Join an adventure of a lifetime aboard the Aleutian Ballad, as seen on Discovery Channel’s - The Deadliest Catch. Your experience begins with a short walk along the fishing pier of Ketchikan, a historic fishing port and the gateway to Alaska. On board you’ll find comfortable, heated theater style seating and modern amenities. As you head out on the calm waters of the Inside Passage, your seasoned crew will begin fishing and you’ll be up close to all the action! Crabs, octopus, eels, sharks, rockfish and prawns are all a possibility, as the crew demonstrates their expertise. Be on the lookout for whales, eagles, porpoise, and seals along the way. Admire the scenic beauty that surrounds you as the crew haul and set long line, barrel pots and huge king crab pots to reveal the catch of the day. The amazing marine life is placed in an on-deck aquarium so everyone can get up close look. This educational and interactive experience is perfect for all ages and is packed with stories and adventures shared by the men and women who risk their lives fishing the Bering Sea.

For generations Tlingit villages have maintained a tradition of welcoming visitors in regal style. In this Native community, tribal elders have worked hard to pass on the traditions that have long defined their culture. A short video program will introduce you to the culture and history of Saxman. Then enter the Beaver Clan House, where after a traditional theatrical production, you’ll be greeted by song and dance.

Visitors are encouraged to participate in the final dance, before moving on to Saxman Totem Park, one of the largest gatherings of totem poles in the world. The next stop is the Village Carving Center, where talented carvers work and a host will explain their carving techniques. A stop at the Village Store offers the opportunity to purchase some fine Alaska Native or pick up a memento of your visit.

OVERVIEW

Join your Alaskan captain and their crew on a cruise through the waters surrounding the naturally beautiful islands around Ketchikan. Once onboard, relax inside the heated main cabin or out on the observation deck, as you prepare for your first sighting of the iconic American bald eagle. Along the way, you will be treated to panoramic views of the historic lighthouse on Guard Island and the Tlingit and Haida hand-carved totem poles and clan house at Totem Bight State Park. You will also witness a diversity of ecosystems as you cruise past coastal residential areas on Revillagigedo Island and along the undeveloped shoreline of Gravina Island, much of which is blanketed by the Tongass National Forest, our world’s largest temperate rainforest. Wildlife is abundant, so keep an eye out for not just bald eagles, but harbor seals, sea lions, seabirds, and whales. While taking in the scenery, enjoy a hot chocolate, freshly brewed coffee, or soda of your choice alongside a snack sampler plate of Alaskan specialties, including a traditional alder-smoked salmon.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Admire Alaska’s natural beauty while cruising to and from Guard Island.
• Relax in the boat’s heated main cabin or out on the observation deck.
• See the colorful, carved Tlingit and Haida totem poles at Totem Bight State Park.
• Look for wildlife such as bald eagles, harbor seals and humpback or orca whales.

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

Begin your journey with a scenic drive along the Tongass Narrows en route to Totem Bight State Park, home to one of the world’s largest stand of totems. Immerse yourself in the beauty of the Tongass National Rainforest as you stroll under the canopy of majestic hemlock and cedar trees. Through lively stories and narrative, you’ll learn about the culture and lifestyle practiced by the Northwest Coastal Natives. You’ll also have an opportunity to enter a traditional Native clan house to see how they lived first hand. Prior to departing the park, you’ll have a chance to photograph a magnificent collection of totem poles located in a picturesque setting.

During a brief stop at the quaint Alaska Totem Trading store, you’ll have an opportunity to shop and view beautifully carved totems along with a collection of vintage automobiles and guns. While travelling back to the pier, you will be engaged with an entertaining town overview and learn of the industries which built Ketchikan and helped to make it the “Salmon Capital of the World”. Order of tour may vary.

OVERVIEW

Participants must be at least 12 years of age. The Alaska Rain Forest Sanctuary is not exclusive to your tour, it is a multi-use site, so you will encounter guests participating in other tour products and activities. To minimize resource impacts and maximize wildlife viewing opportunities, this tour is available only to small groups and on a limited basis. It is important to note that seasonal ecosystem changes result in varying levels of wildlife activity and there are times when bears will not be present. Please keep this in mind when booking the tour. Operates rain or shine. Wear comfortable walking shoes and warm clothing. The elevated boardwalk can be as high as 15 feet off the ground.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Participate in your choice of fun activities on Danger Island and learn about the symbolism of the colorful totem poles at a state park in town. After a short cruise to the island, you will feast on a meal inspired by the ones served in logging camps. The surrounding forest provides an ideal setting for you to join in activities such as survival skills training, culinary lessons, competitive games and making s’mores around the campfire. Everything offered is optional, so you can craft whatever island experience suits your mood and abilities. A longer return cruise along the waterfront allows you to look for iconic Alaskan wildlife while the on-board naturalist describes the animals and the local environment. As you wander through Totem Bight State Park, you will discover much about the culture of the indigenous people that hand-carved the totem poles and the symbolism of the figures that adorn the poles.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a short but spectacularly scenic cruise to Danger Island.
• Feast on a delicious Alaskan-inspired meal featuring locally sourced ingredients.
• Join interactive activities such as culinary workshops and wilderness survival skill-building, if you choose.
• Try other activities, including a scenic boardwalk stroll, relaxing around a campfire and lounging in a swing or hammock.
• Look for wildlife while cruising along the coast with an on-board naturalist guide.
• See the colorful, carved totem poles at Totem Bight State Park.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Ride through the wilderness in a Utility Terrain Vehicle designed for off-road adventure and admire the majestic panoramas while driving to and from Mahoney Lake. On the way to the base camp, you will enjoy spectacular views of George Inlet and Tongass National Forest. Still nothing rivals the exhilaration of hopping into the 2-seat or 4-seat UTV and following the guide caravan-style up the mountainous 5-mile trail to Mahoney Lake. Whoever drives on the way up will switch positions and ride as a passenger on the way down. The serene lake and roaring Mahoney Falls are at the end of the trail, and both are well worth viewing. During stops, the guide will offer commentary about the history and culture of Ketchikan, including the flora and fauna. Back at the White River base camp, you can relive the experience while dining on chili and a reindeer sausage. Highlight includes the extraordinary views while riding to and from Mahoney Lake in a UTV. Drive the UTV up to the lake and ride as a passenger on the way down. Or vice-versa. Enjoy the scenic beauty of Mahoney Lake and Mahoney Falls at the end of the trail. Hear enlightening commentary about the history of Ketchikan and its historical pulp mill.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take in the extraordinary views while riding to and from Mahoney Lake in a UTV.
• Drive the UTV up to the lake and ride as a passenger on the way down. Or vice-versa.
• Enjoy the scenic beauty of Mahoney Lake and Mahoney Falls at the end of the trail.
• Hear enlightening commentary about the history of Ketchikan and its historical pulp mill.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Hike though America’s largest national forest at a leisurely pace that will allow you to truly appreciate the serenity and majesty of the woods. It won’t take long to reach the trail, yet it is still remote enough where you will feel as if the wilderness is yours alone. The hike is about two miles long without any steep inclines or stairs so it will be a relatively easy and thoroughly enjoyable walk. Along the way, the naturalist guide will describe the various ecosystems, the diversity of flora and fauna perhaps how the rainforest sequesters carbon to help reduce climate change. Animals are abundant. Sitka black-tailed deer are frequently spotted, bald eagles can often be seen in the tree canopy and if the salmon are spawning black bears will be gathered around the waterfalls. It is always quite the sight to see a bear snatching a salmon in mid-air as it leaps upstream.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a leisurely hike through the Tongass National Forest, America’s largest such landscape.
• Follow the trail to a waterfall where bears often gather to feast on spawning salmon.
• Learn about the forest’s ecosystems and biodiversity from the naturalist guide.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Hike through the rainforest that blankets America’s largest national forest and toast your accomplishment with a beer at a local pub. It won’t take long to reach the trailhead, yet the setting is still remote and teeming with wildlife. As you follow the challenging two-mile route, the only sounds will be those of nature until the guide pauses to comment on the indigenous flora and fauna. There will be plenty to discuss as the trail meanders through giant cedar, hemlock and spruce trees with an understory that includes a plethora of berry bushes. Although there is no telling what types of wildlife you may encounter, the three viewing platforms along the trail provide the best opportunities to observe black bears feasting on ripe berries. Following this invigorating hike, you will stop at a pub that locals often frequent and quench your thirst with a cold beer or a different beverage if you prefer

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Cruise the sheltered waters of the Tongass Narrows and observe the boundless natural beauty on the way to Ketchikan. This alternative means of reaching downtown offers express boarding, allowing you to bypass the long lines often associated with other modes of transportation. Ambient music on board will set the mood and coffee and donuts will be served, but majestic scenery is the real attraction of cruising versus driving from the pier at Ward Cove. Along the way, you will pass uninhabited islands, densely forested shorelines and countless boats – both recreational and commercial – as the waterway is part of the Alaska Marine Highway and the Inside Passage. You may even see floatplanes taking off and landing with splash in the harbor. Be sure to look for wildlife such as sea lions and bald eagles. You may even spot a humpback whale breaching the water’s surface.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise to Ketchikan instead of driving and enjoy spectacular scenery along the way.
• Admire the natural beauty that comes right to the edge of Ketchikan’s city limits.
• Look for wildlife such as sea lions in the Tongass Narrows and bald eagles overhead.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Travel along a wonderfully scenic highway to the historical George Inlet Lodge, where a chef will demonstrate how best to prepare crab cakes, which you will later enjoy for lunch. The road to the lodge winds through the wilds of Revillagigedo Island and passes an old sawmill and several salmon canneries that will offer a glimpse into the area’s past. Once you reach the waterfront lodge – which was originally a cannery bunkhouse – the attention will turn to food, especially seafood caught in the chilly depths of the surrounding sea. While the chef prepares your crab cakes according to a classic local recipe and recounts entertaining stories about Alaskan fishing and crabbing, you will be served a garden-fresh salad and half a Dungeness crab as an appetizer. The crab cakes will be served hot off the griddle and followed by a slice of creamy cheesecake topped with blueberries, another Alaska specialty.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Watch the chef at the George Inlet Lodge prepare crab cakes for your lunch.
• Dine on appetizers, including half a Dungeness crab, during the demonstration.
• Enjoy the waterfront setting of the remote lodge and learn a bit about its history.
• Drive along a coastal road and admire the stunning natural beauty.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

Cruise the sheltered waters of the Tongass Narrows and observe the boundless natural beauty on the way back to your ship. This alternative means of reaching Ward Cove offers express boarding, allowing you to bypass the long lines often associated with other modes of transportation. Ambient music on board will set the mood while you sample locally crafted beer or champagne, but majestic scenery is the real attraction of cruising versus driving from downtown to Ward Cove. Along the way, you will pass uninhabited islands, densely forested shorelines, and countless boats – both recreational and commercial – as the waterway is part of the Alaska Marine Highway and the Inside Passage. You may even see floatplanes taking off and landing with splash in the harbor. Be sure to look for wildlife such as sea lions and bald eagles. You may even spot a humpback whale breaching the water’s surface.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Cruise to Ward Cove instead of driving and enjoy spectacular scenery along the way.
• Admire the natural beauty that comes right to the edge of Ketchikan’s city limits.
• Look for wildlife such as sea lions in the Tongass Narrows and bald eagles overhead.

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