OVERVIEW

Embark on an unforgettable adventure that combines breathtaking wildlife encounters with traditional Alaskan dishes at a seafood feast. Cruise the pristine waters of Icy Strait, home to one of the highest concentrations of humpback whales in Alaska. Witness these awe-inspiring creatures as they breach, dive, and wave their flukes, showcasing their grace and power. Keep an eye out for playful Dall’s porpoises, towering Steller sea lions, curious harbor seals, and even the occasional pod of orcas. Don’t forget to look to the skies for bald eagles soaring overhead. After your wildlife adventure, return to Icy Strait Point for a feast of Alaskan flavors. Enjoy a hearty meal featuring seasonal shrimp, crab, and Andouille sausage, accompanied by a variety of sides. Finish the experience with a cozy moment around the campfire, roasting marshmallows.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise into waters with so many humpback whales.
• Watch the whales breaching the water’s surface and feeding voraciously.
• Look for porpoises, sea lions, seals and bald eagles, as well.
• Feast on classic Alaskan seafood dishes and roast marshmallows around a campfire.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Experience the thrill of snorkeling a reef that sharks inhabit or, if you are more comfortable, watch these ominous-looking creatures through the glass bottom of a boat. While cruising to the reef on a 45-foot catamaran, you will learn about the sharks and what to expect once you are in the water. If your adrenaline start pumping before you even arrive, imagine what it will be like snorkeling above the sharks, which typically number between one and two dozen. The guide will lead the way to a vantage point that will allow you to observe the reef sharks in their natural habitat, but without disturbing them. If you’re not quite that adventurous, stay on board and just watch through the catamaran’s glass-bottom viewing windows. Either way, you will have plenty to talk about while enjoying a cup of icy-cold rum punch and listening to Caribbean-style music on the return cruise.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Snorkel the crystal-clear waters above a reef and observe the sharks gathered below.
• Choose to watch the sharks through the glass bottom of a catamaran, if you prefer.
• Cruise the catamaran to and from the reef and enjoy the gorgeous scenery along the way.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

Enjoy unlimited rides in a window-walled gondola to the mountaintop that looms behind Icy Strait Point and spend the day enjoying the outdoors as you please. As you ascend over the forested slopes, the views will be spectacular in every direction, especially once you reach the summit, which is more than a quarter mile above sea level. Glacier Bay stretches out before you and Tongass National Forest goes on as far as the eye can see. If you wish to hike through the woodlands, feel free. Wherever you wander, be sure to keep an eye out for wildlife as bald eagles and deer are abundant. You won’t have to rush your time at the summit because your all-day gondola pass allows you to descend whenever you wish.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Take in the breathtaking views while riding a gondola up the mountain behind Icy Strait Point.
• Spend as much time as you wish at the summit and descend on the gondola when you’re ready.
• Look for wildlife such as Sitka black-tailed deer and bald eagles while hiking through the woods.
• Your ticket includes unlimited rides on the Sky Peak Gondola

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

Ride a state-of-the-art window-walled gondola to the top of Hoonah Mountain and then board an open-air tram for an inspiring ride through an old-growth forest. The views will be spectacular in every direction as you ascend the mountain, which rises more than a quarter mile above the sea. The wheeled tram will offer a closer look at the natural world as it winds through the woods for about six miles. The towering stands of Sitka spruce and western hemlock are a wonder to behold. The significance of the forest becomes even clearer as your guide describes the delicate balance of its biodiversity and fascinating geology. Wildlife is abundant and it’s not uncommon to spot Sitka black-tailed deer and bald eagles. You will also enjoy sweeping views of the Port Frederick Inlet, Spasski River Valley, glacially carved reflecting ponds and beautiful bogs known as muskegs.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Take in the breathtaking views while riding an aerial gondola up Hoonah Mountain.
• Ride an open-air tram through a dense forest while the guide describes the flora and fauna.
• Look for wildlife such as Sitka black-tailed deer and bald eagles.
• Enjoy unlimited rides on the Sky Peak Gondola

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

OVERVIEW

Watch a traditional tribal performance that reflects the history of the Tlingits as a prelude to a feast of fresh seafood and other Alaskan dishes. The Tlingits have lived in this part of southeastern Alaska for thousands of years and their traditions run deep. This unique experience is showcased by Huna Tlingit members through live storytelling and traditional dress, creating an immersive celebration of their heritage and customs. Learn about their history, from the time advancing glaciers displaced them from their original homeland in Glacier Bay to the founding of Hoonah, meaning “where the north wind doesn’t blow. Many of their performances express the significance of indigenous animals such as ravens, seals and eagles. Others tell of the tribe’s struggles with the harsh environment and poignant social issues. Following the performance, you will dine on a sumptuous meal of classic Alaskan dishes.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Discover much about the Tlingit tribe through interpretive songs and storytelling.
• Watch Huna Tlingit performers dressed in traditional regalia.
• Feast on classic Alaskan seafood dishes and roast marshmallows around a campfire.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Look for wildlife while zipping along the rugged coastline in an open-air, high-speed boat. You will ride in a Rigid Hull Inflatable vessel that is 27 feet long and designed to race through the sea with maximum maneuverability. It will be an absolute thrill the entire time. The exact route will depend on the weather conditions, but you can expect to enjoy close-up views of thundering waterfalls, tidal flats and land animals such as brown bears and Sitka black-tailed deer. The seas here are also teeming with iconic Alaskan animals. You may spot humpback whales breaching the water’s surface, pods of orcas, frolicking sea otters and sleek seals. Be sure to look up, as bald eagles and puffins also make their homes in the area. Along the way, the captain will throttle back and elaborate on the importance of the waterways to the native Tlingit, many of whom still follow a traditional lifestyle around Icy Strait Point.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Zip through the pristine waters off Icy Strait Point in a high-speed Rigid Hull Inflatable.
• Scan the coast for land animals such as brown bears and Sitka black-tailed deer.
• Watch the water’s surface for marine creatures that may include whales, orcas and seals.
• Look for bald eagles and puffins soaring above and along the rocky coast.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

Walk through the eco-friendly fishing village of Suðureyri while sampling Icelandic delicacies made with fresh seafood and other ingredients that reflect the local cuisine. Although still somewhat remote, Suðureyri has become more popular since a tunnel was built through the mountain that once isolated the village. Fishing continues to drive the economy as you will discover on the village’s renowned Seafood Trail, whose businesses will offer bite-sized samples of the sustainably sourced seafood caught in the icy waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The boats that leave Suðureyri are so fast and the fishermen so efficient that the local catch is typically on sale in Europe a mere 36 hours after being pulled from the sea. As you meander about the harbor and through a seafood processing house, you will sample a variety of dishes that may include favorites such as fried cod cakes, halibut tempura and smoked salmon.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Walk about the village of Suðureyri and stop at businesses involved in the fishing industry.
• Sample a variety of foods that reflect the local seafood-based cuisine.
• Gain an understanding of the importance of fishing on the wild Westfjords peninsula.

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

OVERVIEW

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 brown bears. Bald eagles and Sitka black-tailed deer are also commonly spotted here.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise waters teeming with humpback whales and watch them breaching the surface.
• Become familiar with the habits of humpback whales by listening to the onboard naturalist.
• Behold the glorious natural beauty in remote Spassky River Valley.
• Look for brown bears and other wildlife from the comfort of a raised platform.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in layers in case of cool temperatures.
• Wear flat comfortable water-resistant hiking shoes.
• Don’t forget binoculars and a camera.

OVERVIEW

Watch reindeer in a private park that mirrors their natural habitat and feed the animals if you wish. The venue for this wildlife encounter will be the family-owned Nuuksio Reindeer Park, which supports a small herd of reindeer. They were brought to the park from Lapland, the vast subarctic wilderness in the northernmost region of Finland. Reindeer outnumber people in Lapland but the park is the only place where reindeer can be seen this far south. While observing the animals, you will learn about their unique characteristics and behavior. They are the only deer species in which males and females have antlers. Reindeer also have fur on the bottom of their hooves for traction on icy ground. Reindeer are integral to the Finnish culture, especially among the indigenous Sámi people in Lapland. While enjoying a snack around a campfire in a rustic Lapland teepee, you will get a glimpse into the Sámi culture.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Observe a herd of reindeer up close in a family-owned forested park.
• Learn about reindeer behavior and some of their unusual physical characteristics.
• Feed the reindeer if they approach on their own.
• Enjoy a snack around a campfire in a rustic teepee like those used in Lapland.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Enjoy a one-of-a-kind adventure by flying over the breathtaking Alaskan wilderness in a floatplane, paddling across a pristine lake and hiking over the surface of Norris Glacier. The flight will take you over a densely forested mountainous terrain towards the mouth of the Taku Inlet, a waterway that offers access to the enormous Juneau Icefield. The sights will be spectacularly scenic, as will be the landing in a glacially fed lake. You will then ease into a one-person packraft, a kayak-like inflatable vessel that is easy to navigate. The guide will demonstrate the best paddling techniques so you can confidently maneuver past the icebergs that you will encounter along the way. Keep an eye out for bald eagles, sealions and other wildlife. Upon reaching the glacier, you will don micro-spikes to improve your footing for the hike across the icy landscape. This trifecta of flying, paddling and hiking is an experience you won’t soon forget.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Fly over the rugged Alaskan wilderness in a floatplane made for adventure.
• Land in a glacially fed lake and paddle across it in a kayak-like packcraft.
• Hike across the icy terrain of Norris Glacier, a part of the massive Juneau Icefield.
• Marvel at the majestic scenery and look for wildlife such as bald eagles and sealions.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

Enjoy tastings of locally sourced Icelandic specialties in beautiful settings that will enhance the experience. At Arnadalur, which offers spectacular views of the fjord, you will sample dried fish such as cod or haddock right off the outdoor wooden drying racks. Dried fish has long been a staple in Iceland, and you will learn how it is processed. Locally made chocolate and mountain berries dusted in sea salt will be served as a special treat once you arrive at the ski resort that overlooks Isafjordur. You will delve even deeper into the local cuisine at the Holt Inn, where you will meet with a group of sheep farmers and hear about their products as you snack on traditional Icelandic marriage cake. Another sampling awaits you at the end of Isafjordur’s pier, where you will sip Sæunn beer, which is named in honor of a cow that heroically swam across the icy fjord to avoid being slaughtered.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Taste a variety of Icelandic specialties made with local ingredients.
• Enjoy a snack of dried fish and a local craft beer named after a famous Isafjordur cow.
• Sample sweets that include Icelandic marriage cake, chocolate and mountain berries.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Watch humpback whales and other marine creatures cavorting in the nutrient-rich waters at Point Adolphus, one of Alaska’s premier observation points. During the cruise, a naturalist will describe the diversity of animals that converge here each summer. They come primarily to feed in the waters that are extraordinarily rich in halibut, salmon and plankton. Point Adolphus is noted for having the highest concentration of humpback whales in the Alaskan panhandle, so be on the lookout for these majestic and intelligent creatures. You can expect them to be breaching the water’s surface, waving their flukes up and down as they dive, and feeding voraciously to fatten up for their winter migration south. You might also observe frolicking Dall’s porpoises, Stellar sea lions, curious harbor seals and Orca whales. You may also see graceful bald eagles swooping down to grab fish in their talons, and perhaps even bears and deer in the surrounding wooded landscape.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Watch for humpback whales breaching the water’s surface as they feed.
• Gain a deeper understanding of whales and other marine creatures from the naturalist.
• Look for playful porpoises, sea lions and harbor seals.
• Scan the sky for majestic bald eagles.
• Scour the shoreline for mammals such as bears and deer.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear warm layered clothing and flat comfortable shoes with non-slip soles.
• Bring waterproof outerwear if you expect to sit on the open-air observation deck.
• Don’t forget binoculars and a camera.