Alaska, British Columbia & the San Juans

Itinerary

Day 1: Seattle/Embark Ship

Your expedition begins as you embark your ship in the heart of Seattle's lively waterfront with the Olympic Mountains, majestic Mount Rainier and the Seattle skyline as the backdrop.

Day 2: San Juan Islands, Washington

The San Juan Islands are the gems of northern Washington State and today you explore them with the freedom of no specific plan. With kayaks and Zodiacs at the ready, you are able to explore this archipelago of some 170 idyllic forested islands. The varied coastlines offer wonderful opportunities for exploring, especially for kayaking. Search for seals, sea lions, river otters, bald eagles and orcas as sea birds form patterns in the sky overhead.

Day 3: Alert Bay and Johnstone Strait

Early this morning, we arrive in Queen Charlotte Sound on course for Alert Bay on Cormorant Island. Once the ship is secured in the early afternoon, you make your way to the U'Mista Cultural Center at the northern end of the bay. U'Mista is home to a stunning collection of potlatch masks created by the Kwakwaka'wakw peoples. At the Center, anyone related to any member of this tribe is able to trace their ancestry. After our visit, we walk or ride to the Big House, just a short distance away where the Tsasala Cultural Group puts on a dance with performers in age from three to 92. Before each dance, the performers explain the story of the dance movements, as the story unfolds in subtle rhythmic movements. Back on board you head the short distance to Johnstone Strait. Johnstone Strait is one of the foremost viewing areas for orca whales in the entire Northern Hemisphere and since nineteen whale pods are known to spend part of the year here, there is an excellent chance of exciting whale watching.

Days 4-5: Inside Passage of British Columbia

You’ll feel like a true explorer as you continue northward looking for whales, dolphins, bears, deer and other wildlife. This is an area where vast sections of untouched coastal rain forest still exist — and where an expedition ship proves to be the perfect vessel. Without a specific plan, open to spontaneity and adventure, you’ll freely rove within the near-limitless expanse of pristine wildness — to explore any intriguing bay or inlet you happen upon, or reverse course to follow a sighted whale pod. Your small ship gives you this freedom. Your onboard kayaks and Zodiacs can be lowered swiftly to bring it all even closer. Wherever you choose to stop and explore, you’re certain to be the only human life, accompanied by spectacular birds and animals. In such a populated and busy world, these opportunities are tonic for the mind, body and soul.

Day 6: Misty Fjords

Misty Fjords National Monument, often referred to as "Yosemite of the sea" for its sheer majesty, is 2.3 million acres of pristine wilderness that will leave you with exquisite memories of your stay in Alaska. Head out on a personal kayak reconnaissance or take a Zodiac cruise beneath glacier-carved cliffs with saw-tooth tops. Float past sheer cliffs and icy waterfalls, easily navigating in and out of areas the “big white boats” that ply Alaska’s waters can't get near.

Day 7: Frederick Sound and Chatham Strait

These waters are prime areas for both killer whales and humpback whales. It is also fertile ground for the majestic bald eagle which you may see keeping watch atop a tall spruce. As for whales, it’s not uncommon here to see schools of up to 30 humpbacks or orcas. You’ll then get to observe fascinating behavior — breaching, tail-slapping and variations on feeding — as we fill the deck, delighting in their activities and listening to the play-by-play from your expert naturalists, as your skilled Captain and crew keep you in perfect proximity. You may also see Steller's sea lions hauled out on the rocky islands and dozing. Once ashore, you’ll have the opportunity to walk along a quiet forest trail, accompanied by your naturalists. The still waters are excellent for kayaking, offering another option for appreciating this area close up.

Day 8: Sitka

Whale sightings may make for some exciting diversions en route to Sitka. In the native Tlingit language, Sitka means the village behind the island and it has been home to various cultures for thousands of years. When visiting here, one can’t help but wonder about the ways in which cultures survive, passing down their characteristics from generation to generation. Sitka has a strong Russian heritage, which is readily apparent as you visit St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Church with its onion domes right in the middle of town. Gaze up at the grand totem poles that line the wooded trails through Sitka National Historic Park. At the Raptor Rehabilitation Center, we have close views of species normally seen at a distance in the wild — bald eagles, hawks, falcons and owls. Sitka’s oceanfront setting is framed by the volcanic peak of Mount Edgecumbe and a string of small islands. The crystalline waters of Sitka Bay abound with sea stars and translucent moon jellyfish.

Day 9: Southeast Alaska's Islands, Bays and Fjords

Today is a day with the luxury of no specific plan. There are many options for landings on islands such as Baranof and Chichagof, where bald eagles nest and brown bears make themselves at home. If you’re a beachcomber, the shoreline is rich with treasures. The forest trails are dense and beautiful, whether you choose the long walk option or a short stroll, accompanied by one of our naturalists familiar with the local terrain. Hemlock and spruce abound in the old-growth forest. When kayaking, you always have choices. If you’re looking for exercise and excitement, choose a more strenuous course. If you want scenery and relaxation, you’ll have the option to paddle slowly — exploring, poking into little inlets and relishing the quiet and up-close, personal view.

Day 10: Glacier Bay National Park

You spend the entire day amidst the coves, fjords, tidewater glaciers, freshwater lakes and majestic mountains of Glacier Bay National Park — one of the best places on earth to observe the ebb and flow of glaciers. Here, you’ll be accompanied by a National Park Ranger who gives you up-to-the-minute information about this ever-changing environment. You’ll see glaciers that end abruptly at the water’s edge and observe them “calving” — tons of ice crashing into the sea — accompanied by an exhilaratingly thunderous sound. Mountain goats scaling the peaks as well as harbor seals and Steller's sea lions are some of the creatures we may observe in these icy waters.

Day 11: Point Adolphus & Chichagof Island

Your day begins on the waters off Point Adolphus, a favored feeding area for humpback whales. Keep watch on deck and you may find yourself rushing to the side as a pod of whales begins lunge-feeding right off the bow. As you watch with awe, your Naturalist lowers the hydrophone and you’re not only watching the whales, you’re listening in on their communications. A sense of wonder pervades. When questions come up, as they surely will, your marine mammal expert can tell you everything you want to know and more. After some thrilling whale watching, you’ll cruise the intricate coastline of Chichagof Island, looking for playful sea otters.

Day 12: Juneau, Alaska/Disembark Ship/Seattle

After breakfast, disembark in Juneau, Alaska's state capital. Here we'll visit the Alaska State Museum, viewing its fascinating permanent collection with an emphasis on Alaska's native peoples and natural history. Explore on your own before flights home in the afternoon. Fly from Juneau to Seattle.

Trip Details

Ship	Sea Lion/Sea Bird
Just Released Offer	Members of ExpeditionTrips.com save $1,000 per person on regular cruise rates, plus receive FREE airfare between Juneau and Seattle.Applicable Dates: 4/28/2009, 4/29/2009Per Person Discounted Rates:Category 1: $6,340; Category 2: $7,390; Category 3: $8,440Per Person Regular Rates:Category 1: $7,340; Category 2: $8,390; Category 3: $9,440New reservations only
Highlights	Smaller expedition ship with outstanding naturalists; kayaks and underwater video camera; explore beautiful San Juan Islands and Alaska's Inside Passage
Trip Notes	Reverse Itinerary: 9/6/2008, 9/7/2008 Travel with National Geographic Photographer Flip Nicklin (Sep 7)The photo team can enhance everyone's voyage with useful tips for improving your travel and wildlife images, strategies for being in the right place at the right time, and time-saving hints for editing and storing digital images. Whether expert or interested beginner, you'll find added benefits such as walks ashore and Zodiac cruises dedicated to photography, presentations on the creative and technical aspects of photography, and one-on-one mentoring and coaching in the field. About Flip Nicklin Flip Nicklin is regarded as one of the world's leading photographers of whales. Of the more than 20 articles Flip has photographed for National Geographic magazine, five were shot in the Arctic, including "Polar Bears, Stalkers of the High Arctic" published in January 1998. Included: Accommodations aboard ship; meals beginning with dinner on Day 1 through lunch on Day 11; non-alcoholic beverages on board the ship; shore excursions and sightseeing (flightseeing is optional); special access permits to Tongass National Forest and Glacier Bay National Park; tips (except to ship's crew), taxes and service charges; services of natural history staff. Not Included: Air transportation; flightseeing; extension; baggage/accident/cancellation insurance; items of a personal nature such as alcoholic beverages; gratuities to ship's crew at your discretion; fuel surcharge may apply.
Payment Policy	The deposit amount required to confirm your reservation varies by itinerary (see trip brochure). Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure.** Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure for the following sailings: 1/5/2009, 1/16/2009, 1/27/2009.Payment MethodsCredit cards are accepted for both deposit and final payments (VISA, MC, AMEX, Discover).

When can I go?

Start Date	Finish Date	Places Available
2008-09-06	2008-09-17	+
2008-09-07	2008-09-18	+
2009-04-28	2009-05-09	+
2009-04-29	2009-05-10	+
2009-09-05	2009-09-16	+
2009-09-06	2009-09-17	+

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