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north america: alaska

Discoverer\'s Glacier Country

Spend eight days exploring Alaska's Inside passage aboard your choice of 4 luxurious and intimate yachts. The 36 passenger Safari Explorer, the 22 passenger Safari Quest, and the 12 passenger Safari Spirit feature luxurious accommodations and exquisite service as well as an itinerary filled with authentic exploration. New for 2012 the full refurbished 86 passenger Safari Endeavour (previously known as the Spirit of Endeavour) provides a more affordable yet equally luxurious yacht-like experience aboard a small ship.

In Southeast Alaska, cruise through the largest national forest in the United States where grizzly bears, black bears, mountain goats, bald eagle and wolves make their home. View Alaska's massive glaciers and enter some of the worlds deepest fjords. In the still of the evening, watch bears ambling along wild shorelines. And everywhere in the swirling currents below, the worlds largest mammals, the great whales, forage in the bountiful waters along the sheltered shoreline. Meet Alaska and its wildlife at eye level.

Kayak and small boat explorations offer a chance to explore the wilderness up close while an unhurried schedule means more time for watching whales, bears and other wildlife. On board naturalists and expeditions leaders offer daily insights and guided nature walks. Your cruise begins and ends in Juneau and features the wonders and glaciers of Glacier Bay, whale watching in Frederick Sound, bears of Admiralty Island, and so much more. Experienced travelers appreciate the superior service, fine cuisine and intimate experience an Alaskan cruise aboard a luxury yacht offers.

Our crew of award winning Alaska yacht cruise experts have personal experience with all four yachts. Call us to discover which ship best fits your interests, ability and budget.

Day 1 - Arrive Juneau, Embarkation

Welcome to Juneau. An airport transfer will bring you to meet fellow guests and your Expedition Leader at the Goldbelt Hotel on Juneau’s waterfront. Depending on flight arrival time, their may be time to explore Juneau before boarding the yacht in the afternoon. We’ll anchor overnight at Funter Bay.

Accommodations: Safari Explorer, Safari Endeavour, Safari Quest or Safari Spirit
Included Meals: dinner

Days 2&3 - Glacier Bay National Park

All by itself Glacier Bay National Park is larger than the state of Connecticut! Early this morning pick up a National Park Service ranger, then cruise deep into Glacier Bay for our 2 day exploration. Linger by the Marble Islands, home to myriad seabirds including the ever-popular puffins. Wildlife is everywhere – humpback whales breaching in the waters, bears ambling along the shorelines, moose browsing in the shrubbery, mountain goats high on the cliffs. Nearly 60 miles up-bay we’ll cruise close up to Grand Pacific and Margerie Glaciers, which frequently calve huge icebergs into the bay. Watch for seals sunning on the ice. This evening exit the park and drop anchor in a secluded cove.

Accommodations: Safari Explorer, Safari Endeavour, Safari Quest or Safari Spirit
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 - Icy Strait

During today's ultimate day of exploration, there's no agenda to follow except to experience every moment scouring the nutrient-rich waters in search for humpback,porpoise, sea lions and other wildlife. Marvel at the grand scenery of the Alaskan wilderness as the crew expertly guides you through those "not in the guide book" areas that only the locals know. Join the Captain on the bridge or out on deck in search for marine mammals. Late afternoon have the opportunity to drop the skiffs and kayaks to further explore the shoreline of a remote bay. The afternoon and evening will be spent at Point Adolphus, Alaska's most famous humpback whale feeding area. Be on the watch for the telltale blow of humpback whales as we cruise through Icy Strait. Before retiring for the 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 Explorer, Safari Endeavour, Safari Quest or Safari Spirit
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - Frederick Sound and Sea Lions

Today cruise around wilderness Admiralty Island to more prime humpback-viewing waters in Frederick Sound. Take time for skiff operations and sea kayaking in Saginaw Bay, and cruise up-close to a sea lion colony at the Brothers Islands. Overnight Thomas Bay.

Accommodations: Safari Explorer, Safari Endeavour, Safari Quest or Safari Spirit
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 - Admiralty Island & Bears

Tuck into Gambier Bay, a large, island-speckled body of water on the south coast of Admiralty Island National Monument. Drop the kayaks and launch the skiff for up-close exploration of this cool forested 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 – bears for which Admiralty Island is famous. At low tide they’re right down on the beaches, seeking a shellfish supper. Once again under way, watch for humpback whales before anchoring at Wood Spit for more exploration by kayak and skiff.

Accommodations: Safari Explorer, Safari Endeavour, Safari Quest or Safari Spirit
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 - Ford’s Terror and Endicott Arm

Cliff-walled fjords sliced into the mountainous mainland are on tap today as we tuck into 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 skiff ride at Ford’s Terror, named after an early mariner who was somewhat taken aback when a waterfall appeared at the turn of the tide where none had been visible at high tide. Anchor overnight at Taku Harbor to enjoy the Captain’s Farewell Dinner in an utterly lovely setting

Accommodations: Safari Explorer, Safari Endeavour, Safari Quest or Safari Spirit
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8 - Disembark in Juneau

Transfer to the airport or hotel.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast

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 Departures and Children: Children over 12 years of age appreciate our yacht style cruising and are welcome on all departures. Families with children under the age of 12 should consider our select "Kids in Nature" cruises or book a private yacht charter for the whole family. It is the parents or guardians responsibility to supervise children at all times. Kids in Nature departures will be aboard the Safari Quest and these special departures have additional kid friendly programs. These special family departures offer a savings of 25% off the published rate for kids under 12 years of age. Savings are offered only in the base cabin categories - Mariner cabins on the Safari Quest, and Master cabins aboard the Safari Explorer.

Land Cost Includes: Meet and greet services and transfers; Exclusive shore excursions and transfers Premium wine, beer, and liquor; All meals aboard the yacht; Kayaking and small boat exploration; On board professional Expedition Leader(s) / Naturalist(s);All taxes, port charges and fees.

Not Included: Airfare to and from your home city; Super-premium wine, beer and liquor; Discretionary gratuities to vessel’s crew typically 5-10% of the cruise fare; Travel insurance.

Arrival/Departure: Your Alaska Safari Yacht 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.

Accommodations: There are 3 different luxury yachts that can be booked for this itinerary. The yachts vary in size and layout. Please click the links below for the individual yacht details.

The 36 passenger: Safari Explorer
The 22 passenger: Safari Quest
The 12 passenger: Safari Spirit

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: 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.

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 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.

For additional information and reservations, please contact us:

800-728-2875 | 530-583-1775 | fax 530-583-1711 | travel@AdventureSmithExplorations.com