Alaska Inside Passage Cruises

Overview

This 15 day Inside Passage and San Juan cruise takes you on one incredible voyage through the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Learn the history of the Gold Rush, watch whales and wildlife, and discover the remote wilderness of one of the last frontiers. The small ship is outfitted with kayaks, paddle boards and skiffs for your use. On land, we offer hiking and biking excursions. At the end of each day relax your muscles in the hot tub, share a drink with your fellow travellers and marvel at the blanket of stars above you. This cruise is perfect for anyone looking for the ultimate blend of adventure and relaxation.

Included Highlights

Kayak, paddleboard, skiff and hike in glacial landscapes, hidden coves and islets
Discover Alaska and Canada’s impressive Inside Passage
Plentiful wildlife spotting opportunities to see Harbour Seals, orcas, dolphins, porpoise, Bald Eagles, sea otters, Grizzly and Black Bears, Mountain Goats, deer, puffins, cormorants and brightly coloured starfish and jellyfish
Adventure activities in Tongass National Forest and Misty Fjords National Monument
Two UNESCO World Heritage Sites - Glacier Bay National Park and Olympic National Park, with local oyster and clam tastings
Discover San Juan archipelago and stretch your legs with views of the Cascade Mountains
Learn about local and native cultures, including the history or the Gold Rush and Tlingit traditions in Ketchikan and Haines

Need to Know

Tour Style

Group Size

Max 60-76

Budget Lodging

14 Nights

Other Inclusions

Services of qualified expedition guides/naturalists
All transport by small discovery cruise ship
'Navigator' cabins with queen or twin beds, private bath w/shower and view window. Single supplements and upgraded cabins are available at additional cost. Contact us for further details
14 breakfasts, 14 lunches & 14 dinners, plus non-alcoholic drinks on-board

Essential Information

Prices quoted are land only. Call us on 0333 999 7951 for a flight quote (UK only)
This tour is operated by our local cruise partner and is not chartered by Grand American Adventures
Port taxes & fees: US$750 payable at time of booking
This tour requires a minimum number of five to operate. On rare occasions we may run with lower numbers

Trip Dossier

Download the Alaska, Inside Passage & San Juans trip dossier for tour-specific details including full itinerary, pre-departure information, packing tips and more about our style of travel.

Download Dossier

Itinerary

Our routes have been carefully chosen to include the best night stops and highlights. However, as local and operational conditions may vary and unforeseen circumstances can arise, the following itinerary should be used as a guideline.

100% Guaranteed departures All departures of this tour in 2019 are guaranteed, so once you've booked you can be sure you're going! This guarantee gives you the confidence to book all of your travel arrangements and simply look forward to your holiday.

2019 Itinerary

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Day 1: Juneau

Welcome to Juneau in Alaska. Check-in at the hospitality centre and later, board your ship and settle in. Your captain and crew greet you warmly and help you settle in. Set sail from the harbour toward Lynn Canal.

Accommodation

Cabin

Meals

Dinner included

Day 2: Haines

Haines is adventure-central - hiking, biking, and rafting are just some of the adrenaline activities on offer today. The trails are the cream of the crop, but all options lead to views of rivers, inlets, and snow- capped mountains. Haines has been occupied for thousands of years - the Chilkat Tlingit lived and traded here before European explorers arrived in the late 1880s. Of course, there’s also the Gold Rush history, and free time to explore on your own.

Accommodation

Cabin

Meals

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Day 3: Icy Strait

With the orange and purple starfish and jellyfish, you might find it hard to believe you’re not in a tropic jungle mangrove. Follow the currents out where the sea lions flock to remote rock formations – all while staying alert for the tell-tale blow of humpbacks. Dall’s Porpoise feast in the rich water, and bears lumber about for an afternoon feed. Try getting a little closer to the shoreline by skiff, kayak, or on foot. Sometimes the smallest things are the biggest wonders. Take in the evening solitude from the bow, or the hot tub – or both!

Accommodation

Cabin

Meals

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Day 4: Glacier Bay National Park

There’s a cool factor in Glacier Bay National Park, and it’s not just coming off the face of the glaciers! This 3.3 million acre park was once covered by ice as recently as 1795, and since, the receding glacier activity has made the inner reaches more accessible. Pick up a park ranger at Bartlett Cove early on to learn about glacial history, retreats, advances and moraines. Glacier Bay is a bird lover’s paradise, so come equipped to take photos of the Pigeon Guillemots, puffins, and cormorant colonies that nest at South Marble Island. It’s a full day in the bay exploring Muir’s legacy, all the way to Grand Pacific and Margerie Glaciers. Celebrate with a toast to Mother Nature’s handiwork.

Accommodation

Cabin

Meals

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Day 5: Chatham Strait - Chichagof Island

Head south into the glacially-carved Chatham Strait. Today on the agenda is kayaking, skiffing, beachcombing and bears! Chichagof Island has one of the highest brown bear populations in the world.

Accommodation

Cabin

Meals

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Day 6: Petersburg - Frederick Sound

Sailing into Petersburg, the views of Devil’s Thumb and snow-capped peaks should be all the motivation and inspiration you need to put one foot in front of the other. Why not hike your way up Petersburg Mountain or opt for one of the more leisurely hikes along Petersburg Creek or through the town itself. There will be time to dose up on Tlingit and Norwegian history at the museum before enjoying lunch back on board. The Frederick Sound is favoured as the summer home for Humpback whales and the perfect place for a spot of kayaking or paddleboarding.

Accommodation

Cabin

Meals

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Day 7: Ernest Sound

Between Cleveland Peninsula and Etolin Island sits Ernest Sound—first charted in 1793. You’ll drop anchor in an area of its least-explored reaches, where your expedition team has an exciting day of activities planned. Hike into deep forests and paddle around tiny islets that dot the edges of Deer Island, or scoot further away with the speed of a skiff to serene pockets carved into the rugged coastline. This evening, relax on deck to the call of the wild.

Accommodation

Cabin

Meals

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Day 8: Misty Fjords National Monument - Behm Canal

Misty Fjords is the largest Wilderness Area in the Tongass National Forest, where you’ll find wetlands, estuaries, dense forests and sweeping granite cliffs. Behm Canal separates the western edge of the monument from the mainland and is a haven for wildlife - Grizzly and Black Bears, salmon, whales, Mountain Goats and deer. Paddle through a bay, silty from the outwash of a mountain river. On shore, your guide points out intertidal curios along the beach under the gaze of watchful eagles.

Accommodation

Cabin

Meals

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Day 9: Ketchikan

Today is a town day in Alaska’s southernmost city, the ‘salmon capital of the world.’ Ketchikan's other claim to fame? The world’s largest collection of standing totem poles. Connect with the Tlingit Culture as tribal leader and local legend Joe Williams, known as Ka Xesh X’e in his native language, guides you on a walking tour. With rich tradition, the Tlingit passed stories from generation to generation- and Joe’s storytelling is just captivating!

Accommodation

Cabin

Meals

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Day 10: Inside Passage

Leave Alaska behind and cross into British Columbia in Canada. Pass Dixon Entrance and postcard-perfect Dundas Island Lighthouse before setting your sights on a waterfall and an abandoned cannery in Butedale. Once a flourishing fishing hub, it has now been left for nature to claim back and become a ghost town. The Great Bear Rainforest, known for the white ‘spirit’ bear, stretches all around you and Princess Royal Island marks the southern border of the bears territory. The red roofs of Boat Bluff Lighthouse greet you as you pass out of Tolmie Channel. Over the next few days, on board guides are on hand to provide as much information about the areas you are travelling through.

Accommodation

Cabin

Meals

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Day 11: Inside Passage

A lovely thing to do on a day like this is to rise early and enjoy a cup of coffee on the bow as the world wakes up around you. This is the perfect time to enjoy the scenery with peace and quiet, plus it’s a great time to spot Bald eagles. Fitz Hugh Sound was first explored by Europeans in the 1720s and today it is a popular spot for sailing boats. Your skilled captain will navigate you through the twisting passage, all the while keeping watch for Harbor seals that while away the day in rocky islets.

Accommodation

Cabin

Meals

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Day 12: Inside Passage - Salish Sea

Today is full of high-rising mountains and deep fjords. It’s the perfect time for cruising through intricate waterways and keeping your eyes peeled for wildlife. In Johnstone Strait, you may spot a pod of orcas or dolphins and if you miss it, your captain is on hand to make an announcement over the loud speaker. Soon, the Seymour Narrows opens to the Strait of Georgia, islands of green, the Coast Range and small communities that dot the beaches and fjords.

Accommodation

Cabin

Meals

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Day 13: San Juan Islands

Each island in the San Juan archipelago has a unique character. Orcas and Harbor Seals haven’t picked favourites though, and if you’re lucky there’s a chance of spotting those in any of the passages. Get out onto the water with a spot of kayaking or paddle boarding along a tucked away cove as curious Harbour Seals look on. For a closer look, take a skiff ride to further inlets, then spend some time hiking for views of the Olympic and Cascade Mountains. Look low, keeping a close watch around the pools for creatures left behind by the receding tide.

Accommodation

Cabin

Meals

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Day 14: Olympic National Park

Grand American Adventures in Olympic National Park

Wake up in Hood Canal, one of the quietest reaches of Puget Sound. About 65 miles long, this fjord separates the Olympic and Kitsap Peninsulas. Your expedition team has big plans for the day. With daypacks on your back and boots on your feet, hit the trail for a hike into the Olympic Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Giant old-growth trees, ferns, wild rhododendron—the flora is dense and diverse. Tonight, holds a special treat of a local oyster and clam dinner, paired with locally-brewed beer - delicious!

Accommodation

Cabin

Meals

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Day 15: Seattle

Grand American Adventures in Seattle

Disembark after breakfast. Transfer to the Juneau airport or continue with your own independent travels.

Accommodation

None included

Meals

Breakfast included

Tour Extras

We offer a whole range of travel extras, from additional hotel nights to flights and insurance, so you can organise everything you'll need for your trip.

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Book Extra Nights in Juneau

Our tours depart at designated hotels in our gateway cities, so it's a great idea to book a room for the night before and after your tour. It's also worth staying extra nights to explore the city more. You must book these hotels in advance either online with your tour or by contacting our friendly sales team.

JUNEAU - FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON

51 Egan Drive, Juneau, AK 99801

Includes meet and greet service at the airport, transfer from the airport to the hotel, and waterfront or mountain-view room. Please note, the Goldbelt is only for pre and post tour accommodation, the start and end point of this tour is at the Centennial Hall Convention Center, 101 Egan Drive, Juneau, Alaska 99801, United States, Tel: +1 907 586 5283.

Full room (Your own single or double room)
From £247-300 | US$320-390 | Eur297-360 | AU$420-510 | NZ$441-536
Price per room per night

AIRPORT TRANSFER INFORMATION

The hotel offers a free 24 hour shuttle service. Contact the hotel upon arrival using the hotel shuttle phones in the baggage claim area, or call the hotel directly on 907-276-0110. A tip of US$2 per person is recommended. If you prefer to take a taxicab, they leave from the designated taxi area near baggage claim. The fare should be approximately US$15-17 including tip.

Book Extra Nights in Seattle

SEATTLE - CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL

1113 6th Ave, Seattle, WA98101

This centrally located hotel, close to the historic Pike Place Market, features free Wi-Fi, 24-hr fitness centre and an on-site Bar & Grille restaurant.

Full room (Your own single or double room)
From £262-454 | US$340-590 | Eur315-545 | AU$446-772 | NZ$468-811
Price per room per night

AIRPORT TRANSFER INFORMATION

From airport: The best method of travel to your hotel from the airport, is via the light railway system. From SeaTac/Airport station, alighting at University Street, it is a 35 minute journey and costs approximately USD$3. From University Street it is a seven minute walk down 3rd avenue, turning left on Seneca Street. Alternatively, the hotel can arrange a town car to pick you up for approximately USD$65-$100, the journey by town car takes roughly 18 minutes.

From hotel: The best method of travel to the airport from your hotel, is via the light railway system. From University Street, alighting at SeaTac/Airport station, it is a 35 minute journey and costs approximately USD$3. Alternatively, the hotel can arrange for a town car to take you for USD$65-$100, the journey by town car takes roughly 18 minutes.

Book City Tours Before/After Your Trip

If you’ve booked pre or post nights in our gateway cities, spend some time exploring. We’ve partnered with GetYourGuide to make sure you take in all the highlights and experience everything these incredible cities have to offer.

Discover our city tours below >

Seattle City tours

Book Flights (UK Only)

Our specialist flights department can offer UK customers a great airline fare to all of our destinations. We have preferred contracts with many international carriers and have secured some of the most competitive prices in the industry.

Why Book Your Flights with Grand American Adventures?

Secure your flight with a deposit of only £125 per person
Date changes free of charge (subject to terms)
We are ATOL protected and IATA licensed
Personal service - you're more than just a number

Call us now on 0208 682 8920 for today's special offers or request a flight quote online

Travel Insurance

At Grand American Adventures we believe that your safety and enjoyment are the most important parts of your holiday. That's why we recommend you take out insurance as soon as your booking is confirmed. We can offer you a comprehensive travel insurance policy which is completely tailored for your trip and is specially designed to include all the activities listed we do.

If you do not take our policy, you must ensure that the policy you do take offers an equivalent level of protection and covers you for the activities involved - be aware that some policies do not include, or restrict, coverage for this type of travel.

See our insurance page for more information.

Optional Activities During Your Tour

There are loads of exciting optional activities available for you to choose from during your trip giving you the flexibility to do the things you want to and leave out the things you don't. A list of optional activities and approximate costs are shown at the end of each day by day itinerary descriptions above.

Your tour leader will arrange your chosen activities during the tour so no need to pre-book. You'll also pay for these locally so ensure you budget for the bucket list items!

As local weather conditions and seasonality can change not all optional activities may be available on your trip and prices can be subject to change.

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JUNEAU - FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON

AIRPORT TRANSFER INFORMATION

SEATTLE - CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL

AIRPORT TRANSFER INFORMATION

Why Book Your Flights with Grand American Adventures?

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