DAY 1 – SEWARD
After arriving at the airport in Anchorage you’ll enjoy a scenic drive to Seward. The route goes through the Kenai Peninsula, considered by Alaskans and visitors alike to be some of the world’s most awe-inspiring backcountry scenery. The transfer will take you through this stunning scenery as you wend yur way to the Pacific coast where the expedition ship awaits.
The embarkation point, Seward, is the only deep-water ice-free port with road, rail and air connections to Alaska’s interior. Once you board MS Roald Amundsen, locate your cabin and explore this spacious and comfortable expedition ship which will be your home for almost two weeks.
DAY 2 – PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND
Today is a day all about glaciers. Prince William Sound is home to 150 of these amazing rivers of ice, including 17 incredible tidewater glaciers. Your Captain will choose the best location for the day based on the conditions.
You’ll get as close to the glaciers as you safely can, taking the small expedition boats into the fjord or even exploring by kayak if conditions permit. From the water, you might catch sight of humpback whales, Bald Eagles, otters and harbor seals, all of which inhabit this icy wilderness.
DAY 3 – ICY BAY
Today is an exploration day in Icy Bay. Three glaciers – Guyot, Yahtse and Tyndall – each feed ice into the bay’s waters to give it its name. If conditions allow, you’ll explore in our small expedition boats or by kayak, immersing you in the remarkable beauty of this icy landscape.
From Icy Bay, you can admire striking, jagged Mt. St Elias. Known for its steep vertical relief, it is the second tallest peak in the US and third tallest in the US and Canada at over 18,000 ft.
In the Gulf of Alaska, you’ll scout for humpback whales, orcas, sea otters and harbour seals which are often seen in these waters.
DAY 4 – ICY STRAIT
Today is another day of exploration as you sail into Icy Strait and take a closer look at some of the islands and islets. As ever – they will gauge the weather and other conditions to decide upon the best location.
Using the expedition boats, you may get close to some of the rocky shores here, with the possibility of a landing and nature walk. The coast in this region grows more rugged the closer we get to the open sea, with rocky pinnacles and sea caves galore.
In the evening you’ll pass by Point Adolphus, located on the northern tip of Chichagof Island across from Glacier Bay National Park. The nutrient-rich waters are known for attracting humpback whales and other marine life, so be sure to get out on deck and have your camera ready.
DAY 5 – HAINES
Near the head of the Lynn Canal lies the frontier town of Haines, which was originally home to the Chilkat Łingít people. They are renowned for their weaving skills, with mountain goat fur and cedar bark woven into intricate designs, and here, you’ll see excellent examples of their work.
Haines has a flourishing art scene, with galleries and workshops showcasing totem carvings, silverwork and sculptures. Taking home some Alaskan arts and crafts is a great way to support local creators. The beautiful landscapes here are also ideal for hiking and wildlife spotting.
DAY 6 – INSIDE PASSAGE
Explore Alaska in true expedition style on today’s exploration day in this magical corner of the Inside Passage. This is an area where old-growth forest dominates, meaning there’s abundant wildlife and a spine-tingling feeling of wild nature.
Conditions permitting, you’ll take to the water in the small expedition boats and seek out secluded coves and thickly forested shorelines. Try and catch a glimpse of some of Alaska’s most iconic wildlife, including bears, Bald Eagles, Sitka black-tailed deer, and moose. If it’s safe to do so, you might land and explore the shore.
DAY 7 – TRACY ARM / ENDICOTT ARM
Holkham Bay is home to two beautiful fjords – Tracy Arm and Endicott Arm. The aim is to visit either of the two, depending on the changing ice conditions. The Captain will decide which offers better exploration options on the day, but in either case, we can expect jaw-dropping scenery and bountiful opportunities for spotting wildlife.
At the end of each fjord, fresh icebergs calve from the glaciers against a stunning backdrop of rocky cliffs. This area is a breeding ground for harbour seals, who are often seen on the floating ice. You might also see whales, bears and even mountain goats, so keep your camera at the ready.
DAY 8 – CHATHAM STRAIT
Start your day looking out for whales in the pristine waters of Frederick Sound. Today is an exploration day, so the Captain and Expedition Team will use their expertise to choose the best destination.
You might take to the water in the expedition boats and investigate the secluded coves and forested shorelines of the 150-mile-long Chatham Strait, or perhaps opportunities for kayaking will present themselves if the conditions are right. Wherever you explore, keep a lookout for wildlife as Bald Eagles, bears and humpback whales can be spotted in this region.
DAY 9 – KLAWOCK
Today you visit Klawock, beautifully situated on the western shore of Prince of Wales Island. The small town has a population of around 700 and is known for its array of totem poles.
A centre for Łingít culture, the original name of the island was ‘Taan’ meaning sea lion. At the Totem Park you’ll see 21 exquisitely carved examples, some of them replicas of the originals that stood in the winter village of Tuxecan.
DAY 10 – MISTY FJORDS
Part of the Tongass National Forest, Misty Fjords is a pristine wilderness of evergreen trees, roaring waterfalls and snowcapped peaks. The revered naturalist John Muir described the area as one of the most beautiful places he’d ever seen.
Weather permitting, you’ll join the Expedition Team to tour Misty Fjords in our small expedition boats, or explore in a kayak.
Misty Fjords is rich in wildlife. As you explore, scan the shores and forests for black and brown bears, as well as moose. These waters are home to Pacific salmon, otters, Steller sea lions, harbour seals, orcas and Dall’s porpoises. Skywards, you might spot herons and Bald Eagles.
DAY 11 – INSIDE PASSAGE
The Inside Passage coastal route takes you through the great North American Pacific Fjordland, a protected stretch of water over 930 miles long.
HX smaller expedition ship allows them to reach areas that larger vessels can’t, meaning you’ll get to explore lesser-travelled channels with breathtaking scenery. Keep your cameras and binoculars at the ready to catch sight of whales, including humpback, fin, minke and perhaps even orca. In Princess Royal Channel keep a lookout for the elusive Kermode Bear.
DAY 12 – ALERT BAY
Arrive at Alert Bay, a scenic village on Cormorant Island, north of Vancouver Island. Here you’ll have the opportunity to meet and learn from the Kwakwaka’wakw First Nations community – to be welcomed by them is a real privilege.
At the U’mista Cultural Center, you’ll see elaborate totem poles, paintings, carvings, ceremonial masks and other meaningful artifacts
The island’s sheltered waters attract a huge array of wildlife the Yellow-billed Loon, with its distinctive speckled back, is a particular highlight. Keep an eye out for orcas and humpback whales close to shore.
DAY 13 – VANCOUVER
Your expedition ends in Vancouver, a beautiful city at the foot of the Rockies. Wander Gastown, Vancouver’s Victorian quarter or walk around beautiful Stanley Park, which offers a view of the city and a glimpse of the stunning nature you’ll see on the voyage.
Vancouver has a flavour all its own – and so does its global cuisine. Before your onward journey, we recommend you dine out in Chinatown, Punjabi Market or Little Italy for a taste of the city’s buzzing atmosphere.