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If you experience the beauty and grandeur of Southeast Alaska’s Tongass National Forest you will want to protect it. This is the idea behind the Alaska Conservation Yacht Cruise. Cruise the world’s largest temperate rain forest aboard historic yachts in search of glaciers, eagles, whales and bears. On any given day guests have the opportunity to participate in an abundance of activities. Choose from fishing, shoreline walks with trained naturalists, early morning and late evening kayaking, wildlife and glacier viewing, and everything from leisurely beach combing or gentle strolls to vigorous hikes through virgin rain forests. On many excursions you will traverse several different ecosystems in a single outing. Of course, it's OK to curl up with a good book in the salon or on deck and just savor the view.

For those who come to Alaska in search of world-renowned fishing, this is the place for you. The Alaska fishing season begins in May, trolling for King Salmon in the waters of Southeast. As the summer progresses, the Kings run upstream from mid to late June, Pinks start running in July, and Silver salmon start upstream in early August. The Pink and Silver runs last into September. Halibut fishing is available all summer as these large cousins of the flounder roam the depths year round. Once you have caught your fair share of fish, the crew will clean, vacuum seal, freeze and box your catch for you to take home and, if you like, the chef will prepare some for dinner.

This Alaska cruise begins in Sitka and cruises to Juneau or reverse with weekly departures from each port aboard the 20 passenger Liseron or 24 passenger Mist Cove. A flexible itinerary takes advantage of seasonal changes, weather and wildlife but most of all the interests of each group of travelers.

Day 1 - Arrive Sitka

Begin your Active Alaska Conservation Cruise in Sitka, Alaska. Sitka is a remote fishing community located southwest of Juneau on Baranof Island. Upon arrival check into the Sitka Westmark Hotel. Explore the quaint town and enjoy local seafood in the hotel dining room. Your hotel night before the cruise is included in the cruise price.

Accommodations: Westmark Sitka or Westmark Juneau
Included Meals: n/a

Day 2 - Board ship, cruise to Sukoi Inlet

Spend the morning sight seeing on your own before the yacht crew provides a transfer to the yacht in time for an early afternoon departure. The ship gets under way by 3:00 PM and cruises to its first night's anchorage in scenic Sukoi Inlet on Kruzof Island. Bald eagles and Steller sea lions are a common sight when leaving Sitka Harbor. After a short cruise and an exquisite first-night's dinner on board, you visit with old and new friends in the ship's comfortable salon or maybe take a guided "underground tour" of galley and engine room. If you haven't already done so, don't forget to take a few minutes this evening to buy a fishing license from your Captain.

Accommodations: Liseron or Mist Cove
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3 - Salisbury Sound & Peril Strait

An early morning visit to Salisbury Sound, a popular saltwater sportfishing area, is perfect for a morning salmon trolling trip aboard one of the yacht’s sturdy skiffs. Halibut are also common in this region. Guests can take fish home at the end of a trip. The crew will custom-process your catch, vacuum pack and freeze it on board, and advise you on the best methods for shipment. Alternatively, the ship's Chef is happy to prepare your catch for dinner and share recipes.

If fishing doesn't interest you, join a skiff tour along the rocky shoreline to spot sea otters in company with an on-board Naturalist who will share insights into the natural history of this region of Alaska. Cruising in the heart of a coastal Alaskan wilderness keep a lookout for brown bears, often seen grazing on lush beach grasses throughout summer. Return to the ship to haul anchor and head through Sergius Narrows into Peril Strait. Cruise until dinnertime before anchoring in Saook Bay, another scenic Southeast Alaska harbor. After dinner launch kayaks and paddle quietly around the anchorage savoring the wonder of your first full day cruising the wilds of Alaska.

Accommodations: Liseron or Mist Cove
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 - Paradise Flats & Kelp Bay

The stream at the head of Saook Bay flows through a broad grassy beach estuary called, appropriately, Paradise Flats. This place is heaven for fly fishers. Spend the morning here casting for Dolly Varden char and Cutthroat trout (or, later in the season, pink salmon). Haul anchor after lunch and cruise along the coast of Baranof Island into the broad sheltered waters of Chatham Strait. During this afternoon's cruise look for Humpback whales, Dalls porpoises, Stellar sea lions and Orcas. While underway our shipboard naturalist will give a presentation on the marine mammals typically encounter on an Alaska yacht cruise.

On the way to Kelp Bay we may stop and jig for halibut off Morris Reef – a 247-pounder was landed here on one of our cruises. Or take a quick up to Lake Eva where to visit a grove of Sitka Spruce trees that are among the tallest and largest in the Tongass National Forest. There are choices of activities every day. The ship has enough knowledgeable crew that guests can explore in small guided groups, according to their interests. Small groups also have less of an impact on the fragile, temperate rainforests environment of the Tongass National Forest.

Accommodations: Liseron or Mist Cove
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - Red Bluff & Pybus Bays – Admiralty Island

Early risers can go kayaking before breakfast with a guide, where you may see harbor seals and harlequin ducks. Today cruise along the "waterfall coast" of Baranof Island - one of the most scenic coastal wilderness areas in southeast Alaska. Glaciers form in high snowfields on the island, and in summer their melting waters gather in noisy cascades, tumbling off cliffs and creating a spectacle of lofty cataracts everywhere you look. At Red Bluff Bay divide into several groups to go ashore. Some may choose to fly fish in the river at the head of the bay. But the highlight of this place is the short but steep hike up onto the brick red bluffs, which give this place its name. Here, wildflowers are dense in summer, and the natural rock gardens are resplendent with splashy displays of blue and yellow violets, columbine and fragrant meadow orchids. Return to the ship and haul anchor bound for Pybus Bay on Admiralty Island. The local Tlingit tribe's name for Admiralty Island is Kootznoowoo, which means "fortress of the bears."

Accommodations: Liseron or Mist Cove
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 - Admiralty & Brothers Islands

Pack lunches and head out in the skiffs to explore Admiralty Island and the Brothers Island. A gentle walk through the lush rainforest on Brothers Island leads to a wild stretch of rocky beach. Great numbers of Stellar sea lions sometimes haul out onto the shores of Brothers Islands are can be carefully viewed without disturbance from our skiffs. Halibut fishing in Pybus Bay is often productive, as is fly-fishing or spin casting for Pink salmon or Dolly Varden char in nearby Donkey Creek. Bald eagles perch solemnly in the tree tops waiting for an opportunity to snatch an unwary fish from the water. Bears are common here, attracted by the large number of salmon.

Accommodations: Liseron or Mist Cove
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 - Tracy Arm & No-Name Bay

Raise the anchor early today to take in the sights of a spectacular glacially carved fiord. Cruise twenty-five miles into Tracy Arm among a maze of floating icebergs. At the face of the Sawyer glacier great chunks of ice, some the size of our yacht, crash and spray into the ocean. Harbor seals find abundant food in the nutrient-rich waters of this inlet, and for a period of time in the summer female seals will haul-out onto floating bergs to give birth to their young. Late in the day anchor in No-Name Bay and enjoy our last dinner together onboard in this quiet, secluded and scenic cove.

Accommodations: Liseron or Mist Cove
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8 - Juneau, disembark ship

Enjoy breakfast under way with ancient and untouched spruce and hemlock forests marching past as we make way back to civilization. Arrive at the dock in downtown Juneau by 9:00 AM. Disembark in Juneau and transfer to your hotel or to the airport for flights home.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast


Conservation: There is a serious theme underlying the whole operation. During the past 60 years a significant portion of the forest, including many of its biggest and oldest trees (500 years plus), have been cut by timber/pulp companies and Native American groups. A majority of the timber has been sold in whole log form (unprocessed) to overseas buyers (primarily Japan). Because much of the land was set aside as Wilderness Areas and National Monuments which are not open to logging, there is some left. However, as heavy cutting has continued, there has been pressure to open up for logging those areas that have previously been set aside. We hope that by exposing our guests to the special place that is Southeast Alaska, we can educate more and more people about the benefits of conserving and preserving for future generations one of the Earth's last great wild and beautiful places.

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.

Single Travelers: Solo travelers willing to share can reserve a double cabin, where you will be matched with a person of the same gender. If the other cabin berth goes unsold, you are guaranteed the double rate. For those who desire single occupancy, cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.6 times the double rate. Triple cabins are sometimes available but must be offset by a single traveler on the same trip. Call for details.

Land Cost Includes: Your accommodations the first night in Juneau or Sitka, accommodations aboard the specific vessel, meals as indicated, wine with dinner and open bar with top shelf brands, naturalist guided activities, use of recreational equipment including kayaks, salmon and halibut fishing gear, hand tied flies and lures, all shore excursions including guided hiking, wildlife viewing, kayaking and fishing; cleaning, packing and freezing of your catch in an easy to carry box, national park entrance fees, airport and hotel transfers on day of arrival and disembarkation.

Not Included: Airfare to Alaska, excess baggage charges, taxes and port fees, gratuities to Naturalist Staff and crew, Alaska State fishing license (required for fishermen over 16 and sold on board), highly personalized fly fishing rods and gear (waders), child care, and insurance of any kind.

Fishing: Fly fishers should note that this is not a dedicated fly-fishing trip similar to programs at Orvis-endorsed fishing lodges elsewhere. Guests may anticipate several fishing opportunities during the course of a cruise, but there will be some days when other activities such as whale-watching or glacier viewing take center stage. Vessels carry limited fly fishing gear, so serious anglers should bring their own.

Arrival and Departure: This trip begins on Saturday in Sitka and ends on Saturday in Juneau or reverse. A pre cruise hotel overnight is included so plan flights to arrive at any time on Day 1. Plan flights to depart Juneau or Sitka no earlier than 12:00 noon on Day 8.

Payment and Cancellation Policy: Because of the non profit nature of this cruise posted pricing for this cruise includes a 3% cash discount and we ask that you please make all payments by check. Payments made by credit card will be charged the full price.

A deposit of $500 per person is required to reserve your space. The trip balance is paid on December 31 and April 1 in two equal installments. For reservations made after the December or April payment dates, please contact our Alaska outdoorsman cruise experts for more details.

Please see AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions

Qualifications: This trip is available to any traveler with a love of nature and sense of adventure. Kayaking and hike excursions are offered in varying degree levels. Excursions can last from 4 to 6 hours.

Extending Your Trip: Call AdventureSmith Explorations about the possibilities of combining trips to Denali National Park and more.

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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