Alaska's Whales & Wilderness
Cruise deep into the wilderness of Alaska's Inside Passage and bask in a peaceful sanctuary, where wildlife abounds and people are few. Sail round trip from Juneau and enjoy the luxury of spending a full day in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, a privilege permitted exclusively to Cruise West guests. Gaze skyward in awe of the sheer cliffs of Tracy Arm. Listen for the sound of thundering waterfalls and the crack! of glaciers calving into the sea. Come face-to-face and interact with the people of a remote Southeast Alaskan village. And learn from a National Park Ranger and Native Cultural Interpreter about the Passage's array of flora, fauna and the culture of the Tlingits.
Whales Guaranteed!
Whales are guaranteed to be sighted on any Alaska's Whales & Wilderness cruise. If a whale is not sighted on your voyage, Cruise West will refund $250 of your cruise price after your return home. Tha'ts a promise we made five years ago, and one we've kept. Happily, we've never had to make good on our guarantee. We don't expect to on your cruise either.
- Juneau Round Trip
- Southbound + Denali
- Southbound + Kantishna
Prices: start at $3,599
2008 Departure dates:
Round trip from Juneau, 9 days / 8 nights
May 16, 19, 23, 26, 30
Jun 2, 6, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27, 30
Jul 4, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28
Aug 1, 4, 8, 11, 15, 18, 22
Ship: Our Small Ships
Inquire on this itinerary
Icy Strait is a northern waterway that separates Chichagof Island from Glacier Bay on the mainland, extending 40 miles northwest from Chatham Strait to Glacier Bay and Cross Sound. Its nutrient rich waters are a magnet to an abundant variety of marine mammals and seabirds, and its northern border is the untamed, natural wilderness of Glacier Bay. Saw-toothed mountaintops of the Fairweather Range loom thousands of feet in the northern sky. Watch for the gentle humpbacks as they feast on tiny krill churned by waters from the Pacific Ocean. Watch for the behaviors you may see them exhibit. Spouting. Sounding. Breaching. Tail slapping. Fin smacking. Lunge feeding. Even rare bubble feeding if you’re very, very lucky. The tiny Inian Islands stand between you and the open waters of the Gulf of Alaska, with enticing opportunities to get out there and explore by inflatable craft. Be sure to keep an eye out for Steller's sea lions, orcas, harbor seals, and porpoise. BLD
Round trip from Juneau
9 days / 8 nights
We’ll pick up a Glacier Bay Park Ranger and a local Tlingit Cultural Interpreter in Bartlett Cove. They will provide a comprehensive day of narrative sightseeing. Over 65 miles of pristine terrain and habitat have been revealed in Glacier Bay since its giant rivers of ice began dramatically retreating 200 years ago. Approach Marble Islands and hurry outside to encounter a teeming multitude of seabirds like black-legged kittiwakes, murrelets and puffins, all swooping and swarming above the writhing, barking haul-out of Steller’s sea lions. We may encounter mountain goats on Gloomy Knob or watch brown and black bears foraging along the shoreline. Look for more harbor seals, sea otters and the humpback whales that call Glacier Bay their summer home and admire the 15,000-foot peak of Mt. Fairweather, the steepest climb from sea level in the world. BLD
We'll also spend part of today in some of the richest whale waters in all of Southeast Alaska and take every opportunity to spot whales, letting our itinerary be dictated by their movements. Enormous volumes of nutrient-rich water flow into Icy Strait and flood the coast of Chichagof Island at Point Adolphus. This creates perfect conditions to attract humpback whales, seals, sea lions and porpoise. We may even seen orcas if we are vigilant. BLD
Conditions permitting, your crew will welcome you into inflatable excursion craft to explore the waters and shorelines amid bouncing bergie bits calved from ancient glaciers. BLD
Prices: start at $5,899
2008 Departure dates:
Southbound, Fairbanks to Juneau + Denali, 13 days/ 12 nights
May 15, 19, 22, 26, 29
Jun 2, 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 30
Jul 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24, 28, 31
Aug 4, 7, 11, 14, 18
Ship: Our Small Ships
Inquire on this itinerary
At a little more than 125 miles from the Arctic Circle, Fairbanks truly can be considered, “the end of the road.” After breakfast at your hotel, take a brief tour of historical Fairbanks and to the campus of the University of Alaska Fairbanks to pay a visit to the new highly acclaimed museum. Newly completed expansion of the museum has created one of the finest collections of artifacts from Alaska’s rich history, explanations of the indigenous cultures and displays of the natural wonders of this part of the world. You’ll be greeted at the door by Otto, the 8-foot, 9-inch-tall grizzly bear that is the museum’s mascot. You won’t want to miss the mummified remains of Blue Babe, a 36,000-year-old Alaska steppe bison on display. We’ll take an authentic sternwheeler ride of the Chena River before getting back into our motorcoach and heading off to the mountains. We’ll be following the George Parks Highway on our way to Denali. Finished in 1971, the highway links the major communities of Anchorage with Fairbanks and presents picture-postcard views at nearly every bend. En route you’ll enjoy spectacular sweeping vistas. When we reach Nenana, a large village at the confluence of the Tanana and Nenana Rivers, you will see how the river systems of Alaska’s Interior are comparable to highways, considering the amount of freight that is moved on barges to the small villages. We’ll climb the rolling hills north of the Alaska Range. These imposing mountains create a rain shadow in this area as the moisture that blows inland from the Gulf of Alaska precipitates on the south side of the mountains, leaving this area relatively cold and arid. You may notice the stunted and scattered vegetation and learn of the significance of the great expanse of permafrost. Those short, sickly looking trees you’ll see are actually hundreds of years old. Just past the town of Healy we will follow the Nenana River as it cuts through Healy Canyon and then it’s up to the village of Denali. Enjoy a privately catered dinner and hear an exclusive presentation by the Denali Foundation, a non-profit organization devoted to the education and preservation of the natural wonders of Denali National Park. The Denali Education Center naturalists will provide you with an exclusive presentation on the Sub-Arctic Climate. Enjoy a Denali Dinner Dine Around and overnight at your Denali Hotel. BLD Breakfast at your Denali Hotel before boarding a bus to the Denali Depot. One of the many highlights of this day is the opportunity to take in the breathtaking scenery aboard your luxury domed railcar. This segment of the Alaska Railway is considered by far the most scenic portion of the trip and takes travelers farther away from the Parks Highway and deeper into the virtually untouched wilderness. Moose, bears and bald eagles can often be sighted along the route and at certain times of the summer the salmon can be seen spawning in the streams. Of the many spectacular sights along the way, perhaps the most magnificent is Hurricane Gulch, where a bridge spans 914 feet and rises 296 feet above the creek below. Alaska’s capital city is in the northern heart of the United States’ largest National Forest. Juneau is the only state capital that is inaccessible by roadways. Even though it is located on the mainland, the surrounding imposing mountains and massive icefield create a community accessible only by air or water. And it takes only minutes to cruise along Gastineau Channel into the wilderness. Some of the best optional excursions in Alaska are available in Juneau. Perhaps a flightseeing trip over the famous Juneau Ice Field, exploring the impressive Mendenhall Glacier. Southbound, Fairbanks to Juneau + Denali National Park
13 days/ 12 nights
When not focused on marine mammals, the spectacular scenery surrounding this area will captivate your heart. The snowcapped Coast Range Mountains rise form sea to sky in 10,000-foot splendor. The Stikine Icefield holds the eastern border cold and serene.
This afternoon you’ll discover the joys of wilderness exploration. Your Captain and Exploration Leader know these waters intimately – and each voyage is likely to be different, depending on what magic they find to share with you. BLD
Gliding through the mist from the shores of the remote wilderness, a National Park Ranger will board our vessel in Tracy Arm. The ranger will hold a discussion about the meaning and value of these public lands, especially the areas designated as wilderness. S/he will use the stories of John Muir, Aldo Leopold and others to demonstrate the origins of the American idea of wilderness. The ranger will share tales of his/her work duties in the field, which include monitoring air pollution, removing invasive weeds, participating in wildlife stuides and will take take questions from those eager to learn about climate change, wildlife, camping stories and natural history.
Conditions permitting, your crew will welcome you into inflatable excursion craft to explore the waters and shorelines amid bouncing bergie bits calved from ancient glaciers. BLD
Prices: start at $7,299
2008 Departure dates:
Southbound, Fairbanks to Juneau + Kantishna 14 days/ 13 nights
Jun 8, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, 29
Jul 2, 6, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27, 30
Aug 3, 6, 10, 13, 17
Ship: Our Small Ships
Inquire on this itinerary
Southbound, Fairbanks to Juneau + Kantishna Roadhouse
14 days/ 13 nights
Transfer from the airport to meet your Exploration Leader and fellow travelers at a wine and cheese reception. Overnight at a Fairbanks Hotel.
Day 2 - FAIRBANKS SIGHTSEEING, RIVERBOAT
At a little more than 125 miles from the Arctic Circle, Fairbanks truly can be considered, “the end of the road.” After breakfast at your hotel, take a brief tour of historical Fairbanks then on to the campus of the University of Alaska Fairbanks and pay a visit to the highly acclaimed museum. Newly completed expansion of the museum has created one of the finest collections of artifacts from Alaska’s rich history, explanations of the indigenous cultures and displays of the natural wonders of this part of the world. You’ll be greeted at the door by Otto, the 8-foot, 9-inch-tall grizzly bear that is the museum’s mascot. You won’t want to miss the mummified remains of Blue Babe, a 36,000-year-old Alaska steppe bison on display.
See the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, which winds its way 880 miles. Cruise on the Chena and Tanana Rivers aboard an authentic sternwheeler riverboat. Overnight at your Fairbanks Hotel. BLD
Day 3 - TO KANTISHNA ROADHOUSE
Transfer to the train station to board a deluxe domed railcar to Denali National Park and Preserve. Breakfast is served on the train. It can truly be said that your journey from Fairbanks to Denali starts at the end of the line, for this railway trip is the northernmost terminus of the northernmost railroad in North America. Over the course of four hours you’ll venture into the heart of the Alaska Range and Denali. Along the way you’ll pull into the town of Healy, where the Usibelli Coal Mine, the only one of its kind in the state, provides coal that is shipped along these rails to the power plants of Fairbanks. Enjoy breakfast on the train.
There’s only one road that wanders into Denali National Park and it’s 90 miles long. Private vehicles are not allowed on the road past Mile 15, which is where the pavement ends. The lucky few, less than 2%, who venture further into the backcountry have the unique experience of capturing the very essence of Denali at the remote lodges of the Kantishna District. A driver-guide from the lodge will share his/her knowledge of this special place. You will likely encounter several opportunities for viewing wildlife. Keep your eyes out for caribou, that are almost always on the move.
Nearing the end of the road, magnificent Wonder Lake comes into view. With Mount McKinley at your doorstep and Denali National Park stretching to the horizon in every direction, this is one of the most extraordinary locations in the world. A lodge host will meet you and orient you to the facility. Join your traveling companions for social hour before dinner. Accommodations are rustic, but incredibly comfortable. BD
Day 4 - EXPLORING AROUND KANTISHNA
Enjoy the unique wonders of Denali National Park's backcountry from the privileged perspective of Kantishna Roadhouse. Hiking, wildlife observation, bird watching and botanizing in a variety of the Park's landscapes create the foundation for your wilderness experience. Built in 1993, the log lodge is surrounded by 32 full-service cabins. Educational activities are offered every day and each evening after dinner the Roadhouse staff helps plan activities for the following day. Guided hikes provide an opportunity to learn about the area from the naturalist guides at the Roadhouse. Mountain bikes are available to ride to Wonder Lake or on some of the old mining roads in the area. Gold panning, fly-fishing and dogsled demonstrations or flightseeing tours are other optional activities. BLD
Day 5 - EXPLORING AROUND KANTISHNA
Continue to enjoy the wonders of the Denali backcountry. Hiking, wildlife observation, bird watching and botanizing opportunities are available. Other activites include mountain bike riding, gold panning, fly fishing, flightseeing tours or dogsled demonstrations. BLD
Day 6 - DENALI NATIONAL PARK TO ANCHORAGE
Drive out of the Park, watching for moose, caribou, Dall's sheep, grizzly bears and more. One of the many highlights of this day is the opportunity to take in the breathtaking scenery aboard your luxury domed railcar. This segment of the Alaska Railway is considered by far the most scenic portion of the trip and takes travelers farther away from the Parks Highway and deeper into the virtually untouched wilderness. Moose, bears and bald eagles can often be sighted along the route and at certain times of the summer the salmon can be seen spawning in the streams. Of the many spectacular sights along the way, perhaps the most magnificent is Hurricane Gulch, where a bridge spans 914 feet and rises 296 feet above the creek below. In Talkeetna board a motorcoach for the drive to Anchorage, following the Talkeetna Mountains on our way to the town of Wasilla. We will be tracing the first leg of the world-famous Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Each year mushers from around the world come to take part in the “Last Great Race on Earth.” Just past Wasilla, the highway drops down into the Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge. This area is a migratory stop for birds from all over the planet as well as a wintering ground for moose. Look for bald eagles and other birds of prey soaring above the flats or perched in trees. Arrive in Anchorage, the largest city in the largest state in the union. Choose between four of Anchorage’s finest dining establishments and overnight at the Sheraton Anchorage Hotel. BD
Day 7 - ANCHORAGE TO JUNEAU
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Juneau. Flight time is approximately one hour and 45 minutes. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Juneau before boarding your ship to begin your cruise. BD
Day 8 - ICY STRAIT
Watch for the gentle humpbacks as they feast on tiny krill churned by waters from the Pacific Ocean. Watch for the behaviors you may see them exhibit. Spouting. Sounding. Breaching. Tail slapping. Fin smacking. Lunge feeding. Even rare bubble feeding if you’re very, very lucky. The tiny Inian Islands stand between you and the open waters of the Gulf of Alaska, with enticing opportunities to get out there and explore by inflatable craft. Be sure to keep an eye out for Steller's sea lions, orcas, harbor seals, and porpoise.
Icy Strait is a northern waterway that separates Chichagof Island from Glacier Bay on the mainland, extending 40 miles northwest from Chatham Strait to Glacier Bay and Cross Sound. Its nutrient rich waters are a magnet to an abundant variety of marine mammals and seabirds, and its northern border is the untamed, natural wilderness of Glacier Bay. Saw-toothed mountaintops of the Fairweather Range loom thousands of feet in the northern sky. BLD
Day 9 - GLACIER BAY NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE
Declared by many to be the most extraordinary and untouched place in the world, Glacier Bay was first established as a National Monument in 1925 and has since enjoyed the highly protected status of National Park, Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site. Glacier Bay National Park shows you the earth in transition. The glaciers here are receding rapidly, leaving in their wake scoured cliffs and deep fjords.
We’ll pick up a Glacier Bay Park Ranger and a local Tlingit Cultural Interpreter in Bartlett Cove. They will provide a comprehensive day of narrative sightseeing. Over 65 miles of pristine terrain and habitat have been revealed in Glacier Bay since its giant rivers of ice began dramatically retreating 200 years ago. Approach Marble Islands and hurry outside to encounter a teeming multitude of seabirds like black-legged kittiwakes, murrelets and puffins, all swooping and swarming above the writhing, barking haul-out of Steller’s sea lions. We may encounter mountain goats on Gloomy Knob or watch brown and black bears foraging along the shoreline. Look for more harbor seals, sea otters and the humpback whales that call Glacier Bay their summer home and admire the 15,000-foot peak of Mt. Fairweather, the steepest climb from sea level in the world. BLD
Day 10 - WILDERNESS COMMUNITY
For those lucky and hearty few who call this wilderness home, "traffic" takes on a whole new meaning! We will port call at one of a handful of small Alaskan villages to briefly get a taste of what it would be like to be part of a community that rests in the wild and off-the-beaten-path part of the world. BLD
Day 11 - SITKA
This beautiful little city is thought by many to be the “jewel of the Inside Passage.” Its setting alone is breathtaking. While big ships must plow through miles of open ocean and moor far from the tiny docks, your small ship will come to Sitka “through the back door,” threading through beautiful Peril Strait and navigating the delicate passage through Sergius Narrows where tides challenge all but the most expert mariner’s skill. Enjoy the peaceful setting as you stroll amongst the totems at the beautiful Sitka National Historic Park, or choose other optional excursions to further explore the gem of Baranof Island. BLD
Day 12 - FREDERICK SOUND AND WILDERNESS EXPLORATION
Frederick Sound teems with the humpback whale’s favorite food – and the whales take full advantage, feeding in the rich waters as they prepare for their long migration south. Once they leave Alaska waters at summer’s end, these giant creatures will not eat again until they return next year. This afternoon you’ll discover the joys of “gunkholing,” a nautical term that means, among other things, “exploring at leisure.” Your Captain and Exploration Leader know these waters intimately – and each voyage is likely to be different, depending on what magic they find to share with you. BLD
Day 13 - TRACY ARM
Many travelers consider these narrow fjords the most spectacular spots in Alaska. Sheer cliffs rise thousands of feet from waterline to snowcapped peaks, their sides studded and stunning waterfalls. And there's the ice. Gliding through the mist from the shores of the remote wilderness, a National Park Ranger will board our vessel in Tracy Arm. The ranger will hold a discussion about the meaning and value of these public lands, especially the areas designated as wilderness. S/he will use the stories of John Muir, Aldo Leopold and others to demonstrate the origins of the American idea of wilderness. The ranger will share tales of his/her work duties in the field, which include monitoring air pollution, removing invasive weeds, participating in wildlife stuides and will take take questions from those eager to learn about climate change, wildlife, camping stories and natural history.
Conditions permitting, your crew will welcome you into inflatable excursion craft to explore the waters and shorelines amid bouncing bergie bits calved from ancient glaciers. BLD
Day 14 - ARRIVE IN JUNEAU
Disembark in Juneau this morning, and we'll escort you to the airport. B
B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner
