Luxury Tailor Made Journeys depart on the dates that work for you and feature expert local guides throughout your journey. The itinerary below can be customized to your interests.
Arrive Juneau, Alaska
Arrive in Juneau, Alaska’s colorful capital, where you are met by your private guide who leads you on a city tour en route to your luxurious sailing yacht, ‘Kaori.’ Shortly after boarding, get underway, heading south through Gastineau Channel and into Stephens Passage, viewing the ruins of the gold mining operation that fueled Juneau’s growth. Sip a sundowner as you pass the mighty Taku River, one of Alaska’s largest, and view the majestic peaks of the coast range. As ‘Kaori’ anchors at Taku Inlet, sit down to a welcome dinner on board. Later, enjoy kayaking, motorized rafting or a beach walk under the midnight sun.
Tracy Arm Glacial Fjord | Sawyer Glacier Marvels
Today, set sail up the Tracy Arm Fjord to view the tremendous changes ice has wrought upon the landscape. The sinuous 22-mile fjord rivals anything Norway has to offer, and at its end lay the twin Sawyer Glaciers. Explore this area by Zodiac, marveling at the icebergs calving off the glaciers, weaving your way around the icebergs, and looking for harbor seals and the rare harbor porpoise as well as sure-footed mountain goats on the jagged ridges high above. Along the shoreline, watch for black bears foraging in the rocky intertidal area. As you navigate the fjord, listen to your guide explain the flora and glacial geology of this rugged environment. Finish your day at the entrance to Endicott Arm.
Endicott Arm & Ford’s Terror | Admiralty Island’s Temperate Rainforest
This morning, sail into Endicott Arm and steep, narrow Ford's Terror, an inlet named after the naval crew member who, in 1889, rowed a dinghy into the narrow entrance of the fjord at slack tide and got trapped in the turbulent currents for six harrowing hours. Reach the head of Endicott Arm to view Dawes Glacier, which actively calves icebergs into the fjord. Along the way, you may encounter a pod of orcas, a humpback whale or harbor porpoises and seals. Watch black or brown bears on the banks of the channel as you cruise along the forested fjord. Motor across Stevens Passage to your anchorage tonight on southeast Admiralty Island. After dinner, kayak in this spectacular setting, cruise the shoreline on a Zodiac, or take a short hike through the old growth temperate rainforest.
Frederick Sound | Wildlife in Whale Country
Sail south into the heart of “Whale Country,” an area of Frederick Sound world famous for whale watching. Humpbacks, orcas and Dall’s porpoises are all residents of this special locale. Set out in a Zodiac for spectacular photo opportunities, including a cruise past the Brothers Islands, bastions of wildlife and home to a massive colony of Steller sea lions. Go ashore for a hike, and later, visit a modern Tlingit village for a glimpse of an authentic way of life. Finish at remote Gambier Bay on Admiralty Island for a late-afternoon Zodiac ride that may yield sightings of massive brown bears and nesting bald eagles.
South Baranof Island | Warm Springs & Waterfalls
Today, arrive at remote and beautiful South Baranof Island, a seldom-visited part of Southeast Alaska replete with dramatic sheer-walled fjords, natural hot springs, abundant wildlife, fantastic kayaking and numerous waterfalls. Start with a visit to Baranof Warm Springs for a hike and a soak in three natural pools that overlook a rushing waterfall. Wander into other fjords for waterfalls and kayaking. This evening, glide into one of the pristine coves that dot these shores for a sundowner before dinner.
Chatham Strait & Mangoun Islands | Humpback Habitat
Start your day with a choice of activities in the invigorating Alaskan outdoors, kayaking, wildlife viewing by Zodiac or hiking. Then, cruise up Chatham Strait, prime whale habitat where humpbacks gather at the junction of two waterways to take advantage of the best feeding opportunities. Fishing boats also ply these waters and you may pull alongside a salmon seiner to watch them pull up their nets filled with silvery salmon. Also pass Kasnyku Falls, the site of one of the oldest human habitations in North America. This afternoon, head into the narrow Peril Strait, which slices through Baranof Island to the outer coast and Sitka-by-the-Sea. Anchor for the night in the picturesque Mangoun Islands and gather for a festive farewell dinner on board.
Depart Sitka
Early this morning, sail into Sitka Sound and on to St. Lazaria Island, a National Wildlife Refuge that is home to colonies of seabirds nesting on the island’s vertical cliffs, including tufted puffins, cormorants, murres, auklets, gulls and many more. Weather permitting, board an inflatable raft to get up close to the birds and the colorful iridescent starfish in the island’s shoreline caves. Afterward, cross Sitka Sound to Sitka-by-the-Sea and disembark for a brief tour of Sitka and its historic Russian heritage. Then, continue to the Sitka Airport to board your homebound flight.
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