OVERVIEW

For generations Tlingit villages have maintained a tradition of welcoming visitors in regal style. In this Native community, tribal elders have worked hard to pass on the traditions that have long defined their culture. Upon arrival to Saxman Native Village, you’ll be warmly welcomed in the Tlingit dialect and experience a captivating performance by the Cape Fox Dancers in the Beaver Clan House. This traditional display of Tlingit music and dance, accompanied by drums and native regalia, vividly narrates the tales of legendary warriors and tribal ancestors. Following the performance, your tour host will guide you through the canoe canopy, explaining canoe making and traditional fishing techniques. You'll also visit the Carving Center to see artisans at work on totem poles and paint making. The highlight is Saxman Totem Park, featuring the world’s largest collection of authentic totem poles, each with detailed descriptions of its cultural significance and stories. Before departing for the pier, a stop at the Village Store offers the opportunity to purchase some Alaskan Native art as a memento of your visit.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Be greeted in the Tlingit language and honored with a ceremonial welcome reflecting centuries-old custom.
• Witness a vibrant performance by the Cape Fox Dancers inside the Beaver Clan House, featuring.
• Learn about canoe carving and traditional fishing techniques beneath the village’s distinctive canoe canopy.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Join seasoned Bering Sea fishermen for an extraordinary journey of discovery on the Aleutian Ballad, a storied crab boat featured on the television series “Deadliest Catch.” You will set out into the protected waters off Ketchikan and relax in the heated and sheltered outdoor amphitheater until the boat reaches prime crabbing water. In time, the crew will start hauling up crab pots and long lines from the depths, revealing all manner of sea life such as king crab, octopus, prawns and rock fish. The catch will then be placed into an on-deck aquarium for you to view and even touch, if you desire. The crew will also relate stories of their lives at sea and point out the indigenous marine life, which may include seals, sea otters and whales.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Sail the glassy calm waters of the inside passage on a real King Crab boat from the TV show “Deadliest Catch.
• Hear the real-life experiences from the seasoned fishermen as they haul crab pots and fishing lines full of marine life.
• Hands on opportunity to hold the daily catch and observe the catch in the on-deck aquarium. This is the only place in the world this excursion can be operated, don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to get the full Alaskan experience.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress warmly in layered clothing.
• Wear flat, comfortable walking shoes.
• Be sure to bring a camera for the endless photo opportunities.

OVERVIEW

Join your captain and crew on a cruise through the waters surrounding the naturally beautiful islands around Ketchikan. Once onboard, relax inside the heated main cabin or out on the observation deck, as you prepare for your first sighting of the iconic American bald eagle Along the way, you will be treated to panoramic views of the historic lighthouse on Guard Island and the Tlingit and Haida hand-carved totem poles and clan house at Totem Bight State Park. You will also witness a diversity of ecosystems as you cruise past coastal residential areas on Revillagigedo Island and along the undeveloped shoreline of Gravina Island, much of which is blanketed by the Tongass National Forest, our world’s largest temperate rainforest. Wildlife is abundant, so keep an eye out for not just bald eagles, but harbor seals, sea lions, seabirds, and whales. While taking in the scenery, enjoy a hot chocolate, freshly brewed coffee, or soda of your choice alongside a snack sampler plate of Alaskan specialties, including a traditional alder-smoked salmon.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Admire Alaska’s natural beauty while cruising to and from Guard Island.
• Relax in the boat’s heated main cabin or out on the observation deck.
• See the colorful, carved Tlingit and Haida totem poles at Totem Bight State Park.
• Look for wildlife such as bald eagles, harbor seals and humpback or orca whales.

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

OVERVIEW

Go fishing on an open-deck skiff in the pristine waters off Ketchikan and then gather around a crackling campfire and enjoy a classic Alaskan fish dinner. The captain will assess the water conditions and choose a secluded spot where you will have the best chance of catching numerous Alaskan bottom fish species. To add to the fun, you will use light tackle so even average-size fish will be more exciting to land. After a couple of hours on the water, you will disembark on the shore of a spruce and cedar rainforest and settle in while the camp cook prepares dinner. The bottom-feeders that you have caught will be served atop a saffron-infused bouillabaisse. Seasoned potatoes in homemade fish broth, warm sourdough rolls and rhubarb-blueberry crisp round out the menu.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Fish in the waters off Ketchikan in a skiff with only a few other anglers.
• Use the provided light tackle and bait that’s been selected for what’s biting that day.
• Enjoy your fresh catch for dinner around a campfire in the rainforest.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Begin your journey with a scenic drive along the Tongass Narrows in route to Totem Bight State Park, home to one of the world’s largest stand of totems. Immerse yourself in the beauty of the Tongass National Rainforest as you stroll under the canopy of majestic hemlock and cedar trees. Through lively stories and narrative, you’ll learn about the culture and lifestyle practiced by the Northwest Coastal Natives. You’ll also have an opportunity to enter a traditional Native clan house to see how they lived firsthand. Prior to departing the park, you’ll have a chance to photograph a magnificent collection of totem poles located in a picturesque setting. During a brief stop at the quaint Alaska Totem Trading store, you’ll have an opportunity to shop and view beautifully carved totems along with a collection of and antique guns. While travelling to downtown Ketchikan, you will be engaged with an entertaining town overview and learn of the industries which built Ketchikan and helped to make it the “Salmon Capital of the World”. Travel along the picturesque Tongass Narrows en route to the park, taking in beautiful views of the surrounding rainforest and waterfront.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit one of the world’s largest collections of standing totem poles.
• Stroll beneath the towering hemlock and cedar trees of the Tongass National Rainforest.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Try your luck fishing for halibut, a species of flatfish that gets massive and feeds voraciously in the summer. You will head out to the fishing grounds in a group of no more than six guests, which ensures that the captain and crew can provide exceptional personal attention to increase your chances of catching one of these behemoths. Once the boat anchors, you will fish with a vertical rigging to reach the bottom of the ocean floor where halibut live. The larger fish are usually females and can grow up to eight feet in length and five feet in width, which is why they are often called “barn doors.” Imagine what a thrill it would be to reel in one of these lunkers. If you catch one, you will notice that it has smooth scales and a light-colored bottom and a darker top, which acts as a natural camouflage that mimics the hues of the ocean floor and water.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Fish for halibut on a private boat with just five other guest’s maximum.
• Follow the crew’s advice and tips to increase your chance of catching a huge halibut.
• Ship your catch home fully processed if you want to eat it later.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Travel along a wonderfully scenic highway to the historical George Inlet Lodge, where a chef will demonstrate how best to prepare crab cakes, which you will later enjoy for lunch. The road to the lodge winds through the wilds of Revillagigedo Island and passes an old sawmill and several salmon canneries that will offer a glimpse into the area’s past. Once you reach the waterfront lodge – which was originally a cannery bunkhouse – the attention will turn to food, especially seafood caught in the chilly depths of the surrounding sea. While the chef prepares your crab cakes according to a classic local recipe and recounts entertaining stories about Alaskan fishing and crabbing, you will be served a garden-fresh salad and half a Dungeness crab as an appetizer. The crab cakes will be served hot off the griddle and followed by a slice of creamy cheesecake topped with blueberries, another Alaska specialty.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Watch the chef at the George Inlet Lodge prepare crab cakes for your lunch.
• Dine on appetizers, including half a Dungeness crab, during the demonstration.
• Enjoy the waterfront setting of the remote lodge and learn a bit about its history.
• Drive along a coastal road and admire the stunning natural beauty.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Walk through the pristine natural environment of Tongass National Forest, the largest such wilderness in America. As you follow the shaded nature trail through the understory, you can expect to be enthralled by the majesty of the towering, centuries-old trees and the serenity of the forest. While pausing at a meadow, the naturalist guide will identify some of the more unusual plants and describe their characteristics. You will enjoy a different perspective of the wilderness from a viewing platform at a nearby rapids, where bald eagles are often spotted. You will also pause farther down the trail next to a crystal-clear stream where salmon spawn each year. Here, the guide will explain some of the traditions and legends of the indigenous people that lived in the forest.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Hike through Tongass National Forest.
• Marvel at the serenity and towering ancient trees.
• Listen to the naturalist describe the flora and fauna.
• Look for bald eagles and spawning salmon in season.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Follow a guide along a winding gravel trail through the Tongass National Forest and feast on seafood at a waterfront resort 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 at Salmon Falls Resort, where you will dine on a three-course seafood lunch from the restaurant’s Taste of Alaska menu. Locally sourced salmon, halibut and crab cakes are typically 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 Salmon Falls Resort following the hike.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Hike through the rainforest that blankets America’s largest national forest and toast your accomplishment with a beer at a local pub. It won’t take long to reach the trailhead, yet the setting is still remote and teeming with wildlife. As you follow the challenging two-mile route, the only sounds will be those of nature until the guide pauses to comment on the indigenous flora and fauna. There will be plenty to discuss as the trail meanders through giant cedar, hemlock and spruce trees with an understory that includes a plethora of berry bushes. Although there is no telling what types of wildlife you may encounter, the three viewing platforms along the trail provide the best opportunities to observe black bears feasting on ripe berries. Following this invigorating hike, you will stop at a pub that locals often frequent and quench your thirst with a cold beer or a different beverage if you prefer.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a challenging yet invigorating two-mile hike through Tongass National Forest.
• Hear enlightening commentary about the indigenous wildlife and flora.
• Look for black bears, especially from the viewing platforms along the trail.
• Quench your thirst with a beer or a different cool beverage at a pub in town.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Discover the art and science of distilling on a behind-the-scenes tour of Uncharted Alaska Distillery and then custom-blend your own bottled spirit in a hands-on class. Located in a former Ketchikan fire station, the distillery handcrafts gin, vodka, whiskey and agave spirits that capture the essence of the Alaskan wilderness. Samples will be offered that best express each product’s characteristics, a tasting that will inspire you to create your own signature spirit. Upstairs in the laboratory, you will find everything necessary to start the process. The instructor will help you choose the flowers, herbs, spices and other ingredients to infuse and blend your signature creation. For the final touch, you will design a personal label for the bottle. It could be silly or serious, depending on the image you wish to convey. The bottled spirit is yours to keep.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a private tour of Uncharted Alaska Distillery in Ketchikan.
• Sample some of the unique spirits that the distillery produces.
• Create your own spirit and label during a hands-on class in the distillery laboratory.
• Take home your custom-blended spirit as a souvenir of the experience.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Ride through the wilderness in a Utility Terrain Vehicle designed for off-road adventure and admire the majestic panoramas while driving to and from Mahoney Lake. On the way to the base camp, you will enjoy spectacular views of George Inlet and Tongass National Forest. Still nothing rivals the exhilaration of hopping into the 2-seat or a 4-seat UTV and following the guide caravan-style up the mountainous 5-mile trail to Mahoney Lake. Whoever drives on the way up will switch positions and ride as a passenger on the way down. The serene lake and roaring Mahoney Falls are at the end of the trail, and both are well worth exploring. During stops, the guide will offer commentary about the history of Ketchikan, including the pulp mill at Ward Cove, which is longest operating such mill in Alaska. Back at the White River base camp, you can relive the experience while dining on vegan chili or a reindeer sausage.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take in the extraordinary views while riding to and from Mahoney Lake in a UTV.
• Drive the UTV up to the lake and ride as a passenger on the way down. Or vice-versa.
• Enjoy the scenic beauty of Mahoney Lake and Mahoney Falls at the end of the trail.
• Hear enlightening commentary about the history of Ketchikan and its historical pulp mill.

HELPFUL HINTS

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