EXCURSIONES EN TIERRA

Your kayak adventure along Juneau's coast begins with a short drive by bus to North Douglas Island, where you’ll enjoy scenic views of the Mendenhall Glacier. Here, your guide will hand out life jackets and rain gear before teaching you paddling techniques. Board the two-person kayaks, with your travel companion or assigned partner for your breathtaking trip, which will give you a sense of how Aleut Indians traveled the coastal waterways. The stable yet nimble kayaks will allow you to silently approach any wildlife in the area, including porpoise, seals, sea lions, eagles, herons, or even whales. Explore the Mendenhall Wetlands and view the spectacular Mendenhall Glacier. Your guide will entertain you with stories about Smugglers Cove and the history of the surrounding area. Back at the kayak base, enjoy a tasty snack before the journey back to port.

It is off to the historic and magnificent White Pass Train adventure. From an antique parlor car, enjoy the incredible scenery while your tour guide shares the stories and history of the Klondike Gold Rush. Upon reaching Fraser, British Columbia board your motorcoach and take a short trip to the Yukon Suspension Bridge. Then it’s time to experience the country that you heard about! Breathe pristine air, taste wild berries in season, hear the roar of raging white water and thrill to the sensations of a swaying walkway over 60 feet above the rapids. There are Tagish First Nation Staff and Elders to answer questions about the site. A variety of First Nations art pieces and crafts are available for purchase, as well. After your experience at the Yukon Suspension Bridge, you’ll continue on your motorcoach for the journey down the west side of the White Pass Canyon. Listen as your driver/guide entertains you with stories of the stampeders who trekked through the pass in search of gold. You’ll see picturesque points such as Tormented Valley and Pitchfork Falls as you head back to your ship.

OVERVIEW

Spend the day fishing for salmon in Sitka Sound, an area teeming with these highly prized sportfish and rockfish. Your boat will be a comfortable 26-foot Hewescraft or 28’ North River outfitted with all the necessary bait and tackle. The captain offers tips tailored to your level of skill to ensure to best chance of reeling in a lunker. The exact method of fishing will depend on the conditions, but trolling with a downrigger often proves to be the most effective. You might land a coho salmon or a king salmon, the largest and most powerful fighter in these waters. If you hook a rockfish, the captain will identify the type as there are dozens of species in these waters. Your catch can be processed and shipped to your home if you wish.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Spend a full day fishing for hard-fighting salmon in Sitka Sound.
• Follow the captain’s tips to ensure the best chance of catching salmon.
• Enjoy the comfort and amenities of the boat, a 26-foot Hewescraft or 28’ North River.
• Ship your catch home if you choose.
• Enjoy the surrounding natural beauty and look for wildlife, which is abundant.
• A sandwich lunch is provided. Snacks, water, and soda are available on the boat.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in warm layers, close toes shoes, and a rain jacket is highly recommended.
• Pre-purchase your fishing licenses which is required for any guest 16 and older. The tour operator asks that your license is purchased before going on tour. Licenses can be purchased at https://store.adfg.alaska.gov/
• Purchase a one-day nonresident sport fishing license with a one-day king salmon stamp.

OVERVIEW

Experience the ultimate treetop adventure and come away with a newfound confidence in your physical abilities, mental fortitude and sheer willpower to push yourself to new heights. Rooted in the culture of the Tlingit People, this aerial course includes swinging ropes, balance bridges and daring climbs into the tree canopy while wearing a harness and smart belay system. An orientation and practice run on the ground will help prepare you for the fun and challenges that lie ahead. Afterwards, you will warm up on the easy Xíxch' (Frog) Course, move on to the moderate Yéil (Raven) Course and then pull yourself along a rope while hanging high above the forest floor on a Tyrolean Traverse. That’s the Xóots (Bear) Course. With your confidence now soaring, you will be ready for the high-flying Ch'áak' (Eagle) Course, which ends in the treetops 50 feet above the ground. The descent will be just as exhilarating as you soar back to earth on an auto-descent device, called the “Eagle’s Flight”.

HIGHLIGHTS

• These aerial ropes adventure will have you swinging, scrambling, and climbing through multiple elements.
• Climb high into the tree canopy by negotiating a series of aerial ropes courses.
• Prepare for the ultimate challenge by warming up on easier aerial ropes courses.
• Enjoy literal bird’s-eye views of the forest from high above.
• Gain newfound confidence in your abilities to meet new challenges.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes; thick-soled shoes recommended.

OVERVIEW

Engage in Alaska’s state sport of dog mushing on special equipment that is modified for the snow-free summer and interact with the huskies that effortlessly pull the sled. The mushers camp is across Gastineau Channel on Douglas Island, a heavily forested wilderness. It’s the ideal environment for the dogs to train for mushing through the snow come winter. The custom-designed wheeled summer sleds comfortably seat six people, with the musher in charge of steering the team from the back of the sled. As you sit back and enjoy the ride, you'll witness the sheer determination and spirit of the dogs as they pull you along the trail. Back at the kennel, you will see how the dogs are cared for, perhaps talk with the camp’s veterinarian and play with a retired sled dog. Alaskan huskies are known for their great endurance, power and intelligence. You can’t help but be awed in their presence. The wooded setting is equally memorable, especially when seen from the suspension bridge that spans Fish Creek.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Race through the wilderness and observe the dedication and energy of the sled dogs during the ride.
• Interact with the dogs and mushers that rely on them for winter travel.
• See how the huskies are cared for like professional athletes, which they are.
• Admire the seemingly endless wilderness from the suspension bridge over Fish Creek.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Discover your inner adventurer high above the coastal wilds of Alaska at CoastalVue Adventure Park, set in a forested landscape near the historic Ward Cove pulp mill. The park features three tiers of progressively challenging aerial obstacles, each made up of creative “events” that take you from one platform to the next. Navigate swaying rope bridges, balance across suspended elements, and climb a wooden tower high above the forest floor while taking in panoramic wilderness views along the way. A few strategically placed ziplines add bursts of speed and excitement between obstacles, but the real thrill comes from traversing the course at height. Expect a dynamic, action-packed adventure that tests your balance, agility, and sense of adventure.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Tear through the treetops on a series of ziplines sure to get the adrenaline pumping.
• Walk along swaying rope bridges for a different sort of thrill.
• Climb high above the ground on wooden towers that offer spectacular wilderness views.
• Explore the on-site historic pulp mill before or after the adventure.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress warmly in layered clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable closed-toe walking shoes.

Experience the thrill of salmon fishing in the pristine waters surrounding Juneau aboard a Baha Catamaran. After departing from scenic Auke Bay Harbor, settle in aboard the comfortable fishing vessel and head to productive local fishing grounds known for their seasonal salmon runs. With guidance from experienced crew members, you’ll troll using downriggers that allow lines to be set at varying depths to maximize opportunities for encountering different salmon species. As you cruise through Southeast Alaska’s spectacular coastal scenery, take in sweeping views of forested shorelines and the region’s rich marine environment. The small-group setting provides a personalized experience and ample opportunity to learn about local fishing techniques and Alaska’s world-renowned salmon fishery. At the conclusion of your adventure, return to the harbor and transfer back to the ship. Guests fortunate enough to land a catch may arrange optional local processing and shipment of their fish home for an additional charge.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Board a 34-foot Baha Catamaran and fish in the scenic waters surrounding Juneau.
• Troll with downriggers to target salmon at a variety of depths.
• Enjoy a personalized small-group fishing experience.
• Learn about local fishing techniques and Alaska’s celebrated salmon fishery
• Arrange optional processing and shipment of your catch for an additional fee. (When available)

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate layered clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.
• Bring a printed or digital copy of your Alaska fishing license and King Salmon Stamp.

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

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

Experience Alaska from every angle—gliding across glacier‑fed waters and trekking near ancient ice. Your journey begins at breathtaking Mendenhall Lake, where towering cliffs, floating blue icebergs, and the thunderous Nugget Falls create a dramatic natural backdrop. After a full safety briefing, paddle your canoe toward the magnificent Mendenhall Glacier, keeping watch for Arctic terns nesting along the cliffs, mountain goats navigating rocky outcroppings, and the occasional black bear in the brush. Upon reaching the glacier beach, hike across the rugged terrain sculpted by centuries of ice. Standing at the glacier’s edge offers a powerful, up‑close perspective of this constantly evolving natural wonder—an experience that is both humbling and unforgettable.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Paddle past icebergs, waterfalls and arctic tern nesting cliffs.
• Step out of the canoe and hike over the rock terrain carved out by the glacier.
• Get an up close and intimate perspective of the glacier from the edge, all while learning about the recession of the glacier and the wilderness that surrounds it.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Watch a film about bald eagles on a large high-definition screen, followed by a real-life encounter with raptors and the chance to see Alaska’s most iconic animals in the wild. The film will be shown in the Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal on a 5-story high, 180° dome screen for an immersive experience that is as close to reality as possible. After the show, a professional raptor handler will bring in a real bird of prey and talk about its behavior and characteristics. It may be a peregrine falcon, a snowy owl or golden eagle as all reside at the nearby Alaska Raptor Center, which rehabilitates injured birds. You will then head outdoors for a leisurely hike in the Sitka National Historical Park. The trail is lined with colorful totem poles that the indigenous Tlingits carved and painted. Bald eagles are frequently spotted in the forest, preying on salmon in the river that you will cross there.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Watch a film about bald eagles on a high-def screen so large, the images appear lifelike.
• See a real bird of prey up close in the theater following the show.
• Keep an eye out for bald eagles while hiking in Sitka National Historical Park.
• Cross a river where bald eagles often prey on fish, especially spawning salmon.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Join seasoned Bering Sea fishermen for an extraordinary journey of discovery on the Aleutian Ballad, a storied crab boat featured on the television series “Deadliest Catch.” You will set out into the protected waters off Ketchikan and relax in the heated and sheltered outdoor amphitheater until the boat reaches prime crabbing water. In time, the crew will start hauling up crab pots and long lines from the depths, revealing all manner of sea life such as king crab, octopus, prawns and rock fish. The catch will then be placed into an on-deck aquarium for you to view and even touch, if you desire. The crew will also relate stories of their lives at sea and point out the indigenous marine life, which may include seals, sea otters and whales.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Sail the glassy calm waters of the inside passage on a real King Crab boat from the TV show “Deadliest Catch.
• Hear the real-life experiences from the seasoned fishermen as they haul crab pots and fishing lines full of marine life.
• Hands on opportunity to hold the daily catch and observe the catch in the on-deck aquarium. This is the only place in the world this excursion can be operated, don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to get the full Alaskan experience.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress warmly in layered clothing.
• Wear flat, comfortable walking shoes.
• Be sure to bring a camera for the endless photo opportunities.