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1 Detailed Itinerary Alaska Sailing in the Majestic Fjords Oct 26/16 Pacific Catalyst M/V Catalyst, our graceful ship for the adventure This cruise offers a diverse experience of Southeast Alaska, from fishing towns to wilderness solitude, from islands to glacial fjords. Our goal is to provide the most remote wilderness experience possible while enjoying the amenities of our wandering home. While we have a planned itinerary, each trip differs slightly depending upon the time of the tidal currents, the weather conditions, wildlife viewing opportunities and the wishes of our clients. This glacial wilderness supports a diversity of wildlife as varied as the landscape. On water there is the probability of sighting humpback whales, orcas, porpoises and stellar sea lions as well as numerous sea birds. On terra firma we may see black bears, brown bears, and mountain goats. There are some great halibut holes along the way and, during the right time of year, there is the possibility for salmon. There is plenty of time to enjoy whale watching while underway and plenty of opportunity for exploring by foot and by kayak. Facts & Highlights 7 days Maximum 12 travelers Start in Petersburg and finish in Juneau or reverse * Includes meals on the boat, starting with lunch on Day 1, ending with breakfast on Day 7 Travel aboard a classic motor yacht, the M/V Catalyst (Zodiac and kayaks for shore excursions available) Hike on glacial moraines Witness the booming bergs at Dawe s Glacier Journey into Ford s Terror Optional sea-kayaking Watch for bears and whales Search for humpback and orca whales, and sea lions Departure Dates & price: *Jun 04 - Jun 10, 2017 Jun 11 - Jun 17, 2017 *Jun 18 - Jun 24, 2017 Jun 25 - Jul 01, 2017 *Jul 02 - Jul 08, 2017 Jul 09 - Jul 15, 2017 *Jul 16 - Jul 22, 2017 Jul 23 - Jul 29, 2017 *Jul 30 - Aug 05, 2017 Aug 06 - Aug 12, 2017 Aug 20 - Aug 26, 2017 *Aug 27 - Sep 02, 2017 from: $4250 USD * Itinerary runs in reverse Please note; dates are not exclusive to Eldertreks. Activity Level: 2 Comfort Level: Sea can be rough. Zodiac landings required. Accommodations Aboard a motor yacht, the M/V Catalyst. US/CAN UK INTL

2 Pre-voyage arrangements ElderTreks strongly recommends you arrive in Petersburg at least one day before your cruise departure. We will be happy to assist you with hotel reservations. This is not an ElderTreks operated tour. As such, participants on this tour are not exclusive Elder- Treks clients and it may not adhere to ElderTreks maximum size restrictions of our tours. juneau alaska ford s terror dawe s glacier scenery cove petersburg Day 1 Board the M/V Catalyst The M/V Catalyst will be docked in the South Harbor near downtown Petersburg. Passengers are welcome to come on board at 12:30 pm, stow their gear and get familiar with the vessel. At 1:15pm we will be underway. We head north out Wrangell Narrows and into Frederick Sound. We enjoy a buffet lunch and have an orientation and safety meeting. After about a two and a half hour run, our first night will be spent anchored at Scenery Cove in Thomas Bay. Tides permitting, a boat ride and hike will provide a unique opportunity to explore Baird Glacier s cobbled outwash plain and touch the glacier s icy foot. The evening will be spent introducing everyone to kayaking. We carry five doubles and three single kayaks. Kayaker's paradise Don t worry if you have never been in a kayak before, the crew has trained instructors. The doubles are very stable for the beginner and the singles allow the expert to exercise his or her skills. Day 2 Frederick Sound, the Brothers Islands Underway in the early morning hours to make the slack tide across the spit and back into Frederick Sound, awakened by the smell of fresh baked scones, Sunset at the campfire 2

3 we are bound for The Brothers, a group of small islands positioned in the middle of Frederick Sound. Along the way we will be alert for humpback or orca whale sightings. This is one of the prime summer feeding grounds for the migratory humpback and it is a rare transit if we do not encounter a pod. We may shut down the engine and just drift, watching them feeding or breaching and listening to their songs with the hydrophone. We will drop the hook in an idyllic anchorage where the sounds of breathing whales, stellar sea lions hauled out close by, or the screech of an eagle comes drifting across the evening calm. We w ll explore a temperate rainforest, test our kayak skills and enjoy a sunset BBQ dinner and campfire. Day 4 Stephens Passage, Dawe s Glacier, Tlingit culture, Ford s Terror Underway in the early morning hours we travel up Stephens Passage toward Wood Spit and Endicott Arm. We watch for whales along the way, stopping to listen to them breathing as they prepare to dive for krill or bubble net for herring. Reaching Wood Spit, the terminal moraine of Dawes Glacier, we will take a hike and be introduced to the fascinating geology of this glacial area, its Tlingit culture and gold rush history. Deer, wolf, nesting bald eagles, and an array of water birds frequent the spit. We ll drop a few crab pots to pick up on our way out in a few days. Day 3 Admiralty Island - Pack Creek Zoological Reserve Leaving Brother s Cove we head north along Admiralty Island s eastern shoreline. Passing Point Hugh we enter Seymour Canal. This 23 mile long inlet is home to the highest concentration of Bald Eagles in SE, and its rich waters support a large population of energetic Dell s Porpoise. Our destination today is the Pack Creek Zoological Reserve. Pack Creek has been a place where for over 60 years Brown Bears and humans have lived in close proximity, and the bears have had generations to become accustomed to the presence of people. This is by far the best Brown Bear viewing opportunity in SE Alaska. Arriving in the afternoon, we will go ashore until the Rangers go off duty in the early evening. Day 5 Explore Ford s Terror by kayak At Ford s Terror we will adventure by foot and kayak. Surrounded by 5,000 foot granite faces, the mist hanging to the precipices, the vessel is suspended in crystal clear water, suspended in time... Today we will kayak through the tidal rapids (at slack water of course) and paddle into the majestic inner fjord. Day 6 Holkolm Bay, Hike, and Captain s Ball After a morning hike ashore, we will sail north out of Endicott Arm and into Holkolm Bay to drop the anchor near Wood Spit. A wonderful place to explore the beach or fish for halibut, this anchorage provides a spectacular panorama of glaciers, sunsets and fascinating geology, Tlingit culture, and gold rush history. Tonight we celebrate our experiences together at the Captain s Ball. 3

4 The ancient library at Ephesus Orcas A family of sea lions 4

5 Day 7 Stephens Passage to Juneau A relaxing morning, and time for one more kayak ride before the boats get stowed. Underway we enjoy a delicious breakfast as we head north through Stephens Passage. We reach Alaska s state capital, Juneau around 10:00am. We recommend that you consider overnighting in Juneau, just in case your arrival is delayed due to weather. There is plenty of interest in this scenic state capital you can visit the Alaska State Museum, a trip up the Mount Roberts Tram, or perhaps a hike on one of the many trails in the area would be a delightful way to end your stay in Alaska. Please note: itinerary may change according to tides, weather conditions, desires of the guests and nature s surprises. the M/V Catalyst History The Catalyst was the University of Washington s first oceanographic research vessel. It was designed by 2 naval architects, Roland and Strickland, to serve the university s research expeditions. The yacht was constructed of white oak, Alaskan yellow cedar, Douglas fir, teak and Australian ironwood. Classic accommodations include cozy, private staterooms, a spacious galley, and a warm wood-paneled salon. With the heartbeat of her slow-turning, rugged diesel engine chugging in the background, the pace aboard a Catalyst cruise is relaxed and unhurried. In 1932, in the year of its completion, the M/V Catalyst cruised through the Inside Passage and across the Gulf of Alaska. It spent the next 11 years collecting data in the area. During WWII, the Navy conscripted the vessel, mounted a machine gun on top of its pilot house and added racks of depth charges on its stern. The Catalyst spent the war years patrolling the Aleutian Islands for Japanese submarines. After the war, the M/V Catalyst was owned by an Alaskan mining company, and was later sold to a few other lucky owners. The Catalyst has cruised the waters of Alaska, Baja California, and Hawaii. Now it has been restored to its original purpose, learning about the oceanic world, only this time, with adventurous travelers aboard. 5

6 Cabin 1 Cabin 2 Cabin 3 Cabin 4 Cabin 5 Cabin 6 6

7 deck plan Cabin Description Cabin 1: upper deck, private washroom with shower; double bed 49 w x 80 l, single pull down upper bunk 32 w x 74 l, door to deck, three portholes (one opens) Cabin 2: lower deck, double bed 50 w x 78 l, two nonopening portholes Cabin 3: lower deck, double bed 50 w x 78 l, two nonopening portholes Cabin 4: lower deck, single bed 43 w x 84 l, one nonopening porthole Cabin 5: lower deck, two lower beds 48 w x 80 l, two upper bunks 36, six opening portholes, four nonopening portholes Cabin 6: pilot house deck, private washroom with shower, double bed 50 w x 78 l, door to deck, opening portholes and windows 7

8 Questions & Answers 1. How big are the groups? Each group is limited to 12 participants. Small groups are an important ingredient in adventure travel. They allow for more interaction and more personalized service throughout the itinerary. 2. What is included in the tour price? Accommodation aboard the M/V Catalyst; meals on the boat, starting with lunch on day 1, finishing with brunch on day 7; all internal transportation (excluding transfers) and all day-trips as outlined in the itinerary. 3. Are these educational tours? Yes, in the broadest sense of the word, educational. We visit many natural sites, and have talks and discussions on many aspects of natural history and wildlife. Our guides will help to interpret what you see. There is also an excellent library of books on board for your reference. 4. How do we travel during the tour? The 74-foot yacht-vessel, M/V Catalyst, is our primary means of transportation from Petersburg to Juneau. Excursions are by Zodiac motor boat and kayaks. 8. What should I take on the tour? There is a detailed What to Take list in our Trip Kit, which we will send to you after you have booked the trip. 9. What meals are included? All meals on the boat are included, starting with lunch on day 1, and finishing with brunch on day 7. The cook on board prepares delicious and healthy meals. 10. Can you arrange my flights? We would be happy to take care of your air arrangements. ElderTreks offers personalized flight itineraries not group flights. Stop over en route, come in a few days early, or extend your stay. Call us for a customized itinerary. 11. What if I would like more information? If you have any further questions about the trip, please do not hesitate to contact our office for additional information. A Trip Kit containing further details on the destination will be sent to you once you have booked the trip. 5. What are our accommodations like? The cabins on board are very comfortable. Each one has its own porthole and space to store belongings. Passengers share 2 heads (washrooms) on board, one of them has a shower. Two cabins have private washrooms. The main salon comfortably seats all passengers. 6. What about the weather? Temperatures range from a low in the upper 30s F at night, to a possible high of 70 F on sunny days. Rain is a possibility anytime during the sailing season. 7. When is payment due? A non-refundable deposit of $750 (plus insurance if you require it) is due at time of booking and will reserve your place on the tour. Payment of the full price is due 120 days before departure. Cancellation charges are applicable and are outlined in the Terms & Conditions section of our brochure. 8

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