See bears, whales and glaciers – all in one tour. This exciting program includes visits to Juneau, Alaska from where you travel by a float plane to view the majestic bears of Admiralty Island plus a whale watching cruise with glacier viewing in Glacier Bay National Park. Glacier Bay is part of a bi-national UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cruise the pristine waters that are the summer feeding grounds for humpback whales, and keep an eye out for a wide variety of marine mammals and birds.
Southeast Alaska, perhaps better known as the Inside Passage, is a magical place of lush coastal rainforest, deep blue fjords, rich Alaska history and abundant wildlife. This independent and multi-faceted Alaska vacation in the Southeast, features a National Park lodge and showcasing some of the best Alaska marine wildlife and glacier viewing.
Due to the included activities, guests booking this program should be in good physical conditions. Guests need to be able to get in and out of a floatplane, step down into knee high water, and wade to shore without a railing/support or assistance. In addition guests need to be able to walk on uneven terrain and be on their feet for up to 2 hours at a time.
Juneau Arrival
Arrive in Juneau at any time and transfer on your own to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to sightsee in Alaska’s capital city. Attractions include the newly updated State of Alaska Museum and the Mendenhall Glacier. Overnight in Juneau.
Juneau
Depending on your final itinerary, today is at your leisure to explore Juneau. Admission to Mt. Roberts tram is included. Other attractions include the Capitol Building, Glacier Gardens, and the Alaskan Brewery. Overnight in Juneau.
Juneau
The tour starts from the Juneau International Airport (transfers to/from airport on own). Here you will receive an orientation and then you will board a classic Alaska float plane for an approximate 25 minute flight to Admiralty Island. Along the way, your guide will point out the topography and natural features of Admiralty Island seen out the window. You may be lucky and see whales or bears on the beach as you approach the island! Your aircraft will land on the water and taxi to the beach where you will disembark. Once on the beach, you will spend the next 5 hours in bear country, walking about a mile within the viewing estuary where bears are likely to be seen foraging or fishing for salmon. Overnight in Juneau.
Juneau to Gustavus
Transfer to the Juneau airport this morning on your own. Here you will board a small plane for a 25-minute scenic flight to Gustavus, the gateway to Glacier Bay National Park. On arrival you will be met by a representative and transferred to your accommodations. Overnight at Glacier Bay Lodge.
Glacier Bay National Park
This afternoon, enjoy a 3.5 hour whale watching cruise to Icy Strait and Point Adolphus to see humpback whales in their summer feeding grounds. The whales' unique feeding techniques, acrobatics and vocalizations make this tour unforgettable. Overnight at Glacier Bay Lodge.
Gustavus to Juneau
Depart from Bartlett Cove for your 8-hour narrated cruise of Glacier Bay National Park. Watch for whales, Stellar sea lions, puffins and sea otters as the high-speed catamaran cruises through the park to the face of the Margerie and Grand Pacific Glaciers, two of 16 tidewater glaciers found in the park. You may even be fortunate enough to see glacier calving (ice falling off into the ocean). Lunch is included and park rangers are aboard to provide interpretive information. The boat will return in the late afternoon and you will be transferred to the Gustavus airport for your flight back to Juneau (flight may be in small plane). Overnight in Juneau.
Juneau Departure
Today enjoy time in Juneau before continuing your Alaska exploration.
VERY IMPORTANT NOTES: The order of the this program will be adjusted based on availability. You may first visit Glacier Bay National Park and do the bear viewing tour at the end of the program. We need to keep the order flexible as availability for this program can be very limited! Flights to/from Gustavus are typically in small planes with luggage weight restrictions. Those flights as well as the bear viewing tour to Admiralty Island are weather dependent!
To complete this reservation we will need for each person: Full name including middle name(s), gender, date of birth and body weight.
The program will include a combination of hotels or motels that are considered moderate to standard tourist class. Please be aware not all hotels have shuttle services.
If you would like to book the standard program but with upgraded rail seating, the option and surcharge will be listed when you save to your cart.
The program will include standard rooms at this category of hotel where possible. Alaska has very limited hotel choices in remote areas and small towns. The properties will typically offer a wider range of services such as a full-service restaurant, room service and perhaps a pool or spa facilities. Please be aware the upgraded accommodations in downtown Anchorage do not have hotel shuttle services. Many of the upgraded hotels also offer guaranteed view rooms for additional cost. If you would like a specific room type, in addition to the upgraded program, please ask us about availability and cost difference.
All journeys between Anchorage and Whittier are in standard seating as deluxe dome cars are not available on that route.
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Call or email us to help plan the perfect Alaskan vacation.
Book the "Bears, Whales & Glaciers Tour", to add these tour add-on's to your reservation.
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