EXCURSIONS À TERRE

OVERVIEW

Follow a guide along a winding gravel trail through the Tongass National Forest and feast on seafood at a popular waterfront lounge afterwards. As you hike the two-mile-long Coast Guard Beach trail – which is considered challenging – the guide will point out and describe the flora and fauna that you encounter in the serene rainforest. You can expect to travel over steep rocky slopes, between outcroppings of jagged rocks and over a wooden bridge. The experience will be well worth the effort as you will be rewarded with stunning views of the beach below. You will also enjoy a waterfront view, overlooking Ketchikan’s historic working float plane docks at Bush Pilot's Lounge for your Taste of Alaska lunch. Which includes locally sourced salmon, reindeer sausage, halibut and more! Served along with a local craft beer or wine.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Hike a challenging but rewarding coastal trail through the Tongass National Forest.
• Enjoy the tranquility of the rainforest and spectacular views the entire time.
• Learn about the flora and fauna that thrive in the rainforest and along the coast.
• Dine on a bounty of Alaskan seafood at Bush Pilot's Lounge following the hike.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress for inclement weather.
• Layered clothing and comfortable footwear recommended.

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.

Watch mighty Alaskan lumberjacks battle British Columbian woodsmen in a fierce axe-wielding, chainsaw-cutting and tree-climbing competition, after which you will dine on succulent Dungeness crabs. The lumberjacks will test their prodigious strength and agility in more than a dozen events that include chopping, sawing, speed climbing and log rolling. The entertaining events recognize Alaska’s rich logging history, and these world-class athletes do justice to that proud past. An enlightening tour of downtown Ketchikan, during which you will gain an even deeper understanding of the Alaskan culture. Upon reaching George Inlet Lodge, you will dine on Dungeness crab s and other Alaskan delicacies. These tasty crustaceans are found in chilly Pacific Ocean waters and have become synonymous with Alaskan dining. After the meal, you will enjoy free time to browse the lodge, which was built in the 1940s as a salmon cannery bunkhouse and then moved to its present location.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See lumberjacks show off their prodigious talents in a fierce competition that is all in fun.
• Drive along a coastal road and admire the stunning natural beauty.
• Enjoy the waterfront setting of the remote lodge and learn about its history.
• Feast on Dungeness crabs and other Alaskan delicacies at a historical waterfront lodge.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Follow a mountain trail that prospectors took during the 1898 Klondike Gold Rush and see landmarks in Skagway that commemorate that time period. While driving through the city’s National Historic District, you will pass block after block of wooden buildings that were constructed as hotels, stores and saloons in the late 19th century. The Red Onion is the most notorious saloon as it was also a brothel during the gold rush. At the Skagway Centennial statue, you will see a representation of an indigenous Tlingit packer leading a prospector into the gold fields. You will then follow the famed Trail of ’98, which is the route countless stampeders took in search of gold. It was a longer but less treacherous path than the Chilkoot Trail, which was steeper and prone to avalanches. As you will see while pausing for photos on the way to the White Pass Summit, the scenery is majestic.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drive through Skagway’s Historic District, which dates to the late 1890s.
• See blocks of original wooden buildings, including the notorious Red Onion Saloon.
• Pause at the Centennial statue that marks the 100-year anniversary of the gold rush.
• Ascend into the mountains on the Trail of ’98 that the stampeding prospectors took.
• Snap photos of the gorgeous natural beauty on the way to the White Pass Summit.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Discover Juneau’s scenic natural beauty by driving around the downtown waterfront and visiting Mendenhall Glacier, an ever-changing river of ice just outside of town. While traveling along the bustling waterfront, you can expect to see one historical building after another, some dating to the late 1890s, before Juneau was even incorporated. A short drive will bring you to the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area, where you can stretch your legs and snap photos of the ancient glacier from various angles. Photo Point offers the closest view of the glacier. You might also venture out on the trail system for a first-hand look at this relatively new ecosystem that was once covered by ice.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Explore Juneau’s waterfront, the city’s most vibrant district.
• Behold Mendenhall Glacier, one of North America’s most accessible glaciers.
• Shoot photos of the glacier from several viewpoints, all spectacular.

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.

Join this bear-viewing opportunity, which is accessible by road. You'll begin with a narrated eight-mile coastal drive to the forested area of Herring Cove located within the Alaska Rain Forest Sanctuary. Meet your guide and set out on a walking expedition to locate some of the black bears that call this area home. You will pass through tall stands of hemlock, spruce and cedar as you explore the sanctuary. An elevated boardwalk trail leads you to private viewing platforms overlooking Herring Creek, where bears often come to fish for salmon in the stream. The nearby Whitman Hatchery ensures that the river is teeming with salmon every summer. Typically, large numbers of black bears gather here to feed on these huge runs of salmon that are returning to spawn in the stream. Bald eagles perch in the trees, waiting patiently for scraps left by the bears. Mink and marten often frequent the area, and seals often hang out near the mouth of the stream feeding on the bountiful fish runs. You will have ample time to observe the wildlife activity. Walk through the historic Herring Bay Lumber Company sawmill established by legendary pioneer Ben Fleenor. Transportation to and from the sanctuary is by motorcoach.

Be among the select few to travel by canoe for an exceptional experience near the face of the majestic Mendenhall Glacier. You’ll paddle across Mendenhall Lake, navigating past icebergs, surrounded by one of the richest samplings of Alaskan wildlife you’ll find anywhere. Birds including arctic terns’ nest in the towering cliffs and eagles, goats, salmon and bears are all common sights. Then, venture within a safe distance of the massive, awe-inspiring face of the living Mendenhall Glacier. Grab a thrill ride by skirting the base of the beautiful and powerful Nugget Falls. Refuel with an Alaskan-style snack. You’ll make your trip in a traditional easy to paddle, 15 - 20 passenger Tlingit-style canoe, an exceptionally stable 28 foot watercraft, with all modern safety gear supplied. Because of the close approach to the glacier face, the U.S. Forest Service tightly controls the number of participants.

OVERVIEW

Fly over the majestic wilds of the Tongass National Forest in a floatplane and land in the waters off George Inlet Lodge, where you will feast on iconic Alaskan dishes. You will fly there in a DeHavilland aircraft – the workhorse of the Alaskan bush – on a route over America’s largest national forest and the crystal-clear waterways that rim Revillagigedo Island. Many natural wonders lay below, which include sea cliffs, deep fjords, and mist-shrouded peaks. You may even spot black bears foraging on berries and humpback whales breaching the water’s surface. Shortly after the plane lands in George Inlet, you will enjoy an enlightening tour of the lodge and then sit down to a classic Alaskan meal. Come hungry as you can expect to dine on signature dishes centered around the famous dungeness crab, which is sure to satisfy your taste buds. Dessert will be just as mouthwatering. Once finished with the meal you will be driven back to the ship.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

On this amazing adventure you’ll walk on raised balance beams, cross exciting suspension bridges, and fly on a series of ziplines! Join expert guides for the ride of a lifetime! Your adventure begins with a narrated drive through historic downtown Skagway and up the Klondike Highway. From the highway, a short nature hike brings you to the spectacular Adventure Park where expert guides will outfit you with state-of-the-art safety equipment. First, you’ll enter an incredible series of ropes course crossings including Burma loops, suspended bridges and raised balance beams. Next up is a fantastic series of six ziplines through the lush Alaskan canopy. Zoom from platform to platform while your friends and family cheer you on! Your heart will be pumping as you get ready for the “Walk the Plank” zip that soars high above the ground through the treetops! This adventure is perfect for all abilities, and everyone will enjoy the amazing mountain views and excitement of effortlessly soaring through the air!

HIGHLIGHTS

• Begin with a narrated drive through historic downtown Skagway and up the Klondike Highway.
• A short hike leads you to the Adventure Park, where the excitement begins.
• Experience thrilling challenges like raised balance beams, Burma loops, and suspension bridges.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Fly over the Juneau Icefield in a floatplane and land at historical Taku Lodge for a salmon bake and a leisurely walk through Tongass National Forest. Once you are airborne, you will enjoy spectacular views of the rainforest and the ancient glaciers that are slowly carving their ways through the icefield. A classic Alaskan mode of transportation, a floatplane allows you to access remote wilderness areas that other planes can’t. In time, you will land in the river that fronts the beautifully rustic lodge, which was built directly across from the Hole-In-The- Wall Glacier in 1923. While your hosts entertain you with tales of adventurers that stayed at Taku Lodge, you will feast on wild Alaska salmon and all sorts of side dishes. Feel free to stretch your legs afterwards on one of the well-maintained trails that wind through the forest. Or simply sit back and relax in front of the lodge’s crackling fire.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Soar over the Juneau Icefield in a floatplane.
• Land in a river directly in front of the Hole-in-the-Wall Glacier.
• Feast on freshly caught wild salmon and other dishes.
• Relax in rustic Taku Lodge, a 1923-built landmark.
• Walk the nature trails in the surrounding national forest.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Salmon, cod, rockfish, and lingcod are the order of the day on this highly adaptable adventure fishing excursion! On the Alaskan Combination Fishing trip, you and your guide are free to chase whatever species offers the best chance of action that day. This five-hour trip is about fun, fishing flexibility, and adventure. If the salmon are running, your guide is likely to recommend a day spent trolling through schools of pink, silver, and the elusive mighty king salmon. If you’re looking to have fun hooking fish on light tackle, you’ll be seeking out schools of rockfish suspended in the water column. On a particularly calm day, you might run farther in search of pacific cod and lingcod. Along the way, you’ll see primeval forests, mountains soaring up from the sea, and have a good chance of spotting marine mammals such as whales; porpoises; seals; and more! Though we can’t retain halibut on this trip, you may end up fighting some of these mighty fish in the process of chasing other species on the bottom. While we love catching and eating fish, we also love to safely release them back into the wild. Our company, and this excursion, are about accessing the absolute best experiences Alaska has to offer.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Fish in protected, relatively remote waters away from other anglers.
• Use the crew’s advice and fishing tips to increase your chances for landing a big fish.
• Watch for breaching whales, seals and eagles when cruising to and from the fishing grounds.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress warmly in layered clothing and light rain gear.
• Wear flat comfortable shoes with non-slip soles.