Alaska by Water, Land & Air

Welcome to Gustavus, Alaska

Arrive in the bush town of Gustavus, Alaska's gateway to Glacier Bay National Park. It borders an enormous protected wilderness, the Wrangell-St. Elias UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to the largest non-polar icefield in the world. You will be met and transferred to the beloved Glacier Bay Lodge. After settling in, you'll meet your MT Sobek guide and fellow travelers for orientation and welcome dinner.

Explore Glacier Bay National Park

Grab a pair of binoculars and layer up for today's high-speed catamaran cruise into the furthest reaches of Glacier Bay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where wildlife abounds. From the ship, spot both marine and land animals while a park ranger explains the area's complex geology, recent glacial history, and shows how to search for animals in this vast wilderness. In the afternoon, head for a quiet walk on the rainforest trails that wind their way around the lodge — and look out for berries and bears!

Camp & Kayak Chichagof Island’s Scenic Shores

Today, hop in a water taxi for a 10-mile ride across the Icy Strait and paddle the marine mammal-rich shoreline of Chichagof Island. Look out for whales, sea lions, and sea otters frolicking on the banks, and hear bald eagles chittering as they soar overhead. Tonight, the private camp is set up in a spruce hemlock old-growth forest that hasn't seen a glacier since the Wisconsin Ice Age — 15,000 years ago! Kick back with a drink in hand and enjoy a hearty camp-cooked meal.

Kayak Among Giants in the Tongass

Wake up in the largest forest in the United States, the Tongass. Enjoy breakfast on the beach, surrounded by Sitka spruce and western hemlock as you watch bald eagles and humpback whales. Hop into sea kayaks and get up close to some of the incredible marine life that lives off the shores of Chichagof Island. The day may include being followed by a 1000lb sea lion, learning the intriguing tale of the marbled murrelet, and hearing a whale breathe. After a day packed with wildlife fun, camp in style again.

Take a Scenic Flight & Hike in Alpine Alaska

After one last morning on Wilderness Island, head back to Gustavus by boat and board a small plane, for a scenic flight over the deep fjords and snow-capped peaks to Alaska's capital city of Juneau. Fun fact: Juneau is the only state capital that can be reached solely by plane or boat. Come afternoon, take a tram from the seaside to the alpine meadows above the trees. Hike amid wildflowers, climb a peak, play in the snow, marvel at the whistling marmots, and take in spellbinding views.

Flightsee by Helicopter & Hike on Mendenhall Glacier

Today, enter the intriguing domain of glaciers. Start with an overview of the Juneau Icefield, lifted like a feather by helicopter and whisked up into the inaccessible world of ice and mountains that few can negotiate. The pilot touches down in a place it would take days to get to; learn some of the basics of glacier travel, and marvel at the surface of a living glacier — an otherworldly experience. Later, gather in historic downtown Juneau at a locals' favorite restaurant for a farewell dinner.

Goodbye, Alaska

Today, depart from Juneau at any time. If not in a rush, explore Juneau for an extra day or stop in Sitka for a few nights on your way home.