ESCURSIONI A TERRA

OVERVIEW

Learn hands-on how to prepare and grill locally caught fish and then savor the feast that you have masterfully created. This one-of-a-kind culinary class isn’t just educational and entertaining; it’s immensely satisfying to the palate, as you will dine on the specialties that you have grilled. First, you will learn how to prepare the dishes, using the preferred methods of filleting fish and adding seasonings that bring out the full flavors. Depending on the recipe, you may use freshly picked herbs or traditional sauces concocted from local ingredients. After the dishes are prepared, they will be grilled over alder wood, which imparts a unique smoked flavoring because of the natural sugars stored in the wood. Your mouth will surely be watering as the fish is expertly grilled. Then comes the moment you have been waiting for: feasting on the grilled bounty of the sea; a delicious meal you now know how to recreate at home.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Master the culinary skills needed to grill fish Alaska-style at home.
• Feast on the fish meal you prepare hands-on in class.
• Understand the different flavors that the herbs, seasonings and sauces impart.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress warmly in layered clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Cruise to a trailhead in America’s largest national forest and then hike to a pristine lake, where you may kayak, fish or simply relax around the crackling campfire. The adventure begins with an immensely scenic boat ride of about five miles to Camp Coogan Bay and then on to a trailhead that offers easy access into the pristine wonderland of Tongass National Forest. You can expect to hike under a canopy of towering hemlock, spruce and cedar trees that shade an understory of evergreens. Along the way, the guide will point out the most interesting flora and fauna and describe their roles in the ecosystem. In time, you will hike past a waterfall, eventually arriving at a pristine mountain lake, where you will enjoy free time. Few places are as peaceful and majestic as the Tongass National Forest, an area that avid outdoorsman Theodore Roosevelt established as president in the early 1900s.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Cruise through pristine bay waters to a trailhead in the Tongass National Forest.
• Follow a winding trail through Tongass, the world’s largest intact rainforest.
• Observe the flora and fauna that the naturalist guide points out and describes.
• Pause at a waterfall on the way to a mountain lake.
• Enjoy time to do as you please while at the mountain lake.

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

OVERVIEW

Feast on freshly caught, wild Alaskan salmon grilled over an open fire to bring out its flavors and enjoy the outdoor setting along a beautiful creek. This salmon bake has been operating for more than 30 years and has been fine-tuned to a culinary art form. The salmon will be grilled over a fragrant Alderwood fire, imparting the fish with a unique taste. Be sure to bring a hearty appetite, as this is an all-you-can-eat feast. Besides succulent salmon, the menu will include classic dishes such as Barbecue ribs, baked beans, wild rice pilaf, cornbread and various salads. Go back for seconds or even more but leave room for blueberry cake for dessert. To enhance the alfresco dining experience, local musicians will perform throughout. Afterwards, you will have time to roast marshmallows over a crackling fire, walk to a nearby waterfall and see the remnants of an old mine.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Savor an all-you-can-eat feast of salmon and other Alaskan dishes.
• Dine alfresco in an idyllic forested setting.
• Enjoy a musical performance while you dine.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress warmly in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Bring rainwear as a precaution.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Relive a bit of Alaskan history through experiences that reflect the gold rush days of Skagway. For an understanding of the importance of sled dogs both past and present, you will visit a musher’s camp in Dredge Town and watch these canine athletes demonstrate their strength and stamina. Prospectors in the gold rush era used the breed to pull their heavy, gear-laden sleds through the snow. You will get to meet the next generation of puppies who are there for you to cuddle and hold. Puppy kisses guaranteed! You will also pan for authentic Yukon gold just like those prospectors, except valuable gold will be guaranteed in this case and an assayer will be nearby to weigh and evaluate your golden fortune. You will see the route the prospectors took in Klondike Gold Rush of 1898 by boarding a private train car on the White Pass Railway en route to the summit. Where you will celebrate the occasion with a toast. Your costumed guide just for your group will describe the attractions as you take in the breathtaking panoramic views.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit a musher’s camp and watch sled dogs demonstrate their strength and stamina.
• Interact with the sled dogs and puppies.
• Pan for authentic Yukon gold much like the prospectors during the gold rush. Valuable gold is guaranteed!
• Travel in style aboard a private railway car to the White Pass, following a route that the prospectors took.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Drive a specially designed off-road adventure kart through a private rainforest preserve in the rugged Alaskan wilderness. After an orientation briefing, you will gear up for a 90-minute guided trek along winding mountain trails and off road. With the guide leading the way, your caravan of adventure karts will set off into the rainforest. A comfortable pace will be maintained as you thread your way around steep curves, climbing to a height that will present unparalleled views of the Tongass National Forest, Behm Canal and the Inside Passage. Stops will be made along the way to soak up the grandeur and natural beauty. Drivers and passengers will have the opportunity to switch positions. Be sure to watch for wildlife the entire time, as eagles, deer and bears are frequently sighted.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drive an off-road Polaris RZR through a private rainforest preserve.
• Pause at overlooks to marvel at the incredible scenery.
• Watch for wildlife such as eagles and deer.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Slip into the heart of Alaska’s wild beauty on an unforgettable kayaking adventure in the pristine Channel Islands State Marine Park. After a scenic cruise surrounded by snow‑capped peaks of the surrounding mountain ranges, you’ll launch a tandem kayak into rich, wildlife‑filled waters where nature takes center stage. From the quiet of your kayak, witness one of Alaska’s most awe‑inspiring sights—massive humpback whales feeding in their natural habitat. The experience is intimate, thrilling, and deeply humbling. These nutrient‑rich waters are also home to orcas, porpoises, harbor seals, and Steller sea lions, while bald eagles soar overhead and Sitka black‑tailed deer roam the shoreline. Few experiences connect you to Alaska’s wilderness as powerfully as paddling alongside its most iconic residents.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Scenic small‑boat cruise to Channel Islands State Marine Park.
• Tandem kayaking among remote, uninhabited islands.
• Exceptional opportunities to observe humpback whales and other marine wildlife.
• Spot bald eagles overhead and coastal wildlife along the shore.
• Learn about Alaska’s ecosystems, wildlife, and local history from expert guides.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather‑appropriate layers suitable for a temperate rainforest and ocean environment.
• Wear flat, comfortable shoes that can get wet.

Private car service - Indiana Jones Style! This tour begins on the Ketchikan dock and is fully customizable to your wishes. Tour Ketchikan in rugged luxury. in a Hummer H2, a plush vehicle modeled after the military HumVee, and an an extremely knowledgeable tour guide at your service! You choose your destination and tour itinerary based on your group’s interests and input from your guide. Among the many options available, that are sure to please the history buff, native arts & culture enthusiast, outdoor adventurer, and nature lover are several totem pole parks, including Potlach Park, Totem Bight State Park, and Totem Heritage Center; walk through the magnificent rainforest and along pristine beaches, a stop at Herring Cove to look for wildlife in season, waterfall viewing, cultural centers, and diverse hiking options. All entrance fees to attractions listed above are included in the price. Hiking trails range from easy to complex and are accessible by road across the island. Lunch Creek Trail is a moderate to more challenging 4-mile hike that begins by winding through mature cedar and spruce forest, transitioning into natural tread interspersed with boardwalk climbing through spruce stands and muskeg meadows and ending in a subalpine forest at Emery Tobin Lake. Scenic views include a trailside waterfall. Custom stops can include but are not limited to: shopping, dining or exploring almost anything on the island. Wildlife stops can be made at any time the opportunity arises.

OVERVIEW

Embark on an unforgettable journey through the scenic waters of the Inside Passage to Sentinel Island, whose iconic lighthouse was constructed in 1902. Although you may spot harbor seals and Stellar sea lions along the shore and bald eagles soaring overhead, the star attractions are the humpback whales that spend their summers in the nutrient rich waters. You may witness these incredible creatures breach and splash their flukes as they dive and feed to prepare for their winter migration. Few sights are quite so mesmerizing as adult humpbacks that can grow to be 60 feet long and weigh up to 40 tons. Upon reaching Sentinel Island, you will follow the boardwalk to the unusual Art Deco-style lighthouse. Immerse yourself in its history, with the option to ascend the tower or explore the first floor and peruse the captivating black-and-white photos of the beacon and the “wickies” – an affectionate term for the lighthouse keepers – that once operated it.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise the waters north of Juneau in search of humpback whales.
• Keep an eye out for other marine wildlife, including seals, sea lions and bald eagles.
• Explore Sentinel Island and the lighthouse that was built there more than a century ago.
• Stop at Brotherhood Bridge for a spectacular photo-opportunity of *Mendenhall Glacier in the distance.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Watch an enlightening movie on bald eagles followed by a live demonstration of these majestic raptors and a driving tour through downtown. A short walk to the cruise terminal will bring you to the state-of-the-art Alaskan Odyssey Theatre, where a high-definition film will be projected on an enormous 180-degree screen that will show bald eagles in stunning detail. These regal raptors have never been endangered in Alaska, but they are sometimes severely injured and brought to the Alaska Raptor Center for rehabilitation. After the film, a professional raptor handler from the center will bring one of these magnificent birds into the theater so you can see it up-close. You will also hear all sorts of intriguing facts about bald eagles, the only eagle native to North America. Afterwards, you will enjoy a panoramic drive through Sitka and see landmarks such as the University of Alaska Southeast, which overlooks the harbor.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Watch a movie on bald eagles on a big screen for an immersive experience.
• See a Raptor up close during a live demonstration after the movie.
• Learn about bald eagle characteristics and behavior from a professional raptor handler.
• See some of Sitka’s most iconic landmarks while driving through downtown.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Experience life in the days of the Klondike Gold Rush through activities that defined Alaska in the late 1890s. Upon arriving in Dredge Town, a replica of typical gold rush community, you will watch a sled dog demonstration and interact with puppies that will eventually pull sleds for the famed Iditarod annual competition. Learn the art of gold panning with a humorous and educational show. Practice your technique in heated water troughs. Authentic gold is guaranteed! You can then bring your pay dirt to the assayer’s office to determine its value. An enlightening tour of the 60 Mile Dredge, one of the last remaining authentic gold dredges in the world, adds even more depth to your understanding of the mania that fueled the Klondike Gold Rush. Finish with a hearty barbecue lunch complete with a dessert of s’mores over a campfire or enjoy an amazing soda float (weather dependent), amazing performances, and laughter with our costumed characters.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit a musher’s camp and watch sled dogs demonstrate their strength and stamina.
• Interact with the sled dogs, including the puppies.
• Pan for authentic Yukon gold like the prospectors did in the Klondike Gold Rush of 1898. Valuable gold is guaranteed!
• Enjoy a barbecue lunch and make s’mores over a campfire.
• Tour one of the last remaining Gold Dredges in the world.

HELPFUL HINTS

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