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Adventure Life VOYAGES
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1655 S 3rd St. W, Ste 1
Missoula MT, 59801 USA

Ship:  Spirit of Discovery

Itinerary:  Whales and Wilderness + Kantishna Roadhouse

click to enlarge
  Reindeer looking for the herd

 cabins & deck plans  |  additional itineraries |  cancellation policy

Our Wilderness Inside Passage journeys are designed to take you far from the mainstream within the hidden reaches of Alaska's magnificent Inside Passage. You will explore spectacular fjords inhabited only by mountain goats, seals, and black bears. Add a visit to some of the most remote wilderness lodges anywhere for a true adventure experience!

Day 1 : Arrive in Fairbanks

Transfer to Pike’s Waterfront Lodge on arrival. Meet your exploration leader and fellow travelers at a wine and cheese reception.

Day 2 : Fairbanks Sightseeing, Riverboat

Fairbanks sightseeing includes the University of Alaska Museum of the North and the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, which winds its way some 880 miles. Cruise on the Chena and Tanana Rivers on an authentic sternwheeler riverboat. Lunch is included at the historic Pumphouse Restaurant. Stay overnight at Pike’s Waterfront Lodge. BLD

Day 3 : To Kantishna Roadhouse

Transfer to the train station to board a deluxe domed railcar to travel south to Denali National Park and Preserve. Enjoy breakfast on the train. At Denali National park, motorcoach deep into the wilderness along the Park's sole road, nearly 90 miles from the Park entrance. BD

Days 4-5 : Exploring around Kantishna

For two full days, you will enjoy the unique wonders of Denali National Park's backcountry from the privileged perspective of Kantishna Roadhouse. Hiking, wildlife observation, bird watching, and botanizing in a variety of the Park's landscapes create the foundation for your wilderness experience. Built in 1993, the log lodge is surrounded by 32 full-service cabins. Educational activities are offered every day, and each evening after dinner the Roadhouse staff helps plan activities for the following day. Guided hikes provide an opportunity to learn about the area from the naturalist guides at the Roadhouse. Mountain bikes are available to ride to Wonder Lake or on some of the old mining roads in the area. Gold panning, fly-fishing, and dogsled demonstrations or flightseeing tours are other optional activities. BLD

Day 6 : Denali to Anchorage

Drive out of the park, watching for moose, caribou, Dall's sheep, grizzly bears, and more. At the railroad station board a domed railcar to travel to Anchorage via Broad Pass and Hurricane Gulch. Transfer to the Sheraton Hotel in Anchorage, Alaska's largest city. BD

Day 7 : Fly Anchorage to Juneau

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Juneau. You may have time to explore downtown Juneau before transferring to the ship to begin your cruise. BD

Day 8 : Icy Strait

Watch for the gentle humpbacks as they feast on tiny krill churned by waters from the Pacific Ocean. Watch for the behaviors you may see them exhibit. Spouting. Sounding. Breaching. Tail slapping. Fin smacking. Lunge feeding. Even rare bubble feeding if you’re very, very lucky. The tiny Inian Islands stand between you and the open waters of the Gulf of Alaska, with enticing opportunities to get out there and explore by inflatable craft. Be sure to keep an eye out for Steller's sea lions, orcas, harbor seals, and porpoise. BLD

Day 9 : Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve

Declared by many to be the most extraordinary and untouched place in the world, Glacier Bay was first established as a National Monument in 1925 and has since enjoyed the highly protected status of National Park, Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site. Glacier Bay National Park shows you the earth in transition. The glaciers here are receding rapidly, leaving in their wake scoured cliffs and deep fjords. Watch for sea birds and Steller's sea lions off of South Marble Island and admire the 15,000-foot peak of Mt. Fairweather, the steepest climb from sea level in the world. Glide past massive glaciers of all varieties (hanging, tidewater, and valley) and absorb the expert guidance of a National Park Ranger and a Native Cultural Interpreter who board your small ship and stay throughout your visit. BLD

Day 10 : Wilderness Community

For those lucky and hearty few who call this wilderness home, "traffic" takes on a whole new meaning! We will port call at one of a handful of small Alaskan villages to briefly get a taste of what it would be like to be part of a community that rests in the wild and off-the-beaten-path part of the world. BLD

Day 11 : Sitka

This beautiful little city is thought by many to be the “jewel of the Inside Passage.” Its setting alone is breathtaking. While big ships must plow through miles of open ocean and moor far from the tiny docks, your small ship will come to Sitka “through the back door,” threading through beautiful Peril Strait and navigating the delicate passage through Sergius Narrows where tides challenge all but the most expert mariner’s skill. Enjoy the peaceful setting as you stroll amongst the totems at the beautiful Sitka National Historic Park, or choose other optional excursions to further explore the gem of Baranof island. BLD

Day 12 : Frederick Sound and Wilderness Exploration

Frederick Sound teems with the humpback whale’s favorite food – and the whales take full advantage, feeding in the rich waters as they prepare for their long migration south. Once they leave Alaska waters at summer’s end, these giant creatures will not eat again until they return next year. This afternoon you’ll discover the joys of “gunkholing,” a nautical term that means, among other things, “exploring at leisure.” Your Captain and Exploration Leader know these waters intimately – and each voyage is likely to be different, depending on what magic they find to share with you. BLD

Day 13 : Tracy Arm

Many travelers consider these narrow fjords the most spectacular spots in Alaska. Sheer cliffs rise thousands of feet from waterline to snowcapped peaks, their sides studded and stunning waterfalls. And there's the ice. Conditions permitting, your crew will welcome you into inflatable excursion craft to explore the waters and shorelines amid bouncing bergie bits calved from ancient glaciers. BLD

Day 14 : Arrive in Juneau / Disembark / Return Home

Disembark in Juneau this morning, and we'll escort you to the airport. B

Ship Description: Spirit of Discovery

click to enlarge
  Spirit of Discovery

The first thing guests notice when stepping into the Discovery Lounge aboard the 84-guest Spirit of Discovery is light, air, and views - wide picture windows port and starboard, and a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows facing forward. Backing the delightful scene are a bar and library with exquisitely detailed woodworking.

Every category stateroom offers a wide view window, many of which open for you to enjoy fresh breezes. Ample outside deck space and easy access to the extra-roomy bow area are perfect spots to view the sights around you.

BBB 110 sq. ft. One upper berth and one lower berth, and large view window.	A 110sq. ft. Two single beds and large view window. Cabin 302 has one double bed.
AA 92 sq. ft. Two single beds and large view window.	AAA 104 sq. ft. Two single beds and large view window.
Deluxe One queen bed, writing desk, chair, TV monitor/VCR, refrigerator and large view window.	Single One single bed and large view window.