Alaska: Southeast Alaska Adventure
Day 1: Arrival: Sitka, AK USA
Local Bed and Breakfast
Arrive into Sitka one day prior to your departure and overnight at a local bed and breakfast. You may take advantage of your time in this unique place – once known as the Russian capital of Alaska. Explore the town, now famous for its architecture and the Sheldon Jackson Museum – the oldest museum in Alaska. In addition, learn about the local Tlingit First Nation’s people and their traditions. Sightsee or simply relax in anticipation of your amazing wildlife voyage ahead! This evening, a member of the boat’s crew will contact you and tell you where to find the MV Snow Goose at the marina.
Day 2: Board and Depart
MV Snow Goose
In the late morning, make your way to the marina where the MV Snow Goose will be awaiting your arrival. Following a boat orientation and cabin assignment, lunch will be served. After lunch, depart from Sitka and head toward your first night’s anchorage point.
Day 3 – 10: Various Stops
MV Snow Goose
Guided by an experienced naturalist, you will spend the next week viewing incredible wildlife. As you depart from your first anchorage, keep your eyes open for sea otters and interesting birds, such as colorful puffins. Later, enjoy a soothing soak in the natural Baranoff Hot Springs just off Chatham Strait. This will be followed by the incredible adventure of navigating amongst icebergs and ice floes to see a magnificent tidewater glacier.
Eventually, you will pass through Frederick Sound, Stephens Passage, and Wrangell Narrows where you can witness humpback whales as they make their summer migration to feed in the waters of Southeast Alaska. In particular, Frederick Sound is an excellent area for sighting these iconic marine mammals.
Additionally, you will visit the productive Anan Creek, which has the largest run of pink salmon in Southeast Alaska. This amazing concentration of salmon attracts bears, eagles, and seals that congregate and feast on the bounty. Anan Creek is unique and boasts an excellent bear-viewing observatory, built by the US Forest Service.
If time permits, in the approach to Wrangell, you can take a tour of Tlingit Chief Shakes' "Grizzly Bear House.”
Day 11: End of journey: Wrangell, AK
Conclude your epic wildlife journey upon arrival into Wrangell. Disembark the boat at approximately 11:00 am and catch an afternoon flight to Seattle.