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Alaska's Inside Passage

12 Days - Seattle to Seattle

Your voyage threads a spectacular route through the narrow straits, remote islands and glacier-carved fjords of the Inside Passage. Summer brings long days, breaching humpback whales and concentrations of bald eagles. Calm waters are alive with salmon, Steller's sea lions, harbor seals, orcas and porpoise. Wolves, moose and deer can be seen roaming the temperate rainforest, while black and brown bear offer tantalising glimpses. Explore on foot, by Zodiac, kayak or paddle board or for a very special perspective, try polar snorkelling.

Paddle up glassy fjords where humpback mothers and calves blow and the cries of Arctic loons echo off soaring granite walls. Breathe in the scent of Sitka spruce as summer quickens life in the temperate rainforests. Aurora's expedition of Southeast Alaska follows in the wake of Tlingit and Haida people, who've relied on the protected Inside Passage for trade and travel over thousands of years. From your floating basecamp, Wilderness Adventurer, explore some of North America's greatest wilderness areas: Tongass National Forest, home to wolves, bear and deer; Tracy Arm, where the twin Dawes Glaciers calve picturesque icebergs; Stephen's Passage and Frederick Sound, renowned for Steller's sea lion colonies and waters patrolled by orcas, otters and porpoise.

In Misty Fjord National Monument, 'the Yosemite of the North', you will see many of the 100 bird species that migrate here each year and nesting bald eagles throughout. Whether by Zodiac, sea kayak, paddle board or the viewing decks on board, you will be treated to Southeast Alaska in summer's prime, when days are long, the weather warming and humpback whales are at their greatest numbers. It's absolutely the best time to explore.

Your ship

Wilderness Adventurer is a 49-metre, 60-passenger vessel purpose-built to navigate Alaska's Inside Passage. Refurbished in 2011, it's now an exceptional floating base camp for exploration. Each twin and double cabin features a private bathroom, outside window, flat screen TV/DVD and iPod docking station. There's a main lounge for socialising, an observation deck for wildlife viewing, sun deck with spa, sauna and exercise equipment and the EZ Dock launch platform for easy access to Zodiacs, kayaks and stand up paddleboards.

Highlights

• Juneau,visiting Native art galleries and dining on local seafood
• Tongass National Forest's mountain goats, moose and Sitka black-tail deer
• Kayaking and paddle boarding in Misty Fjord National Monument
• Steller's sealions, otters, harbour seals, dolphins and porpoises
• TraditionalTlingitandHaidacultures
• Humpbacks,minkes,greysandorcasin Frederick Sound and Stephen's Passage
• Majestic baldeagles, kittiwakes, harlequin ducks, murres, puffins and (of course) gulls
• Polar snorkelling with nudibranchs,seastars, giant jellyfish and more (all gear supplied)
• Scenic treks through temperate rainforest
• Dawes Glacier and others calving icebergs
• Cultural presentations at historical Chief Shakes tribal houseWhy travel with Aurora Expeditions?

Why travel with Aurora Expeditions?

Small groups are best

At sea, Aurora Expeditions' high-latitude, expedition ship is small enough to go where others can't, often resulting in more landings. On land, Aurora's group size is limited to 16. Fewer people means a more personalised experience and a lasting camaraderie.

Consistently Aurora Expeditions.

Rather than book you onto another company's trip, Aurora Expeditions operate only its own expeditions, either on vessels that it charters, or working closely with local experts who share its ethos and style.

Aurora Expeditions' staff put you first

Your security, wellbeing and understanding of the places you visit are Aurora Expeditions' staff's priorities. Aurora's staff have a passion for sharing their knowledge and making everyone feel as if they are on the same team.

Enrichment through understanding

The more Aurora Expeditions' remote area specialists share their knowledge about the history and natural environments you encounter, the more rewarding the experience.

Environmental sensitivity

Aurora Expeditions' helped develop international environmental guidelines for the polar regions you visit, and consciously limits the number of people it takes to its destinations.

Flexibility and freedom

Aurora Expeditions stops for breaching whales! Enjoy your destinations in your own way, within the bounds of safety. Hike up a snow slope, take your time photographing wildlife, inspect historical huts or simply sit and admire the view.

Aurora Expeditions' spirit of adventure!

Photograph wind-plumes on Mt Everest, share the trail with gauchos, yak-herders or rarely-visited rainforest hunters. Scuba dive or snorkel with leopard seals, sea kayak with whales or enjoy a feast of tundra berries. Ponder ancient rock paintings or lift your spirits in a Buddhist monastery. No matter where in the world, Aurora Expeditions encourages a true sense of exploration.

Aurora Expeditions has fun

Aurora Expeditions loves what it does and believes that everyone involved, from expeditioners to staff, ship's crews to trekking teams, shares the same goal – the best expedition imaginable!

Many inclusions

Whether it's a stylish jacket and photo journal memento to keep, or gumboots to wear on our polar voyages; flights for our fly/sail Antarctic program; linking flights in Iceland, Alaska, Ecuador, Nepal and Africa or Everest heliflights, our inclusions are what most others would consider extras.

Environmental Stewardship

From Aurora's very first Antarctic voyage in 1992, it has been committed to environmentally responsible tourism practices. Founding Australian members of the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO) and the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO), Aurora supports research, donates funds, and allocates resources to ensure it leaves places it visits as it found them – or better. As you travel with Aurora,it hopes you develop a deeper understanding of the natural forces shaping our world. By creating lifelong environmental ambassadors, Aurora aims to preserve the wild places for future generations.

If you're a solo traveller, welcome on board!

Aurora Expeditions welcomes many solo travellers on its trips, and their numbers are increasing each year. Maybe it's simply the nature of the expeditions, but Aurora understands what a big step it is for many to set off on their own. To address this, Aurora has developed its informal 'cabin-mate finding service' that matches solo travellers with a cabin mate of the same gender. And it has had great success so far! Aurora Expeditions' small groups and relaxed atmosphere make it easy to make new friends (and remember everyone's name!), and the inspiring destinations are a great conversation starter. Plus, by sharing a cabin you'll also avoid paying any extra 'single supplements'. You might arrive alone, but Aurora can guarantee that you'll go home with lifelong friends.