Alaska Fjords & Glaciers
Small ship cruising with UnCruise Adventures
• Fords Terror Wilderness • Dawes Glacier • Endicott Arm • Wrangell • Ketchikan • Juneau
PRICE FROM | DURATION | |
---|---|---|
USD
$5,800
|
Days
8
|
Nights
7
|
PRICE FROM | DURATION | |
---|---|---|
USD
$5,800
|
Days
8
|
Nights
7
|
Introduction
Wind through canals and explore the Tongass backcountry on foot and by kayak on this fascinating UnCruise Adventures itinerary.
Visit Kiksetti Totem Park and Chief Shakes Tribal House on this adventure-rich cruise. Highlights include exploration in Misty Fjords National Monument; Tongass backcountry by kayak paddle board, skiff, and hike; navigate Wrangell Narrows and Behm Canal.
Your Ship: The UnCruise fleet of small expedition vessels has a shallow draft making them capable of nimble exploration giving access to places big ships cannot go. Most vessels offer narrative interpretation; meals; spirits/wine/beer; non-alcoholic beverages; book/DVD library; casual atmosphere; attentive service; fitness equipment; open bridge; kayaks and EZY Dock launch platform. Cabin features include: TV/DVD player; hair dryer, conditioning shampoo and body wash; binoculars; reusable water bottles.
Wilderness Explorer: Exploration, access, and comfort all share equal importance on the Wilderness Explorer. Adventure-ready with casual ambiance – the onboard amenities and equipment on this 74-guest expedition vessel put the focus on action, adventure, and relaxation.
Itinerary
Day 1 : Ketchikan
Arriving in Ketchikan and met with a warm welcome, that’s a good start. You have time to take in a bit of the city once you check in at the hospitality area. But after boarding, grab a glass of bubbly as you push off the dock and set sail for Misty Fjords National Monument.
Day 2 : Misty Fjords National Monument
Its affectionate nickname, “The Yosemite of the North,” is deserved. There are places on the planet that completely overcome you. This is one of them. The beauty. The peace. The sense of place you feel. Misty Fjords National Monument represents nearly every ecosystem found in Southeast Alaska. And that alone is a lot to consider. Glacial valleys filled with sea water. Sheer cliffs. Sea birds, brown and black bears, mountain goats and Sitka black-tailed deer all find safe haven here. Kayak in Walker Cove or Rudyerd Bay and you find it’s just as easy to paddle and go, as it is to sit and float and take it all in. Or skiff to the base of a waterfall for fjord-released shower. It’s an amazing kickoff to your week.
Day 3 : Behm Canal
Wildlife abounds. Black bears, mink, eagles. In Behm Canal, it’s all remote waterways and the isolated Tongass National Forest. On Cleveland Peninsula, your expedition team leads a low-elevation hike with wide-stretching views. Good opportunities for panoramic shots of Southeast. In the water orca, porpoises, seals, and otters go about their business. Go about yours on a guided paddle along the canal. An intertidal shore walk circles a tall sea stack covered in green.
Day 4 : Wrangell
Native culture and wildlife have gotten along just fine for centuries. Wrangell is one of the oldest towns in Alaska. It’s also the only one ever governed by four nations. The Tlingit and Haida cultures have deep roots here. Local islanders come aboard this morning with a presentation that brings their stories and legends to life. Venture into town for a view of recently carved totem poles at Kiksetti Totem Park. See how many totems you can pick out on each pole. Step inside famed Chief Shakes Tribal House. Can you feel the history in this historic community house?
Day 5 : Wrangell Narrows > Thomas Bay
Wind into the Wrangell Narrows heading toward the fishing town of Petersburg and Thomas Bay. Abundant bright red and green navigation lights guide the way. It’s “Christmas Tree Lane”, of course. Thomas Bay is way back backcountry of Alaska’s wilderness. When you come this far, you might as well go all in. Glacial landscapes marked by moraines, muskegs, and mud. In this playground, it’s all an option today. Kayak and skiff in water almost clear as glass. The mirror image of fjord walls plays on the surface. Hike through the outwash of Baird Glacier. Or keep it green tromping through a grassy meadow into the forest.
Day 6 : Stephens Passage
Yoga stretches on-deck jump start the day. Humpback and orca are frequent visitors of this Southeast passage. A misty spout is a sure sign they’re in the neighbourhood. Your captain navigates Stephens Passage to Port Houghton. And you’re in for a boot-sucking, paddle-smacking day of adventure with your guide team. The routes are all picked out. Make your choice and make your move. Slip off the kayak launch and take it slow spotting sea stars and shore birds. Hard chargers take a long wild paddle to the salt chuck at the back of the inlet. Or, hike into the Tongass. It’s a landscape of hanging waterfalls and countless shades of green.
Day 7 : Endicott Arm > Fords Terror
Take an early peek out your window. Fjord cliffs reach skyward. Floating ice. And deep u-shaped valleys. There’s no abracadabra here. Mother Nature’s magic is real. Cruise past harbour seals and their pups lounging on chunks of ice. At the end of Endicott, the blue face of Dawes Glacier is storeys high. Will it calve? Listen for a crack and unmistakable white thunder. The name Fords Terror originated from a trick of the tides on an early mariner. And tides permitting, your skiff driver knows its character and guides you along. It’s a mashup of towering walls, temperamental currents, and the Coastal Mountains. So many waterfalls. Mountain goats show off fancy foot work on the cliffs. Look for them. Tonight, your captain joins you for a Farewell Dinner. Celebrate and reminisce about your Alaskan journey with a “photo journal” by your crew.
Day 8 : Juneau
After breakfast this morning, bid adieu to your new pals before you disembark and transfer to the Juneau airport.
*Itinerary also operates in reverse.
Need Help?
Pricing
Pricing (per person), USD
TYPE |
TWIN from |
SINGLE from |
EXTRA from |
---|---|---|---|
2024 | |||
Wilderness Explorer | |||
Navigator from |
US$5,800 |
– |
|
Trailblazer from |
US$6,500 |
– |
|
Pathfinder from |
US$7,100 |
– |
|
Admiral from |
US$8,000 |
– |
|
Single from |
– |
US$8,700 |
|
Port taxes |
US$375 |
US$375 |
Departs
2024 |
Juneau to Ketchikan |
28 Apr |
19 May |
9, 30 Jun |
21 Jul |
11 Aug |
1, 22, 27, 29 Sep |
Ketchikan to Juneau |
14, 21 Apr |
3. 5, 26 May |
16 Jun |
7, 28 Jul |
18 Aug |
8 Sep |
Included
• Small ship cruise onboard the Wilderness Explorer
• 7 nights’ accommodation
• Onboard meals, spirits, wine, beer and non-alcoholic beverages
• Transfers and baggage handling between airport and vessel on embark/disembark days
• Entry fees to parks and preserves
• Exclusive activities and shore excursions
• Sightseeing and entrance fees
• Wellness amenities on board
Not Included
• Port taxes and fees
• Gratuities
Important Notes
• Please note amenities and inclusions vary by vessel
• Pricing varies seasonally – contact us for further details
Please refer to World Journeys terms & conditions