Alaska's Inside Passage - Northbound

In Sitka today, join us onboard an Alaskan-built expedition tour vessel designed to navigate Southeast Alaska's narrow island passages for a 3-hour cruise that pretty much guarantees wildlife viewing. You'll have an opportunity to observe sea otters, whales, sea lions, porpoise, harbor seals, brown bears, blacktail deer, bald eagles and a variety of marine birds, as an onboard naturalist explains the workings of the remarkable ecosystem found here. You’ll also learn about the sea otters’ recovery, following their near-extinction at the hands of Russian fur hunters in the early 1800s. Afterward, return to the ship for a presentation by an award-winning TV host and wildlife lecturer. Sail the fjords of Endicott and Tracy Arm.

Awaken in Skagway to a day steeped in Gold Rush lore, and a choice between five different sightseeing activities. The first choice is an opportunity to explore the National Landmark District of Skagway and White Pass. Take an antique streetcar tour of the frontier city and a round-trip excursion by vintage train to White Pass Summit, an elevation of 2,885 feet; following the original White Pass trail, hear stories of brave fortune-seekers pursuing their dreams in the wildest of the Wild West as you travel through an arresting terrain of mountains, glaciers, and waterfalls so challenging that it’s hard to imagine how anyone ever survived to reap a golden reward. Second choice is a scenic drive from Skagway by way of a 4x4 truck and a customized summertime dog sled for a memorable ride to a dog musher's camp near Dyea flats with an opportunity to play with the puppies. Third choice is a drive to Canada's Yukon territory for lunch at the Caribou Crossing Trading Post, with visits to the native village of Carcross, the Wildlife Museum, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Heritage Center in Saskatchewan, and the Dog Musher's Village, where mushers train their dogs for the Yukon Quest dogsled race. From here, you'll board the historic White Pass Scenic Railway for your return trip to Skagway. Fourth choice is a rail journey to White Pass Summit, continuing to Fraser, British Columbia, and the Yukon Suspension Bridge; catch the scenic South Klondike Highway for the return trip, with a stop for lunch at Jewell Gardens on the site of a historic pioneer farm. Fifth choice is Glacier Point Wilderness Safari aboard a vessel designed for viewing marine life (possibly whales and sea lions) to a remote beach at Glacier Point, then paddling a canoe across an iceberg-studded lake to the face of a glacier for a one-mile hike. All shore excursions return to Skagway; in the afternoon, experience the city as you please. Sail for Haines tonight.

Anchor in Haines, dress warmly, and pack extra socks for a day that starts with a drive along Haines Highway – a National Scenic Byway lined with deep green rainforest and snow-topped mountains – past Fort Seward and up the Chilkat River to the Alaska Chilkat Eagle Preserve. Within the preserve is the Tlingit village of Klukwan where you’ll take in a tribal performance and gain insights into local culture and customs. Tour a traditional longhouse; a salmon smokehouse and drying house; and a shed where artists deftly wield a Stone Age tool called an adze to carve totems and canoes. Then board a zodiac for a gentle ride through the preserve – the largest concentration of bald eagles in the world; the river is filled with salmon, one of their favorite snacks. Or take a narrated drive through Fort Seward and the Chilkoot Valley, home to brown bears, mountain goats, river otters, and bald eagles; the area is a birdwatcher's paradise, and the Chilkoot River is the best bear watching in Alaska. Or see downtown Haines and Fort Seward, then go kayaking on Chilkoot Lake (no experience necessary), or embark on a wildlife safari by motorized canoe, exploring inlets, coves, salmon spawning streams, and waterfalls with expert naturalist guides who enjoy sharing their love and knowledge of the Alaskan wilderness. Alternatively, hike with a naturalist guide along the Chilkat Inlet at Chilkat State Park, where you'll be treated to magnificent glacier views across the fjord. Wildlife sightings are common, so be sure to bring your camera and a keen eye! Afterward, spend an afternoon pursuing your own interests – enjoy lunch on the ship or spend time exploring Haines. You might want to poke around the shops, or check out the Hammer Museum, “the world’s first museum dedicated to preserving man’s first tool, the hammer.” Join us this evening for the Captain's farewell reception.