GLACIERS AND WHALES OF ALASKA

Transcription

1 GLACIERS AND WHALES OF ALASKA Visit us at

2 Itinerary Overview Journey aboard the luxurious or the S. S. Legacy to see glaciers and meet Tlingit natives in our week long Alaska cruise. This itinerary from Juneau to Sitka visits at least 3 and possibly four glaciers, with hiking on the terminal moraine of the Baird Glacier. Take a day for a private village tour of Kake, home of the world's tallest totem pole and hike on boardwalks and trails in the Tongass National Forest. Kayaking, paddle boarding, and Zodiac rides are included of course, while you keep an eye out for whales, bear, seals, otters, and eagles. DAY DATE OVERNIGHT HOTEL MEALS HIGHLIGHTS 1 Sunday JUNEAU D Arrival and check in to your stateroom. Welcome dinner. 2 Monday TRACY ARM OR ENDICOTT ARM / STEPHENS PASSAGE Waterfalls, glaciers, whale watching 3 Tuesday THOMAS BAY / BAIRD GLACIER Hiking at the Baird Glacier moraine 4 Wednesday LECONTE GLACIER/ IDEAL COVE Hiking in Ideal cove, kayaking and paddleboarding 5 Thursday KAKE/FREDERICK SOUND Tlingit village tour with traditional storytelling and dancing 6 Friday BARANOF ISLAND/ PERIL STRAIT Hiking, kayaking, and paddleboarding in Peril Strait 7 Saturday SERGIUS NARROWS/ NEVA STRAIT 8 Sunday SITKA Disembark B Kayaking to look for otters, hiking to look for bears, farewell dinner Bon voyage breakfast. Transfer to the Sitka airport or begin trip extension. -2-

3 Itinerary in Detail DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN JUNEAU Welcome aboard! After meeting the crew, settle into your cabin and relax with your fellow adventurers. Within minutes you will cruise the scenic channels of Alaska s Inside Passage. Join your fellow travelers in the common room for drinks and a welcome dinner. Please schedule your arrival in Juneau for no later than 2:30pm. [D] DAY 2: TRACY ARM OR ENDICOTT ARM / STEPHENS PASSAGE Your captain eyes the day s conditions and makes a choice. Whether Tracy or Endicott is the Arm du jour, wake in a fjord flanked by sheer granite walls. Grab a hot cup of joe and take it all in from the bow. Cascading waterfalls. Drifting icebergs. A lazy harbor seal or two. Layer up with gloves and a warm hat, and hop in a skiff for a better look at the glacier the temps drop the closer you get. Your expedition guide clues you in to signs of the ice ages that carved this landscape. The geology is fascinating and so is the wildlife. Keep an eye out for mountain goats, bears, and eagles. Make waves for Stephens Passage. It s all hands on deck watching for signs of humpbacks. It s a big first day! [] DAY 3: THOMAS BAY / BAIRD GLACIER Have your rubber boots handy. You re in for muskeg and mud in Alaska s backcountry. Hiking along Baird s moraine, look for shimmers of gold and quartz this area is known for it. The glacial outwash plains look almost lunar, but you re not alone in this moonscape. The glacial valley is a nesting hot-spot for arctic terns. Splash away the mud before a paddle along the bay s mossy cliff walls. Back on board, it s time for a cocktail and a soak in the hot tub. [] DAY 4: LE CONTE GLACIER / IDEAL COVE LeConte is the southernmost tidewater glacier in North America. If tides are low, take a boot-sucking walk to check out icebergs resting on the mudflats. If it s high tide, a skiff ride brings you up-close to its iceberg gardens. Surrounded by national forest, Ideal Cove s boardwalk trails wind through meadows of ferns and grasses. Or test your balance paddle boarding in this quiet cove. It s just you and the vast wilderness. [] -3-

4 DAY 5: KAKE / FREDERICK SOUND "Kake" comes from a Tlingit word meaning opening of daylight. Apropos, start your day in this native village with traditional storytelling and dancing. Count the many totems on their 132-foot pole. Drop the kayaks in Saginaw Bay or some other hidden cove along the Keku Islands. Black bears are common sights along shore. But so are eagles in the treetops and orange-billed surf scoters paddling nearby. For hikers, your guides have a route in mind. Make for the forest, far off the map. Cruising Frederick Sound, chances are high you ll see humpbacks. The up-welling of nutrients in the water make it an irresistible feeding ground. [] DAY 6: BARANOF ISLAND / PERIL STRAIT Leave it to the captain to steer you through Chatham and Peril Straits. At Baranof Island, your top-notch expedition team has the game plan dialed. Tap some of the most untouched wilderness in the Tongass. Head to the woods for an adventuresome bushwhack. Or slide into a kayak for an easygoing shoreline paddle. Find a perch on deck in Peril Strait it s a twisting drama of currents and history. [] DAY 7: SERGIUS NARROWS / NEVA STRAIT There aren t many straight lines along Baranof Island. Its western side is dotted with hundreds of coves and uninhabited islands. This is a prime area for spotting sea otters. It s no surprise to round a corner in your kayak and find one looking at you and you looking at him. The protected beaches are made for exploring the intertidal zones, and spotting bears. So, boot up for a guided hike. End your day with celebration and a toast at a heartfelt Farewell Dinner. Your expedition team treats you to a photo recap of the week s adventures. [] DAY 8: SITKA A bon voyage breakfast ends your journey this morning as you cruise into Sitka for disembarkation. A transfer will be provided to the airport or your hotel in Juneau. Please schedule your departure for no earlier than 11:30am. [B] END OF SERVICES Due to the nature of these explorations, itineraries are guidelines and will change in order to maximize wildlife and natural encounters. Variations in itinerary and the order of days may occur. -4-

5 Pricing can be found here Departure dates can be found here on the right hand side INCLUDED SERVICES All guided tours and excursions Use of kayaks*, stand-up paddle boards, hiking poles. Wetsuits and rubber boots available on a limited basis, we recommend you bring your own rubber boots Entry fees to National Parks/Preserves Most from-the-vessel adventure activities and equipment Naturalist guides Land and sea transportation where indicated Transfers from the airport to the meeting point on arrival/departure day Meals as indicated [B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner] House beer, wine, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverages while on the ship Wildland Adventures travel consultation and pre-departure services NOT INCLUDED SERVICES Airfare to Alaska Tips and gratuities Meals other than listed above Port Taxes and Fees ($250 per person) Personal expenses for extra services, optional activities, or changes in your itinerary for reasons beyond our control Travel insurance for trip cancellation, medical services, or evacuation Any other items not mentioned above *Kayaks on board are primarily tandem, high performance Necky Looksha models with some Necky Manitou II that are ideal for families with small kids. There are also a few assorted single Neckys, as well as tandem Easy Rider and Wilderness brands which accommodate persons with larger frames or beginners who may appreciate the greater stability of these wider kayaks. A couple of Laird soft top paddle boards are also available. -5-

6 Accommodations SAFARI ENDEAVOUR Aboard this spacious expedition vessel, three decks offer ample outside vantage points for taking in daytime sights and the sparkling night sky. Interior spaces including the intimate lounge, cask wine bar, and cozy library provide comfortable and relaxing spaces to sit back with a book and glass of wine, gather for presentations, or to share experiences from the day. The fully-stocked, marble-topped bar in the lounge is a magnet for activity and mingling. Ready for adventure at a moment s notice, the 84 passenger is fully loaded with adventure equipment: kayaks; paddle boards; inflatable skiffs; hiking poles; yoga mats; and snorkel gear and wetsuits; plus, a hydrophone for listening to below-surface sounds and a bowmounted underwater camera. For those moments when attention turns to relaxation, the vessel comes equipped with two hot tubs, a sauna, fitness equipment, yoga mats, and a massage suite. Beginning kayakers will love the easy entry kayak platform, where you board your kayaks on the deck and then are easily slipped into the water. There are five cabin categories aboard the Safari Endeavour: Master; Commander; Captain; Admiral; and Commodore Suite. Depending on the category, singles, doubles or triples can be accommodated. Common to all cabins are: Flat-screen TV/DVD; ipod docking station; air conditioning; desk and chair; private bath with shower; generous storage and closet space. -6-

7 Safari Endeavor Deck Plan -7-

8 S. S. LEGACY Come aboard the 88-guest S.S. Legacy and take a step back in time. Our replica coastal steamer exudes old-world charm, with the benefits of modern comforts. Simultaneously elegant and casual, the vessel boasts carved wooden cabinetry and turn-of-the-century décor. Four decks provide ample outside viewing opportunities and relaxing public spaces for taking a stroll at sunset and gathering with new friends. The lounge offers a full bar, the open-seating dining room includes a wine bar, and, for a step back in time, sidle up to table in the Pesky Barnacle Saloon. The onboard wellness program is accessible to all guests and includes two hot tubs on the bridge deck, fitness equipment, yoga classes, and massage suite. Elevator access is available to three of the public decks. There are six cabin categories aboard the S.S. Legacy: Master; Commander; Captain; Admiral; Junior Commodore Suite, and Owner's Suite. Depending on the category, singles, doubles, triples, or quadruples can be accommodated. Common to all cabins are: Flat-screen TV/DVD; ipod docking station, air conditioning/heat; private bath with shower. -8-

9 S.S. Legacy Deck Plan -9-

10 Booking your Wildland Adventure HOW TO RESERVE A TRIP You can book online using our Reserve a Trip form or by calling Your space on a trip is confirmed once we receive your reservation form and initial trip deposit. All travelers must sign and submit a Release of Liability. Deposit requirements are as follows:* $1000 per person for all trips in Alaska. CUSTOM TRAVEL This trip isn t exactly what you re looking for? We are happy to design a private custom itinerary to accommodate your travel dates, interests and style of accommodations. Call us at , send an to info@wildland.com, or use the Ask The Program Director button on our website. PAYMENTS, CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS Full payment of the trip balance is due 90 days prior to departure. If you must cancel before departure, money will be returned less the cancellation fees charged by WA Inc. plus any additional non-refundable cancellation fees and payments already advanced to airlines, hotels and local operators: Days Prior to Departure: Fee per person 91 or more: $ days: Initial deposit amount days: 50% of land cost days: 75% of land cost 30 or less: 100% of land cost PRE-DEPARTURE SERVICES Upon receipt of your deposit and completed reservation form, we will send you a comprehensive Predeparture Dossier. This contains important information to help you prepare including immunizations, visas, trip insurance, packing checklist, reading list, maps, cross-cultural information, optional trip extensions and more. You will receive a final trip packet including Final Reminders and local contact information in your destination 2-3 weeks prior to departure. REFERENCES AND QUESTIONS Have any questions or concerns? Call us a or info@wildland.com. We re here to help and are happy to provide you with references from previous Wildland travelers. TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Wildland Adventures, Inc. has arranged your trip utilizing the travel services of local in-country ground operators who are independent contractors. These local outfitters, lodges, hotels and other suppliers of your travel services will make every effort to conduct this trip as described in the itinerary. It is however possible that due to transportation schedule changes, weather, delays and unforeseeable acts of God, humans or nature, this itinerary may vary from what is described. Participants must assume all risks whether identified in advance or unforeseen. All optional activities are at your own risk. Extra costs due to unexpected changes in your itinerary for reasons beyond our control are not included. We highly recommend purchasing traveler s insurance for trip delay, trip cancellation, baggage, accident or sickness. Representatives are available for assistance at any time during your trip. If preferred hotels are not available, every attempt will be made to reserve alternative accommodations of similar quality. (If upgrade is necessary, higher rates may apply.) All information and services provided are subject to our Terms and Conditions -10-