from$ 8654 AUD
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Safari Endeavour
Juneau to Sitka
Overview
Your Dream Alaska is Only a Click Away. Skiff, kayak, and paddle board through fjords and inlets as wildlife greets you from land and sea. Explore the wilderness of the Tongass National Forest and Glacier Bay National Park.
Departures
Cruise Itinerary
There’s nothing like a hearty greeting from your crew and some bon voyage bubbly. With all souls settled in on board, you’re underway. From the bow, Southeast Alaska welcomes you with Coast Mountain views. (D)
Lynn Canal or Chatham Strait, your captain makes the call. Either choice, go with the flow. The water is fine. The guides help you gear up, and lead your adventure along the rocky outcroppings. By kayak or paddle board, take in the size of this wilderness. Bald eagles dot the tree tops. Harbor seals bob up and under. Pods of orcas—the largest in the dolphin family—skim along the water’s surface. (BLD)
What a privilege. At 3.3 million acres—this UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve is massive. Orange-beaked puffins, guillemots, marbled murrelets are just a few possible sightings. Keep a tally—the list will grow. Arriving at South Marble Island, you can hear and smell ‘em before you see ‘em—it’s a haulout for sea lions. Perched above around the bend, watch for mountain goats, and lower along shore, foraging bears. Up bay, glacial silt turns the water a milky white. Margerie and Grand Pacific Glaciers—one holding steady, the other retreating. Lounging harbor seals laze on bits of bergs. And if time allows, tuck up in Tidal Inlet. End this very full day with your feet up for the sail into Icy Strait. (BLD)
Nearly to the Pacific Ocean, Icy Strait is remote and wild. The plan? Whales and marine mammals. Spouts and fin slaps are certain giveaways. More rollicking sea lions and birds. But don’t forget to look straight down. Porpoises and dolphins may hitch a ride on the bow wave. And don’t worry about missing any wildlife; it’s a favorite mission of the crew to point out any creatures they spot. Make a break for it and head for a quiet pocket along the rugged coastline. A different sort of wild than the open strait, muskeg leads to forest bushwhacks. Skiff the shore and down along kelp-threaded channels. (BLD)
Kick off the morn with on-deck yoga stretches (your guides love it when you join them). Meander through glacier-carved fjords along the Chichagof coast. Then stop. It’s a prime time to lower the kayaks and skiffs. Camera in hand, set off on land and sea explorations. Closer inspection by skiff, moss-dripping trees run right down to the water. Any bears in there? With one of the world’s largest populations of bears, it’s possible. Go searching for giant trees and tidal pools. Hiking in the Tongass, it won’t take long to find them. Your eagle-eyed guides lead the pack—and pull up the rear. Later, wend along a twisting channel known for dramatic currents. (BLD)
Wind along a twisting channel known for dramatic currents. Peril Strait runs 50 miles to Salisbury Sound. The shorelines are close and it’s good territory for play. Skiff ashore and hike into the backcountry. Otters back float working to crack snacks resting on their bellies. Opening at Hoonah Sound, the squeeze is back on. Wind into Neva Strait. Watch the scenery change in the late fading light—from the hot tub of course. (BLD)
There aren’t many straight lines along Baranof Island. Its western side is spattered with remote, uninhabited islands. These features mean endless opportunities for adventure. Secluded coves. Tree-covered islets. Drop anchor, pick your modus operandi, and get going. Kayak, paddle board, or skiff—you’re on the level with curious sea lions and possibly whales. Rocky intertidal zones make good beach combing. Turn a stone or two to see what’s underneath. There are no groomed trails here—get out on a guided hike John Muir would approve of. Toast your voyage with a Farewell Dinner and a “photo journal” of your trip. A gift to you, from your expedition team. (BLD)
Cruise into Sitka this morning over breakfast. Farewell new friends! Disembark and transfer to the airport or your UnCruise hotel stay or land tour. (B)
Itineraries are guidelines; variations in itinerary and the order of days may occur to maximize your experience.
Safari Endeavour
Vessel Type: Small Ship Length: 232 ft Passenger Capacity: 88 Built: 1983 Polished, unwavering, and upscale, the Safari Endeavour may be the workhorse of the fleet but it’s her zest-for-life persona that’s remembered most. She looks sharp—a nod to the crew who work hard to keep her that way. Wood fixtures and accents shine and artwork highlights the warm and cool waters where she sails. No other UnCruise vessel covers more territory, and like her namesake, Captain Cook’s Endeavour, both the ship and crew are true explorers. Her roomy lounge, dining room, and sun deck are undisputed, but the Safari Endeavour claims to have the biggest heart, too. Four decks are fully equipped for comfort and action. From the exercise equipment and lounge chairs in the Bridge deck, to the twin hot tubs on the Upper deck, to the Bow viewing area on the Cabin deck, to the library and dining room on the Main deck, everything you need is easy to reach. The Lounge has a large flat-screen TV featuring closed-circuit channels which include a GPS map of the location of the ship and an under-bow camera. The lounge also has a limited library, filled with wildlife encyclopedias and binoculars are available for wildlife-spotting. The Dining Room features open seating. Meals are served at table at set times, unless the activities have taken you far afield - in which case you will take a boxed lunch with you. Unlimited beverages, alcoholic and non, are included in the price of the cruise. Vegetarian options are always available. Dietary restrictions are happily accommodated with advance notice. Onboard Features: EZ Dock launch platform; kayaks, paddleboards, inflatable skiffs, hiking poles; underwater bow-mounted camera; two on-deck hot tubs; fitness equipment and yoga mats; DVD and book library; wine bar.
Highlights
• View Margerie and Grand Pacific Glaciers • Whale watching in Icy Strait and Lynn Canal or Chatham Strait • Wildlife searches—bears, sea otters, harbor seals, Dall’s porpoises • South Marble Island—a bird and sea lion haulout • Beachcomb intertidal zones • Hike and bushwhack in the Tongass National Forest • Kayak, paddle board, and skiff in glacial fjords
Map
