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north america: alaska

Alaska, British Columbia, and the San Juan Islands

The coast of Southeast Alaska and British Columbia is a maze of fjords, channels, rivers and glaciers gliding towards the sea. This majestic region is ideally suited for small ship cruising that enables up close and personal exploration from Seattle, Washington to Alaska's Glacier Bay National Park, including the San Juan Islands. This wilderness expedition travels through some of the most spectacular scenery in North America, sailing past mist-shrouded fjords and tidewater glaciers. These waters are among the best for whale watching, with good chances of finding humpback and orca whales. Along the way, meet people of Native American, Russian and Scandinavian ancestries. Kayak, beachcomb and explore forest trails under the guidance of our expert Naturalists.

Day 1 - Seattle/Embark Ship

Embark the ship in the heart of Seattle, with the Olympic Mountains, majestic Mount Rainier and the Seattle skyline as the backdrop.

Accommodations: M/V Sea Lion or M/V Sea Bird
Included Meals: dinner

Day 2 - San Juan Islands, Washington

The San Juan Islands are the gems of northern Washington State and today we explore them with the freedom of no specific plan. We explore this archipelago of some 170 idyllic forested islands with varied coastlines offering wonderful opportunities to observe seals, sea lions, river otters, bald eagles and orcas as sea birds form patterns in the sky overhead.

Accommodations: M/V Sea Lion or M/V Sea Bird
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3 - Alert Bay and Johnstone Strait

Arrive in Queen Charlotte Sound on course for Alert Bay on Cormorant Island. Once the ship is secured, make our way to the U'Mista Cultural Center, home to a stunning collection of potlatch masks created by the Kwakwaka'wakw peoples. At the Center, anyone related to any member of this tribe is able to trace their ancestry. Then walk or ride to the Big House, just a short distance away where the Tsasala Cultural Group puts on a dance and the performers explain the story of the dance movements.

Back on board head to Johnstone Strait, one of the foremost viewing areas for orca whales in the entire Northern Hemisphere and since nineteen whale pods are known to spend part of the year. Here there is a chance of exciting whale watching.

Accommodations: M/V Sea Lion or M/V Sea Bird
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 4&5 - Inside Passage of British Columbia

You'll feel like a true explorer as we continue northward looking for whales, dolphins, bears, deer and other wildlife. This is an area where vast sections of untouched coastal rain forest still exist - and where an expedition ship proves to be the perfect vessel. Without a specific plan, open to spontaneity and adventure, freely rove within the near-limitless expanse of pristine wildness - to explore any intriguing bay or inlet we happen upon, or reverse course to follow a sighted whale pod. Our small ship gives us this freedom. Our onboard kayaks and Zodiacs can be lowered swiftly to bring it all closer. Wherever we choose to stop and explore, we're certain to be the only human life, accompanied by spectacular birds and animals. In such a populated and busy world, these opportunities are tonic for the mind, body and soul.

Accommodations: M/V Sea Lion or M/V Sea Bird
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 - Misty Fiords

Misty Fiords National Monument, often referred to as "Yosemite of the sea" for its sheer majesty, is 2.3 million acres of pristine wilderness that will leave you with exquisite memories of your stay in Alaska. Head out on a personal kayak reconnaissance or take a Zodiac cruise beneath glacier-carved cliffs with saw-tooth tops. Float past sheer cliffs and icy waterfalls, easily navigating in and out of areas the "big white boats" that ply Alaska's waters can't get near.

Accommodations: M/V Sea Lion or M/V Sea Bird
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 - Frederick Sound and Chatham Strait

These waters are prime areas for both killer whales and humpback whales. It is also fertile ground for the majestic bald eagle which you may see keeping watch atop a tall spruce. As for whales, it's not uncommon here to see herds of up to 30 humpbacks or orcas. We'll then get to observe fascinating behavior - breaching, tail-slapping and variations on feeding - as we fill the deck, delighting in their activities and listening to the play-by-play from our expert Naturalists, as our skilled Captain and crew keep us in perfect proximity. We may also see Steller's sea lions hauled out on the rocky islands and dozing. Once ashore, have the opportunity to walk along a quiet forest trail, accompanied by our Naturalists. The still waters are excellent for kayaking, offering another option for appreciating this area close up.

Accommodations: M/V Sea Lion or M/V Sea Bird
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8 - Tracy Arm-Ford's Terror Wilderness

Voyage into Tracy or Endicott Arm, both spectacular fjords, with waterfalls cascading from glacially carved walls. See the soaring Dawes or South Sawyer Glacier up close and take a zodiac cruise for an unbeatable view of sculpted icebergs.

Accommodations: M/V Sea Lion or M/V Sea Bird
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 9 - Juneau

Visit the Alaska State Museum in Juneau for an excellent overview of Alaska's natural history and indigenous cultures. At Mendenhall Glacier observe the ice-carved valley up close.

Accommodations: M/V Sea Lion or M/V Sea Bird
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 10 - Glacier Bay National Park

Spend the entire day amidst the coves, fjords, tidewater glaciers, freshwater lakes and majestic mountains of Glacier Bay National Park. You'll see glaciers that end abruptly at the water's edge and observe them "calving" - tons of ice crashing into the sea - accompanied by an exhilaratingly thunderous sound. Mountain goats scaling the peaks as well as harbor seals and Steller's sea lions are some of the creatures we may observe in these icy waters. You may have the opportunity to see not only one, but two kinds of puffins: the tufted and the horned puffin. A visit to Tidal Inlet may bring the sight of brown bears lumbering up the hillside. If the timing is right, a bear and her cub may be playing in the water. Watch their interactions, knowing the cub will be on its own next year.

Accommodations: M/V Sea Lion or M/V Sea Bird
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 11 - Point Adolphus & Chichagof Island

Our day begins on the waters off Point Adolphus, a favored area for marine mammals. Keep watch on deck and you may find yourself rushing to the side as a pod of whales begins lunge-feeding right off our bow. As we watch with awe, our Naturalist lowers the hydrophone to not only watch the whales, but listen in on their communications. A sense of wonder pervades. When questions come up, as they surely will, our marine mammal expert can tell you everything you want to know and more.

Accommodations: M/V Sea Lion or M/V Sea Bird
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 12 - Sitka, Disembark Ship/Seattle

After breakfast, visit Saint Michael's Russian Orthodox Cathedral with its picturesque spire; walk through the Sitka National Historical Park, where totem poles line trails; and meet eagles up close at the Raptor Rehabilitation Center. Transfer to the airport and fly from Sitka to Seattle.

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 flexible makes our style of cruising unique.

Single Travelers: If you wish to share accommodations, we will be glad to make arrangements at the double occupancy rate in Category 2 cabins only. Single rates available upon request and vary by cabin and trip date.

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

Not Included: Airfare to Seattle/Juneau, excess baggage charges, taxes and port fees, gratuities to Naturalist Staff and crew, items of a personal nature such as alcoholic beverages, and insurance of any kind.

Arrival/Departure: The Alaska, British Colombia and San Juan Islands cruise begins in Seattle, Washington. If arriving on departure day, please arrive no later than 2:30pm; embarkation is at 5:30pm. The Cruise will end in Juneau, Alaska at approximately 9:00am. All outbound flights should be made after 12:00pm.

Family Cruises: Travelers aged 17 years old and under save $500. Specially skilled staff who are trained in organizing activities that inspire curiosity in young people of all ages. These staff members have gone through a course designed by travel experts with years of experience in childhood and environmental education. This course has also been created in conjunction with the National Geographic Education department and NG Kids Magazine. And don't worry – even though these are educational travel gems, the primary emphasis is on "fun". After all, you are on a family cruise vacation!

Payment and Cancellation Policy: 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.

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.

For additional information and reservations, please contact us:

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