You’ll be welcomed by the expedition team as you board the ship you'll be calling home for the coming week. As you set sail from Sitka Sound, you’ll have the opportunity to admire the pristine views of a dormant volcano – Mount Egdcumbe.

This day will be dedicated to exploration and adventure. You’ll be sailing between islands as you traverse the Sounds, with Baranof Island located on one side and other lesser-known islands on the other. Black Bears can be spotted along the shore, and you should also keep watch for the sea lions and eagles that pepper the surrounding landscapes. The ship will drop anchor, and you’ll have the choice of heading to the Tongass National Forest for some land-based exploration, or to navigate through the Sounds on a kayak. There will be something special awaiting you when you return to the ship!

The following day, you can enjoy some on-deck yoga stretches in the morning, before travelling in and around the Icy Strait – taking your mud boots with you, as the landscapes promise to be challenging. The programme will be diverse – you’ll hike accompanied by expert guides, walk through giant bullwhip kelp that grows over 100 feet long, and learn about the incredible region of Alaska.

You’ll enter Glacier Bay – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve. The place is truly impressive, and you’ll amazed to see sea lions, black oystercatchers and other bird species at South Marble Island. As you navigate deeper into the area, you’ll approach Margerie and Grand Pacific – two tidewater glaciers sitting across the length of the valley.

The ship will continue its journey to Chichagof Island where you’ll have the opportunity to admire Alaska’s wilderness from the top deck, spotting whales and other beautiful creatures in the waters. You’ll then get the chance for a closer look as you enter Port Frederick or other inlets. On foot, the expedition team will take you to the Tongass National Forest or a small boat for bear spotting on shore.

The canal is filled with abundant wildlife, from humpback whales and orcas to Dall’s porpoise and Steller sea lions. You can enjoy a closer look during a long paddling excursion. When looking to the skies, you can see bald eagles on treetops waiting to hunt down their prey. Plenty of other wildlife can also be spotted, such as salmon, halibut, orcas and even river otters. The captain will pick the prime spot to see and enjoy as much as possible.

Haines is the unofficial capital of Alaska for those looking for incredible adventures! Here, the choice is yours to make. You can go hiking with your expert guides to the top of Chilkat Peninsula, or learn about the local history. You’ll have some free time in town, where you can explore on foot or by bike, and in the evening a Farewell Dinner will be organised, including a presentation of photos taken during the expedition.

You’ll disembark after breakfast and bid farewell to the crew and your fellow travellers. You’ll be transferred to the airport in order to take your flight back to the UK.

Secure your space today by calling one of our Travel Specialists on 0203 196 1000 or enquire here