With the idyllic North Face Lodge as your base camp, you’ll experience Denali National Park as few visitors do. Set in the heart of the park, this wilderness retreat offers unparalleled views of Mt. McKinley, special access to the park, a wide range of outdoor activities, nightly presentations and locally sourced cuisine. Spend seven days and six nights here, before or after your June Coastal Alaska voyage. More info.

"The staff’s enthusiasm was contagious. The crew was helpful, friendly and top-notch. We couldn’t have asked for more."

Joe and Kathy M., Laurel, Md.

Where else can you wake to the cry of a soaring eagle, watch tons of ice thunder from the face of a glacier, walk in a spruce forest and observe lunge-feeding whales – all while cruising in complete comfort aboard a small expedition ship? In Southeast Alaska – a land of fjords and wildlife. Walk forest trails to cascading waterfalls.

Enjoy Zodiac and kayaking forays.
Search for orca and humpback whales.
Spend a full day in Glacier Bay National Park and experience its magnificent scenery animated by the lore and legend of its indigenous people.
Travel aboard a small, specially outfitted, comfortable expedition ship.

Trip Itinerary

Saturday, June 9, 2012: Seattle/Sitka, Alaska/Embark
Fly from Seattle to Sitka. Visit onion-domed St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral, discover the grand totems that line the trail through Sitka National Historical Park and meet bald eagles up close at the Raptor Rehabilitation Center. Embark ship. (D)

Sunday, June 10: Exploring Alaska’s Islands, Bays and Fjords
Explore with the luxury of a flexible plan. We may stop at an isolated beach to hike a forest trail, beachcomb, observe tidepools, or explore island coastlines by kayak or Zodiac — all in an area with the world’s highest density of nesting bald eagles. (B,L,D)

Monday, June 11: Point Adolphus/Inian Pass
Hike, kayak and search for whales near Point Adolphus, consistently one of the favored summer feeding areas for humpback whales. Then cruise to Inian Pass, where playful sea otters reside. (B,L,D)

Tuesday, June 12: Glacier Bay National Park
In Glacier Bay enormous glaciers flow from ice fields far above. Some end abruptly at the water’s edge and create an opportunity to see and hear them calving as tons of ice crash into the sea. Look for gravity-defying humpback and orca whales. A native Tlingit interpreter joins us to share the lore and legend of the area. (B,L,D)

Wednesday, June 13: Frederick Sound and Chatham Strait
These waters are prime for whales — pods of humpback or orca whales searching for their next meal. With luck, we’ll get to observe some fascinating behavior, such as breaching, tail-slapping and variations on feeding. Look for Steller sea lions hauled out and dozing on the rocky islands. Later, there will be time to hike or kayak for up-close exploration. (B,L,D)

Thursday, June 14: Petersburg
Humpback whale blows are often spotted as we head toward Le Conte Bay, a virtual sculpture garden of grounded icebergs. Around lunchtime, we reach the small town of Petersburg on Mitkof Island for an insight into the character of a true Alaskan town: isolated yet connected by the spirit of community. There is an opportunity for optional flightseeing — a new perspective on the landscape we’ve approached by water. Enjoy a Dungeness crab feast for dinner. (B,L,D)

Friday, June 15: Tracy Arm — Ford’s Terror Wilderness
Voyage into Tracy or Endicott Arm, both spectacular fjords, with waterfalls cascading from glacially carved walls. See the soaring Dawes or South Sawyer Glacier up close and take a Zodiac cruise for an unbeatable view of sculpted icebergs. (B,L,D)

Saturday, June 16: Juneau/Disembark/Seattle
In Juneau, visit the imposing Mendenhall Glacier and the Alaska State Museum, showcasing Alaska’s natural history and culture. Fly to Seattle. (B)

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