trip specifics

price

2012 Rates

New for 2012 Discoverer's Glacier Country combines the luxury and amenities of yacht cruising with the atmosphere and space of a small ship. Glacier Country is perfect for travelers seeking the finest Alaska small ship cruise available. Explore Alaska's Inside Passage, round trip from Juneau, with two full days inside Glacier Bay National Park. Cruising aboard the newly refurbished, 86 passenger Safari Endeavour (formerly the 102 passenger Spirit of Endeavour) this cruise offers luxurious yacht style cruising at a small ship price.

The Discoverer's Glacier Country cruise explores Alaska's Inside Passage as it meanders through the Tongass National Forest and Glacier Bay National Park - home to grizzly bears, black bears, mountain goats, bald eagles and wolves. View Alaska's massive glaciers and enter some of the world's deepest fjords to hike and kayak. The Discoverer's Glacier Country cruise is the only luxury small ship cruise to spend a full two days inside Glacier Bay National Park. The small ship visits where other ships cannot including whale watching in Icy Straight, the Waterfall Coast, Thomas Bay and the spectacular Endicott Arm. Cruise aboard the yacht style ship, Safari Endeavour to experience Alaska up close and in style.

Day 1 - Juneau, Alaska – Embarkation

Arriving in Juneau, transfer from the airport to our hospitality area. Upon boarding, your crew greets you with champagne and smiles. Cruise along scenic channels to a secluded wilderness anchorage this evening.

Accommodations: Safari Endeavour
Included Meals: dinner

Days 2-3 - Glacier Bay National Park

Accompanied by a National Park Ranger, over the next two days travel nearly 60 miles cruising up-bay to the tidewater glaciers of Grand Pacific and Margerie, which frequently calve huge icebergs into the bay. If conditions permit, we'll lower the inflatable and weave among the icebergs that have fallen from the face of the glaciers. Enjoy evenings at anchor in hidden coves, and mornings paddling your kayak in the quiet of this majestic wilderness. Here in the bay there are puffins and sea lions, mountain goats and bears, moose, eagles, and scenery more spectacular than any place on earth. Glacier Bay is at its best when explored by small groups over the course of two days to hike and kayak inside the bay and wilderness areas.

Accommodations: Safari Endeavour
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 - Icy Strait

Today’s the ultimate day of exploration. Set your course for arguably the richest whale waters in Southeast Alaska. Keep watch for the telltale blow of the humpbacks as you scour the nutrient-rich waters in search for humpbacks, porpoise, sea lions, and other wildlife. Join the Captain on the bridge or go on deck with your Exploration Leader. Late afternoon, we’ll drop the skiffs and kayaks for closer inspection of the remote coastline with eyes set on shore for possible bear sightings. This evening, take in the wilderness solitude while relaxing in the upper deck hot tub or enjoy a nightcap with your fellow yachtmates in the salon.

Accommodations: Safari Endeavour
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - Chichagof Island & the Waterfall Coast

With no binding agenda, today cruise along the waterfall coast of Chichagof Island. Marvel at the grand scenery of Alaska’s wilderness as the crew expertly guides you through those “not in the guide book” places known only to the locals. This evening, perhaps tucking away in magical Red Bluff Bay, there’ll be time for skiff operations and sea kayaking to look for sea otters and bears before calling it a day.

Accommodations: Safari Endeavour
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 - Frederick Sound and Thomas Bay

Spend the early part of the day cruising the feeding grounds of Frederick Sound—another excellent chance for viewing humpback whales and other marine wildlife. Later, explore Thomas Bay for some of the finest hiking in Southeast Alaska. Walk or hike along the stunning Cascade Creek Trail and on the spongy surface below Baird Glacier before continuing to the lower outstretches of its glacial arms. Or kayak and paddle board in the beckoning waters of Scenery Cove. Anchor in a picturesque bay for a chance to paddle and spend the evening where evergreen forests crowd the shores.

Accommodations: Safari Endeavour
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 - Ford’s Terror & Endicott Arm

Cliff-walled fjords sliced into the mountainous mainland are on tap today as you slip slowly into an area widely acclaimed as the most beautiful in all of Alaska. Alaska has more designated Wilderness Areas than any state in the nation and Ford’s Terror—a pristine tidal inlet and fjord—is one of them. View rugged ice-covered mountains gleaming high overhead and a glacier that actively calves into the ice-filled fjord of Endicott Arm. Toast your voyage with a festive Farewell Dinner, and before turning in, your Expedition Leaders will share a “photo journal” of your trip together.

Accommodations: Safari Endeavour
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8 - Juneau – Disembark

Gather for breakfast before returning to historic Juneau. A transfer to the Juneau airport or local hotel is included. Safe travels to all!

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast

You may also wish to consider one of our more affordable independent tours Denali Backcountry Explorer or Brown Bears of Katmai. These extensions can be arranged for either pre or post cruise. Our Alaska experts will help you customize your Alaska adventure, call today.

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: Any cabin may be booked as a single for 175% of the double rate.

Family Travelers: The Kids in Nature program will not be offered on these expeditions. Children must be 13 years old to sail.

Land Cost Includes: Meet and greet services and transfers, exclusive shore excursions, all meals aboard, premium wine, beer and liquor, kayaking and small boat explorations, onboard professional naturalist or escort, all taxes, port charges and fees.

Not Included: Airfare to Alaska, excess baggage charges, super premium wine, beer and liquor, discretionary gratuities to vessel's crew - typically 10-15% of fare and insurance of any kind.

Arrival/Departure: This cruise begins and ends in Juneau, Alaska. Plan to arrive at the airport (JNU) by 2:30pm on Day 1. On Day 8, the final day of the cruise, please do not schedule return flights until after 11:30am.

Payment and Cancellation Policy: A deposit of $1500 per traveler is due at the time of booking. Please see AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions.

Travel Insurance: We highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with Travel Insurance. 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.

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

Accommodations Aboard: Your comfortable home-base throughout Alaska will be aboard the Safari Endeavour. Well-appointed staterooms feature comfortable beds, large view windows and private bathroom. The vessel also feature a dining room, lounge, sun deck, viewing platforms and more. The vessel is casual - the food delicious - and the staff friendly and helpful.

Qualifications: These trips will be enjoyed by anyone with a love for nature and the outdoors.

General Information: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith ExplorationsTerms and 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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