Day 1 Sail from Juneau
Transfer to your yacht after an included city and glacier tour. Your crew greets you with champagne and smiles, and we'll cruise to a secluded wilderness anchorage this evening.

Days 2-3 Glacier Bay National Park
One of America's crown jewel national parks will be ours to explore and marvel at for the next two days. The park itself is 3.2 million acres (a little larger than the state of Connecticut), so there is plenty to see. Tidewater glaciers sweep like rivers of ice down massive mountain valleys, terminating before us in the waters of Glacier Bay. If conditions permit, we'll lower the inflatable and weave among the icebergs that have fallen from the face of the glaciers. We'll enjoy evenings at anchor in hidden coves, and mornings paddling our kayaks in the quiet of this majestic wilderness. And what will we find? Here in the bay there are puffins and sea lions, mountain goats and bears, moose, eagles, and scenery more spectacular than any place on earth.

Day 3 Icy Strait
We'll search for the telltale blow of the humpback whale as we cruise in Icy Strait today, and later, all the charm of Alaska will greet us as we pull into tiny Elfin Cove, a miniscule village tucked into Chichagof Island. We'll step ashore to stretch our legs and meet the people who choose to live their lives far removed from modern-day conveniences. Imagine waiting for the mail plane to come in once a week here in Elfin Cove so that you may read the paper! This evening we'll anchor in a remote bay and drop the kayaks for a paddle before calling it a day.

Days 4-7 Wilderness, Whales, and Hotsprings
We'll cruise into the heart of Alaska's Inside Passage during the next four days. On any given morning, we'll awaken to find our crew ready to send us off in our kayaks, complete with hot coffee in a thermos (cream and sugar?). We'll wander through misty coves where colorful sealife clings to the intertidal rocks, and the silence remains unbroken except for the clear call of a Pacific loon, or a marbled murrelet (we'll show you one!). Or maybe we'll knock on your stateroom door to inform you that a bear and her two cubs are ambling along the shoreline just beyond the bow. We'll spend our days cruising the waters where humpback whales, Steller's sea lions, orcas and porpoise feed and frolic. We'll slip into scenic bays, enjoy guided nature hikes and soak in natural hotsprings. Our anchorages will vary from remote coves to dramatic, waterfall-laced fjords where the cliffs rise over 2,500 feet straight up out of the water. It simply does not get better than this.

Day 8 Sitka
After breakfast we'll arrive in Sitka and you'll be transferred to the airport for connections home.

Day 1 - Sail from Juneau
Welcome to Juneau. You'll be met at the airport and, after a city and glacier tour, you'll be transferred to your yacht. Relax on board with hors d'oeuvres and your favorite cocktail, followed by dinner, fine wine, and a chance to meet your new shipmates.

Days 2 - Tracy Arm
This morning we will enter magnificent Tracy Arm, a striking fjord that leads to the spectacular Twin Sawyer glaciers. We'll weave a path through a sea of small icebergs to the face of the massive glaciers. There, thunderous calvings resonate along the length of the fjord as harbor seals watch from nearby floes. If ice conditions permit, we will lower the inflatable to explore up close with the Expedition Leader. In the afternoon, we will say farewell to Tracy Arm and head for our anchorage in a quiet bay.

Day 3 - Frederick Sound and Whale Watching
We will begin the day by lowering the kayaks and the inflatable launch to explore the area. Later, we will set our compass for Stephens Passage and Frederick Sound, two prime whale-watching areas. We will spend the day cruising among calm waters and tiny islands searching for the tell-tale blow of the humpback whale. Other marine mammals, such as Stellar's sea lions and Dall's porpoise, will be high on our list of possible sightings as well. We'll dock in Petersburg this evening, and enjoy a private tour of this charming community with a Norwegian flair!

Days 4 - Canoe Pass
Before our journey continues today, enjoy a nature walk through the forest with your Expedition Leader. Brunch is served upon your return and we will cruise the intricate Wrangell Narrows, home to rich salmon runs, bald eagles, harbor porpoise and seals. This evening's anchorage finds us in a hushed, hidden channel, narrowly cut between two islands, called Canoe Pass. Here among gentle breezes and crystalline waters, we will have time to explore our surroundings by kayak or inflatable, and we will spend the night at anchor.

Day 5 - Wilderness Waterways
The smallest of villages and wilderness cruising will be our focus today. Tucked behind a fortress of broken islands, Meyer's Chuck, population just around 50, lies undetected by most who pass this way. We will pull in for a look at this surprising community made up of a handful of fishermen, artists and bush pilots. Further south we will pull into Yes Bay for an evening hike and some of the best kayaking in Southeast Alaska.

Day 6 - Misty Fjords National Monument
This morning we journey into one of the most inspiring places on our route: Misty Fjords National Monument. We will comb the shoreline, hemmed in by 3,000 foot sheer granite cliffs, search for Tlingit pictographs on the rocks, and listen for whistling bald eagles, popular residents of this area. The wildlife of Misty Fjords ranges from brown and black bears to harbor seals and deer, so have your binoculars ready! Your Expedition Leader will be at your side, ready to point out all the wonders of this magnificent area. Later on we will find a quiet nook in Misty Fjords to anchor for the night.

Day 7 - Ketchikan
This morning we'll leave Misty Fjords behind us as we make our way to Ketchikan, Alaska. Upon arrival, join your Expedition Leader for some free time in town where Creek Street and the local fishing fleet will charm you with "pure Alaskana." Later, we'll enjoy a private Native Cultures tour before returning to the yacht for dinner.

Day 8 - Kayaking & Coves
Bid farewell to Ketchikan this morning as we cruise south toward Canada. We'll anchor in the afternoon, and then explore remote waterways by kayak and inflatable skiff. The beauty and solitude of the Inside Passage will surround us as we dine together at our Farewell Dinner. Join your fellow travelers in the lounge after dinner for a digital photo presentation of your entire journey through the Inside Passage.

Day 9 - Prince Rupert, British Columbia
We up anchor this morning and wend our way to the salty fishing town of Prince Rupert, where the crew will bid you "adieu" after breakfast. Our Prince Rupert representatives will transfer you to the airport for your flight home, or departure to another destination.

Itinerary

Day 1 Sail from Juneau
Transfer to your yacht after an included city and glacier tour. Your crew greets you with champagne and smiles, and we'll cruise to a secluded wilderness anchorage this evening.

Day 2 Tenakee Springs
We'll search for the tell-tale blow of the humpback whale as we cruise today, and later, all the charm of Alaska will greet us as we pull into tiny Tenakee Springs, a remote fishing village tucked into Chichagof Island. We'll step ashore to stretch our legs and meet the people who choose to live their lives far removed from modern-day conveniences. Even here, seemingly worlds away from anyone, there is a wonderful local bakery and café, so do stop in! This evening we'll anchor in a remote bay and drop the kayaks for a paddle before calling it a day.

Days 3-5 Alaskan Gems
We'll cruise into the heart of Alaska's inside passage during the next three days. Greet the days with your adventurous side! We'll kayak under sea-carved arches back in the hidden inlets, and wander through misty coves where colorful sealife clings to the intertidal rocks. We'll explore the temperate rainforest where bears make their homes, or listen for the clear call of a Pacific loon, one of the many beautiful seabirds that migrate through this region. We'll spend our days cruising the waters where humpback whales, Steller's sea lions, orcas and porpoise feed and frolic. We'll visit striking fjords, enjoy guided nature hikes and soak in natural hotsprings. Our anchorages will be guaranteed reason to pull out your camera one more time. Marvel at 2,500-foot cliffs that rise straight up out of the water. It simply does not get better than this.

Days 6-7 Glacier Country
Two of the most remarkable days lie ahead. We'll step ashore on a massive glacial sandbar where bird life abounds. Our Expedition Leader will guide us toward the face of a glacier where we'll get close enough to touch the ice! We'll explore this glacial wonderland, discover plants as they emerge in this newly uncovered landscape, and marvel at this vast, unspoiled landscape. We'll also cruise slowly in an ice-filled fjord where we'll see, as close as anyone can get, the wonder of a fjord still being formed by an active glacier. These two days will stay with us like a magical memory for years to come. This evening, to celebrate our amazing journey in the inside passage, we'll come together for a festive Farewell Dinner before calling it a day.

Day 8 Petersburg
After breakfast we'll arrive in Petersburg. We'll bid you a fond farewell and transfer you to the airport for connections home.

Day 1 Sail from Juneau
Transfer to your yacht after a custom tour of Juneau, including picturesque Shrine of St. Thérese. Your crew greets you with champagne and smiles, and we'll cruise to a secluded wilderness anchorage this evening.

Day 2 Elfin Cove
We'll search for the telltale blow of the humpback whale as we cruise today, and later, all the charm of Alaska will greet us as we pull into tiny Elfin Cove, a remote fishing village tucked into Chichagof Island. We'll step ashore to stretch our legs and meet the people who choose to live their lives in this wilderness of forests and islands. This evening, we'll anchor in Idaho Inlet, a remote bay where we'll lower the kayaks and skiff, keeping our eyes open for sea otters and bears nearby. Enjoy another delectable dinner onboard and relax in the hot tub before calling it a day.

Days 3-4 Glacier Bay National Park
One of America's crown-jewel national parks will be ours to explore and marvel at for the next two days. The park itself is 3.2 million acres (the size of the state of Connecticut), so there is plenty to see. Tidewater glaciers sweep like rivers of ice down massive mountain valleys, terminating before us in the waters of Glacier Bay. If conditions permit, we'll lower the inflatable and weave among the icebergs that have fallen from the face of the glaciers. We'll enjoy evenings at anchor in hidden coves, and mornings paddling our kayaks or beachcombing, with our onboard Naturalist and Park Ranger. Along the way in this remote wilderness, keep on the watch for puffins, bald eagles, murres, sea lions, mountain goats, bears, moose, whales and much more…

Days 5-6 Alaskan Gems
You'll experience the "local's Alaska" during the next few days of our voyage. We'll cruise into the heart of Alaska's Inside Passage. We'll spend our days cruising the waters where humpback whales, Steller's sea lions, orcas and porpoise feed and frolic. During a stop in Basket Bay we will have an opportunity to kayak under sea-carved marble rock arches back in hidden inlets and wander through misty coves where colorful sea life clings to the intertidal rocks. We'll hike the Pavlof Lake Trail at Pavlof Harbor before pulling into the quaint community of Tenakee Springs. Later, we'll transit through Peril Strait and drop anchor in a remote cove.

Day 7 Sitka, Alaska
Step into Alaska's history on a tour through "Russian America" today. Here, in 1867, the U.S. finalized the agreement to purchase 570,000 square miles of land from Russia. We'll visit the Raptor Center and key historic sites such as the Russian History Museum that tell the story of Alaska's colorful history, both from a Native perspective and a European perspective. After our visit, we'll weave through the narrow channels that will take us from Sitka back into the wilderness passages of the Inside Passage. Bears, sea birds, otters and whales will be on our list of possible sightings today. Join the Captain on the bridge for the best seat on the yacht!

Days 8-10 Wilderness and Wildlife
Over the next three days we will explore the passages and hidden coves on the "Waterfall Coast" on the east side of Baranof Island and continue south to Sea Otter Sound on Prince of Wales Island, visiting areas that are virtually unknown to even the most avid modern adventurer. We'll paddle our kayaks along the shores of remote wilderness coastlines, enjoy guided nature hikes, and, for a quick re-entry into Alaska's "local hot spots," we'll stop into Warm Springs Bay for a soak in a natural hot spring. Later, we'll venture into a wild reach along the northern tip of Prince of Wales Island, which has never been previously visited by American Safari Cruises. "Arms in" as we cruise through the very narrow El Capitan Passage. On shore, we'll hike up to El Capitan cave, 370 steps bring you to one of the longest caves in all North America. The 2-hour tour will be led by a United States Forest Service Karst Ecosystem expert.

Day 11 Wrangell and Petersburg, Alaska
Our voyage today will travel to another one of Alaska's key historic towns, Wrangell. Named after a Russian American director, Wrangell claims to have been ruled by not one but four nations: Tlingit, Russia, Britain, and finally the U.S.A. Located at the mouth of the mighty Stikine River, Wrangell was a gateway fort and village to the vast interior of North America and its gold. Discover the rest of the story as you stroll through one of the few pre-gold rush towns in Southeast Alaska. After our visit we'll turn to the north, cruising through Wrangell Narrows for our evening port call in the quaint and thriving fishing village of Petersburg.

Days 12-14 Whales and Glaciers
We'll be setting our course for the richest whale waters in Southeast Alaska, as well as the most striking glacial fjords over these next several days. With no agenda except to experience every moment to view humpbacks, porpoise, sea lions and other wildlife in Frederick Sound and Stephens Passage. We'll cruise slowly into ice-filled inlets of Endicott Arm, Ford's Terror and Tracy Arm where we'll see, as close as anyone can get, the wonderland of fjords still being formed by Dawes and the South Sawyer Glaciers. On our final evening together we'll celebrate our amazing journey in the Inside Passage with a festive dinner and a slide show of the entire two-week voyage.

Day 15 Juneau, debarkation
After breakfast we'll arrive in Juneau. We'll bid you a fond farewell and transfer you to the airport for connections home.

Day 1 Sail from Seattle, Washington
Transfer to your yacht where your crew greets you with champagne and hors d'oeuvres. We'll cruise north toward our serene anchorage this evening.

Day 2 The San Juan Islands and Friday Harbor
Settle into the rhythm of the sea as we leave our busy lives behind. We'll wander through the hundreds of untouched islands in the San Juans, then take a couple of hours to stroll through the “boater's haven” of Friday Harbor, Washington. Visit the intriguing Whale Museum, or have a look at the many boutique shops in this tiny town. We'll depart for Canadian waters this afternoon, all eyes open for orca whales, and anchor in a quiet bay this evening.

Days 3-6 Exploring the Canadian Inside Passage
Search for orca whales, seals, sea lions and bears as we leave civilization behind. Our Expedition Leader will lead nature hikes and kayaking excursions, and we'll enjoy a First Nations dance performance in a cedar-planked big house. Further north, we'll step ashore with Naturalists from Raincoast Conservation Society who will tell us about local wildlife and fisheries studies, including little known details on rainforest wolves and the mysterious Spirit bear.

Day 7 Prince Rupert, British Columbia
Prince Rupert is British Columbia's northernmost port along our route. Here, a historic sightseeing and museum tour introduces us to this scenic community. We'll stay dockside tonight, so enjoy a walk in town after dinner this evening.

Day 8 Ketchikan, Alaska
Discover the rich, cultural heritage of Alaska's Tlingit Indians on a guided tour or Saxman Totem Village with local village resident Joe Williams. Before we depart, take time to browse shops or stroll along Creek Street where there's often a good dose of local color to be found.

Day 9 Alaskan Waterways
Open space and solitude greet us as we cruise north. We'll stop in at Meyer's Chuck, a hide-away village of fewer than 50 people. Later we'll anchor in Canoe Pass where we'll lower the kayaks for a more thorough look at the area.

Day 10 Petersburg, Alaska
Join our local guide for a private tour of this charming fishing port. Petersburg's Norwegian history is quite prominent throughout the community, and we'll have some first-hand experiences of the local culture before we depart. This afternoon, we'll enter some of the richest whale waters in Southeast Alaska, and we'll be watching for the familiar blows of humpback whales all day!

Days 11-12 Fjords and Hotsprings
We'll spend these two days in the wildest, most pristine corners of Alaska. We'll paddle our kayaks in remote fjords, hike to natural hotsprings, wander through the temperate rainforest of Southeast Alaska, and explore some of the most scenic, hidden gems one can find in the inside passage.

Days 13-14 Glacier Bay National Park
One of America's crown-jewel national parks will be ours to explore and marvel at for the next two days. Tidewater glaciers sweep like rivers of ice down massive mountain valleys, terminating before us in the waters of Glacier Bay. If conditions permit, we'll lower the inflatable and weave among the icebergs that have fallen from the face of the glaciers. We'll enjoy evenings at anchor in hidden coves, and mornings paddling our kayaks in the quiet of this majestic wilderness. And what will we find? Quite possibly we'll see puffins, sea lions, mountain goats, bears, moose, eagles, and scenery more spectacular than any place on earth. To top off our trip, we'll celebrate and reminisce together during our festive Farewell dinner.

Day 15 Juneau, Alaska
After breakfast we'll arrive in Juneau. A transfer to the Juneau airport or local hotel is included. Safe travels to all!

Ketchikan and Juneau

Cruise West's small ships take you into the hidden nooks and crannies of Alaska's Inside Passage.

Extraordinary Wilderness Lodges

Add this unique wilderness experience to your small-ship cruise. Fly in by floatplane, stay in secluded lodges, hike along pristine trails, perhaps kayaking or canoeing on still mountain lakes.

Prince William Sound

You'll enjoy your small-ship cruise, the Denali National Park B Tour, plus our Glacier Wonderland small-ship cruise in breathtaking Prince William Sound.

 

Denali National Park And Preserve

Add exquisite days to your Alaska Experience and encounter the majesty of Denali National Park and Preserve. Discover the heart of Alaska where moose, caribou and grizzlies wander. Enjoy the eccentric charm of Fairbanks and the stunning setting of Anchorage.

Itineraries

Itinerary - 9 Days