Home > Alaska > Alaska Adventures >

Southeast Alaska—
The Wild North

An 8-Day or 9-Day Adventure

Detailed, day-by-day itinerary for this adventure!
Accommodations are noted, and meals are coded as B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner

This itinerary varies on Day 1 and Day 8 depending on your Alaska yacht, Mist Cove or Alaskan Song. Please refer to departures for schedule of departures on either yacht.

Above: A hike in Tongass National Forest among the lush, dense, rich Sitka Spruce and other trees (Marika Roberson). Below: Spotting wildflowers and wild herbs on a forest walk. (Bill Roberson).

Detailed Itinerary SAMPLE (reverse for Juneau-to-Sitka route)

Your route will vary depending on weather, wildlife, interests of the group and other elements.

Day 1

Arrive in Sitka, Alaska

Fly to Sitka, Alaska. Transfer to hotel (included on Mist Cove) or hire taxi (Alaskan Song). Afternoon free to visit Sitka.

Westmark

Day 2

Sitka—Board yacht —Cruising

Morning free to explore on your own. We board the yacht mid-day, cast off the lines and sail out through the Olga and Neva Straits. We cruise through calm waters, see the splendid mountains and the evergreen trees dotted with puffs of white—the ubiquitous Bald Eagles. Whales appear and disappear quietly and smoothly as you idle along. You may try your hand at fishing for halibut and salmon or go kayaking in Kalinan Bay, our anchorage for the night.

Mist Cove or Alaskan Song, LD

Day 3

Cruising—Bears—Eagles—Whales—Hot Springs—Fine Dining

As we cruise through the Sergius Narrows (very spectacular) and into Peril Strait, you scan the shore for Brown Bears (grizzlies), Sitka Black Tail deer and eagles while scanning the water for humpback whales and Orcas. We will standby to watch any we encounter. Later we tie up in Warm Springs Bay or drop the hook in a nearby cove. We go ashore to enjoy a hike up to the top of Baranof Falls where you settle into the natural stone pools filled by the hot thermal waters. With a relaxing beverage, you feel life soak into your bones and your cares float away. We dine under the Northern Lights sipping good vintages, well matched to the table.

Mist Cove or Alaskan Song, BLD

Day 4

Chatham Strait—Humpbacks Everywhere—The Brothers

We cruise south along Chatham Strait and then turn northeastward into Frederick Sound, the summer feeding grounds for Orcas and hundreds of humpback whales that travel both in groups and alone. You see the impressive collective feeding behavior called "bubble-netting." It is likely that you will observe it very, very close to the yacht. And if it happens near to you while you are out in the skiff or a kayak, you can count on it to quicken your pulse! You'll be amazed at the explosive bang created when whales crash back into the water following a breach or leap into the air. With the yacht's underwater acoustical devices you can hear the whales communicating as they go about their daily activities. Tonight's anchorage is in shallow water, near the small group of islands called the Brothers, where halibut fishing is usually very rewarding. During the evening and through the night, it is likely you will be aware of humpbacks passing very close to the yacht.

Mist Cove or Alaskan Song, BLD

Day 5

Sea Lions—Admiralty Island—Beaucoup Brown Bears

As we cruise through The Brothers, we will pause to observe a colony of Steller Sea Lions, close relatives of the California Sea Lion that most of you swam with in Galapagos. They sound about the same and have the traditional sea lion bouquet, so we won't savor it for too long! As we cruise along, you're likely to spot several of the 2,000 Brown Bears (grizzlies) that live on Admiralty Island. The world's densest grizzly population, almost one per square mile, is found here. Tonight's anchorage is Cannery Cove off Pybus Bay where grizzlies are often spotted on the nearby shore. You can help set out some crab pots in hope of adding variety to the already astonishing table.

Mist Cove or Alaskan Song, BLD

Day 6

Upriver Exploration—Crab Pots—Stephens Passage

From the anchorage, we'll take the skiff up the creek that empties into Cannery Cove to look for deer, bears and spawning salmon. On the return, we'll gather in the crab pots; there is nothing quite as succulent as crab straight out of the pot, especially a boiling one. We hoist anchor and cruise northeast through Stephens Passage following the east side of Admiralty Island. Along the way we'll pause to observe whales, fish a bit and keep our eyes peeled for other diversions. We overnight in "No-Name Cove" just south of the entrance to Tracy Arm Fjord.

Mist Cove or Alaskan Song, BLD

Day 7

Tracy Arm Fjord—Icebergs—Sawyer Glacier

We're underway early, picking a course through the icebergs of this very deep fjord. You scan the granite walls looking for Alaskan Mountain Goats, deer, moose, Brown Bears (grizzlies) and other wildlife. Deep into the fjord, the walls converge and the icebergs become more numerous. After 23 miles, you sense the engines throttling back; you are thankful as you gaze dead ahead into the massive, blue wall of ice of Sawyer Glacier. It is a dynamic wall that continuously sheds (calves) the accumulations of centuries into small bits and azure megaton chunks into the melt water. Some parts shatter on impact releasing well-preserved bits of flora and fauna thereby generating a feeding frenzy among seagulls patrolling the glacial slush. Imagine 10,000 year old mice...ummmmm good!

We return to Stephens Passage. As you enjoy your sundowner with fresh crab, you marvel at the beautiful glow of the sunset reflected from the snow covered peaks of Admiralty Island. We anchor in Taku Harbor not far from an abandoned cannery. After a hike and an exploration of the cannery, we return to the yacht for our farewell dinner.

Mist Cove or Alaskan Song, BLD

Day 8

Gastineau Channel—Juneau

Mist Cove

The least welcome of any day of a fine trip is upon us. During breakfast we follow the Gastineau Channel while you soak up last looks at the snow capped peaks and green forest. We reach Juneau about 9 a.m., where we reluctantly transfer to the airport (unless you are staying on for more adventures). We board our flight for home.

B

Day 8

Taku Inlet—Gastineau Channel—Juneau

Alaskan Song

The least welcome of any day of a fine trip is upon us. After breakfast, we cruise on by Taku Inlet and then follow the Gastineau Channel while you soak up last looks at the snow capped peaks and green forest. We reach Juneau about 11 a.m. where we reluctantly transfer to our hotel. If you are flying this afternoon, then you may go directly to the airport. Afternoon free to explore Juneau on your own.

Goldbelt Hotel, B

Day 9

Fly Home or on to other adventures

Alaskan Song

Transfer to the airport for flight home, unless you are remaining in Juneau to explore the Mendenhall Glacier, visit the city or more adventures.

> top

Route Map

Below are two SAMPLE routes, one in blue the other in purple. Your actual route will vary depending on weather, whales, salmon, interests and other factors.

> top