Night before charter:
Arrive in Sitka,
Alaska. One night at the Westmark Shee-Atika, subject to availability, is included.
Day 1: This morning walk
around Sitka (or take a guided tour). At noon we board the yacht, cast off the
lines and sail out through the Olga and Neva Straits. We have lunch soon after
we are underway. We cruise through calm waters, see splendid mountains, evergreen
trees dotted with puffs of white (the ubiquitous Bald Eagles). Whales appear and
disappear quietly and smoothly as you idle along. You may try your hand at fishing
for halibut and salmon or go kayaking in Kalinan Bay, our anchorage for the night.
You can usually go kayaking when the yacht is at anchor. Day
2: Cruising - Bears - Eagles - Whales - Hot Springs - Fine Dining As
we cruise through the Sergius Narrows (very spectacular) and into Peril Strait,
you scan the shore for Brown Bears (grizzlies), Sitka Black Tail deer and eagles
while scanning the water for humpback whales and Orcas. We will standby to watch
any we encounter. Later we tie up in Warm Springs Bay or drop the hook in a nearby
cove. We go ashore to enjoy a hike up to the top of Baranof Falls where you settle
into the natural stone pools filled by the hot thermal waters. With a relaxing
beverage, you feel life soak into your bones and your cares float away. We dine
under the Northern Lights sipping good vintages, well matched to the cuisine.
Day 3: Chatham Strait - Humpbacks Everywhere - The Brothers
We cruise south along Chatham Strait and then turn northeastward into
Frederick Sound, the summer feeding grounds for Orcas and hundreds of humpback
whales that travel both in groups and alone. You see the impressive collective
feeding behavior called "bubble-netting." It is likely that you will
observe it very, very close to the yacht. And if it happens near to you while
you are out in the skiff or a kayak, you can count on it to quicken your pulse!
You'll be amazed at the explosive bang created when whales crash back into the
water following a breach or leap into the air. With the yacht's underwater acoustical
devices you can hear the whales communicating as they go about their daily activities.
Tonight's anchorage is in shallow water, near the small group of islands called
the Brothers, where halibut fishing is usually very rewarding. During the evening
and through the night, you may be aware of humpbacks passing very close to the
yacht. Day 4: Sea Lions - Admiralty Island - Many Brown Bears
As we cruise through The Brothers, we will pause to observe a colony
of Steller Sea Lions, close relatives of the California Sea Lion that most of
you swam with in Galapagos. They sound about the same and have the traditional
sea lion bouquet, so we won't savor it for too long! As we cruise along, you're
likely to spot several of the 2,000 Brown Bears (grizzlies) that live on Admiralty
Island, which has the world's most dense grizzly population, almost one per square
mile, is found here. Our anchorage tonight is Cannery Cove off Pybus Bay where
grizzlies are often spotted on the nearby shore. You can help set out some crab
pots in hope of adding variety to the already astonishing table.
Day 5: Upriver Exploration - Crab Pots - Stephens Passage From the
anchorage, we'll take the skiff up the creek that empties into Cannery Cove to
look for deer, bears and spawning salmon. On the return, we'll gather in the crab
pots; there is nothing quite as succulent as crab straight out of the pot, especially
a boiling one. We hoist anchor and cruise northeast through Stephens Passage following
the east side of Admiralty Island. Along the way we'll pause to observe whales,
fish a bit and keep our eyes peeled for other diversions. We overnight in "No-Name
Cove" just south of the entrance to Tracy Arm Fjord. Day
6: Tracy Arm Fjord - Icebergs - Sawyer Glacier We're underway early,
picking a course through the icebergs of this very deep fjord. You scan the granite
walls looking for Alaskan Mountain Goats, deer, moose, Brown Bears (grizzlies)
and other wildlife. Deep into the fjord, the walls converge and the icebergs become
more numerous. After 23 miles, you sense the engines throttling back; you are
thankful as you gaze dead ahead into the massive, blue wall of ice of Sawyer Glacier.
It is a dynamic wall that continuously sheds (calves) the accumulations of centuries
into small bits and azure megaton chunks into the melt water. Some parts shatter
on impact releasing well-preserved bits of flora and fauna thereby generating
a feeding frenzy among seagulls patrolling the glacial slush. Imagine 10,000 year
old mice... um, good! We return to Stephens Passage. As you enjoy your sundowner
with fresh crab, you marvel at the beautiful glow of the sunset reflected from
the snow covered peaks of Admiralty Island. We anchor in Taku Harbor not far from
an abandoned cannery. After a hike and an exploration of the cannery, we return
to the yacht for our farewell dinner. Day 7: Taku Inlet - Gastineau
Channel - Juneau The least welcome of any day of a fine trip is upon
us. After breakfast, we cruise on by Taku Inlet and then follow the Gastineau
Channel while you soak up last looks at the snow capped peaks and green forest.
We reach Juneau about 11 AM. You can fly out this afternoon or staying tonight
in the Goldbelt Hotel in Juneau is included. Day 8: Fly Home
or Other Adventures Fly home, or you may choose to remain in Juneau to
explore the Mendenhall Glacier, visit the city, go hiking or go on other adventures
in the area. |