Alaska and British Columbia – Inside Passage, Bears and Aleutian Islands

Step into the adventure


Alaska
© HUR

Duration: 18 days
Starts: Vancouver, Canada
Ends: Vancouver, Canada
Language: English speaking voyage

* Similar itinerary runs opposite, starting in Anchorage towards Vancouver, please ask for more information


Included
Optional


This voyage takes you on a journey from Vancouver to Alaska’s Misty Fjords and Icy Bay, and the mixed heritage towns of Wrangell and Sitka. Spot bald eagles in the fishing village of Chignik Bay and other rare birds on the isolated islands of St. Paul and St. Matthew in the Bering Sea. We’ll also visit Katmai National Park to look for brown and black bears.

Itinerary

© HUR
© HUR
© HUR

Day 1 Vancouver, Canada - Start of the Expedition
From the boutiques on Main Street to the coffee shops of Commercial Drive, the steam clock in Gastown or the heritage-house beachfronts of Kitsilano, you’ll quickly find out why this coastal metropolis is consistently voted one of the world’s most livable cities. Add an optional Pre-Program train ride aboard the famous Rocky Mountaineer.

Day 2 At Sea - Cruising the Canadian Inside Passage
Sailing south into the open ocean, we spend a few hours journeying through the Inside Passage, such as Grenville Channel and Princess Royal Channel. Enjoy exceptional views of tranquil fjords and mountains covered in evergreen forests. Unlike other cruise ships that normally pass through the area at night, you’ll be able to see this sublime summer scenery during the day.

Day 3 Misty Fjords National Monument - Unspoiled Wilderness
Misty Fjords National Monument is a realm of thick evergreen rainforests, mountain rivers, granite cliffs adorned by strips of waterfalls, and wetlands along the coast, often with milky fog filling the bays and coves. Weather permitting, you will explore the area in our small expedition boats or kayaks.

Day 4 Wrangell Alaska - Soul of Alaska
One of the oldest island towns in Alaska, Wrangell has been governed by four different nations – Tlingit, Russian, British and United States. Numerous petroglyphs on the beach and moss-covered totem poles depict the distant past of this area. Outside of the main cruise ship routes, Wrangell remains a simple fishing town.

Day 5 Sitka, Alaska - Sitka, Blended Cultures
Sitka enjoys views of the Sisters Mountains and of Mount Edgecumbe, a dormant volcano. The former capital of Alaska when it belonged to Russia, this historic town is now a blend of cultures. Wander around the Russian Orthodox St. Michael’s Cathedral, or visit nearby Stika National Historical Park, which has many ornate Tlingit totem poles on display.
Watch for harbor seals resting on ice in the sound.

Day 6 Icy Bay - Tidal Glaciers
Icy Bay lives up to its name. Located in Prince William Sound, the spectacular scenery here has formed during the past 100 years with the retreat of three prominent glaciers that still feed ice into the bay. Our goal is to explore Guyot Glacier. The day’s weather and glacier ice conditions will determine which areas we can visit.

Day 7 At Sea - Serenity at Sea
Enjoy a day at sea. Our Expedition Team continues its lecture program, sharing its extensive knowledge and experience, as well as summarizing the voyage so far and presenting plans for the exciting days ahead

Day 8 Kodiak, Alaska - Emerald Isle City
The bustling city of Kodiak sits on Alaska’s largest island, surrounded by verdant forest. Take a walk in Fort Abercrombie State Historic Park, home to bunkers from WWII as well as ocean and forest wildlife. Also make sure to visit Baranov Museum, the oldest standing building in Alaska, which chronicles Kodiak’s diverse history.

Day 9 Geographic Harbor / Kukak Bay / Kinak Bay - Seeking out Brown Bears
Katmai National Park´s Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes is a dramatic volcanic landscape, with mountains rising to almost 3,000 feet. Here we hope to find brown bears as they forage along the shore for clams, and lunch on berries or fish in the clear running waters of the mountain streams.

Day 10 Chignik - Where the Aleutian Mountains meet the Gulf of Alaska
In the small village of Chignik Bay, red salmon fishing has been at the core of the community’s economy for over a century. Stop in at the fish factory, meet the welcoming locals, or explore the salmon streams in the scenic surroundings. Scan the shores to spot the 20 or so waterfowl species, and the skies for bald eagles.

Day 11 Unga Village, Alaska - Alaskan Ghost Town
Unga Village is a picturesque but abandoned town on the southern end of uninhabited Unga Island in the remote Aleutian Islands. Settled by Aleuts in 1833, subsistence fishing proved insufficient to support the community, which later moved in 1969. Today, a collection of wooden buildings is all that remains, surrounded by a carpet of pink louseworts.

Day 12 Dutch Harbor / Unalaska - Largest Fishing Port in the US
As we sail towards Unalaska, better known as Dutch Harbor, you will see Mount Makushin, a steaming volcano almost 6,000-feet high. The popular TV show “Deadliest Catch” is based here, featuring local fishing crews. Stop in at the Museum of the Aleutians, view the Russian Orthodox Church, or spot some of the more-than-600 bald eagles around town.

Day 13 At Sea - Lectures and Relaxing
MS Roald Amundsen continues north from the Aleutian Islands through the Bering Sea and towards our next stop at St. Paul. The Expedition Team prepares you for our upcoming destinations and continues its lecture series.

Day 14 St. Paul, Alaska - Birdwatching Haven
The island of St. Paul is an ideal resting point for migrating birds, attracting some 300 species, including horned and tufted puffins, red-legged kittiwakes, and Pribilof sandpipers. About half of the world’s northern fur seal population lives in the waters here. They will be busy nursing new-borns when you visit in mid-July.

Day 15 St. Matthew Island, Alaska - Deserted Island in the Bering Sea
Coming ashore on the black sand beaches of isolated St. Matthew Island, we will be the only humans here. The island lies more than 200 miles from the nearest village, home only to nesting seabirds like murres and cormorants, the native St. Matthew Island vole and the Arctic fox.

Day 16 At sea - Crossing the International Date Line
Spend your last day at sea spotting whales on deck, chatting with new friends, recapping your voyage with the Expedition Team in the Science Center, or just watching the world sail by. During the day, we will also cross the international date line – heading into tomorrow for a short while, before sailing back into today!

Day 17 Nome, Alaska - There’s No Place Like Nome
Set at the tip of the Seward Peninsula, overlooking the Bering Sea, Nome is perhaps the most famous gold rush town in Alaskan history. There are artefacts of the gold rush era to be seen everywhere, including abandoned dredges, turn-of-the-century steam engines, and old railroad tracks. Transfer to the airport and fly to Vancouver for an overnight stay.

Day 18 Vancouver - End of the Expedition
Your expedition ends back in Vancouver. Extend your holiday and spend some extra time in this vibrant city. Make the most of the summer weather and cycle around Stanley Park, or enjoy the scenic views from the Sea-to-Sky Gondola. Richmond Night Market boasts endless food stalls while Granville Island is the artsy hub.

Itinerary

Day 1 Vancouver, Canada - Start of the Expedition
From the boutiques on Main Street to the coffee shops of Commercial Drive, the steam clock in Gastown or the heritage-house beachfronts of Kitsilano, you’ll quickly find out why this coastal metropolis is consistently voted one of the world’s most livable cities. Add an optional Pre-Program train ride aboard the famous Rocky Mountaineer.

Day 2 At Sea - Cruising the Canadian Inside Passage
Sailing south into the open ocean, we spend a few hours journeying through the Inside Passage, such as Grenville Channel and Princess Royal Channel. Enjoy exceptional views of tranquil fjords and mountains covered in evergreen forests. Unlike other cruise ships that normally pass through the area at night, you’ll be able to see this sublime summer scenery during the day.

Day 3 Misty Fjords National Monument - Unspoiled Wilderness
Misty Fjords National Monument is a realm of thick evergreen rainforests, mountain rivers, granite cliffs adorned by strips of waterfalls, and wetlands along the coast, often with milky fog filling the bays and coves. Weather permitting, you will explore the area in our small expedition boats or kayaks.

Day 4 Wrangell Alaska - Soul of Alaska
One of the oldest island towns in Alaska, Wrangell has been governed by four different nations – Tlingit, Russian, British and United States. Numerous petroglyphs on the beach and moss-covered totem poles depict the distant past of this area. Outside of the main cruise ship routes, Wrangell remains a simple fishing town.

Day 5 Sitka, Alaska - Sitka, Blended Cultures
Sitka enjoys views of the Sisters Mountains and of Mount Edgecumbe, a dormant volcano. The former capital of Alaska when it belonged to Russia, this historic town is now a blend of cultures. Wander around the Russian Orthodox St. Michael’s Cathedral, or visit nearby Stika National Historical Park, which has many ornate Tlingit totem poles on display.
Watch for harbor seals resting on ice in the sound.

Day 6 Icy Bay - Tidal Glaciers
Icy Bay lives up to its name. Located in Prince William Sound, the spectacular scenery here has formed during the past 100 years with the retreat of three prominent glaciers that still feed ice into the bay. Our goal is to explore Guyot Glacier. The day’s weather and glacier ice conditions will determine which areas we can visit.

Day 7 At Sea - Serenity at Sea
Enjoy a day at sea. Our Expedition Team continues its lecture program, sharing its extensive knowledge and experience, as well as summarizing the voyage so far and presenting plans for the exciting days ahead

Day 8 Kodiak, Alaska - Emerald Isle City
The bustling city of Kodiak sits on Alaska’s largest island, surrounded by verdant forest. Take a walk in Fort Abercrombie State Historic Park, home to bunkers from WWII as well as ocean and forest wildlife. Also make sure to visit Baranov Museum, the oldest standing building in Alaska, which chronicles Kodiak’s diverse history.

Day 9 Geographic Harbor / Kukak Bay / Kinak Bay - Seeking out Brown Bears
Katmai National Park´s Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes is a dramatic volcanic landscape, with mountains rising to almost 3,000 feet. Here we hope to find brown bears as they forage along the shore for clams, and lunch on berries or fish in the clear running waters of the mountain streams.

Day 10 Chignik - Where the Aleutian Mountains meet the Gulf of Alaska
In the small village of Chignik Bay, red salmon fishing has been at the core of the community’s economy for over a century. Stop in at the fish factory, meet the welcoming locals, or explore the salmon streams in the scenic surroundings. Scan the shores to spot the 20 or so waterfowl species, and the skies for bald eagles.

Day 11 Unga Village, Alaska - Alaskan Ghost Town
Unga Village is a picturesque but abandoned town on the southern end of uninhabited Unga Island in the remote Aleutian Islands. Settled by Aleuts in 1833, subsistence fishing proved insufficient to support the community, which later moved in 1969. Today, a collection of wooden buildings is all that remains, surrounded by a carpet of pink louseworts.

Day 12 Dutch Harbor / Unalaska - Largest Fishing Port in the US
As we sail towards Unalaska, better known as Dutch Harbor, you will see Mount Makushin, a steaming volcano almost 6,000-feet high. The popular TV show “Deadliest Catch” is based here, featuring local fishing crews. Stop in at the Museum of the Aleutians, view the Russian Orthodox Church, or spot some of the more-than-600 bald eagles around town.

Day 13 At Sea - Lectures and Relaxing
MS Roald Amundsen continues north from the Aleutian Islands through the Bering Sea and towards our next stop at St. Paul. The Expedition Team prepares you for our upcoming destinations and continues its lecture series.

Day 14 St. Paul, Alaska - Birdwatching Haven
The island of St. Paul is an ideal resting point for migrating birds, attracting some 300 species, including horned and tufted puffins, red-legged kittiwakes, and Pribilof sandpipers. About half of the world’s northern fur seal population lives in the waters here. They will be busy nursing new-borns when you visit in mid-July.

Day 15 St. Matthew Island, Alaska - Deserted Island in the Bering Sea
Coming ashore on the black sand beaches of isolated St. Matthew Island, we will be the only humans here. The island lies more than 200 miles from the nearest village, home only to nesting seabirds like murres and cormorants, the native St. Matthew Island vole and the Arctic fox.

Day 16 At sea - Crossing the International Date Line
Spend your last day at sea spotting whales on deck, chatting with new friends, recapping your voyage with the Expedition Team in the Science Center, or just watching the world sail by. During the day, we will also cross the international date line – heading into tomorrow for a short while, before sailing back into today!

Day 17 Nome, Alaska - There’s No Place Like Nome
Set at the tip of the Seward Peninsula, overlooking the Bering Sea, Nome is perhaps the most famous gold rush town in Alaskan history. There are artefacts of the gold rush era to be seen everywhere, including abandoned dredges, turn-of-the-century steam engines, and old railroad tracks. Transfer to the airport and fly to Vancouver for an overnight stay.

Day 18 Vancouver - End of the Expedition
Your expedition ends back in Vancouver. Extend your holiday and spend some extra time in this vibrant city. Make the most of the summer weather and cycle around Stanley Park, or enjoy the scenic views from the Sea-to-Sky Gondola. Richmond Night Market boasts endless food stalls while Granville Island is the artsy hub.


© HUR
© HUR
© HUR


INCLUSIONS

Flights:
Flight in coach class from Nome to Vancouver at the end of your voyage

Hotel:
One night in a hotel in Vancouver after the expedition cruise, including breakfast

Transfers:
Transfer from ship to airport in Nome
Transfer from airport to hotel after the expedition cruise in Vancouver

Expedition Cruise:
Expedition cruise in a cabin of your choice
Breakfast, lunch and dinner including beverages (house beer and wine, sodas, and mineral water) in restaurants Aune and Fredheim
À la carte restaurant Lindstrøm included for suite guests
Complimentary tea and coffee
Complimentary Wi-Fi onboard. Be aware that we sail in remote areas with limited connection. Streaming is not supported.
Complimentary reusable water bottle to use at water refill stations onboard
English-speaking Expedition Team who organize and accompany activities onboard and ashore
Range of included excursions

Onboard Activities:
Experts on the Expedition Team deliver in-depth lectures on a variety of topics
Use of the ship’s Science Center which has an extensive library and advanced biological and geological microscopes
Citizen Science program allows guests to assist with live scientific research
Professional onboard photographer gives top tips and tricks for the best landscape and wildlife photos
Use of the ship’s hot tubs, infinity pool, panoramic sauna, outdoor and indoor gyms, and outdoor running track
Informal gatherings with the crew such as daily recaps and preparation for the day to come

Landing Activities:
Escorted landings with small expedition boats
Loan of boots, trekking poles, and all equipment for activities
Complimentary wind and water-resistant expedition jacket
Expedition photographers help with your camera settings before landings

EXCLUSIONS

International flights
Travel protection plan
Luggage handling
Optional shore excursions with our local partners
Optional small-group activities with our Expedition Team
Optional treatments in the onboard wellness and spa area

Notes:
All planned activities are subject to weather conditions
Excursions and activities are subject to change
Please check visa requirements for the US and Canada
No gratuities expected


* The prices are per person in US Dollars, unless expressly specified in a different currency. In that case, payment will be in US dollars at the exchange rate of the day.
** All prices will be re-confirmed by email at the time of booking.
NOTE: Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy—and excitement—of expedition travel. When traveling in extremely remote regions, your expedition staff must allow the sea, the ice and the weather to guide route and itinerary details. This itinerary is a tentative outline of what you’ll experience on this voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed.

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