Alaska Odyssey

On a sightseeing tour, get a glimpse into Vancouver’s main highlights, including Stanley Park, Granville Island, Prospect Point and Gastown, before transferring to the pier for embarkation. After boarding, there’s time to settle in before learning important safety briefings. This evening, meet the expedition team and crew at the captain’s welcome dinner.

Sail the southern stretches of British Columbia’s Inside Passage, navigating through narrow straits and channels that are inhabited by vast pods of orca, while admiring views of cascading waterfalls, snow-capped mountains, temperate forests and the abundant marine life.

On Annette Island, experience the extraordinary history, art and cultural traditions of the Tsimshian tribe of Metlakatla Indian Community, the only Indian Reserve in Alaska.

Shore Excursions (choose one of the following):

Yellow Hill Hike (3.5 hours)

Enjoy a 5-mile hike to Yellow Hill, a challenging walk with rewarding panoramic views of Metlakatla and Annette Bay. Walking mostly on timber board walk, stairs and moderately steep terrain, the hike is suitable for individuals without mobility issues.

Walking Town Tour & Totem Pole Journey (3.5 hours)

The Totem Exploration Journey is a path guides to the Totems & points of interest of Metlakatla. On a guided walk, get a close-up view of the fascinating, handcrafted cedar carvings scattered throughout Metlakatla. During the excursion, discover the 14 totem poles standing in Metlakatla, all carved by local artists; visit several historical and cultural points of interest, including the William Duncan Memorial Church, the Metlakatla Indian Community Longhouse and the Artist Village.

Skater’s Lake Trail Walk & Totem Journey (3.5 hours)

On this scenic timber boardwalk, experience the lush scenery at Skater’s Lake.

For all options, afterwards, visit the community Long House to learn about the building’s history and traditions, and enjoy a dance performance from a local Tsimshian dance group followed by a Q & A with the dancers. Afterwards, visit the Artist Village nextdoor to see handicrafts made by local artists, which are available for purchase.

Later, sail in Misty Fjords National Monument, a wilderness area characterised by towering granite cliffs shrouded in mist, and glacial valleys. The area is a haven for wildlife, and by Zodiac or kayak, we explore the area searching for grizzly and black bears, whales, mountain goats and deer.

Disembark in historic Wrangell, an important town that was founded by Russians in 1834, and which once thrived on fur and gold trading. Enjoy Wrangell’s main highlights, including a visit to Petroglyph Beach to see ancient rock carvings, and a visit to the city museum to learn about Wrangell’s colorful history. In the afternoon, anchor in Thomas Bay, a wilderness location shrouded in the mysterious local legends, for an exploration around Baird Glacier.

Shore Excursions (choose one of the following):

Highlights of Wrangell (2.5 hours)

Learn about Wrangell’s most significant landmarks while driving through town. Hear the Tlingit tribe members interpret the meaning of their totem poles. See ancient rock carvings at Petroglyph Beach and delve deeply into the history of Wrangell at the city museum.

Tongass Botanical Forest Walk (2 hours)

Explore Tongass Rainforest on a guided walk through the coastal temperate rainforest on the Wrangell Nature Trail. Learn about the interconnectedness between tidal, muskeg, alpine and deep forest ecosystems, and discover a variety of edible and medicinal uses of local flora. Walk through Wrangell’s Historic Sites on the way to the Nature Trailhead.

Frederick Sound is a summer feeding ground for the northern hemisphere’s largest concentration of humpback whales. Keep watch for humpbacks, orca and Steller sea lions. In Tracy Arm, glide along the steep-walled fjords of a watery wilderness area that has been likened to Yosemite and enjoy views of snow-covered mountains. Zodiac-cruise or kayak in search of wildlife at the back of the Tracy Arm, home to the twin Sawyer Glaciers. Spot for harbor seals resting on bergy bits which calve regularly from the active tidewater glaciers.

Nestled at the base of towering mountains overlooking the Gastineau Channel, Juneau’s rich culture and history is reflected throughout the town and its beautiful attractions. In Alaska’s scenic capital, visit nearby Mendenhall Glacier, one of Alaska’s most famous glaciers. The glacier is 1.5 miles wide and is fed by the Juneau Icefield; it ranks as the largest, most rugged glacier that is accessible by road in Alaska. Hike the trails near the glacier to enjoy panoramic views. Back in town, enjoy free time to explore and learn about Juneau’s local history and art with a visit to the newly-built Alaska State Museum.

The area around Icy Strait features the Inian Islands, George Island, Point Adolphus and Elfin Cove, and offers some of the best opportunities for Zodiac-cruising and kayaking. Here, find an abundance of iconic Alaskan wildlife, including whales, Steller sea lions, sea otters, harbor seals, bald eagles and brown bears.

As the ship sails west across the Gulf of Alaska, the expert team will entertain with talks on wildlife, glaciers and the rich history of Alaska—from indigenous settlement through to the Russian fur trade and the European rush for gold. In the afternoon, arrive in Disenchantment Bay—home to Hubbard Glacier, North America’s largest tidewater Glacier—and search Kittlitz’s murrelet, Aleutian terns and brown bears hunting salmon along the shore.

Kayak Island is the remote, uninhabited spot where in 1741, zoologist and botanist Georg Wilhelm Steller became one of the first Europeans to set foot on Alaskan soil. Serving as naturalist on Vitus Bering’s voyage to explore a sea route from Russia to North America, Steller recorded the first evidence of Alaskan Inuit and catalogued an array of flora and fauna, many of which now bear his name. Weather-depending, explore Cape Saint Elias and its lighthouse by Zodiac or kayak.

Framed by the impressive Chugach Mountains, spend 2 days exploring Prince William Sound, an area of rugged coastline that is home to more tidewater glaciers than anywhere else on Earth. Zodiac-cruise among icebergs and forest-covered islands rich in wildlife including puffins, sea lions and seals. Glacier Island at the opening of Columbia Bay offers great wildlife encounters, vast amounts of sea ice, diverse geological formations and sea caves. Columbia and Meares Glaciers are both extremely active and produce vast quantities of ice where seals haul out on icebergs in front of them. Granite Bay features steep cliff walls where the northernmost stand of yellow cedars is found, and where mountain goats can be seen clinging to the cliff face. Kayak in College Fjord, with several glaciers named after Ivy League universities such as Harvard and Yale, which funded the 1899 exploration and discovery of the fjord.

Disembark in Seward and transfer to Anchorage, where you continue your journey.