Wild Alaska Escape: LeConte Bay, Wrangell & the Misty Fjords

Arrive in Juneau, Alaska’s capital city. Just north sits the Juneau Icefield, one of the world's largest non-polar masses and source of many glaciers. Transfer to downtown Juneau to visit the Alaska State Museum or explore the area before embarking our ship. (D)

Today we explore the LeConte Glacier, one of the most active glaciers in Southeast Alaska and the southernmost tidewater glacier in the Northern Hemisphere. Icebergs regularly break off from the glacier face, getting caught in this shallow moraine and along the shoreline. Take advantage of spectacular photographic opportunities, practicing tricks and tips from our certified photo instructor. Our experienced captain will read the ice and bring us as close as possible to the glacier, where we’ll set out by Zodiac to navigate among these surreal floating sculptures. (B,L,D)

Navigate the stunning Wrangell Narrows, an area inaccessible to larger ships, and then cruise into the Sumner Strait, keeping watch for humpback whales surfacing and sea otters gliding through the clear water around our ship. Explore the coast by kayak or Zodiac and go ashore to trace bear trails through forests intersected by crystalline salmon streams as you learn about the rainforest ecosystem from our naturalists. Fix your binoculars on the banks to spot Sitka black-tailed deer and moose as well as black bears, wolves, and bald eagles that frequent the shoreline in search of plentiful salmon. (B,L,D)

This morning we arrive in the small town of Wrangell. The Tlingit and their ancestors have made this island their home for thousands of years. Take an optional jet boat excursion up the Stikine River or explore town, including a visit to Chief Shakes Tribal House and the Petroglyph Beach, home to the highest concentration of petroglyphs in Southeast Alaska. This afternoon we cruise Eastern Passage and Blake Channel, narrow waterways on the backside of Wrangell island where other ships rarely venture. (B,L,D)

Wake up this morning to catch the sunrise over the stunning cliffs of Misty Fjords National Monument, rising more than 2,000 feet above the deep blue waters of the fjord. Watch wisps of cloud drift down the winding waterway and drape over green peaks as we cruise through the mists that give this extraordinary landscape its name. Set out by Zodiac and kayak to get close to the forested banks and the many dramatic waterfalls cascading down the cliffs. (B,L,D)

Arrive in Ketchikan, the southernmost city in Alaska, spread at the base of forested slopes on Revillagigedo Island. Its many monikers, from "salmon capital of the world" to "rain capital of Alaska," capture the spirit of this city, famous for colorful buildings and abundant fishing boats and canneries. Visit the Totem Heritage Center to view the priceless collection of 19th-century totem poles. (B)

Itineraries are subject to change.