Lindblad Expeditions

Your Inside Passage Voyage begins with a morning flight to Juneau, Alaska’s state capital. Visit the stunning Mendenhall Glacier, which spans approximately 12 miles, and the Alaska State Museum, an excellent introduction to Alaska’s natural history and cultures. There is time to explore Juneau on your own before we board the expedition ship for your Alaska cruise in the late afternoon.

Today’s destination is Tracy Arm, a spectacular 22-mile-long fjord, with many waterfalls cascading from its high, glacially carved walls. Pass by the infamous “true blue” Sawyer Glacier or the towering Dawes Glacier. If weather permits, Zodiacs will provide up close views of the glacier. Keep a look out for harbor seals, porpoises and shore birds.

Visit the small town of Petersburg on Mitkof Island. Petersburg was founded more than 100 years ago by Norwegian fishermen, and this heritage is evident today in the attractive rosemaling (traditional painting in floral designs) that decorates the tidy homes and store fronts. There is an opportunity for an optional flightseeing trip via floatplane or helicopter over nearby Le Conte Glacier (weather permitting), and for biking through town or hikes on forest trails. Cruise out to the south part of Frederick Sound to look for whales, or to explore the mouth of Le Conte Bay, which is often a virtual sculpture garden of grounded icebergs. In the evening, head back to the ship for a Dungeness crab feast.

These waters are often excellent for spotting humback and orca whales. You might also find Steller sea lions hauled out on one of the small rocky islands that dot the channels. During the day, go ashore for a walk along a quiet forest trail accompanied by naturalists, or perhaps go kayaking.

Hike, kayak and search for whales in the waters off Point Adolphus, a favored feeding area for humpback whales. Keep watch on deck with our marine mammal experts. Under the right conditions, we’ll lower the ship’s hydrophone to listen in on the whale’s communication. After some thrilling whale watching, we’ll cruise Inian Pass in search of playful sea otters.

We spend the entire day amidst the coves, fjords, tidewater glaciers and majestic mountains of Glacier Bay National Park. You’ll see glaciers that end abruptly at the water’s edge and observe them “calving” – tons of ice crashing into the sea – accompanied by an exhilarating thunderous sound. Mountain goats scaling the peaks as well as harbor seals, Steller sea lions and puffins are some of the creatures we may observe. A visit to Tidal Inlet may bring the sight of brown bears lumbering up the hillside. A native Tlingit interpreter joins us onboard to share the legend of the area.

Today is a day with the luxury of no specific plan. Perhaps a stop at an isolated beach to observe tide pools, comb the beaches, walk a forest trail or enjoy the numerous bald eagles that call this area home. And if conditions permit, venture out for kayaking!

After breakfast, disembark in Sitka, a unique town with a strong Russian heritage. Visit Saint Michael’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral, the Raptor Rehabilitation Center and the Sitka National Historic Park, where totem poles line quiet wooded trails. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for flights home or to Anchorage to start your next adventure with Alaska Wildland Adventures.