secure a reservation. The deposit/payment must be received within three business days of your reservation. Reservations are not confirmed until a deposit is received. If you choose to purchase our Travel Protection Plan, the premium payment must be paid within 14 days of the initial deposit/payment (see Travel Insurance).
Final payment must reach our office 90 days prior to your cruise departure or in full at the time reservations are confirmed if less than 60 days prior. If this payment is not received in time, your space may be released; rebooking will then be subject to final availability. Deposits may be made by personal check, wire transfer, money order or credit card with final payment preferred in the form of a check, wire transfer or money order.

Deposit & Final Payment for Private Charter: For a full-ship charter, a deposit equal to one-third of the total charter cost is due within (10) business days of the reservation.
At 270 days (9 months) before departure, a second payment equal to one-third of the total charter cost is due.
Final payment for a full-ship charter is due 120 days (4 months) prior to departure.

Payment and Cancellation Policy: Cancellations: Guests who must cancel their cruise for any reason, including medical or family reasons, are subject to the following cancellation fees:
Up to 91 days - 50% of initial deposit
90 to 61 days - Forfeiture of full deposit
60 to 46 days - 50% of gross fare
45 to 31 days - 75% of gross fare
30 to 0 days - 100% of gross fare
Please see AdventureSmith ExplorationsTerms and Conditions.

Travel Insurance: Travel Insurance with emergency medical evacuation coverage is required for this trip. Consider Travelex Select or Max policies to ensure the best level of coverage. Please note that you must purchase your Travel Insurance policy within 14 days of booking your trip for it to cover pre-existing medical conditions.


Qualifications: This trip is available to any traveler with a love of nature and sense of adventure. Off vessel activities including hiking and kayaking excursions range from 2-4 hours each day.

Extending Your Trip: Call AdventureSmith Explorations about the possibilities of combining the two trips: Eastern Adventure and Western Adventure for an ultimate Southeast Alaska Adventure.

General Information: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations ‘Terms & Conditions’. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list, extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation. We strongly recommend the purchase of Trip Insurance through AdventureSmith Explorations. If purchased within 14 days of sign-up, the pre-existing condition exclusion is waived.

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Call today.


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