Wild Alaska Escape: Sitka to Juneau
Trip Overview
Trip Length: 6 Days
Price Point: $4,660-$8,010/person (not including airfare)
Seasons Available: Spring, Summer
A slightly shorter trip, this 6-day National Geographic voyage fits in all the adventure you could hope to find off Alaska’s dramatic coast. Look for brown bears on the shores of Chichagoff Island and hike through the temperate rainforest on Barnof Island. And stay always on the lookout for whales and other marine wildlife from your ship deck, kayak, or Zodiac.
Activities & Sites
- Explore Haines, the “Adventure Capital of Alaska,” by Zodiac, bike, or hiking trail
- Hike through temperate rainforests on Baranof island and listen for Bald Eagles
- Kayak or paddleboard along the rugged Chichagof Island, a premium location to spot Brown Bears
- Explore by Zodiac and kayak among abundant sea lions and search for whales in the Inian Islands
- Whale-watch daily from the bow and witness breaching humpbacks and orcas
Day to Day Itinerary
- Day 1
Visit the Alaska Raptor Center and embark in Sitka - Day 2
Spot wildlife from land and sea in the Tongas National Forest - Day 3
Cruise by Zodiac, hike, or kayak to spot wildlife in the Icy Strait and Inian Islands - Day 4
Hike, cycle, flightsee, or attend an interprative dance in Haines. - Day 5
Explore the Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness by ship and kayak - Day 6
Disembark in Juneau
Sea Bird or Sea Lion
Before they built the National Geographic Venture and Quest, U.S. shipbuilder Nichols Brothers built the twin ships National Geographic Sea Bird and Sea Lion. Nimble, reliable and intimately scaled, they both continue to sail the waters of the west coast of North America and Central America.
Both ships accommodate just 62 guests in 31 outside cabins. Her inviting public spaces foster a sense of shipboard life where everyone is integral to the adventure, engendering a rewarding sense of community and esprit du corps. National Geographic writer Andrew Evans called Sea Bird and Sea Lion the “closest thing to Cousteau’s Calypso” he’s ever had the pleasure to be on.
With a shallow draft and small size, she can easily reach places inaccessible to larger ships. She can venture into fast-moving channels where whales come to feed, transit a series of locks in the Pacific Northwest, nose up to waterfalls in secluded coves, and sail into protected anchorages in small bays perfect for snorkeling and kayaking.
The essential packing guide for your summer adventure.
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