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Peregrine Travel Centre

Alaska Odyssey aboard Sylvia Earle

Alaska Odyssey aboard Sylvia Earle

From AUD $17,095

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Description

Along the famed Inside Passage, visit small communities such as the Metlakatla Indian Community on Annette Island. In wilderness areas including Misty Fjords and Tracy Arm-Fords Terror, Zodiac-cruise and kayak amongst glittering icebergs keeping your camera at the ready for encounters with whales, harbour seals, mountain goats, bears and bald eagles. Experience some of Alaska’s most iconic glaciers including Mendenhall, South Sawyer, Hubbard, and the calving tidewater glaciers in the enormous Prince William Sound.

Trip Name
Alaska Odyssey aboard Sylvia Earle
Days
14
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Expedition Length: 104 meters Passenger Capacity: 126 Built / Refurbished: 2020/2021 Due to sail in October 2021 our new ship honours the highly accomplished marine biologist, oceanographer and explorer, Sylvia Earle. As the first female chief scientist of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and named by Time Magazine as its first Hero for the Planet in 1998 – this vessel pays tribute to Sylvia’s long standing conservation efforts for marine protected areas and ocean wildlife. Sylvia Earle will be actively involved in the development of her namesake. Designed for rugged, remote areas Crossing the notorious Drake Passage or the Denmark Strait, our expeditions face some of the most intense conditions nature can throw at us. The Sylvia Earle is at the cutting edge of nautical technology: robust, powerful and up to the task. Ulstein X-BOW® & Lounge The streamlined Ulstein X-BOW® cuts through the swell so you feel fewer vibrations and disturbances*, and makes quicker transits through waves. It also helps reduce our fuel consumption by up to 60%^. Experience the Glass Atrium Lounge inside the bow, featuring huge windows and superb views to the front of the ship. Swimming pool & wellness centre In between landings, enjoy the heated saltwater open air swimming pool and jacuzzis on board the Sylvia Earle and watch the world go by, or experience our gym, sauna or enjoy a massage (additional cost) in the Wellness centre. Safety features The Sylvia Earle will feature industry-leading safety technology that exceeds the requirements for a ship of this size with a world class return-to-port equipment, which duplicates the propulsion system, enabling the ship to maintain operating systems and comfort in the event of engine failure. The ship will also feature a fully-stocked medical clinic designed for use in remote areas. Responsible travel features We believe that preserving and protecting the environment is of the utmost importance and this is reflected in several features of the Sylvia Earle. The Sylvia Earle will boast one of the lowest polluting marine engines in the world due to low energy consumption, high fuel-efficiency and a streamlined design to deliver an 80% reduction in emissions. The ship can also utilise virtual anchoring to hold its position using a combination of GPS, steering technology, propellers and thrusters. This protects the sea floor and minimises the damage caused by conventional anchors. Zodiac launching platforms Our ships carry many Zodiacs, which you can board via four dedicated, sea-level launching platforms. These platforms make boarding the Zodiacs as quick, efficient and safe as possible, minimising wait times and getting you closer to the action for longer. Whether you’re Zodiac cruising through awe-inspiring fjords in search of wildlife or making a quick transit from ship to a shore landing site, these sturdy crafts will play an integral role in your expedition experience. Activity preparation area We offer a range of add-on adventure activities from kayaking and diving to climbing and ski touring, and your ship is designed to support these activities, making the transition from ship to sea or shore as smooth as possible. We built the spacious activity preparation areas and loading platforms in consultation with our expert activity guides. You will also have access to lockers and rapid drying areas for dry suits and wet suits, to give your gear the best chance to dry between excursions.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 Vancouver
Arrive in Vancouver and transfer to our group hotel. Upon check-in, reception staff will provide you with Aurora Expeditions cabin tags. Please fill out the luggage tags clearly, showing your name and cabin number to allow us to deliver your luggage to your cabin. Enjoy a welcome drink and meet fellow expeditioners at our voyage briefing this evening.Accommodation: Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre
Day 2 - Day 2 Vancouver
On a sightseeing tour, get a glimpse into Vancouver’s main highlights, including Stanley Park, Granville Island, Prospect Point and Gastown, before transferring to the pier for embarkation. After boarding, there’s time to settle into your cabin before learning important safety briefings. This evening, meet your expedition team and crew at the Captain’s Welcome Dinner.
Day 3 - Days 3–4 British Columbia’s Inside Passage
Sail the southern stretches of British Columbia’s Inside Passage, navigating through narrow straits and channels that are inhabited by vast pods of orca, while admiring views of cascading waterfalls, snow-capped mountains, temperate forests and the abundant marine life.
Day 4 - Day 5 Metlakatla, Misty Fjords
On Annette Island, experience the extraordinary history, art, and cultural traditions of the Tsimshian tribe of Metlakatla Indian Community, the only Indian Reserve in Alaska.Shore Excursions (choose one of the following):Yellow Hill Hike (3.5 hours)Enjoy a 5-mi / 8-km hike to Yellow Hill, a challenging walk with rewarding panoramic views of Metlakatla and Annette Bay. Walking mostly on timber board walk, stairs, and moderately steep terrain, the hike is suitable for individuals without mobility issues. Visit the community Long House to learn about the building’s history and traditions, and where you will enjoy a dance performance from a local Tsimshian dance group followed by a Q & A with the dancers. Afterwards, visit the Artist Village next door to see handicrafts made by local artists, and which are available for purchase.Walking Town Tour & Totem Pole Journey (3.5 hours)The Totem Exploration Journey is a path guides you to the Totems & points of interest of Metlakatla. On a guided walk, you get a close-up view of the fascinating, handcrafted cedar carvings scattered throughout Metlakatla. During the excursion, you’ll discover the 14 totem poles standing in Metlakatla, all carved by local artists, you’ll visit several historical and cultural points of interest, including the William Duncan Memorial Church, the Metlakatla Indian Community Longhouse, and the Artist Village. Visit the community Long House to learn about the building’s history and traditions, and where you will enjoy a dance performance from a local Tsimshian dance group followed by a Q & A with the dancers. Afterwards, visit the Artist Village next door to see handicrafts made by local artists, and which are available for purchase.Skater’s Lake Trail Walk & Totem Journey (3.5 hours)On this scenic timber boardwalk, you’ll experience the lush scenery at Skater’s Lake. Afterwards, visit the community Long House to learn about the building’s history and traditions, and where you will enjoy a dance performance from a local Tsimshian dance group followed by a Q&A with the dancers. Afterwards, visit the Artist Village next door to see handicrafts made by local artists, and which are available for purchase.Later, we sail in Misty Fjords National Monument, a wilderness area characterised by towering granite cliffs shrouded in mist, and glacial valleys. The area is a haven for wildlife, and by Zodiac or kayak, we explore the area searching for grizzly and black bears, whales, mountain goats and deer.
Day 5 - Day 6 Wrangel, Thomas Bay, Baird Glacier
Disembark in historic Wrangell, an important town that was founded by Russians in 1834, and which once thrived on fur and gold trading. Enjoy Wrangell’s main highlights, including a visit to Petroglyph Beach to see ancient rock carvings, and a visit to the city museum to learn about Wrangell’s colourful history. In the afternoon, anchor in Thomas Bay, a wilderness location shrouded in the mysterious local legends, for an exploration around Baird Glacier.Shore Excursions (choose one of the following):Highlights of Wrangell (2.5 hours)Learn about Wrangell’s most significant landmarks while driving through town. Hear the Tlingit tribe members interpret the meaning of their totem poles. See ancient rock carvings at Petroglyph Beach and delve deeply into the history of Wrangell at the city museum.Tongass Botanical Forest Walk (2 hours)Explore Tongass Rainforest on a guided walk through the coastal temperate rainforest on the Wrangell Nature Trail. Learn about the interconnectedness between tidal, muskeg, alpine, and deep forest ecosystems, and discover a variety of edible and medicinal uses of local flora. You’ll walk through Wrangell’s Historic Sites on the way to the Nature Trailhead.
Day 6 - Day 7 Frederick Sound, Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness
Frederick Sound is a summer feeding ground for the northern hemisphere’s largest concentration of humpback whales. Keep watch for humpbacks, orca, and Steller sea lions. In Tracy Arm, glide along the steep walled fjords of a watery wilderness area that has been likened to Yosemite and enjoy views of snow-covered mountains. Zodiac-cruise or kayak in search of wildlife at the back of the Tracy Arm, home to the twin Sawyer Glaciers. Spot for harbour seals resting on ‘bergy bits’ which calve regularly from the active tidewater glaciers.
Day 7 - Day 8 Juneau, Mendenhall Glacier
Nestled at the base of towering mountains overlooking the Gastineau Channel, Juneau’s rich culture, and history is reflected throughout the town and its beautiful attractions. In Alaska’s scenic capital, we visit nearby Mendenhall Glacier, one of Alaska’s most famous glaciers. The glacier is 2.4 km / 1.5 miles wide and is fed by the Juneau Icefield, and ranks as the largest, most rugged glacier that is accessible by road in Alaska. Hike the trails near the glacier to enjoy panoramic views. Back in town, enjoy free time to explore and learn about Juneau’s local history with a visit to the newly-built Alaska State Museum.
Day 8 - Day 9 Icy Strait, Inian Islands, Elfin Cove
The area around Icy Strait features the Inian Islands, George Island, Point Adolphus and Elfin Cove and offers some of the best opportunities for Zodiac-cruising and kayaking. Here you can find an abundance of iconic Alaskan wildlife, including whales, Steller sea lions, sea otters, harbour seals, bald eagles and brown bears.
Day 9 - Day 10 Hubbard Glacier
As we sail west across the Gulf of Alaska, our expert team will entertain you with talks on wildlife, glaciers, and the rich history of Alaska – from indigenous settlement through to the Russian fur trade and the European rush for gold. In the afternoon we arrive in Disenchantment Bay, home to Hubbard Glacier, North America’s largest tidewater Glacier, where we search Kittlitz’s murrelet, Aleutian terns and brown bears hunting salmon along the shore.
Day 10 - Day 11 Kayak Island
Kayak Island is the remote, uninhabited spot where in 1741, zoologist and botanist Georg Wilhelm Steller became one of the first Europeans to set foot on Alaskan soil. Serving as naturalist on Vitus Bering’s voyage to explore a sea route from Russia to North America, Steller recorded the first evidence of Alaskan Inuit and catalogued an array of flora and fauna, many of which now bear his name. Weather-dependent, we explore Cape Saint Elias and its lighthouse by Zodiac or kayak.
Day 11 - Days 12-13 Prince William Sound
Framed by the impressive Chugach Mountains, we spend two days exploring Prince William Sound, an area of rugged coastline that is home to more tidewater glaciers than anywhere else on Earth. Zodiac-cruise among icebergs, and forest-covered islands rich in wildlife including puffins, sea lions and seals. Glacier Island at the opening of Columbia Bay offers great wildlife encounters, vast amounts of sea ice, diverse geological formations and sea caves. Columbia and Meares Glaciers are both extremely active, produce vast quantities of ice where seals haul out on icebergs in front of them. Granite Bay features steep cliff walls where the northernmost stand of yellow cedars is found, and where mountain goats can be seen clinging to the cliff face. Kayak in College Fjord, with several glaciers named after Ivy League universities such as Harvard and Yale, which funded the 1899 exploration and discovery of the fjord.
Day 12 - Day 14 Seward
Disembark in Seward and transfer to Anchorage, where you continue your journey.
Day 13 - Please Note:
The itinerary outlined is intended to be used as a guide. Although we plan to visit as many of the places mentioned in the itinerary as possible, tides, timing, local regulations and weather conditions may determine where we land and the precise order in which we operate the itinerary.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
10-06-202223-06-2022AUD $17,095Aurora Stateroom Superior
10-06-202223-06-2022AUD $17,595Balcony Stateroom Category C
10-06-202223-06-2022AUD $18,495Balcony Stateroom Category B
10-06-202223-06-2022AUD $19,895Balcony Stateroom Category A
10-06-202223-06-2022AUD $21,695Balcony Stateroom Superior
10-06-202223-06-2022AUD $27,295Junior Suite
10-06-202223-06-2022AUD $32,295Captain’s Suite

Inclusions

    • Spend two days exploring spectacular Prince William Sound with its countless fjords, abundant tidewater glaciers and superb wildlife
    • Experience Alaska’s iconic glaciers, including South Sawyer, Baird, Hubbard, and Mendenhall
    • Visit the Metlakatla Indian Community and learn about their ancient culture and admire their unique, locally hand-carved totem poles
    • Explore the islands around Icy Strait, which offer the possibility of superb wildlife viewing. Keep watch for wildlife such as orca, coastal brown bears, Steller sea lions and many bird species

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