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Wildlife and Forests of Alaska

Wildlife and Forests of Alaska

From AUD $11,620

Description

Discover Alaska’s stunning landscapes and the incredible wildlife they contain. Board Le Soléal for a 13-day expedition cruise from Seward to Vancouver, for a journey to the heart of wild and unspoiled natural environments.

In Prince William Sound, in the Gulf of Alaska, surrender to the beauty of the icy décor all around you. During your Zodiac® outings, exploring the meanders of stunning fjords will lead you to impressive glacier fronts like that of the Hubbard Glacier.

A little further south, you will reach the tiny port of Elfin Cove. Its calm and glistening waters are an unrivalled peaceful haven that the local community of fishermen will invite you to discover.

During the first part of your cruise, Le Soléal will continue to clear a path through the Interior Passage and will draw closer to the temperate rainforest on Canada’s west coast. This primary forest is a biodiversity hotspot where you will be able to observe numerous species such as bald eagles, black bears, grizzlies, sea otters, humpback whales and orcas. Here you’ll find a concentration of life in an enchanting setting of mountains and conifers that is typical of these wild regions.

Please note: your voyage prices include Flight Seattle / Anchorage + transfer

Trip Name
Wildlife and Forests of Alaska
Days
13
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Small Ship Length: 142 metres Passenger Capacity: 264 Built: 2013 Sailing under the French flag, this magnificent yacht of only 132 staterooms and suites, with balconies, joined in 2013. You will be enchanted by the contemporary decor inspired by the luxury yachting world, with fluid lines and a modern colour scheme combining natural wood with shades of grey and white. A refined ambience is enhanced by the quality of the workmanship and materials: white Corian counters in the lobby contrast with the warmth of leather to recall a boat's hull, while the central scuplture of enamelled pieces takes its inspiration from the sea.  In the loungebar, the carpet picks up a tennis stripe theme symbolising a certain idea of cruising, one synonomous with French elegance and a chic seaside spirit.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 - SEWARD (ANCHORAGE)
Seward is located on the Kenai peninsula, south of Anchorage. This bustling port, built for the fishing and shipbuilding industries, will show you just how vibrant it is, with its shops and galleries.
Day 2 - Day 2 - BARRY ARM FJORD & COLLEGE FJORD
A secret inlet in a hewn-out bay on the southern coast of Alaska, College Fjord features outstandingly rich glacier scenery. Come and admire the five tidewater glaciers and high-altitude glaciers. These glaciers were named after the prestigious US East Coast schools attended by the professors who first laid eyes on them at the end of the 19th century. The setting is awe-inspiring, but don’t forget to listen out for the thunderous crack as great pillars of ice break off from the glaciers… Or would you rather be charmed by the song of the seals?
Day 3 - Day 3 - CORDOVA
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Day 4 - Day 4 - HUBBARD GLACIER
Located in Yakutat bay, Disenchantment Bay is a feast for the eyes. Happy explorers of this sublime wilderness, you will perhaps surprise a seal, an otter. Into this fjord flows Hubbard glacier, the largest North American tidewater glacier. Its front dates from about 400 years ago. This was the time it took for the first ice to cross the 122 kilometres separating it from the sea. Sometimes, chunks of this ice wall break off and fall into the water: a vision that leaves you utterly speechless!
Day 5 - Day 5 - ELFIN COVE & INIAN ISLAND
At the tip of an island in the Alexander Archipelago, not far from the Canadian border, peaceful Elfin Cove shelters a fishing community that’s only linked to the rest of the world by the sea. There is just a dozen wooden houses, a long wooden pontoon and a tiny port surrounded by crystalline waters… It doesn’t get any quainter than this. Choose from a network of hiking paths that weave through a pristine forest, to lead you to secret beaches where silence reigns. The wonders of the Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, accessible by a short boat trip, are many.
Day 6 - Day 6 - RED BLUFF BAY & ROWAN BAY
When you arrive in Red Bluff bay, you will be overwhelmed by its beauty and natural surroundings. Here, summits etch the sky, and the waterfalls cascade through luxuriant forest. Yet this haven of peace owes its name to its red cliffs, on which practically nothing grows. The contrast of greens and reds in this pristine land of south-east of Alaska where nature reigns is striking. You may spot a shoal of salmon, a few brown bears lumbering nonchalantly along the water’s edge or hear the cries of mergansers.
Day 7 - Day 7 - THE BROTHERS & KAKE
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Day 8 - Day 8 - ENDICOTT
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Day 9 - Day 9 - PETERSBURG & WRANGELL NARROWS
Picture this: all around you, translucent waters. In the distance - snow-capped mountains. This is the vision that greets you on disembarking in Petersburg, one of Alaska’s largest commercial fishing towns. The heart of the Tongass National forest is for people who yearn for a lungful of the great outdoors. There is some fauna here including no less than 240 species of birds, seals, sea lions, humpback whales. Another special feature of this very lively town is its penchant for art. On its pavements and facades you can admire several murals, totems and sculptures.
Day 10 - Day 10 - RUDYERD BAY & TWIN ISLAND
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Day 11 - Day 11 - PINE ISLAND & AT SEA
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Day 12 - Day 12 - SEYMOUR NARROWS
Your ship will sail along Discovery Passage, between Vancouver Island and Quadra Island. As the channel tapers, you will arrive at Seymour Narrows, a narrow, 5-km long passage which, in the past, posed a significant challenge for sailors. Between 1850 and 1950, some one hundred ships hit the rocks hidden under the water, and the outcome was often fatal. At the time, due to the strong currents that run through Seymour Narrows, it was considered to be one of the most dangerous waterways in British Columbia. But in 1955, the decision was made to blow up Ripple Rock, two submerged rocks responsible for most of the shipwrecks. This historic explosion made access to this passage much safer.
Day 13 - Day 13 - VANCOUVER
Verdant and cosmopolitan, Vancouver is one of Canadaメs most multi-cultural cities. Located in British Columbia on Canadaメs west coast, itメs surrounded by mountains and outdoor activities are popular. In the city, you can immerse yourself in the Asian atmosphere of bustling Chinatown, shop for pashminas and silk saris at the Punjabi Market Indian district and explore the historic area of ᅠGastown. Vancouver Art Gallery is known for works by regional artists, while the Museum of Anthropology houses important First Nations collections. Granville Island Jetty is a fascinating revitalised industrial area that hosts galleries, restaurants and a huge produce market.
Day 14 - Please Note:
Subject to ice and weather conditions. The expedition highlights and itineraries described above illustrate possible experiences only and cannot be guaranteed.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
22-08-201903-09-2019AUD $11,620Superior Stateroom
22-08-201903-09-2019AUD $12,550DeLuxe Stateroom
22-08-201903-09-2019AUD $14,050Prestige Stateroom - Deck 4
22-08-201903-09-2019AUD $14,760Prestige Stateroom - Deck 5
22-08-201903-09-2019AUD $15,490Prestige Stateroom - Deck 6
22-08-201903-09-2019AUD $21,660Deluxe Suite
22-08-201903-09-2019AUD $29,460Prestige Suite - Deck 5
22-08-201903-09-2019AUD $30,930Prestige Suite - Deck 6
22-08-201903-09-2019AUD $35,560Owner’s Suite

Inclusions

    • Outings and shore visits in Zodiac® inflatables with your naturalist guides.
    • Hiking opportunity.
    • The scenery: fjords, rugged mountains, glaciers, sheer cliffs, and primary forest.
    • The wildlife: bald eagles, black bears, grizzlies, sea otters, humpback whales, orcas, and sea lions.
    • The stunning icy environments of College Fjord and the Hubbard Glacier.
    • Discover the magnificent primary rainforest along the east coast of Alaska and the west coast of British Columbia.
    • Sail along the Interior Passage for an unforgettable journey surrounded by ice, islets, fjords and snow-capped mountains.

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