SHORE EXCURSIONS

OVERVIEW

Discover your inner adventurer high above the coastal wilds of Alaska at CoastalVue Adventure Park, set in a forested landscape near the historic Ward Cove pulp mill. The park features three tiers of progressively challenging aerial obstacles, each made up of creative “events” that take you from one platform to the next. Navigate swaying rope bridges, balance across suspended elements, and climb a wooden tower high above the forest floor while taking in panoramic wilderness views along the way. A few strategically placed ziplines add bursts of speed and excitement between obstacles, but the real thrill comes from traversing the course at height. Expect a dynamic, action-packed adventure that tests your balance, agility, and sense of adventure.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Tear through the treetops on a series of ziplines sure to get the adrenaline pumping.
• Walk along swaying rope bridges for a different sort of thrill.
• Climb high above the ground on wooden towers that offer spectacular wilderness views.
• Explore the on-site historic pulp mill before or after the adventure.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

This unique Alaska excursion explores the historical highlights of this former "Russian" capital city and includes a wildlife tour through the Alaska Raptor Center, a guided walk-through Sitka National Historical Park, and a visit to Fortress of the Bear. 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, time will be available to view the flight center, clinic window and gift shop. Guests can also stroll the outside deck habitat areas for an up-close look at bald eagles, owls, hawks, and other birds of prey in residence. 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. The final stop is visiting the Fortress of the Bear, 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.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Get an up-close look at a variety of birds of a prey at the Alaska Raptor Center.
• Photograph Alaskan brown and black bears up close at a rescue facility.
• Delve into the history of Sitka at a park that recounts the watershed Battle of 1804.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Your journey begins with a narrated tour of downtown Juneau, highlighting the city’s landmarks and rich cultural past as you head towards the Mendenhall Valley. Your first stop is the historic Brotherhood Bridge, where you’ll enjoy spectacular views of the valley and, weather permitting, the Mendenhall Glacier off in the distance. This bridge holds significant cultural and historical importance, symbolizing the bridging of the gap between Native and Non-Native communities and overcoming racial tensions. Adorned with ten bronze medallions featuring the Alaska Native Brotherhood (ANB) crest, sculpted by Roy Peratrovich Jr. in honor of the ANB’s 50th anniversary, the bridge depicts the two great Tlingit moieties—Eagle and Raven—emphasizing the ANB’s foundational role in their shared heritage. Afterward your drive takes you to Juneau's Macaulay Salmon Hatchery and Visitor Center. There you will learn the value of ocean ranching to Juneau's commercial and sport fishing industries and the hatchery's role in keeping the area salmon population at sustainable levels.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

Cruise along Ketchikan’s beautiful waterfront in a window-walled expedition boat and look for Alaska’s most iconic wildlife on the outskirts of town. Whether you settle in on the observation deck or inside the heated cabin, you will enjoy spectacular views of Ketchikan and its backdrop of mountainous rainforest. Commentary will enhance your understanding of the sights, which include the town’s oldest working salmon cannery and Whiskey Cove, an infamous cove that rumrunners used during Prohibition. You will also learn about the area’s indigenous people when cruising past the world’s largest collection of totem poles at Saxman Native Village. Wildlife is especially abundant around Nichol’s Passage, where whales, seals and porpoises are frequently spotted. The captain will maneuver the boat to ensure the best views and pause so you can clearly see an active bald eagle’s nest. Built with large sticks for stability and moss for comfort, bald eagle nests can weigh up to 1,000 pounds.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a sightseeing cruise along Ketchikan’s waterfront and into the surrounding waters.
• Learn about Ketchikan’s indigenous people and the town’s history during Prohibition.
• Look for iconic marine life such as whales, seals and porpoises.
• View an active bald eagle’s nest, a massive stick structure that may weigh 1,000 pounds.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Enjoy an enlightening drive in and around Whittier and come away with a remarkably in-depth understanding of this city at the head of the Passage Canal. As you might expect, natural beauty surrounds Whittier and experience it with a quick stop at Whittier Falls. Yet, the city is surprisingly unconventional because nearly the entire population of 250 or so lives in Begich Towers, a 14-story former military barracks built during the Cold War. While passing the colorful towers, you will hear more about its odd history and conversion into condominiums. More fascinating sights await you at the Prince William Sound Museum, whose exhibits feature military, aviation and railway memorabilia that tell the story of Whittier with an emphasis on World War II. The black-and-white wartime photographs are especially compelling. A bit of free time follows around the Whittier waterfront. Spend some time shopping for local goods, sipping a coffee, or simply soaking in the views of the waterfront.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Admire the natural beauty on the outskirts of town at Whittier Falls.
• Pass by the 14-story condominium building where almost all the local residents live.
• Learn about the history and development of Whittier in the city’s sole museum.
• Spend free time shopping along the Whittier waterfront district.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Join the magic of the steam train and travel back in time aboard the pride of the White Pass fleet, Engine #73. Pulled by an authentic steam engine, enjoy the live commentary and views from the comfort of your vintage railcar while following the footprints of the Klondike Gold Rush. Board a parlor car for a fully narrated tour aboard the historic White Pass & Yukon Route. Against all odds, the iron trail was carved through some of the North's most rugged terrain in 1898 to include mountains, glaciers, gorges, waterfalls, tunnels & trestles. Travel 40 miles roundtrip up one of the steepest grades in North America, enjoying a light snack, non- alcoholic beverages, and a Prosecco toast while your narrator discusses the Klondike Gold Rush and the history of the building of the railroad. After traveling around the summit loop, travel back to Skagway. Each guest will receive a souvenir as a remembrance of a rare ride aboard a working steam train.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride through the wilderness on a train pulled by a vintage steam locomotive on the “Scenic Railway of the World.”
• Learn about the significance of the area during the Klondike Gold Rush in the 1890s.
• Pass incredibly scenic natural wonders on the train ride back to Skagway. Locally sourced snack included.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Cruise across smooth-as-glass Lake Tazawa and admire the majestic mountains that surround this perfectly circular body of water. This part of the Akita prefecture is largely undeveloped even though Lake Tazawa is a major draw for nature lovers. It is the deepest lake in Japan and especially beautiful with the mountains reflected in its typically sapphire-blue waters. If the light changes even slightly during your cruise, the color of the water will change accordingly. The views, however, will remain breathtaking in every direction. Along the shore, you many see a golden statue of Tatsuko, a mythological woman that prayed for eternal youth but was turned into a dragon doomed to eternally prowl the depths of Lake Tazawa. The Shinto shrine Goza-no-ishi – which is dedicated to the guardian dragon – stands nearby. It is named for the large flat rock where Akita lord Satake Yoshitaka rested in the mid-1600s to admire the lake’s beauty.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise circular Lake Tazawa, the deepest lake in Japan.
• Notice how the lake’s color changes as the sunlight and depth of the water changes.
• Hear about the legend of Lake Tazawa and the dragon that guards it.
• Dine on traditional Japanese dishes at a restaurant overlooking the lake.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

A culturally rich day awaits at the Esashi district, one of the oldest areas in the Hokkaido Prefecture. Discover how fishing has shaped Hokkaido’s culture and folklore by visiting several historical sites. The town's heritage is wonderfully preserved, and a visit here takes you back in time.

Settle in for a leisurely drive north across the island to Esashi, one of the oldest districts in the Hokkaido Prefecture. Much of life here revolves around the sea, as you will discover by watching a joyous performance of a folk song that tells the happy story of herring fishermen who return to port with a bounty of fresh fish.

More folkloric tales await you at famed Heishi Rock, a bulbous mushroom-shaped formation that rises out of the sea. According to a 500-year-old legend, a fortune teller threw a bottle of magic potion into the water here in hopes of coaxing the herring to return after they suddenly vanished. It worked, and the bottle morphed into the Heishi Rock. The rope that you will see dangling from the rock is part of an annual purification ritual and it makes an interesting photo!

Continuing on, you will soon arrive in downtown Esashi, where you’ll visit the former residence of a merchant, which has been transformed into a museum full of fishing artifacts. It is only natural that the lunch that follows will include the seafood dish “nishin soba,” a comforting concoction of smoked herring and buckwheat noodles in a savory broth.

Follow your guide for another glimpse into daily life by strolling Esashi’s most historical street, which is flanked by well-preserved ancient buildings.

OVERVIEW

Experience an exclusive two-hour guided adventure that give you more time to explore Whittier, a hidden gem blending breathtaking nature, fascinating history, and local charm. Visit the stunning Whittier Falls, followed by a drive past the iconic Begich Towers, a Cold War relic now housing the entire town. Discover the tower's unique transformation from military barracks to condos. Explore the Prince William Sound Museum, offering a rich collection of World War II-era military and aviation artifacts, or go next door to the Anchor Inn to enjoy a beverage. Continue to the Buckner Building, another captivating remnant of Whittier’s military past, and enjoy stunning views at the Lu Young Park and Billings Glacier Overlook. Wrap up your tour with free time at Whittier's charming waterfront, where you can shop for gifts, dine locally, or simply relax with spectacular views.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Admire the natural beauty on the outskirts of town at Whittier Falls and Billings Glacier Overlook.
• Pass by the 14-story condominium building where almost all the residents live.
• Learn about the history and development of Whittier in the city’s sole museum.
• Spend free time shopping along the Whittier waterfront district.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

Delve into the world of tea through hands-on experiences that will reveal the cultural importance of the beverage in Japan. Your immersion will begin at a green tea plantation, where you will head into the fields with a wicker basket and pick tea leaves. You may be surprised by which ones are ready to harvest. During the workshop that follows, you will learn how to properly brew green tea, which is known as sencha. Factors that ensure a perfect cup of tea include water temperature, the proportion of leaves to water and not disturbing the tea while it is steeping. Visiting a factory where tea is processed will enhance your understanding even further as you will watch the workers perform each step. Later, during a traditional lunch – served with tea, of course – you might reflect on how tea is more than a beverage in Japan.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Enjoy hands-on experiences that involve picking, processing and brewing green tea leaves.
• Gain insight into the world of tea that is so ingrained into the Japanese culture.
• Relax at a restaurant while savoring a traditional Japanese lunch accompanied by green tea.

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

OVERVIEW

Delve into the fascinating culture of the indigenous people of Southeast Alaska by visiting authentic totem poles in the rainforest and paddling a canoe across a gorgeous mountain lake. As you wander through Totem Bight State Historical Park, you will see colorful, hand-carved totem poles and a large clan house similar to ones built in the early 19th century. The park offers a fascinating insight into the culture of the indigenous people, as will your experience on Lake Harriet Hunt, where you will board a 37-foot canoe patterned after the ones that the Tlingit and Haida built. The lake provides a beautiful setting for your paddling adventure because the dense forest comes to the edge of the water. In time, you will disembark for an Alaskan-style snack. You will have the opportunity to walk through an old-growth forest while the guide points out the most interesting flora and perhaps fauna.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Gain insight into the fascinating culture of Alaska’s indigenous people.
• Paddle a canoe like the ones the indigenous Tlingits and Haidas built.
• Enjoy a snack and an interpretive nature walk through an old growth forest.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Fly to a remote wilderness on a floatplane and observe black bears feasting on salmon. From your window seat on the DeHavilland floatplane, you will look down on the natural beauty of the seemingly endless Tongass National Forest. The sights will be breathtaking as the plane flies over a sheltered fjords and lands in the water just off Traitor’s Cove, where you will meet a naturalist guide that is especially knowledgeable about black bears. A short hike will bring you to an elevated observation platform that overlooks a stream where pink, coho and chum salmon spawn. Bears typically gather there to feast on the salmon as they make their way upstream. It can be quite the sight to see a salmon leap into the air only to be caught in the mouth off an awaiting bear. Chances are, you will also see bald eagles feeding on the scraps that the bears leave behind.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Fly deep into the Alaskan wilderness in a DeHavilland floatplane.
• d off Traitor’s Cove, a remote area frequented by black bears.
• Follow a naturalist guide to a wildlife viewing platform that overlooks a stream.
• Look for black bears feasting on spawning salmon as they make their way upstream.

HELPFUL HINTS

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