SHORE EXCURSIONS CREDIT

OVERVIEW

Paddle a canoe across a mountain lake and learn about the native flora and fauna while dining on an Alaskan-style snack. Following a short but picturesque drive to the lake, you will board a large, 37-foot canoe patterned after those used by Alaska’s indigenous people. Each canoe holds 20 people and is designed for stability and maneuverability. The guide will point out wildlife along the way and elaborate on the most fascinating aspects of the various species that thrive in the surrounding Tongass National Forest. You will also learn about the peoples that first settled this part of Alaska while pausing lakeside for a snack.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Canoe through the waters of a mountain lake.
• Behold some of Alaska’s most stunning scenery.
• Learn about the native flora and fauna.
• Dine lakeside on Alaskan-style snacks.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Paddle a kayak through the sheltered waters off Clover Pass, taking in the natural beauty of Tongass National Forest. After a scenic ride to the waterfront facility, you will receive a brief orientation on how best to maximize your kayaking adventure. Then, off you will go in a tandem kayak or a single if you have had experience sea kayaking. You can expect a wonderfully relaxing and immensely picturesque journey as you paddle along the coast of Tongass National Forest, the largest national forest in America. The guide will point out various features of the land and describe some of the wildlife that lives around Clover Pass. Bald eagles are frequently spotted, as are seals. You might also see salmon leap or humpback whales’ surface out of the water and when the tide is low, starfish can be seen in the shallows.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Paddle a kayak through the protected waters off Clover Pass.
• Behold Tongass National Forest from a unique perspective.
• Look for wildlife such as bald eagles and seals.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

Enjoy a 10-minute motorcoach ride to the takeoff site. After gearing up with layers, take a fast boat ride to the remote and protected Tatoosh Islands. Have your camera handy for the magnificent scenery and wildlife sighting opportunities on the fast and fun boat ride. Ancient cedars, spruce and western hemlock trees add to the peace and tranquility of the setting as you glide along the wild rocky shoreline. Bald eagles peer down from overhead, while seals often pop up to take a peek. You might spot a deer or mink along the shore or colorful seaweed, kelp, starfish, jellyfish, and other inhabitants of the intertidal area. Other life you might see are humpback whales, sea lions and orca or maybe an eagle catching a salmon from the water! Upon arrival guides will greet you and present a thorough but quick orientation. Get into your double kayak and launch onto the water. Practice your strokes as you approach the sheltered islands, circumnavigate the Tatoosh islands. After the kayak enjoy a fresh baked cookie. No paddling experience is necessary but expect to paddle 3 miles. The tour is operated for a limited number of guests under special use permit with the US Forest Service.

Take an insider’s tour of the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, a national historic site that is more commonly known as the Centre of the Universe. The observatory perches on Little Saanich Mountain high above Victoria and has been instrumental in studying the night sky since opening more than a century ago. Its two telescopes have contributed significantly to our understanding of the Milky Way, magnetic stars and distant quasars and galaxies. But you don’t have to be an astronomer to appreciate the observatory’s research and findings. An enlightening planetarium show will make even the most complex astronomical concepts easier to understand. You will see the original model of the telescope that journeyed to the world’s fair in 1915. You will also see the original 2.2-ton mirror for the telescope, world events at the start of the 20th century made the journey of this mirror quite special.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Tour the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, also known as the Centre of the Universe.
• Watch an enlightening presentation in the planetarium.
• Gain an understanding of the discoveries made at the observatory over the past century.
• Travel through Victoria’s beautiful downtown on the way to and from the observatory.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Follow an Alaskan trail guide on an enlightening walk through the rain forest on a remote island in the Tongass National Forest. You will reach the island aboard a Seahawk boat that is specifically designed for these waters. A nature walk follows, during which the naturalist guide will describe the forest’s botanical species. For instance, you will learn how the people of the Haida, Tlingit and Tsimshian nations use the red and yellow cedars for shelter, transportation and spiritual enrichment. Following the informative hike, you will cruise back, looking once again for marine life such as whales, Stellar sea lions and harbor seals. Don’t forget to scan the skies for bald eagles and migrating seabirds.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise to a remote island in a national forest.
• Look for marine life such as whales and sea lions.
• Follow a naturalist through a rainforest and learn about the plants.
• Gain an understanding of the Alaska native historic and current use of the forest.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

Take an exhilarating ride in a floatplane over the sprawling Juneau Icefield, a mass of ice the size of Rhode Island that contains dozens of glaciers. Shortly after boarding the floatplane, you will be soaring over some of Alaska’s most beautiful and majestic terrain. From your window seat, you can expect to see snow-capped peaks, roaring waterfalls and lush green rainforests on the way to the icefield. Still, the most stunning sights may be the ancient glaciers within the icefield. In all likelihood, you will fly over the azure meltwater pools of the Hole-in-the-Wall Glacier, advancing Taku Glacier, retreating Norris Glacier, and the East and West Twin Glaciers. Each one is spectacular in its own way, as you will discover by listening to their descriptions on a headset. This excursion also ends with a thrill, as the pilot eases the floatplane down for a smooth water landing.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Fly over the massive Juneau Icefield in a floatplane.
• Enjoy a literal bird’s-eye view of the stunning scenery.
• Soar over four glaciers, each with its own characteristics.
• Watch for bears, mountain goats and moose while flying.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

Enjoy a panoramic drive through Victoria’s inner harbor in the evening, when the city lights are twinkling brightly, and the urban landscape is spectacularly radiant. You will first pause at the Canadian institution Tim Hortons for a cup of coffee or hot chocolate and a few tasty Timbits, the franchise’s bite-size donuts. Then just settle in and admire the sights, perhaps the most famous being the grand Fairmont Empress, a château-style hotel built in 1908 that overlooks the waterfront. The domed Legislative Assembly of British Columbia dominates the skyline because it is outlined in brilliant white lights. Other landmarks that look more dramatic at night include the Maritime Museum and Royal BC Museum. Throughout the trip, the tranquil waters of the inner harbor will reflect the city lights, making the setting all the more memorable. As a parting gift, you will receive a classic Canadian goodie bag.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Drive through Victoria’s inner harbor at night, when it is beautifully illuminated.
• Pass landmarks such as the Parliament complex and the Fairmont Empress hotel.
• Enjoy coffee and donut morsels from Tim Hortons, a Canadian institution.
• Play Canadian trivia for prizes during the drive and receive a goodie bag.

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

OVERVIEW

Go deep-sea fishing with a captain and crew that know the prime fishing grounds and the best methods to catch plenty of salmon. Although countless species inhabit these waters, Ketchikan is the Salmon Capital of the World, so there is no better place to catch these highly prized sportfish. Once you reach a spot where the fish have been biting lately, you will begin trolling for salmon using a downrigger to ensure that the bait reaches the desired depth. All the fishing tackle is provided so you can just concentrate on landing a big one. Five species of salmon are found in this part of Alaska, including king salmon, which are also called Chinook salmon. Pink salmon are the most abundant species, and they are vigorous fighters. If you want to keep what you catch, it can be processed and shipped anywhere in the United States. Of course, be sure to snap lots of photos first.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Fish for hard-fighting salmon in a small group of not more than six people.
• Enjoy the stunningly beautiful, natural backdrop of the Tongass National Forest.
• Ship your catch home fully processed if you want to eat it later.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Ride an amphibious vehicle known as the Duck through the historical streets of Ketchikan and out into the harbor, while the guide entertains you with tales of the city’s past. Being the Salmon Capital of the World, Ketchikan still revolves around fishing, as you will see at the city salmon ladder and spawning grounds. During the land-based half of the tour, you will see the former red-light district along Creek Street, a curious downtown tunnel and beautiful Whale Park, which is dominated by the Chief Kyan Totem Pole. The scenery will change dramatically as the Duck drives straight into the harbor and becomes a seaworthy boat. As you cruise through the Tongass Narrows, you will pass fishing boats, pleasure boats and perhaps even seaplanes. You will discover Ketchikan’s waterfront community and several canneries tucked along the forested shore. You might also catch sight of marine life and bald eagles.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride the amphibious Duck on land and through the harbor.
• See city landmarks and learn their often-notorious history.
• Cruise past coastal canneries while looking for wildlife.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

Experience the native culture of the Tlingit people at Klukwan, the mother village of the Tlingit Nation and the only remaining village of the Chilkat people. For centuries, the Tlingits have lived off the bounty of this special place and today you can still see them fishing and smoking their catch at the river’s edge. You will learn about the tribal culture and history. You will experience how the fish is processed using ancient traditional methods. Your visit to the knowledge camp culminates with storytelling in the totemic clan house. You may also watch Chilkat artists practice their crafts in a museum-quality heritage center and see the invaluable Whale House Collection, which a Tlingit master artist created hundreds of years ago.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Delve into the complexity of the Tlingit culture at the tribe’s mother village.
• Admire the Tlingit way of life by watching tribal artisans ply their crafts.
• Watch a storytelling in a totemic clan house.
• Drive through Fort William Seward, a National Historic Landmark.
• Enjoy a picnic while overlooking the unspoiled Chilkat River.
• Shop for Chilkat arts and crafts.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress warmly in weather-appropriate layered clothing, a sun cap and sunglasses.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Join this scenic tour of Vancouver and discover why it was chosen to host the 2010 Winter Olympics. Departing the cruise pier, you’ll head into the heart of downtown, a bustling urban environment surrounded by water and mountains. This tour will pass by the popular Gastown District, home to the antique-style Gastown Steam Clock that whistles to tell the time. You will also pass by Vancouver’s vibrant and historic Chinatown, the second largest in North America, before arriving at Stanley Park. Stanley Park is where the locals come to relax and play and considered one of Canada’s most beautiful national historic sites. The park is larger than New York City’s Central Park and home to old growth trees plus a spectacular display of First Nation Totem Poles. You’ll have some free time to discover Stanley Park and take photos of the North Shore Mountain Range rising just outside of the city before concluding your tour at the Vancouver International Airport.

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

Catch gold fever and experience what it was like to seek your fortune during gold Rush days! Learn to pan for gold, keep all you find and discover Juneau’s colorful mining heritage. Head out with a prospector guide in authentic 19th-century dress for a historical tour of Juneau then continue to Gold Creek and Last Chance Basin. Your prospector will show you how gold panning is done creek side, in a beautiful, secluded, mountain setting. You’ll work the pan with helpful tips, and you’re guaranteed to find gold. Take home a souvenir Ore love Brothers Gold Claim Certificate and all the gold you find.