SHORE EXCURSIONS

Pedal a pontoon-style Sea-Cycle around the estuary at Ward Cove as the guide describes the scenic beauty and area history. Each two-person Sea-Cycle boat allows for leisurely pedaling yet leaves your hands free to snap photos of the surrounding natural wonders. There is plenty to view, especially when passing Tongass National Forest, the largest such protected landscape in America. The dense forests of red cedars, hemlocks and Sitka spruces will seem to go on forever. Along the way, the guide will elaborate on how many Alaskans still subsist on food and medicines that they harvest from the woodlands and sea. Be sure to keep an eye out for eagles soaring overhead and seals and bears along the shore. Ducks are among the most prevalent animals in the tidal estuary. Ward Cove is noteworthy for being the site of Alaska’s first pulp mill and home to one of the area’s most productive fish canneries.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Pedal a two-person Sea-Cycle boat around the estuary at Ward Cove and along the sea.
• Take in the natural beauty of Tongass National Forest, America’s largest such landscape.
• Look for indigenous wildlife such as bears, eagles and seals.
• Learn about the history of Ward Cove and how it once fueled Ketchikan’s economy.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat, comfortable, non-slip 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

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

Fly high above the Alaskan wilderness in a helicopter and then cruise to Taku Glacier and walk across its ancient frozen surface. Few outdoor adventures offer such diverse opportunities and spectacular panoramic views. Moments after boarding the helicopter, you will soar above the Tongass National Forest, America’s largest national forest. You will pass over the Juneau Ice Field, Gastineau Channel, and the Taku River on the way to Taku Point, where you will touch down. You will then board a covered airboat and cruise several miles up the river to the Taku Glacier, where you will behold its sheer face from a unique water perspective. The airboat Captain will help you board the covered airboat as you cruise the 5-mile terminus of the only advancing glacier of the Juneau Ice Field. You’ll come within arm’s reach of the ice, and you’ll understand the immense size of this glacier as you stare up at it from the river. The captain will stop in various locations for photos, and to talk about the glacier and the river basin that it has been carved by nature over the years. Back at Taku Point, you’ll again board the helicopter that will take you up, up, up to the top of the Taku Glacier. Step out onto the amazing 4,500-foot-thick ice for a brief glacier landing. You’ll have time for more photos, and your pilot will give you details about the ice field and Taku Glacier. The helicopter will then return you to the airport and the van will return you to the pier.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Fly in a helicopter over some of Alaska’s most spectacular wilderness.
• Cruise up the Taku River in an airboat for an up-close view of Taku Glacier.
• Touch down in the helicopter on the glacier and walk across its ancient icy surface.
• You’ll have a chance to take pictures of the pristine Taku River basin, and the Taku Glacier spread before you.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Fly high over the Alaskan wilderness in a helicopter to Denver Glacier, where you will watch sled dogs demonstrate their prodigious power and energy. The glacier lies due east near the Alaska-Canada border, an extraordinarily scenic landscape of majestic mountains and dense forests. The helicopter will land on a remote snow field where you will be greeted by an experienced musher and their team of excited dogs. Your musher – will describe how the dogs are cared for and trained to maximize their strength and stamina for contests such as the grueling 1,000-mile Iditarod. Once the team of dogs are harnessed to the sled, off they will go, dashing across the glacier with the snow-capped mountains as a backdrop. It is a spectacle to behold. Afterwards, while interacting with some of the puppies at the camp, you will learn about the history of mushing and the bond between the mushers and their dogs. Cherish this once in a lifetime opportunity as you cuddle with the puppies and take pictures together against the dazzling landscape of the glacier before loading back into the helicopters for your return flight to Skagway.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a scenic flight in a helicopter to Denver Glacier.
• Learn how the dogs are cared for and trained to maximize their power and endurance.
• Watch a team of dogs effortlessly pull a sled across the snow-packed glacier.
• Interact with some of the puppies and the mushers that train them to be sled dogs.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

Embrace the exceptional beauty of Sitka's pristine surroundings from a unique perspective during this memorable sea kayaking adventure. In keeping with the philosophy of Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ocean Futures Society, we hope that this tour will inspire people to act responsibly for the protection of our planet's vital ecosystems. Meet your guide on the dock in Sitka and prepare for your adventure by suiting up in quality raingear and lifejackets. Climb aboard the fast, custom-built vessel for an exciting sightseeing tour en route to a floating base camp. Your knowledgeable Captain will scan the sea for wildlife, including whales, and identify points of interest along the way.

Upon arrival at the floating base camp, you’ll be instructed in the use of your safe, oceangoing, two person kayaks by your knowledgeable guide. These stable yet maneuverable craft let you enjoy the beauty of the protected bays and inlets near Sitka from a serene, natural perspective. Groups of up to six kayaks will be led by an experienced guide, well versed in paddling techniques and the marine environment of the area. Each of the waterways traveled holds unique attractions in store, be it colorful intertidal invertebrates, an eagle swooping from the tree tops, or the grandeur of the lush rain forest. You may even see brown bear, harbor seals, or a Sitka black-tailed deer. Afterward, you’ll return to the base camp for a hot beverage and snack before returning to the pier.

OVERVIEW

Explore the pristine waters of Icy Strait Point on this tour that highlights the protected waters of Port Frederick. From the pier, you will walk the short distance to the Kayak center where you will receive a safety briefing and kayaking orientation. Following that, you will hop in your two-person kayak and begin your adventure. You'll spend nearly two hours paddling about these pristine waters, delighting in the serenity and joy of being out on the water, as well as having the opportunity to observe the bountiful wildlife that inhabits this wilderness area. Your guide will help you spot animals, explain their habits, and offer all sorts of tidbits to maximize your time kayaking along the shoreline. While there are no certainties regarding what you might observe, humpback whales typically feed along the very same route that you will be traveling. You may see one in the distance breaching the water's surface, waving its fluke before diving, or spy hopping, which is when a whale pokes just its head out of the water to look around. The nutrient-rich waters of Icy Strait are also home to orcas, sea lions, porpoises, sea otters and seals. During your excursion, you will also paddle to an even more serene area, frequented by bald eagles. There are few sights more visually arresting than following the flight of one of these majestic creatures as it rides the wind until swooping down to catch a fish with its talons. After returning to the beach at Icy Strait Point, you will turn in your equipment and head back to the ship, or perhaps visit the nearby Welcome Center.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Kayak through Icy Strait Point, an area teeming with marine life.
• Watch for humpback whales feeding in the nutrient-rich waters.
• Appreciate the wilderness even more as the naturalist explains its biodiversity.
• Look for bald eagles riding the wind until they swoop down to catch fish in their talons.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress warmly in layers.
• Wear sturdy flat 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.

A great combination of two popular Skagway tours! Board the historic White Pass & Yukon Railroad for your scenic and informative ride to Fraser Station in British Columbia, Canada. Upon arrival, you’ll meet your professional guides, well versed in the local history and ecology of the area, for a 15-minute van shuttle across the spectacular Yukon Plateau. Enjoy this stunning country as you travel along the headwaters of the Yukon River to the Summit of the White Pass.

After an orientation and safety briefing, board your bicycle for the 15-mile downhill cruise back to Skagway. Enjoy the refreshing outdoors and scenic splendor as your guides escort you from summit to sea along the paved Klondike Road. Stops are made along the way for photos and views of waterfalls, the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad, glaciers, majestic mountains, and Alaskan wildlife. You even get to ride your bike through the US Border station! Join this fun excursion for a unique experience in Alaska and the Skagway Valley.

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

Hike an abandoned logging road through the wilds of Chichagof Island, which lies within the 17-million-acre Tongass National Forest. Even the drive there will be spectacular, as you will pass through the seemingly endless natural beauty of Spasski River Valley before reaching Tongass, America’s largest national forest. Upon arriving, you will hike about two miles on a logging trail that cuts through private lands and eventually reaches a secluded mountaintop viewing area. Along the way, your local guide will share knowledge of the flora and fauna that inhabit the area, along with history of the land. Because of its remote location and limited accessibility, Chichagof is home to some of the animals most often associated with Alaska, including the world’s largest brown bear population, estimated to be three bears per square mile. You might also see bald eagles soaring above, land otters, Sitka black-tail deer and red squirrels.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a leisurely hike through the wilderness by following an old logging road.
• Delight in the serenity of the forest, interrupted only by the sounds of nature.
• Take in the panoramic views of the Alaskan wilderness from the top of a mountain.
• Look for wildlife such as bear, deer and bald eagles.
• Listen to a naturalist describe the local history, flora and fauna.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress warmly in layers.
• Wear sturdy hiking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Take in the gorgeous scenery within the pristine Misty Fjords National Monument while flying in a DeHavilland floatplane as your bush pilot elaborates on the natural wonders below. This completely undeveloped wilderness sprawls across more than two million acres in the Tongass National Forest, America’s largest national forest. Majestic beyond imagination, the landscape is a mosaic of sea cliffs, misty mountains, deep fjords, thundering waterfalls, jewel-like lakes and dense rainforest, all of which you will gaze down upon from your own window seat. The exact route for the flight will depend on the weather. If you fly south, you will likely see shimmering Big Goat Lake and New Eddystone Rock, an immense volcanic spire that rises above the sea. The northern route usually passes over Neets Bay and Bell Island Hot Springs. Be sure to look for brown and black bear, Sitka black-tailed deer and bald eagles as wildlife is abundant.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Fly over the Misty Fjords National Monument wilderness in a DeHavilland floatplane.
• Enjoy a bird’s-eye view of a pristine landscape that glaciers sculpted centuries ago.
• Pass over dense rainforest, cliff-lined fjords, majestic mountains and sparkling lakes.
• Keep an eye out for bears, deer, bald eagles and other iconic Alaskan wildlife.

HELPFUL HINTS

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