EXCURSIONES EN TIERRA

This wilderness expedition to the spectacular Davidson Glacier leads you through fjords, rain forests, colorful wildflowers, and towering mountains. Your adventure begins with a 75-minute journey through North America's deepest fjord aboard a high speed 26 passenger expedition boat. Watch for whales, seals, sea lions, and cascading waterfalls along the way to a remote beach at Glacier Point, one of the most beautiful places in Alaska. After a short, adventurous drive across the forested glacial moraines, and a quarter mile walk, the forest suddenly opens to a breathtaking view of the glacier. The crystal blue ice tumbles from the jagged peaks into a pristine lake where 12 passenger, 31-foot voyager canoes wait to take you towards the face of the glacier. Throughout your tour, expert guides share their extensive knowledge of this amazing area. Enjoy a picnic lunch at the beach amid fields of wild strawberries and iris tops before your return trip to Skagway.

OVERVIEW

Race through the wilderness on a utility task vehicle and then cruise along the gorgeous shoreline to a waterfront lodge for a hearty crab feast and beer pairing. After taking the wheel of the UTV, you will tear through mountainous terrain and along old logging roads at adrenaline-pumping speeds that will make this driving adventure even more memorable. Upon reaching the coast, you will board a vessel and cruise down an inland arm of the sea. The views will be spectacular, especially while passing the Mahoney Glacial Cirque, an amphitheater-like valley that ancient glaciers carved through the rugged landscape. Wildlife is abundant throughout this remote area, especially bald eagles. A sumptuous meal awaits you at George Inlet Lodge, a former 1940s bunkhouse for a fish cannery. It is a beautiful setting to dine on the lodges crab chowder and Dungeness crab s paired with five unique craft beers from two local breweries.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drive a utility task vehicle off-road through densely forested, mountainous terrain.
• Cruise past the gorgeous Mahoney Glacial Cirque.
• Feast on Dungeness crabs and local craft beers at the historical George Inlet Lodge.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat, closed toed, comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Discover the diversity of the southeast Alaska landscape via helicopter as you fly over temperate rainforests and granite peaks that surround Alaska’s capital city. After your flightseeing tour, your pilot will land at our trekking site on the Mendenhall Glacier. Your guide will teach you how to use trekking poles and crampons for balance and traction, enabling you to travel easily on gently rolling glacial terrain. During this non-strenuous, one-hour interpretive walk, your guide will point out and explain the glacier features and allow you ample time for photos.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Non-strenuous, one-hour interpretive walk on gently rolling glacial terrain.
• Fly over temperate rainforests and granite peaks surrounding Alaska’s capital city.
• Guide points out and explains glacier features with time for photos.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Experience the beauty that surrounds Juneau with friendly, knowledgable guides. On the van ride to the departure point, hear about Juneau's vibrant culture, history, and environment. You'll arrive at the starting point where you'll be fitted with a bicycle, helmet, and water bottle and receive a safety briefing. You'll begin the ride on the eastern side of the Mendenhall Glacier, biking past a beautiful glacier view behind a stunning beaver dam. You'll ride through a marvelous rainforest trail to the west side of the Mendenhall Glacier, where you stop on a beach stop for a short break and admire views of the glacier across Mendenhall Lake. You’ll then proceed to the visitor area at the east side of Mendenhall Glacier. Bike through another trail, immersing yourself in the beauty of the Tongass National Rainforest. At the end of the ride, you'll have a chance to spend time admiring the glacier at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. The ride covers approximately 8 miles on a mostly flat road with some rolling hills. Next travel by van to Merchant’s Wharf, an old sea plane hangar in downtown Juneau and a landmark in aviation history for a taste of award winning beers from micro-breweries around Alaska.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Marvel at the natural beauty that surrounds Juneau at a comfortable pace with knowledgeable guides.
• See the stunning Mendenhall Glacier from a variety of vantage points..
• Sample award-winning Alaskan Microbrewery beers.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear comfortable shoes for outdoor activity.
• Children’s and tandem bikes are available upon request at the onboard excursions desk.

The Skagway Triple Adventure is the ultimate Alaska outdoor experience! You’ll bike through the coastal temperate rainforest onto the tidal flats, hike a portion of the historic Chilkoot Trail, then float down the glacial-fed Taiya River on a relaxing raft journey. You’ll get to do it all on this one excursion! This amazing tour starts with a 25-minute narrated van ride to the historic Taiya River Valley. Once home to 10,000 stampeders, nature has now reclaimed the land.

Your guides escort you on five miles of easy pedaling on flat dirt roads with stops at historic and natural sites. Search for eagles and view colorful wildflowers while enjoying beautiful mountain vistas. Enjoy a snack at the end of your biking segment then begin your two-mile hike on the Chilkoot Trail. You will retrace the steps of the gold Rush stampeders hiking through a green moss-covered northern temperate rainforest. At the end of the one-way hike, you’ll meet up with your raft guide for a relaxing river float on the tranquil Taiya River.

OVERVIEW

This tour is priced per vehicle, not per person; a single booking covers your entire group. (up to the vehicle’s maximum capacity).

Ride through the wilderness on the outskirts of Juneau in a Jeep with a retractable top that will offer unobstructed views of Alaska’s extraordinary beauty. A short drive along the Gastineau Channel will take you to Mendenhall Glacier, one of North America’s most accessible glaciers. As a bonus, a leisurely walk along the Steep Creek Trail offers an added chance to possibly observe a bear in the forest. Take a memorable drive toward the end of the road system, where the views from Eagle Beach are sweeping and this secluded stretch of sand is a great spot to view the majestic Chilkat Mountains. Also on your journey is the National Shrine of St. Thérèse; the building’s cobblestone exterior on a serene island is particularly memorable. Depending on weather conditions and guest preferences, your host will select a fourth destination that may include a scenic drive on Douglas Island, a visit to the salmon hatchery or a trip into Juneau’s past at historic Gold Creek.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride into the wilds that lie on the outskirts of Alaska’s capital in a 4x4 Jeep.
• Behold Mendenhall Glacier, one of North America’s most accessible glaciers.
• Pause at the Shrine of St. Thérèse, where a short causeway will lead to a quaint cobblestone church nestled in the trees.
• Soak in the beauty of the Chilkat Mountains from the peaceful shores of Eagle Beach.
• Depending on weather, your host will select a fourth location that might include the salmon hatchery, Gold Creek, or a scenic drive along Douglas Island.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Hike an abandoned logging road through the wilds of Chichagof Island, which lies within the 17-million-acre Tongass National Forest. Even the drive there will be spectacular, as you will pass through the seemingly endless natural beauty of Spasski River Valley before reaching Tongass, America’s largest national forest. Upon arriving, you will hike about two miles on a logging trail that cuts through private lands and eventually reaches a secluded mountaintop viewing area. Along the way, your local guide will share knowledge of the flora and fauna that inhabit the area, along with history of the land. Because of its remote location and limited accessibility, Chichagof is home to some of the animals most often associated with Alaska, including the world’s largest brown bear population, estimated to be three bears per square mile. You might also see bald eagles soaring above, land otters, Sitka black-tail deer and red squirrels.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a leisurely hike through the wilderness by following an old logging road.
• Delight in the serenity of the forest, interrupted only by the sounds of nature.
• Take in the panoramic views of the Alaskan wilderness from the top of a mountain.
• Look for wildlife such as bear, deer and bald eagles.
• Listen to a naturalist describe the local history, flora and fauna.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress warmly in layers.
• Wear sturdy hiking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Spend hours exploring the wilds and roads less traveled on Chichagof Island in a Jeep Wrangler designed for outdoor adventure. You will travel along old logging roads that were built to harvest valuable timber such as hemlock, spruce and cedar trees. The route will cut through some of the most spectacular, undeveloped countryside in Alaska. The fifth largest island in the United States, Chichagof lies within the limits of the 17-million-acre Tongass National Forest, America’s largest national forest. The terrain ranges from seaside estuaries to alpine mountain peaks, and you will have plenty of chances to stop and view the gorgeous scenery. With its remote location and limited accessibility, Chichagof is home to some of the animals most often associated with Alaska, including the world’s largest brown bear population, estimated to be three bears per square mile. You might also see bald eagles soaring above, land otters, Sitka black-tail deer and red squirrels.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drive a Jeep along the old logging roads that crisscross Chichagof Island.
• Pause to take in the scenery, some of the most spectacular in Alaska.
• Watch for wildlife such as brown bears, deer and bald eagles.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Bring a valid driver’s license if you wish to drive the Jeep.
• Wear flat comfortable closed toe shoes.

OVERVIEW

Slip into the heart of Alaska’s wild beauty on an unforgettable kayaking adventure in the pristine Channel Islands State Marine Park. After a scenic cruise surrounded by snow‑capped peaks of the surrounding mountain ranges, you’ll launch a tandem kayak into rich, wildlife‑filled waters where nature takes center stage. From the quiet of your kayak, witness one of Alaska’s most awe‑inspiring sights—massive humpback whales feeding in their natural habitat. The experience is intimate, thrilling, and deeply humbling. These nutrient‑rich waters are also home to orcas, porpoises, harbor seals, and Steller sea lions, while bald eagles soar overhead and Sitka black‑tailed deer roam the shoreline. Few experiences connect you to Alaska’s wilderness as powerfully as paddling alongside its most iconic residents.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Scenic small‑boat cruise to Channel Islands State Marine Park.
• Tandem kayaking among remote, uninhabited islands.
• Exceptional opportunities to observe humpback whales and other marine wildlife.
• Spot bald eagles overhead and coastal wildlife along the shore.
• Learn about Alaska’s ecosystems, wildlife, and local history from expert guides.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather‑appropriate layers suitable for a temperate rainforest and ocean environment.
• Wear flat, comfortable shoes that can get wet.

OVERVIEW

Cruise through the island-dotted waters off Sitka in an expedition-style vessel while looking for iconic Alaskan wildlife. The vessel is open-air to offer maximum viewing opportunities and has a shallow draft so it can easily navigate waters that other boats can’t reach. There is no better way to observe animals in their natural habitats without disturbing Alaska’s delicate ecosystems. Although the sightings vary from day to day, you can expect to see harbor seals, sea lions and playful sea otters, the smallest of all marine mammals. Sea otters don’t have blubber; instead, they are covered with two layers of exceptionally thick fur, which keep them warm. You may also spot brown bears along the shore and eagles overhead.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Look for a variety of wildlife while cruising off Sitka in an Demaree Inflatable Boat (DIB).
• Keep an eye out for marine mammals such as seals, sea lions and sea otters.
• Be sure to look overhead for bald eagles and on land for bears.
• Cruise into waters off limits to other boats that typically have deeper drafts.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Delve into the fascinating culture of the indigenous people of Southeast Alaska by visiting authentic totem poles in the rainforest and paddling a canoe across a gorgeous mountain lake. As you wander through Totem Bight State Historical Park, you will see colorful, hand-carved totem poles and a large clan house similar to ones built in the early 19th century. The park offers a fascinating insight into the culture of the indigenous people, as will your experience on Lake Harriet Hunt, where you will board a 37-foot canoe patterned after the ones that the Tlingit and Haida built. The lake provides a beautiful setting for your paddling adventure because the dense forest comes to the edge of the water. In time, you will disembark for an Alaskan-style snack. You will have the opportunity to walk through an old-growth forest while the guide points out the most interesting flora and perhaps fauna.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Gain insight into the fascinating culture of Alaska’s indigenous people.
• Paddle a canoe like the ones the indigenous Tlingits and Haidas built.
• Enjoy a snack and an interpretive nature walk through an old growth forest.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat, comfortable, water-resistant walking shoes.

Following a motorcoach ride to scenic Auke Bay, you’ll board an Alaskan-built expedition vessel specially designed for wildlife viewing. Relax in the warm, comfortable cabin, surrounded by large windows, as you ply the island studded waters of Stephens Passage. Once whales have been sighted, your skilled Captain will maneuver the vessel to allow exceptional viewing and photographic opportunities, don’t forget your camera and be sure to bring a warm jacket to wear on the topside observation dec. An onboard naturalist will explain the behavior and habitat of the humpback whale and other wildlife you may encounter, including killer whales, Steller sea lions, Dall's porpoise, harbor seals, bald eagles and more. Then take a leisurely break from cruising to step ashore on beautiful Colt Island and enjoy an Alaskan inspired meal at Orca Point Lodge. At Orca Point Lodge, local seafood and traditional family recipes come together to offer a true taste of Alaska. Enjoy dishes crafted with fresh, local ingredients and hear the stories behind each recipe that connect you to the region’s rich heritage. The lodge offers peaceful seclusion with modern comforts in a remote wilderness setting. Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and take a stroll along the beach before boarding the vessel for your return cruise to Auke Bay.