Alaska - Tongass Forest, Glaciers & Wildlife

Day 1: Juneau, Alaska – Embarkation
Day 2: Endicott Arm or Tracy Arm
Day 3: Stephens Passage
Day 4: Thomas Bay / Wrangell Narrows
Day 5: Wrangell
Day 6: Behm Canal
Day 7: Misty Fjords National Monument
Day 8: Ketchikan, Alaska – Disembarkation

Day 1: Juneau, Alaska – Embarkation
Once you check-in at the hospitality area, perhaps you will have time to explore a bit of Juneau. Surrounded by the rich, green Tongass National Forest, and located on the beautiful Gastineau Channel, Juneau is an important port and a popular tourist destination. Unique because it is the only state capital in the United States that is inaccessible by road, Juneau sits at sea level below the steep mountains that are home to the Juneau Icefield and the Mendenhall Glacier. 

After boarding, grab a glass of bubbly, as the ship picks up anchor and sets sail for the Endicott Arm wilderness. (D)

Day 2: Endicott Arm or Tracy Arm
Let us set the stage: fjord cliffs reach skyward, floating ice scatters the surface and deep u-shaped valleys cut the landscape. As you navigate the Tracy Arm Fjord, you cruise past harbor seals and their pups lounging on chunks of ice.  During the summer, you can spot eagles, seals, bears, whales, and even mountain goats showing off their fancy footwork. At the end of Endicott, the blue face of Dawes Glacier is stories high. And in classic fjord form, Tracy Arm delivers with the cotton-candy blue twin Sawyer Glaciers at its furthest reaches. Tides permitting, your skiff driver knows the ins and outs and guides you along. It’s a mashup of towering walls, waterfalls, temperamental currents, and the Coastal Mountains. (BLD)

Day 3: Stephens Passage
Humpback and orca are frequent visitors of this Southeast passage. A misty spout is a sure sign they’re in the neighborhood. Your captain navigates Stephens Passage to Port Houghton and your adventure begins. The routes are all picked out. You can slip off the kayak launch and take it slow spotting sea stars and shorebirds. The more energetic can take a long wild paddle to the salt chuck at the back of the inlet. Those who prefer to be on foot can hike into the Tongass, the nation's largest national forest. (BLD)

Day 4: Thomas Bay / Wrangell Narrows
Thomas Bay is known for its glaciers and its abundance of wildlife. Moose, bears, and wolves are just a few of the animals you may see while traveling through this bay. Rich with gold, quartz and lore, Baird Glacier drains into the bay. You can kayak and skiff in water almost as clear as glass. The mirror image of the fjord walls plays on the surface. Hike through the outwash of Baird Glacier or keep it green on an interpretive walk through a grassy meadow into the forest. Later, wind into the Wrangell Narrows, nicknamed “Christmas Tree Lane".  Abundant bright red and green navigation lights guide the way. (BLD)

Day 5: Wrangell
Wrangell is one of the oldest towns in Alaska and the only one ever governed by four nations. The powerful Stikine Tlingit tribes inhabited the region for thousands of years and its culture has deep roots here. You will enjoy a morning presentation that brings their stories and legends to life. Today, Wrangell continues to redefine itself. The lumber mills have been upgraded and refashioned into a sustainable forest products industry, and the town has become a unique outpost for tourism. Visit Chief Shakes Island and Tribal House Monument, Totem Park, the Wrangell Museum, or walk among the petroglyphs at Petroglyph Beach State Park for a glimpse into its history. (B, L, D)

Day 6: Behm Canal
Behm Canal is located in the Alexander Archipelago. Wildlife abounds along this 108-mile long natural channel such as black bears, mink, eagles. On Cleveland Peninsula, your expedition team leads a low-elevation hike with wide-stretching views. In the water orca, porpoises, seals, and otters are abundant. A guided paddle will explore the small deserted waterways that feed into Behm Canal. (BLD)

Day 7: Misty Fjords National Monument
There are still a few places left on the planet that can strike awe. Misty Fjords National Monument is one of them. Carved out by the last great North American glaciation, narrow winding granite walls guide the ship deeper into the wilderness. Nearly every ecosystem found in Southeast Alaska is represented here. Seabirds, brown and black bears, mountain goats, Sitka black-tailed deer, all find safe haven here. Kayak in Walker Cove or Rudyerd Bay and you find it’s just as easy to paddle and go, as it is to sit and float and take it all in. The area's affectionate nickname, “The Yosemite of the North,” is deserved, and it’s an amazing wrap to your week. Your captain joins you tonight for a Farewell Dinner. Celebrate and reminisce about your Alaskan journey with a “photo journal” by your crew. (BLD)

Day 8: Ketchikan, Alaska – Disembarkation
After breakfast, this morning, bid adieu to your new friends before you disembark and transfer to the Ketchikan airport or begin your extended stay in Alaska. (B)

Day 1: Ketchikan, Alaska – Embarkation
Day 2: Misty Fjords National Monument
Day 3: Behm Canal
Day 4: Wrangell
Day 5: Wrangell Narrows / Thomas Bay
Day 6: Stephens Passage
Day 7: Endicott Arm or Tracy Arm
Day 8: Juneau – Disembarkation

Day 1: Ketchikan, Alaska – Embarkation
Arriving in Ketchikan, you are met with a warm welcome. You may have time to take in a bit of the city once you check-in at the hospitality area. But after boarding, grab a glass of bubbly as you push off the dock. Set sail for Misty Fjords National Monument. (D)

Day 2: Misty Fjords National Monument
There are still a few places left on the planet that can strike awe. Misty Fjords National Monument is one of them. Carved out by the last great North American glaciation, narrow winding granite walls guide the ship deeper into the wilderness. Nearly every ecosystem found in Southeast Alaska is represented here. Seabirds, brown and black bears, mountain goats, Sitka black-tailed deer, all find safe haven here. Kayak in Walker Cove or Rudyerd Bay and you find it’s just as easy to paddle and go, as it is to sit and float and take it all in. The area's affectionate nickname, “The Yosemite of the North,” is deserved, and it’s an amazing start to your week. (BLD)

Day 3: Behm Canal
Behm Canal is located in the Alexander Archipelago. Wildlife abounds along this 108-mile long natural channel such as black bears, mink, eagles. On Cleveland Peninsula, your expedition team leads a low-elevation hike with wide-stretching views. In the water orca, porpoises, seals, and otters are abundant. A guided paddle will explore the small deserted waterways that feed into Behm Canal. (BLD)

Day 4: Wrangell
Wrangell is one of the oldest towns in Alaska and the only one ever governed by four nations. The powerful Stikine Tlingit tribes inhabited the region for thousands of years and its culture has deep roots here. You will enjoy a morning presentation that brings their stories and legends to life. Today, Wrangell continues to redefine itself. The lumber mills have been upgraded and refashioned into a sustainable forest products industry, and the town has become a unique outpost for tourism. Visit Chief Shakes Island and Tribal House Monument, Totem Park, the Wrangell Museum, or walk among the petroglyphs at Petroglyph Beach State Park for a glimpse into its history. (BLD)

Day 5: Wrangell Narrows / Thomas Bay
Wind into the Wrangell Narrows heading toward the fishing town of Petersburg and Thomas Bay. Abundant bright red and green navigation lights guide the way. It’s “Christmas Tree Lane,” of course. Thomas Bay is way back backcountry of Alaska's wilderness. When you come this far, you might as well go all in. Glacial landscapes are marked by moraines, muskegs, and mud. In this playground, it’s all an option today. Kayak and skiff in water almost clear as glass. The mirror image of fjord walls plays on the surface. Hike through the outwash of Baird Glacier. Or keep it green on an interpretive walk through a grassy meadow into the forest. (BLD)

Day 6: Stephens Passage
On-deck stretches jump-start the day. Humpback and orca are frequent visitors of this Southeast passage. A misty spout is a sure sign they’re in the neighborhood. Your captain navigates Stephens Passage to Port Houghton. And you’re in for a boot-sucking, paddle-smacking day of adventure with your guide team. The routes are all picked out. Make your choice and make your move. Slip off the kayak launch and take it slow spotting sea stars and shorebirds. Hard chargers take a long wild paddle to the salt chuck at the back of the inlet. Or, hike into the Tongass. It’s a landscape of hanging waterfalls and shades of green. (BLD)

Day 7: Endicott Arm or Tracy Arm
Let us set the stage: fjord cliffs reach skyward, floating ice scatters the surface and deep u-shaped valleys cut the landscape. As you navigate the Tracy Arm Fjord, you cruise past harbor seals and their pups lounging on chunks of ice.  During the summer, you can spot eagles, seals, bears, whales, and even mountain goats showing off their fancy footwork. At the end of Endicott, the blue face of Dawes Glacier is stories high. And in classic fjord form, Tracy Arm delivers with the cotton-candy blue twin Sawyer Glaciers at its furthest reaches. Tides permitting, your skiff driver knows the ins and outs and guides you along. It’s a mashup of towering walls, waterfalls, temperamental currents, and the Coastal Mountains. Tonight, your captain joins you for a Farewell Dinner. Celebrate and reminisce about your Alaskan journey with a “photo journal” by your crew. (BLD)

Day 8: Juneau – Disembarkation
After breakfast, this morning, bid adieu to your new pals before you disembark and transfer to the Juneau airport or begin your extended UnCruise hotel stay or land tour. (B)