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Peregrine Travel Centre

Northern Passages & Glacier Bay (Wilderness Discoverer)

Northern Passages & Glacier Bay (Wilderness Discoverer)

From USD $5,195

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Description

Cloud failure or liquid sunshine, our Alaska small ship adventure cruises are perfect for exploration—paddling, hiking, hot tub under the stars, “polar bear plunges,” even playing in the mud with your expert expedition team. Glacier Bay National Park; Native totems; breaching whales; soaring eagles; rainforests; northern lights. Do as much or as little as you like on an unforgettable journey.

FARES INCLUDE:

Onboard meals;
Onboard spirits, wine, beer, non-alcoholic beverages;
Transfers and baggage handling between airport/vessel on embark/disembark days;
Entry fees to parks/preserves;
From-the-vessel activities and equipment;
Wellness amenities: hot tub, fitness equipment, and yoga mats.

Trip Name
Northern Passages & Glacier Bay (Wilderness Discoverer)
Days
8
Overview
Vessel type: Expedition Length: 176 feet Passenger Capacity: 76 guests Built: 1992, renovated 2012 Active adventure is top-of-mind aboard the Wilderness Discoverer. Complementing the wilderness outside, the décor of the main lounge including reclaimed Alaskan yellow cedar on the bar top evokes the feel of a National Park. The casual, welcoming ambiance of the lounge and dining room with an open floor plan between them creates easy camaraderie among guests. Three public decks are easily accessible—the sun deck features both covered and open spaces for viewing no matter the weather, and the bow and observation deck offer unencumbered views. The Wilderness Discoverer comes equipped for adventure with kayaks, paddle boards, skiffs, hiking poles, wet suits and snorkel equipment, and yoga mats. The EZ Dock launch platform makes getting into the water a cinch. A hydrophone transmits below-surface sounds and a bow-mounted underwater camera shows the action. For wellness and relaxation, the vessel offers two hot tubs and fitness equipment. There are four cabin categories aboard the Wilderness Discoverer: Navigator; Trailblazer; Pathfinder; and Explorer. Depending on the cabin, singles, doubles or triples can be accommodated. Common to all cabins are: Air conditioning; flat-screen TV/DVD; iPod docking station, private bath with shower; a view window (no portholes).

Itinerary



Day 1 - DAY 1 Juneau, Alaska – Embarkation
There’s nothing like a hearty greeting from your crew and some bon voyage bubbly. With all souls settled in on board, you’re underway. From the bow, Southeast Alaska welcomes you with Coast Mountain views.
Day 2 - DAY 2 Captain’s Choice
Lynn Canal or Chatham Strait, your captain makes the call. Either choice, go with the flow. The water is fine. The guides help you gear up, and lead your adventure along the rocky outcroppings. By kayak or paddle board, take in the size of this wilderness. Bald eagles dot the tree tops. Harbor seals bob up and under. Pods of orcas—the largest in the dolphin family—skim along the water’s surface.
Day 3 - DAY 3 Glacier Bay National Park
What a privilege. At 3.3 million acres—this UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve is massive. At Bartlett Cove, a park ranger joins in on your day’s exploration and shares the park’s history. Orange-beaked puffins, guillemots, marbled murrelets are just a few possible sightings. Keep a tally—the list will grow. Arriving at South Marble Island, you can hear and smell ‘em before you see ‘em—it’s a haulout for sea lions. Perched above around the bend, watch for mountain goats, and lower along shore, foraging bears. Up bay, glacial silt turns the water a milky white. Margerie and Grand Pacific Glaciers—one holding steady, the other retreating. Lounging harbor seals laze on bits of bergs. And if time allows, tuck up in Tidal Inlet. End this very full day with your feet up for the sail into Icy Strait.
Day 4 - DAY 4 Icy Strait
Nearly to the Pacific Ocean, Icy Strait is remote and wild. The plan? Whales and marine mammals. Spouts and fin slaps are certain giveaways. More rollicking sea lions and birds. But don’t forget to look straight down. Porpoises and dolphins may hitch a ride on the bow wave. And don’t worry about missing any wildlife; it’s a favorite mission of the crew to point out any creatures they spot. Make a break for it and head for a quiet pocket along the rugged coastline. A different sort of wild than the open strait, muskeg leads to forest bushwhacks. Skiff the shore and down along kelp-threaded channels.
Day 5 - DAY 5 Chichagof Island / Peril Strait
Kick off the morn with on-deck yoga stretches (your guides love it when you join them). Meander through glacier-carved fjords along the Chichagof coast. Then stop. It’s a prime time to lower the kayaks and skiffs. Camera in hand, set off on land and sea explorations. Closer inspection by skiff, moss-dripping trees run right down to the water. Any bears in there? With one of the world’s largest populations of bears, it’s possible. Go searching for giant trees and tidal pools. Hiking in the Tongass, it won’t take long to find them. Your eagle-eyed guides lead the pack—and pull up the rear. Later, wend along a twisting channel known for dramatic currents. Peril Strait runs 50 miles to Salisbury Sound.
Day 6 - DAY 6 Sergius Narrows / Neva Strait
There’s an eerie, enigmatic feeling in these woods. Morning fog catches like cotton balls on trees. The aptly named narrows squeezes to only 300 feet wide in one spot and a shallow 24 feet deep. The shorelines are close and it’s good territory for play. Skiff ashore and hike into the backcountry. Otters back float working to crack snacks resting on their bellies. Opening at Hoonah Sound, the squeeze is back on. Wind into Neva Strait. Watch the scenery change in the late fading light—from the hot tub of course.
Day 7 - DAY 7 Krestof & Nakwasina Sounds
There aren’t many straight lines along Baranof Island. Its western side is spattered with remote, uninhabited islands. These features mean endless opportunities for adventure. Secluded coves. Tree-covered islets. Drop anchor, pick your modus operandi, and get going. Kayak, paddle board, or skiff—you’re on the level with curious sea lions and possibly whales. Rocky intertidal zones make good beach combing. Turn a stone or two to see what’s underneath. There are no groomed trails here—get out on a guided hike John Muir would approve of. Toast your voyage with a festive Farewell Dinner and a “photo journal” of your trip. A gift to you, from your expedition team.
Day 8 - DAY 8 Sitka, Alaska – Disembarkation
Cruise into Sitka this morning over breakfast. Farewell new friends! Disembark and transfer to the airport.
Day 9 - Please Note:
Itineraries are guidelines; variations in itinerary and the order of days may occur to maximize your experience.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
08-08-202015-08-2020USD $5,195Navigator Cabin
08-08-202015-08-2020USD $5,895Trailblazer Cabin
08-08-202015-08-2020USD $6,395Pathfinder Cabin
08-08-202015-08-2020USD $7,795Single
08-08-202015-08-2020USD $8,195Explorer Cabin
15-08-202022-08-2020USD $5,195Navigator Cabin
15-08-202022-08-2020USD $5,895Trailblazer Cabin
15-08-202022-08-2020USD $6,395Pathfinder Cabin
15-08-202022-08-2020USD $7,795Single
15-08-202022-08-2020USD $8,195Explorer Cabin

Inclusions

    • View Margerie and Grand Pacific Glaciers
    • Park ranger joins you on board in Glacier Bay National Park
    • Whale watching in Icy Strait and Lynn Canal or Chatham Strait
    • Wildlife searches—bears, sea otters, harbor seals, sea lions, Dall’s porpoises
    • Birds and wildlife at South Marble Island—birding and sea lion haulout
    • Beachcomb intertidal zones, hike, and bushwhack in the Tongass National Forest
    • Kayak, paddle board, and skiff in glacial fjords

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