EXCURSIONS TERRESTRES

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

Pedal a beach cruiser along the incredibly picturesque Ke Ala Hele Makalae bike path and stop at your pleasure at the eclectic shops and restaurants along the way. Although the paved coastal trail is about eight miles long, you can bike just a small segment of it or pedal much farther. Your beach cruiser has seven gears so you can easily negotiate the elevation changes. This being a self-guided adventure, you will be free to ride at your own speed and stay at the attractions until you are ready to go. A digital app will make navigation simple and clearly show the points of interest along the bike path. Or simply ask the local walkers, joggers and other bicyclists about their favorite places. Interpretive signs will describe the easy-to-access archaeological, cultural and historic sites nearby. The endless seascape may be best attraction of all, as it is spectacular the entire way.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride a beach cruiser along a scenic bike path that follows the sea.
• Pedal at your own pace, bike as far as you wish and stop whenever you please.
• Use the digital app that describes points of interest along the way.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Soar through the treetops of a centuries-old rainforest and over glacially fed waterfalls on a series of exhilarating ziplines. You will ride to the Grizzly Falls zipline camp in an all-terrain Mercedes Unimog, a 4x4 vehicle made for off-road adventure. Then, after an orientation that will help you maximize the experience, the real thrills begin. After climbing the first zipline platform and getting harnessed in, you will step off into thin air. Gravity will pull you through the forest canopy and so close to the waterfalls that you can feel their rising mist. The ziplines will carry you downhill at an adrenaline-pumping, heart-racing speed of up to 45 miles per hour, or if you would prefer to take it a bit slower, just use the brake system. Either way, it will be a thrill. Suspension bridges link several of the zipline platforms, providing you will excellent photo opportunities and time to catch your breath.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Race through the rainforest and over gorgeous waterfalls on a series of ziplines.
• Control the zipline speed with the braking system or tear downhill at full speed.
• Pause for photos of the natural beauty at several suspension bridges between the ziplines.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat 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

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.

Embrace the exceptional beauty of Sitka's pristine surroundings from a unique perspective during this memorable sea kayaking adventure. In keeping with the philosophy of Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ocean Futures Society, we hope that this tour will inspire people to act responsibly for the protection of our planet's vital ecosystems. Meet your guide on the dock in Sitka and prepare for your adventure by suiting up in quality raingear and lifejackets. Climb aboard the fast, custom-built vessel for an exciting sightseeing tour en route to a floating base camp. Your knowledgeable Captain will scan the sea for wildlife, including whales, and identify points of interest along the way.

Upon arrival at the floating base camp, you’ll be instructed in the use of your safe, oceangoing, two person kayaks by your knowledgeable guide. These stable yet maneuverable craft let you enjoy the beauty of the protected bays and inlets near Sitka from a serene, natural perspective. Groups of up to six kayaks will be led by an experienced guide, well versed in paddling techniques and the marine environment of the area. Each of the waterways traveled holds unique attractions in store, be it colorful intertidal invertebrates, an eagle swooping from the tree tops, or the grandeur of the lush rain forest. You may even see brown bear, harbor seals, or a Sitka black-tailed deer. Afterward, you’ll return to the base camp for a hot beverage and snack before returning to the pier.

OVERVIEW

Look for wildlife while zipping along the rugged coastline in an open-air, high-speed boat. You will ride in a Rigid Hull Inflatable vessel that is 27 feet long and designed to race through the sea with maximum maneuverability. It will be an absolute thrill the entire time. The exact route will depend on the weather conditions, but you can expect to enjoy close-up views of thundering waterfalls, tidal flats and land animals such as brown bears and Sitka black-tailed deer. The seas here are also teeming with iconic Alaskan animals. You may spot humpback whales breaching the water’s surface, pods of orcas, frolicking sea otters and sleek seals. Be sure to look up, as bald eagles and puffins also make their homes in the area. Along the way, the captain will throttle back and elaborate on the importance of the waterways to the native Tlingit, many of whom still follow a traditional lifestyle around Icy Strait Point.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Zip through the pristine waters off Icy Strait Point in a high-speed Rigid Hull Inflatable.
• Scan the coast for land animals such as brown bears and Sitka black-tailed deer.
• Watch the water’s surface for marine creatures that may include whales, orcas and seals.
• Look for bald eagles and puffins soaring above and along the rocky coast.

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.

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

Raft down the magnificent Mendenhall River, a short but wonderfully picturesque river whose source is Mendenhall Lake, the terminus of massive Mendenhall Glacier. Following an orientation briefing, you will embark the raft and head downriver. If you are feeling ambitious, you may paddle along with your guide. If not, simply settle into the raft and enjoy the natural beauty in the shadow of Mendenhall Glacier as the guide does all the paddling. The scenery will be absolutely stunning, especially from your river perspective. Along the way, the guide will impart all sorts of fascinating facts about the area’s natural history, native lore and legends from the Tlingit people that first settled here thousands of years ago. After rafting, you will pause for snacks at an authentic Tlingit clan house.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Raft a pristine river fed by waters from Mendenhall Lake and Glacier.
• Admire some of the most majestic wilderness scenery in Alaska.
• Learn about the area’s natural history and wildlife.
• Visit a Tlingit clan house and learn about the tribal culture.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress warmly in weather-appropriate clothing, a hat, and gloves.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

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.

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.