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north america: alaska

Glacier Bay Adventure

From the waterfront Goldbelt Hotel in Juneau to an exclusive wilderness lodge in Gustavus, your home bases for the Glacier Bay Adventure ready you for a trip like no other: Alaska helicopter rides to a glacier, scenic flights, whale watching, sea kayaking, small ship day cruising and unparalleled wildlife viewing. Witness the magnificent tidewater glaciers and wildlife of Glacier Bay National Park aboard a high-speed catamaran. Watch whales, sea otters, sea lions and bald eagles on a private wildlife excursion to Point Adolphus. After a helicopter flight-see over the Juneau Ice Field, local guides lead you on a trek across the surface of a glacier. Many travelers choose to extend this adventure to spend more time at the Bear Track Inn and Glacier Bay. Ask our expert staff about additional activities such as fishing, White Pass Railroad excursions, zipline adventures, sea kayaking and more.

Day 1 - Arrive Juneau

Arrive independently at the Juneau airport where a hotel courtesy shuttle brings you to your downtown hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is yours to explore this historic gold rush city on your own.

Accommodations: Goldbelt Hotel
Included Meals: n/a

Day 2 - Glacier Trekking

The up-close exploration begins with a scenic Alaska helicopter flight over the incredible Juneau Ice Field, birthplace to many of the region’s glaciers. On your way, witness the landscape change from the lush forests at sea level to the granite peaks that surround the Juneau Icefield. As soon as the helicopter touches down, professional glacier guides teach the basic mountaineering skills and proper use of ice axe, crampons and other equipment. Then you're led on an exhilarating hike across the ice. No experience is necessary. This afternoon, return downtown to explore, shop or relax on your own.

Accommodations: Goldbelt Hotel
Included Meals: n/a

Day 3 - Scenic Flight to Glacier Bay

Enjoy a spectacular scenic flight over Alaska’s Inside Passage to Gustavus, the gateway to Glacier Bay National Park. Upon arrival in this quaint homestead community, you are met by a local representative and transferred to the trip's family-run wilderness lodge. You’ll appreciate sitting by the roaring fire enjoying views of Icy Strait. The afternoon is open to explore the surrounding wilderness. Tonight enjoy a delicious dinner made from scratch with local ingredients.

Accommodations: Bear Track Inn
Included Meals: lunch and dinner

Day 4 - Point Adolphus Whale Watching

Across Icy Strait from Glacier Bay lies Point Adolphus, one of the premier humpback whale watching sites in the world. Nutrient-rich currents from Glacier Bay attract these magnificent cetaceans. Each year they gather here to feed on krill and herring-filled waters. You may also see Minke and Orca whales, porpoise, seals, sea lions and sea otters sharing in the bounty. The rich waters and pristine forests also attract numerous bald eagles and seabirds, brown bears and deer. Return to the lodge for lunch and a free afternoon to relax or explore.

Accommodations: Bear Track Inn
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - Sea Kayak Alaska

Spend the day actively exploring Alaska’s wilderness up close with a 6-hour kayaking excursion. You will be transported to the first paddle site in a kayak-outfitted vessel for drop off in the morning. Your kayak guide knows the best locations for natural history exploration including whale watching, birding or marine mammals. Point Adolphus is a rich summer feeding ground for humpback whales but sightings may also include Orca or Killer whales, Minke whales, porpoise, sea otters, sea lions, bald eagles and more. The vessel later returns for pick up in the afternoon, and return to the Bear Track Inn for dinner.

Accommodations: Bear Track Inn
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 - Glacier Bay National Park Day Cruise

Board the M/V Spirit of Adventure to cruise 70 miles up Glacier Bay’s beautiful West Arm where you will witness a spectacular congregation of tidewater glaciers. Take time to imagine how this entire bay must have looked just 200 years ago, when it was completely filled with ice. Since that time it has endured the fastest retreat of glaciers in recorded history, some 70 miles. Throughout the journey you will be witness to the succession of habitats from old growth temperate rain forest at the bay’s mouth to bare rock near the glaciers’ face. Watch for resident wildlife en route to the glaciers including whales, harbor seals, otters, bears, mountain goats and moose. During the cruise a National Park Service Ranger interprets the ecological, natural and cultural history of the park. This evening fly back to Juneau and transfer to your downtown hotel.

Accommodations: Goldbelt Hotel
Included Meals: breakfast and lunch

Day 7 - Depart Juneau

Transfer to the Juneau International Airport to catch your flight home or begin your Alaska trip extension.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: n/a



Extend Your Trip: Extra days and activities at the Bear Track Inn can be added to your itinerary, and this trip can easily be combined with a small ship cruise. Call AdventureSmith Explorations for more information.

Itinerary Notes: 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 travel unique.

Included: Airport arrival transfer via courtesy shuttle, most meals, accommodations in a mix of hotels and rustic lodges, entrance fees, leadership, crew, local guides, kayaking, hiking activities, private coach transfers in Gustavus.

Exclusions: Airfare to Alaska, airport taxes, excess baggage charges; any additional hotel nights in Gustavus or Juneau; some meals, items of a personal nature such as alcoholic beverages, and insurance of any kind.

Arrival & Departure: Your Glacier Bay Adventure starts and ends in Juneau, Alaska (JNU). Airport arrivals may be at anytime on Day 1 and departures may be at anytime on Day 7. Transfers will be provided both upon arrival on Day 1 and on Day 7 for your return flight home.

Internal Flights: Internal flights from Juneau to Gustavus are booked aboard small planes. While these are regularly scheduled flights they are almost like a flight-seeing excursion and we feel this is part of the Alaska experience. Baggage limits on these flights are 70 pounds per person, and travelers will be charged 50 cents per pound for additional luggage.

Payment & Cancellation: A deposit of 50% of the total tour cost is required to book this trip. The remaining 50% of the tour cost is due 90 days before departure. Cancellation fees are as follows, for days prior to departure:
91 days or more - 50% of deposit
31-90 days - 50% of total tour cost
0-30 days - 100% of total tour cost

Terms & Conditions: 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 and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation.

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. Click the link below for a selection of policies from our partners at Travelex.



Activities: Included in this trip are sea kayaking, glacier trekking, a helicopter ride and opportunities to hike. Optional add-on activities include Alaska fishing from salt-water charters to Blue Ribbon stream fishing; the historic White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad, an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark that climbs nearly 3000 feet in just 20 miles and features cliff-hanging turns of 16 degrees; additional sea kayaking and whale watching; flight-seeing; a visit to the brown bears of Chichagof Island and the option to ride the longest zip line in the world; and golfing at Mt. Fairweather Golf Course.

Qualifications: Glacier Bay Adventure will be enjoyed by anyone with a love for nature and the outdoors. Kayaking, rafting and hiking activities will satisfy novice and experienced paddlers alike.

For additional information and reservations, please contact us:

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