Alaska - Tongass Forest, Glaciers & Wildlife

Day 1: Embarkation in Juneau
Day 2: Endicott Arm Fjord & Dawes Glacier Wilderness Area
Day 3: Frederick Sound Whale & Marine Mammal Search
Day 4: Thomas Bay & Wrangell Narrows
Day 5: Blashke Islands
Day 6: Behm Canal
Day 7: Misty Fjords
Day 8: Ketchikan Disembarkation

Day 1: Embarkation in Juneau
The scent of the sea welcomes you as you step aboard and begin settling into your home for the week. Meet your captain and crew and take time to get acquainted with the ship and its comfortable spaces. In the lounge, enjoy a welcome cocktail and Champagne toast as anticipation builds for the adventures ahead. As the vessel departs the dock, head out on deck with your binoculars (provided in your cabin) and begin scanning the horizon for whale spouts. (D)

Day 2: Endicott Arm Fjord & Dawes Glacier Wilderness Area
Overnight, you’ve sailed into an entirely new world. Towering granite walls rise thousands of feet above milky blue waters as the Discoverer weaves past enormous icebergs. Deep, U-shaped valleys reveal the legacy of the last Ice Age, while harbor seals rest on floating ice alongside their newly born pups. Endicott Arm invites you outdoors, where the air grows crisper the deeper you journey into its pristine wilderness. As the ship slows near a dramatic wall of shimmering blue ice, Dawes Glacier comes into view, today’s highlight. Bundle up and board a skiff for a close-up encounter with one of Southeast Alaska’s most active tidewater glaciers. (BLD)

Day 3: Frederick Sound Whale & Marine Mammal Search
Humpback whales are frequent visitors to this Southeast Alaska passage, and a misty spout on the horizon signals their presence nearby. As your captain navigates Stephens Passage, the day unfolds with a range of adventurous options led by your expert guides. With routes clearly mapped, choose your pace and path. Launch your kayak and glide quietly along the shoreline, watching for sea stars and coastal birds, or opt for a more challenging paddle through open waters. For those eager to stretch their legs, head ashore for a hike into the legendary Tongass National Forest. (BLD)

Day 4: Thomas Bay & Wrangell Narrows
Thomas Bay’s glacial landscape is shaped by moraines, muskegs, and tidal mudflats, creating a strikingly wild setting. Paddle or explore by skiff across waters so clear they mirror the surrounding fjord walls, reflecting their dramatic contours on the surface. Alternatively, stay on land for an interpretive walk through open grassy meadows that lead into dense forest. This is true Alaskan backcountry, far from the beaten path. In the distance, the steady roar of Cascade Creek echoes through the trees, with cascading waterfalls adding to the sense of wilderness. As evening approaches, count the many navigation markers while transiting Wrangell Narrows, where glowing red and green lights line the route. This has earned the waterway its festive nickname, “Christmas Tree Lane.” (BLD)

Day 5: Blashke Islands
The Blashke Islands, located off Alaska’s southern coast, form an enchanting archipelago known for rugged beauty and untamed wilderness. Carved by glaciers and shaped by powerful natural forces, the islands feature dramatic landscapes of towering cliffs, fjords, and dense forests. Today, this wilderness is your playground. Enjoy a full day of choose-your-own-adventure exploration, with options such as hiking, kayaking, skiff tours, snorkeling, or full-day yak-and-whack excursions. Prepare for an active and unforgettable day immersed in Alaska’s wild scenery. (BLD)

Day 6: Behm Canal
Remote waterways and secluded coves, streams, and bays within the Tongass National Forest define Behm Canal. On the Cleveland Peninsula, your expedition team leads a low-elevation hike alongside clear, fast-moving streams, offering excellent opportunities for forest and wildlife photography. Wildlife is abundant both on land and in the water. Watch for black bears, mink, and eagles along the shore, while porpoises, seals, and otters glide through the surrounding waters. Continue your exploration on a guided paddle through narrow, deserted waterways that flow quietly into the canal. (BLD)

Day 7: Misty Fjords
There are places in the world that leave you completely awestruck, and this is one of them. Misty Fjords National Monument encompasses nearly every ecosystem found in Southeast Alaska. Glacial valleys filled with seawater, sheer cliffs rising more than 3,000 feet, and thriving populations of seabirds, bears, and Sitka black-tailed deer all find refuge here. Choose your own adventure in Walker Cove or Rudyerd Bay, with options to paddle, take a skiff to the base of a waterfall for a refreshing fjord mist, or simply drift quietly and absorb the scenery. However you spend the day, it becomes clear why this remarkable place is affectionately known as “The Yosemite of the North.” As a fitting finale to your Alaskan journey, gather for a Farewell Dinner with your captain, celebrating the week’s adventures and reliving highlights through a photo slideshow presented by your guide team. It is the perfect conclusion to a week immersed in the wilds of Southeast Alaska. (BLD)

Day 8: Ketchikan Disembarkation
Saying goodbye to the Discoverer is never easy, but your journey concludes this morning in Ketchikan. Known as the Salmon Capital of the World, the town offers plenty of opportunities to continue exploring. Ask your crew for local recommendations as you disembark and bid farewell to the team and fellow travelers who have become new friends along the way. Until next time, we look forward to welcoming you back. (B)

Day 1: Ketchikan, Alaska Embarkation
Day 2: Walker Cove & Misty Fjords National Monument
Day 3: Behm Canal
Day 4: Blashke Islands Watersports Paradise
Day 5: Wrangell Narrows & Thomas Bay
Day 6: Frederick Sound Whale Watching
Day 7: Endicott Arm Fjord & Dawes Glacier Wilderness Area
Day 8: Juneau, Alaska Disembarkation
 

Day 1: Ketchikan, Alaska Embarkation
Begin your adventure with a warm welcome in Ketchikan. After checking in at the hospitality area, enjoy some time to explore the city before boarding. Once aboard, raise a glass of bubbly as the ship departs the dock and sets course for Misty Fjords National Monument. Your captain and crew will share an overview of the exciting journey ahead as your week of exploration begins. (D)

Day 2: Walker Cove & Misty Fjords National Monument
Experience the awe-inspiring beauty and quiet serenity of Misty Fjords National Monument, a place that showcases the rich diversity of Southeast Alaska’s ecosystems. Cruise through glacial valleys filled with seawater and framed by towering cliffs rising more than 3,000 feet, where wildlife such as bears and seabirds find safe refuge. Whether kayaking in Walker Cove or Rudyerd Bay, this region, affectionately known as “The Yosemite of the North,” offers a perfect balance of active paddling and peaceful moments to simply take it all in. Return to the ship to enjoy a warm meal and relax after a rewarding day of exploration. (BLD)

Day 3: Behm Canal
Wildlife thrives throughout Behm Canal, where black bears, mink, and eagles are often spotted along the shore. This remote region is defined by quiet waterways and secluded coves, streams, and bays within the Tongass National Forest. On the Cleveland Peninsula, your expedition team leads a low-elevation hike beside clear, rushing streams, offering excellent opportunities for capturing Southeast Alaska’s lush forest scenery. In the surrounding waters, porpoises, seals, and otters move through the canal as they go about their day. Join a guided paddle through narrow, deserted waterways that flow gently into Behm Canal and continue your wilderness exploration. (BLD)

Day 4: Blashke Islands Watersports Paradise
Today, turn your attention to the captivating Blashke Islands, a destination filled with opportunity for adventure and exploration. Enjoy a full day of choose-your-own experiences, tailored to your interests and energy level. Options may include bushwhacking through untouched terrain, peaceful kayaking, skiff explorations, snorkeling, or full-day yak-and-whack excursions. Largely unknown to most travelers, this chain of islands is perfectly suited for off-vessel adventures and immersive exploration. As you move through these pristine waters, keep watch for whales that frequent the area and may make a memorable appearance. Prepare for a full day of active discovery in this remarkable and secluded island paradise. (BLD)

Day 5: Wrangell Narrows & Thomas Bay
In the distance, the sound of rushing water announces Cascade Creek as it cuts through the forest in a stunning display of waterfalls. A favorite among the crew, this hidden gem is a rare find in Southeast Alaska and is accessible via one of the region’s few maintained trails. Take advantage of guided hikes designed for a range of skill levels, offering an unforgettable way to experience this pristine wilderness. If hiking is not your preference, opt for a scenic kayak paddle instead. Later, the afternoon cruise through Wrangell Narrows becomes a photographer’s delight as the Discoverer skillfully navigates this iconic waterway, home to eagles, Steller sea lions, and other wildlife. Count the many navigational markers along the route for a glimpse into daily life in Southeast Alaska. (BLD)

Day 6: Frederick Sound Whale Watching
“There she blows!” Frederick Sound is a nutrient-rich crossroads where several major waterways converge. Pacific upwellings deliver plankton-filled waters that attract vast schools of herring and, in turn, large numbers of whales. Each summer, hundreds of humpbacks gather here to feed, building energy for their long migrations to and from winter breeding grounds in Hawai‘i and Baja. Between the Keku Islands, Robert and Crow Islands, and Five Fingers Lighthouse, the day offers countless remarkable places to explore. Your captain and expedition leader chart a course for the most whale-rich waters available. Venture out on a skiff in search of bubble-net-feeding humpbacks, or head ashore for a bushwhack or shoreline walk through the old-growth forests of the Tongass. Remote wilderness awaits, and today is dedicated to discovering it. (BLD)

Day 7: Endicott Arm Fjord & Dawes Glacier Wilderness Area
Overnight, you sail into an entirely new landscape. Towering granite walls rise thousands of feet above milky blue waters as the Discoverer glides past massive icebergs. Deep, U-shaped valleys reveal the legacy of the last Ice Age, while harbor seals rest on the ice alongside this season’s newborn pups. Endicott Arm offers a striking opportunity to step outside and feel the air grow cooler as you venture deeper into its wilderness. As the ship slows near a towering wall of blue ice at the end of the fjord, Dawes Glacier comes into view as today’s destination. Bundle up and board a skiff for an up-close experience with one of Southeast Alaska’s most active tidewater glaciers. This remarkable day provides a fitting close to the week’s adventures. In the evening, join your captain for a Farewell Dinner and relive your Alaskan journey through a photo journal presented by the crew. (BLD)

Day 8: Juneau, Alaska Disembarkation
After breakfast this morning, say farewell to your fellow travelers before disembarking in Juneau. Transfer to the Juneau airport, or continue your journey with an extended UnCruise hotel stay or land tour. (B)