Alaska’s Inside Passage: Fjords of the Great Land

Experience rugged wilderness, the glaciers of Icy Bay and Prince William Sound, and see the dramatic landscapes they helped form. Seek out wildlife such as bears, humpback whales, sea lions, sea otters, Dall's porpoise, harbour porpoise, Sitka black-tail deer, bald eagles, rare Kittlitz's Murrelets and moose. Visit authentic Alaskan communities in Klawock and Valdez Itinerary

Day 1 A taste of Vancouver
Arrive in Vancouver. Your expedition cruise starts with an overnight stay in Vancouver, a bustling and beautiful seaport city set against steep mountains. Vancouver's various neighbourhoods buzz with world-class farm-to-table cuisine. Wander Gastown, Vancouver's Victorian quarter or walk around beautiful Stanley Park, which offers a view of the city and a glimpse of the stunning nature you'll see on the v

Day 2 Your expedition begins
Set sail from Vancouver. After breakfast at your hotel, we'll take you on a city tour showcasing the main highlights of Vancouver. When the tour is over, you'll be transferred to the pier where your expedition ship MS Roald Amundsen awaits you. Settle in and take your time to get to know the ship before listening to the safety briefing. Then enjoy a welcome dinner and relax - your adventure is underway.

Days 3 Cruising Queen Charlotte Sound
Look out for marine wildlife as we cruise the Inside Passage. The Inside Passage coastal route takes us through the great North American Pacific Fjordland, a protected stretch of water over 930 miles long. We'll be sailing outside of the protected fjords into open waters, up Queen Charlotte Sound and Hecate Strait. This is a day at sea, and our passage is somewhat protected from the open ocean by the island of Haida Gwaii. As we sail, look out for wildlife including humpback whales, orcas, fin whales, minke whales and Pacific white-sided dolphins.

Day 4 Unspoiled Misty Fjords
Revel in a wilderness where wildlife thrives. Part of the Tongass National Forest, Misty Fjords is a pristine wilderness of evergreen trees, roaring waterfalls and snowcapped peaks. The revered naturalist John Muir described the area as one of the most beautiful places he'd ever seen. Weather permitting, you'll join the Expedition Team to tour Misty Fjords in our small expedition boats, or explore in a kayak. Misty Fjords is rich in wildlife. As we explore, scan the shores and forests for black and brown bears, as well as moose. These waters are home to Pacific salmon, otters, Steller sea lions, harbour seals, orcas and Dall's porpoises. Skywards, you might spot herons and Bald Eagles.

Day 5 The totems of Klawock
Discover Klawock's Native heritage. Today we visit Klawock, beautifully situated on the western shore of Prince of Wales Island.The small town has a population of around 700 and is known for its array of totem poles. A centre for ?ing?t culture, the original name of the island was 'Taan' meaning sea lion. At the Totem Park you'll see 21 exquisitely carved examples, some of them replicas of the originals that stood in the winter village of Tuxecan.

Day 6 Fjords of Southeast Alaska
Explore the scenic bays of Chatham Strait. Start your day looking out for whales in the pristine waters of Frederick Sound. Today is an exploration day, so the Captain and Expedition Team will use their expertise to choose the best destination.

Day 7 Icy Strait expedition day
Embrace the thrill of wild Alaska. Today is another day of exploration as we sail into Icy Strait and take a closer look at some of the islands and islets. As ever - we will gauge the weather conditions and wildlife spotting opportunities to decide upon the best location. Using our expedition boats, we may get close to some of the rocky shores here, with the possibility of a landing and nature walk. The coast in this region grows more rugged the closer we get to the open sea, with rocky pinnacles and sea caves galore. Keep an eye out for whales, as well as sea lions, orcas and Bald Eagles.

Day 8 Glaciers of Icy Bay
Spot wildlife in these glacier-fed waters. Today is an exploration day in Icy Bay. Three glaciers - Guyot, Yahtse, and Tyndall - each feed ice into the bay's waters to give it its name. If conditions allow, you'll explore in our small expedition boats or by kayak, immersing you in the remarkable beauty of this icy landscape. From Icy Bay, you can admire striking, jagged Mt. St Elias. Known for its steep vertical relief, it is the second tallest peak in the US and third tallest in the US and Canada at over 18,000 ft. In the Gulf of Alaska, we'll scout for humpback whales, orcas, sea otters, and harbour seals which are often seen in these water

Day 9 Historic Valdez
Learn about the rich history of Valdez. Today you'll see a region that was in the news for all the wrong reasons when the Exxon Valdez oil spill occurred in 1989, but which today has made a remarkable recovery. After significant clean-up efforts, the coastline has largely recovered -- a testament to what can be done to heal damaged ecosystems. On a visit to the Valdez Museum, you'll see exhibits of Native Alaskan art and culture as well as artifacts from the Gold Rush era, and learn about the history of Alaska's Bush Pilots. As we travel around this region, look out for wildlife such as beavers, moose and bears.

Day 10 Tidewater Glaciers of Prince William Sound
Get ready to experience nature's raw power. Today is a day all about glaciers. Prince William Sound is home to 150 of these amazing rivers of ice, including 17 incredible tidewater glaciers. Your Captain will choose the best location for the day based on the conditions. We'll get as close to the glaciers as we safely can, taking our small expedition boats into the fjord or even exploring by kayak if conditions permit. From the water, you might catch sight of humpback whales, Bald Eagles, otters and harbor seals, all of which inhabit this icy wilderness.

Day 11 Seward's Stunning Beauty
Travel inland to Anchorage through spectacular scenery. Your expedition cruise ends in Seward, the only deep-water, ice-free port with road, rail and air connections to Alaska's interior. Keep your eyes open as we cruise into Resurrection Bay as the area is known for its population of beluga whales.