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The Famed Inside Passage, Alaska
Seattle to Juneau or Reverse, 14-night / 15-day
Aboard the 12 Guest Safari Spirit Yacht
Aboard the 12 Guest Safari Escape Yacht
Day 1 Sail from Seattle, Washington
Transfer to your yacht where your crew greets you with champagne and hors d’oeuvres. We’ll cruise north toward our serene anchorage this evening.
Day 2 The San Juan Islands and Friday Harbor
Settle into the rhythm of the sea as we leave our busy lives behind. We’ll wander through the hundreds of untouched islands in the San Juans, then take a couple of hours to stroll through the “boater’s haven” of Friday Harbor, Washington. Visit the intriguing Whale Museum, or have a look at the many boutique shops in this tiny town. We’ll depart for Canadian waters this afternoon, all eyes open for orca whales, and anchor in a quiet bay this evening.
Days 3-6 Exploring the Canadian Inside Passage
Search for orca whales, seals, sea lions and bears as we leave civilization behind. Our Expedition Leader will lead nature hikes and kayaking excursions, and we’ll enjoy a First Nations dance performance in a cedar-planked big house. Further north, we’ll step ashore with Naturalists from Raincoast Conservation Society who will tell us about local wildlife and fisheries studies, including little known details on rainforest wolves and the mysterious Spirit bear.
Day 7 Prince Rupert, British Columbia
Prince Rupert is British Columbia’s northernmost port along our route. Here, a historic sightseeing and museum tour introduces us to this scenic community. We’ll stay dockside tonight, so enjoy a walk in town after dinner this evening.
Day 8 Ketchikan, Alaska
Discover the rich, cultural heritage of Alaska’s Tlingit Indians on a guided tour or Saxman Totem Village with local village resident Joe Williams. Before we depart, take time to browse shops or stroll along Creek Street where there’s often a good dose of local color to be found.
Day 9 Alaskan Waterways
Open space and solitude greet us as we cruise north. We’ll stop in at Meyer’s Chuck, a hide-away village of fewer than 50 people. Later we’ll anchor in Canoe Pass where we’ll lower the kayaks for a more thorough look at the area.
Day 10 Petersburg, Alaska
Join our local guide for a private tour of this charming fishing port. Petersburg’s Norwegian history is quite prominent throughout the community, and we’ll have some first-hand experiences of the local culture before we depart. This afternoon, we’ll enter some of the richest whale waters in Southeast Alaska, and we’ll be watching for the familiar blows of humpback whales all day!
Days 11-12 Fjords and Hotsprings
We’ll spend these two days in the wildest, most pristine corners of Alaska. We’ll paddle our kayaks in remote fjords, hike to natural hotsprings, wander through the temperate rainforest of Southeast Alaska, and explore some of the most scenic, hidden gems one can find in the inside passage.
Days 13-14 Glacier Bay National Park
One of America’s crown-jewel national parks will be ours to explore and marvel at for the next two days. Tidewater glaciers sweep like rivers of ice down massive mountain valleys, terminating before us in the waters of Glacier Bay. If conditions permit, we’ll lower the inflatable and weave among the icebergs that have fallen from the face of the glaciers. We’ll enjoy evenings at anchor in hidden coves, and mornings paddling our kayaks in the quiet of this majestic wilderness. And what will we find? Quite possibly we’ll see puffins, sea lions, mountain goats, bears, moose, eagles, and scenery more spectacular than any place on earth. To top off our trip, we’ll celebrate and reminisce together during our festive Farewell dinner.
Day 15 Juneau, Alaska
After breakfast we’ll arrive in Juneau. A transfer to the Juneau airport or local hotel is included. Safe travels to all!
