Discover the Inside Passage That Others Pass By - 9 days, 8 nights

Our small ships take you into the hidden nooks and crannies of Alaska's Inside Passage. You explore the natural highlights between Ketchikan and Juneau at leisure, marveling at humpback whales in Frederick Sound, cruising within earshot of sea lion colonies sprawling on the rocks, and edging close to cliffside rookeries where murrelets, puffins and other seabirds nest.

Day 1 - ARRIVE IN KETCHIKAN AND SET SAIL

Transfer to your ship to begin your cruising adventure. D

Day 2 - SPIRIT OF ENDEAVOUR HYDER

Known as the “Friendliest Ghost Town in Alaska,” charming Hyder is the home of Fish Creek with a unique opportunity to view spawning salmon and perhaps the bears that feed on them. BLD

Day 2 - SPIRIT OF ’98 MISTY FIORDS, METLAKATLA

Visit magical Misty Fiords with its steep cliffs, narrow waterways, and awe-inspiring stillness. Make a port call at Metlakatla on Annette Island, Alaska’s sole Tsimshian community. BLD

Day 3 - PETERSBURG

Enjoy a warm welcome at the fishing village of Petersburg, a true cannery town. The Leikarring Dancers perform for you in the Sons of Norway Hall. Explore wilderness waterways around Petersburg, like the iceberg-filled Thomas Bay. BLD

Day 4 - FREDERICK SOUND AND TRACY ARM Humpback whales abound in Frederick Sound. Cruise under Tracy Arm’s sheer 1,500-foot vertical cliffs toward the twin Sawyer Glaciers. Frederick Sound is a body of water approximately 45 miles wide in the central part of Southeast Alaska, at the confluence of Portage Bay, lower Stephens Passage and Chatham Strait between the communities of Juneau and Petersburg. Frederick Sound is only accessible by boat or air. Abundant krill, zooplankton and herring thrive in the glacially-fed waters of Frederick Sound, making it one of the premier places in Alaska to observe feeding humpback whales. It is estimated that over 500 of the 1,000 humpbacks that migrate annually to Alaska from Hawaiian breeding grounds head particularly to Frederick Sound to feed in its super nutrient rich waters. Marine mammal abundance in the sound also includes orcas (killer whales), Steller sea lions, Dall’s porpoise, and harbor seals. A variety of seabirds thrive in this region as well and can be observed flying overhead or flocking after the whale’s watery leftovers, creating a great clue to where the humpbacks might be. Surrounding the sound are the majestic craggy snow-covered mountains of the Coast Range rising from the sea to grand heights of 10,000 feet. BLD

Day 5 - SITKA Only small ships can negotiate Peril Strait and Sergius Narrows, the “inside” route to Sitka on Baranof Island. Sitka lies in the shadow of Mt. Edgecumbe volcano. This dormant volcano is unlikely to erupt in your presence, as it has not done so in 6,000 years. The ancient crater adds to the energy of a landscape that is interwoven with the Tlingit and Russian cultures that make up Sitka’s past and present. Sitka was the Russian Capitol of Alaska before it was sold to the United States in 1867. The remnants of its architecture, also known as the “ Paris of the Pacific,” are all still apparent, especially with St. Michael's Russian Orthodox Cathedral which dominates the town’s skyline. In the middle of town, the Tlingit ceremonial long house will also capture your attention. A guided walk through Sitka’s National Historic Park reveals towering totems keeping watch over the forest. You may see playful otters, Sitka black-tailed deer, and eagles. BLD

Day 6 - GLACIER BAY CRUISING

Glacier Bay Park and Preserve is reportedly the most sought after park to visit in the United States and it is no wonder. Where else will you find a 25-mile long river of ice still carving the land just as it has for the past several thousand years? When Captain Cook and George Vancouver sailed by in 1879, they saw a 20-mile wide glacier where today the entrance of the park lies, as well the wilderness lodge and park headquarters. Over the past 200 years, this wall of ice has retreated an astonishing 65 miles north, splintering into a vast number of tributaries spaced throughout the entire park. Each glacier has its own name and character; our captain will decide which to visit for the day depending on ice conditions and wildlife sightings. Glide through this wonderland approaching up-close to the “rivers of ice.” A National Park Service Ranger is onboard helping you spot mountain goats, harbor seals, and brown and black bears. BLD

Day 7 - SKAGWAY AND HAINES As we cruise our way up to the towns of Skagway and Haines, we will be within on of the largest fjords in the world, Lynn Canal. Lynn Canal stretches many miles and provides a very dramatic backdrop that makes it appear as if we are taking our ship through the Swiss Alps. It is not uncommon to see whales or Stellar sea lions in this stretch of water. We will also pass the Eldred Rock Lighthouse, a lonely sentinel surrounded by jagged peaks of snow, rock, ice, and green-silted waters, and one of the most scenic lighthouses anywhere. This stretch of Lynn Canal, including Haines and Skagway, provides some of the most intense scenic beauty, wildlife sightings, and human history Alaska can offer. Relive the Gold Rush in the picture-perfect setting of Skagway, the starting place for many early gold seekers. Just down mountain-lined Lynn Canal visit Haines, famed for attracting artists and for its concentration of bald eagles. BLD

Day 8 - ARRIVE IN JUNEAU

Transfer to the Goldbelt Hotel. Explore Alaska’s charming capital city. A vast array of optional activities includes flightseeing, kayaking, and salmon bakes. B

Day 9 - TRANSFER

to the airport for your flight home.

B =Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner

Departures: May through August Available: Northbound 7A or Southbound 8A Price: From $4,299