Nights: 7
Departs: Jun – Aug 2017
Roundtrip Juneau, Alaska


Exploring
Juneau / Stephens Passage / Endicott Arm / Fords Terror / Port Houghton or Windham Bay / Frederick Sound / Baranof Island / Chichagof Island / Icy Strait


Included Highlights
• Dawes Glacier Viewing in Endicott Arm
• Whale watch in Frederick Sound and Icy Strait
• Generously inclusive yacht experience
• Cruise iceberg-rich Endicott Arm
• Experience cathedral-walled Fords Terror
• Kayak and hike in the remote, rugged Port Houghton or Windham Bay
• Explore rugged shores by skiff
• Towering waterfalls and a day of play on Baranof Island
• Hike through the lush and immense Tongass National Forest with your Interpretive Guide
• Watch for wildlife on land and in the water at Chichagof Island
• "Not in the guidebook" exploration

	DAY 1 Juneau, Alaska – Embarkation Before boarding, spend the afternoon (or longer) exploring Juneau. Embark at 5 PM. Your Captain and crew welcome you aboard. Pushing off from the dock, your week of exploration begins as you sail through the Inside Passage!
	DAY 2 Icy Strait The western-most point of your journey, Icy Strait is a favored summer stopping point for whales. Watch for tell-tale spray from the bow or join your captain on the bridge for an eagle-eye view. Cruise toward Cross Sound and get up-close to the rugged coast by skiff, keeping a lookout for hidden treasures, including rambunctious Steller sea lions.
	DAY 3 Chichagof Island We’ll tuck into Gambier Bay, a large, island-speckled body of water on the south coast of Admiralty Island National Monument. We’ll drop the kayaks and launch the skiff for up-close exploration of this cool forested bay. Never logged, the thick evergreen forest crowds right down to the gravel beaches. Here is an outstanding opportunity to spot the huge brown – or grizzly – bears for which Admiralty Island is famous. At low tide they’re right down on the beaches, seeking a shellfish supper. Once again under way, we’ll watch for humpback whales before anchoring at Wood Spit for more exploration by kayak and skiff.
	DAY 4 Frederick Sound and Sea Lions The eighth largest island in Alaska, Baranof boasts towering waterfalls along its sheer granite walls. Eagles soar off thermals above and sea otters play in the water below. A guided hike through temperate rainforest uncovers the flora and fauna of an intricate ecosystem. Or go for the water on a skiff, paddle board, or kayak. It’s a full day of adventure!
	DAY 5 Frederick Sound Frederick Sound is a playground for whales, harbor seals, sea lions—and for you too! And the odds are high there’ll be humpbacks feeding and spouting in the waters of the sound. Located in southeast Alaska’s Alexander Archipelago and surrounded by emerald forests and a backdrop of the looming Coast Mountains, you may even have an opportunity to gear up for an adventurous bushwhack or a guided walk among tide pools.
	DAY 6 Port Houghton – or – Windham Bay This forested bay looks nearly the same today as it did for hearty frontier folk a century ago. Lucky for you, you won’t have to battle as rough of extremes—choose to witness this wilderness fjord by skiff or go by foot hiking along a coastal river. Investigate hidden nooks and crannies along the rugged shore by kayak and paddleboard watching for big wildlife and plentiful shorebirds. At the end of this big day of adventure, enjoy a refreshing beverage with your fellow shipmates in the lounge. It’s a tough life!
	DAY 7 Endicott Arm / Fords Terror It’s a landscape that lives up to Alaska’s nickname, The Great Land—peaks that fill the horizon, a glittering blue river of ice, and the booming crack of “white thunder” as ice calves from the face of Dawes Glacier. Take to the skiffs to explore this astounding fjord. Keep watch for local residents—mountain goats, arctic terns, and seals in repose on the glacier’s “bergy bits.” And if tides and conditions allow, navigate through the cathedral-walls of Fords Terror. After dinner this evening, your expedition team treats you to a special photo presentation of your unforgettable week.
	DAY 8 Juneau – Disembarkation Disembark at 830 AM. Gather for breakfast before returning to historic Juneau. Safe travels to all! You’ll be transferred to the Juneau airport.
Due to the nature of our explorations, itineraries are guidelines and will change in order to maximize wildlife and natural encounters. Variations in itinerary and the order of days will occur to maximize your experience.