Off Ship
Embark on daily guided excursions that include kayaking, paddle boarding and land hikes.
An eye-opening journey into Alaska’s remote landscapes and spectacular wildlife.
Book with Steppes and save $500 per person on select summer departures to Alaska, from June 1, 2024.* This small-ship voyage through the famed Inside Passage unveils some of the most visually stunning landscapes in Alaska, journeying far beyond the tourist trail to winding fjords and dramatic glacial landscapes, providing exclusive front row seats to brown and black bear sightings and the most spectacular concentrations of humpback whales in the Northern Hemisphere.
*This discount only applies to the cruise portion of your trip, speak to our experts for more information.
Encompassing unique opportunities for wildlife-watching, water and land-based excursions and privately guided hikes, this voyage is suited to those seeking active wilderness explorations. Setting the scene for what’s to come, this fulfilling journey begins with a floatplane to Chichagof Island for an unforgettable guided bear-viewing experience.
Embark on daily guided excursions that include kayaking, paddle boarding and land hikes.
Sail the waters between Juneau and Ketchican, taking in spectacular views of passing glaciers and rainforests.
Scout the waters and coastlines for species including orcas, humpbacks and brown bears.
Sail on a small ship, nimble enough to venture off the beaten track with expert guides.
Day 1
Juneau
Day 2
Juneau - Fortress of the Bears Waterfall Creek floatplane full day tour
Day 3
Sailing the Inside Passage: Juneau
Day 4
Sailing the Inside Passage: Tracy Arm Wilderness & Frederick Sound
Day 5
Sailing the Inside Passage: Thomas Bay
Days 6-7
Sailing the Inside Passage: Glacial Landscapes, Wrangell Narrows and Blashke Islands
Day 8
Sailing the Inside Passage: Behm Canal
Day 9
Sailing the Inside Passage: Misty Fjords National Monument
Day 10
Ketchikan - Seattle
Day 1
Juneau
Arrive into Juneau before being transferred to The Jorgenson House hotel for the next two nights.
Day 2
Juneau - Fortress of the Bears Waterfall Creek floatplane full day tour
Take a 30-minute floatplane over the Alaskan wilderness to Chichagof Island for a guided bear-viewing excursion. Land at Waterfall Creek before taking a short hike to the shoreline where brown bears are often fishing for salmon. Spend four hours viewing the brown bears in their natural habitat before returning to Juneau for a second night.
Day 3
Sailing the Inside Passage: Juneau
Take to the waters of the famed Inside Passage, sailing past glaciers, rainforests and unique species.
Day 4
Sailing the Inside Passage: Tracy Arm Wilderness & Frederick Sound
Sail through the winding Tracy Arm fjord, passing hundreds-strong waterfalls, sheer-sided granite walls, and some of the largest icebergs in Alaska. Inspect remote rainforests for bears and mountain goats and look out for territorial arctic terns while hiking a scenic 11-mile trail, marvelling at the little-visited Patterson Lake.
Day 5
Sailing the Inside Passage: Thomas Bay
Venture deeper into the Alaskan wilderness, exploring the coves by kayak, or for the more adventurous, hike up Cascade Creek Trail to Falls Lake.
Days 6-7
Sailing the Inside Passage: Glacial Landscapes, Wrangell Narrows and Blashke Islands
While immersed in the back-country of Alaska’s secluded wilderness, renowned for its gold and quartz-rich terrain, perhaps board a kayak or balance atop a paddle-board to weave among majestic glacial landscapes in search of humpbacks.
Day 8
Sailing the Inside Passage: Behm Canal
Scout the waters and coastlines for species including orcas, humpbacks, brown bears and mountain goats. Paddle the canal, seeking porpoises, seals, sea lions, or step foot on the densely forested shore to look for signs of brown and black bears, minks, martens.
Day 9
Sailing the Inside Passage: Misty Fjords National Monument
Explore Misty Fjords National Monument; a spectacular region of icy blue lakes, glacial valleys and deep fjords carved over thousands over years,where bears, mountain goats, Sitka black-tailed deer and eagles roam the landscapes.
Day 10
Ketchikan - Seattle
Disembark for onward travel.
Access the untamed landscapes of Chichagof Island, home to the highest population of bears per square mile on Earth. Board a floatplane and soar across the skies spotting marine wildlife roaming the waters below, before touching down at Waterfall Creek for an afternoon of bear-viewing. In the company of a naturalist guide, listen out for splashing in the waters of the creek, a sign of bears fishing for salmon nearby. Continue down to the rocky shoreline to see the majestic brown bear in their natural habitat, savouring their catch. After four hours with the bears, return to the floatplane for a scenic flight back to Juneau.
In the company of experienced expedition leaders, sail on a small expeditionary ship through narrow bays and inlets in which other ships cannot navigate, spending each day exploring forests, glaciers and coastline in the company of expert naturalist guides. Constantly scouting the landscapes for incredible Alaskan wildlife, including orcas, humpbacks, sea otters, dolphins, moose and brown bears, embark on hiking trips, kayaking excursions, paddle boarding adventures, skiff rides and more. Absorb the solitude of the wilderness while unwinding in the observation deck hot tub or sipping a sundowner in the lounge.
Sail towards Behm Canal and the surrounding Tongass National Forest, arguably one of the richest wildlife-watching waters in southeast Alaska, scouring the nutrient-rich waters for the telltale orca dorsal fin. In the aptly named “Yosemite of the North”, where sea-water filled valleys meet 3,000-foot-tall cliffs and moose meet river otters, glide over the waters of this relatively unknown haven before toasting your voyage with a farewell dinner.
Send us an enquiry
Complete our enquiry form and start your next journey.
Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.
Our knowledge, curiosity and expertise set us apart, driving us to create remarkable holidays and Beautiful Adventures tailored perfectly to you, carefully curated to help protect and conserve our planet.
Are you ready to Discover Extraordinary?