SHORE EXCURSIONS CREDIT

This unique Alaska excursion explores the historical highlights of this former "Russian" capital city and includes a wildlife tour through the Alaska Raptor Center. The Raptor Center operates with bird care professionals assisted by volunteers to rescue birds, provide them with rehabilitative care and hopefully release them back into the wild. After your introduction to the center, a presentation with one of the Center's educational birds will take place. Time will be available to view the flight center, clinic window, outside deck habitat areas and gift shop.

Next, you'll visit the Sitka National Historical Park, where the 1804 "Battle of Alaska", was fought. The park hosts totem lined trails, cultural exhibits and carving rooms where native Alaskan artisans demonstrate their totemic art form. Walk the nature trail, view cultural exhibits and video presentation, or talk with local native artists about their cultural art form.

The final stop is visiting the Fortress of the Bears, which allows you to get within 25 feet of Alaska’s brown and black bears in a naturalized setting. You will enjoy observing 3 populations of bears from a covered viewing platform and interact with an experienced naturalist.

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.

Trace Russia’s influence on Sitka in the 19th century and tour a raptor center that rescues injured birds in hopes of returning them to the wild. The Russians first gained a foothold in Alaska in 1804 by overpowering the indigenous Tlingits. That battlefield is now part of the Sitka National Historical Park, where you will browse exhibits explaining the conflict. Here you can walk the forest trail lined with totems, view cultural exhibits or talk with local native artists. This tour also presents the chance to see Alaskan wildlife up close at the Alaska Raptor Center, a rehabilitation facility for birds of prey. This Bald Eagle Center operates with bird care professionals assisted by volunteers to rescue birds, provide them with rehabilitative care and hopefully release them back into the wild. Time will be available to view the flight center, clinic window, outside deck habitat areas and gift shop.

Delve into the gastronomy of Sitka, which reflects the rich heritage of this city once known as the “Paris of the Pacific" As the second largest exporter of seafood in the state with a rich history of diverse cultures, Sitka has become a mecca for the culinary arts. Sitka’s breweries use the local naturally filtered glacial water to produce their hand-crafted beers, several of which you will sample at a popular tap room. Similarly, during a tasting of Alaska Pure Sea Salt Company, you will discover how the salt extracted from the local waters is used in various foods, chocolates, sauces and seasonings. The versatility of sea salt may surprise you. The restaurant Sitka Pelmeni serves Russia food that pays homage to the city’s past as the capital of Russian America. Pelmeni means “dumplings” in Russia so they are a likely choice for your sampling there. The guide will bring you to other venues for tastings that may include cod tips, reindeer hot dogs, ceviche and chowder, all made with locally sourced ingredients.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Sample a variety of delicious seasonal foods and beverages unique to Sitka.
• Meet restaurateurs and food vendors and learn how their unique products are made.
• Enjoy a selection of craft beers made with glacial water at a local brewery.
• Discover the versatility of sea salt as a seasoning in foods and beverages.

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

Snap selfies at the most photogenic spots in and around Sitka, many of them iconic attractions that define the city. To ensure the best possible results, a selfie expert guide will offer tips so you can capture just the right angle, lighting and composition for every shot. Your pictures will be ideal for posting on social media and sharing in other ways.

As you walk and ride through Sitka, you will pause at designated selfie stops that include:
• Welcome to Sitka sign
• Castle Hill or John O’Connell Bridge
• St. Michael’s Cathedral
• Totem Square
• Pioneer Bar

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take inspiring selfies at the most photogenic attractions in Sitka.
• Follow tips from your selfie expert guide to ensure the very best pictures.
• Learn the historical significance of the locales while enjoying their dramatic settings.
• Enjoy the view from historical Castle Hill or John O’Connell Bridge, weather-dependent.
• Pause in front of St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral, a National Historic Landmark.
• Enjoy a drink at the Pioneer Bar, a longtime watering hole for fishermen.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
• Be sure your phone or camera is fully charged.

Paddle a two-person kayak around the sheltered waters of Sitka Sound, an area teeming with wildlife. After an orientation and a few minutes to practice paddling, you will skirt along the stunningly beautiful coastline. The guide will lead the way and acquaint you with the marine environment. The backdrop of towering forest-blanketed mountains will be absolutely inspiring, much like it was when the indigenous Tlingits first settled this area about 10,000 years ago. If the weather is clear, you will see Mount Edgecumbe, a massive but dormant volcano that dominates Kruzof Island. While scanning the water’s surface, you may spot Stellar sea lions, harbor seals and porpoise. Humpback whales voraciously feed in the sound before migrating to Hawaii to breed and calve, and the sight of one breaching the water is a mesmerizing spectacle. Be sure to look skyward as bald eagles and tufted puffins are commonly sighted.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Paddle a two-person kayak through the sheltered bays and inlets along Sitka Sound.
• Paddle a two-person kayak through the sheltered bays and inlets along Sitka Sound.
• Enjoy the inspiring scenery and, if the day is clear, the volcano Mount Edgecumbe.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Follow a winding trail through the gorgeous wilderness that surrounds Sitka with a local guide that will describe the flora, fauna and natural beauty in fascinating detail. The guide will select a trail that is ideally suited to your group so everyone can enjoy the experience. You can expect to hike six to 10 miles, mostly likely through the Tongass National Forest, a massive protected woodlands that covers most of southeast Alaska. After considering the weather conditions, the sights that would be most appealing to the group and all the possible trails, the guide will choose one that will best present the pristine wilderness. Many of the trails rim crystal-clear mountain lakes, others such as the Indian River Trail follow salmon streams, while still others offer views of Sitka Sound and the islands just off shore. Every trail has unique attributes that will make for a memorable, immensely scenic hike.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Hike along a scenic trail that the guide selects specifically for your group.
• Enjoy the serenity of the wilderness and one gorgeous view after another.
• Gain an understanding of the flora and fauna as the guide describes them.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Follow a nature trail through Sitka National Historical Park that showcases totem poles just like the ones that were exhibited at the 1904 World’s Fair. Created in 1910 to commemorate the Battle of 1804 between the Tlingits and the Russians, the forested park is Alaska’s oldest and is rich in history. During this self-guided walk, you will learn about the many ecosystems in the surrounding rainforest and the unusual tale of how Alaska’s first governor gathered the original totem poles to promote the state. The indigenous Tlingit people carved and painted the totems, which feature stylized human, animal and supernatural forms that are highly symbolic. Some of the totems honor important people or events, such as the Bicentennial Pole of 1976, which was carved under the direction of the park’s first Native American superintendent. When crossing the bridge over Indian Creek, you will hear about the salmon that spawn there each summer.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Meander along an easy trail lined with totem poles in Sitka National Historical Park.
• Gain an understanding of the symbolism and history of the hand-carved totem poles.
• Learn about the park’s creation and the flora and fauna that thrive in the rainforest.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Create your own metal sculpture of a halibut or salmon in a hands-on art class at the Salty Sitkan workshop. The fun will begin with the instructor demonstrating how to use the computer-controlled plasma cutter to precisely cut through metal – with sparks flying – so that the finished product looks just like the pre-programed fish design. Then, it will be your turn to get creative. You will learn to use a die grinder to smooth and texture the raw steel. The next step will be to hammer away with a tear-drop mallet to shape the metal fish into a 3D form with a flapping tail, if you like. To make your fish sculpture more lifelike, you can use a propane torch to draw out deep hues of bronze, purple and blue. By the end of the class, you will have created a beautiful fish sculpture as a souvenir to take home.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Watch a computer-controlled plasma cutter create a basic metal fish as a starting point.
• Learn to grind, shine and hammer the raw metal into a beautiful fish sculpture.
• Highlight certain colors in the metal with a propane torch.
• Take your finished fish sculpture home as a souvenir.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

Venture into the pristine wilds to look for iconic Alaskan animals such as humpback whales and grizzly bears in their natural habitats. Your adventure will begin aboard a whale-watching boat accompanied by a naturalist that will describe the creatures that you may soon observe. The nutrient-rich waters here are teeming with humpback whales that come to feed each summer before heading south to their breeding grounds. What a sight to watch these behemoths, which grow to about 50 feet long, as they breach the water’s surface and then dive down to feed again. Chances are, you will also catch sight of porpoises, sea lions and seals. After disembarking, you will drive deep into the remote Spasski River Valley to a raised observation platform to look for grizzly bears. They take their name from the gray, grizzled tips of their fur. Bald eagles and Sitka black-tailed deer are also commonly spotted here.

Zip through the sheltered waters of Sitka Sound on a wave runner and pause along the way to hear enlightening commentary about the points of interest. You can either take the helm of the two-person wave runner or ride along as the passenger. Either way, it will be an exhilarating and extraordinarily scenic adventure. After a briefing and a practice run to ensure that you maximize the experience, you will race off caravan-style, following the guide, who is a U.S. Coast Guard captain. Sitka is dotted with islands and the forested mountains provide a breathtaking backdrop. Some of the ride will be through Silver Bay, a slender fjord surrounded by some of the most dramatic scenery on the outskirts of Sitka. The land there hasn’t changed much since the indigenous Tlingit people for time immemorial. During stops along the way, the guide will describe Sitka’s fascinating history.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Race through Sitka Sound and a nearby fjord on a two-person wave runner.
• Marvel at the gorgeous scenery, much of which is raw wilderness.
• Hear fascinating commentary about the history of Sitka while stopping along the way.

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

OVERVIEW

Ride through some of the most beautiful scenery in southeast Alaska on an electric-enhanced bicycle that will make the trip all the more exhilarating and fulfilling. After a brief orientation on how best to maximize the experience, you will pedal off caravan-style and follow a trail that runs through Sitka and along the coast. Although the Trek bike is able to boost your pedal power and reduce the physical demands, the ride will still be challenging. Even so, it will be well worth the effort. Depending on the route that the guide selects, you will ride somewhere between 16 and 22 miles. The trail will begin in Sitka but before long you will head into more rolling and mountainous terrain, much of it presenting sweeping views of the sea. Tongass National Forest provides a backdrop of stunning natural beauty, ensuring that no matter where you look the sights will be spectacular.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride an electric-enhanced bicycle that will boost your pedal power.
• Follow an incredibly scenic trail that is typically between 16 and 22 miles long.
• Be awed by the majestic wilderness and surrounding natural beauty.

HELPFUL HINTS

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