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Alaska's Inside Passage

  • 8 days
  • Aboard the National Geographic Sea Lion or Sea Bird
  • Explore Alaska's remote wilderness with a team of experts
Request a ReservationClick to see dates

Expedition Details

Experience the remarkable beauty of southeastern Alaska on a voyage into a land of mist-shrouded fjords, tidewater glaciers, and islands teeming with wildlife. Sailing aboard the National Geographic Sea Lion or the National Geographic Sea Bird, search for orcas and humpback whales, kayak around dramatic icebergs, spend a full day in Glacier Bay National Park, and learn about Alaska's rich Native American heritage.

Trip Highlights

  • Sail aboard the comfortable 62-passenger expedition ship National Geographic Sea Bird or National Geographic Sea Lion, equipped with Zodiacs and sea kayaks.
  • Kayak into protected lagoons and look for sea otters, seabirds, and whales.
  • Hike through lush forest trails to cascading waterfalls, and take a Zodiac into sheltered coves where brown bears feed.
  • Watch for calving ice in the iceberg-laden waters of Glacier Bay National Park.

Itinerary - 8 Days

Day 1 — Seattle/Juneau, Alaska

Fly from Seattle to Juneau, the capital of Alaska. Visit the imposing Mendenhall Glacier and the Alaska State Museum, an excellent introduction to Alaska's natural history and cultures. There is time to explore Juneau on your own before we embark the ship in the late afternoon.
(D)

Day 2 — Tracy Arm Fjord

Enter Tracy Arm, a spectacular 22-mile-long fjord where waterfalls cascade from towering, glacially carved walls. We maneuver among large icebergs, keeping an eye out for feeding bears on the shoreline and mountain goats on the cliffs above.
(B,L,D)

Day 3 — Petersburg

Discover the small town of Petersburg on Mitkof Island, founded more than 100 years ago by rugged Norwegian fishermen. A visit to Petersburg provides a glimpse of a true Alaskan town. There is an opportunity for optional flight-seeing via floatplane or helicopter over nearby LeConte Glacier (weather permitting) and for hikes on forest trails. Later, cruise out to look for whales in the southern part of Frederick Sound, or explore LeConte Bay, a virtual sculpture garden of grounded icebergs.
(B,L,D)

Day 4 — Exploring Frederick Sound and Chatham Strait

These waters often make for great whale watching. Look for Steller sea lions hauled out on the rocky islands that dot the channels. Take a walk with naturalists along a quiet forest trail or kayak in the tiny coves in this area.
(B,L,D)

Day 5 — Point Adolphus/Chichagof Island

Look for humpback whales at Point Adolphus, a favored feeding area. Then cruise along the northern coastline of Chichagof Island and find playful sea otters. Keep an eye out for eagles, which are commonplace in the surrounding Tongass National Forest, the largest national forest in the United States. and meadows of wildflowers.
(B,L,D)

Day 6 — Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve

Spend the day exploring magnificent Glacier Bay, where enormous glaciers flow from the ice fields far above. Watch and hear glaciers calving as tons of ice crash into the sea. Venture near islets that are home to seabirds such as puffins and guillemots, and look for humpback whales and orcas. Walk ashore among towering spruce trees and meadows of wildflowers.
(B,L,D)

Day 7 — Exploring Alaska's Islands, Bays, and Fjords

Beachcomb, hike forest trails, explore by kayak, or cruise along Admiralty Island, where the massive brown bear is found, along with perhaps the world's highest density of nesting bald eagles. If conditions permit, explore the coastlines of some remote islands by kayak. Enjoy a farewell dinner this evening.
(B,L,D)

Day 8 — Sitka/Seattle

After breakfast, disembark in Sitka, a unique town with a strong Russian heritage. Visit St. Michael's Russian Orthodox Cathedral, a striking testament to Alaska's roots prior to the U.S. purchase of the territory from Russia. Then explore Sitka National Historical Park, where totem poles line serene wooded trails. In the early afternoon, transfer to the airport for the flight to Seattle.
(B)

Optional Extensions

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Expedition Team

Accompanying each expedition is a diverse team of experts — from naturalists to regional specialists — who will share their knowledge and insights on the wildlife, landscapes, and local culture. See one of the members of our extraordinary team below.

Flip Nicklin

Flip NicklinNational Geographic photographer and marine biologist Flip Nicklin is widely regarded as one of the world's leading photographers of whales. His majestic photos and amazing audio tracks of humpbacks and killer whales have been featured in numerous National Geographic magazines and television specials. Flip migrates with the humpbacks, spending summers in the Pacific Northwest and the Gulf of Alaska, and winters off Maui in Hawaii.

Flip will join the following departure:

Jul 19 - 26, 2009

Expedition Photo Gallery

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Lindblad/National Geographic Logo

This trip is offered in association with Lindblad Expeditions.

Expedition Dates

2009 2010 All
2009
  • Jul 04 - 11, 2009 [SB]
  • Jul 11 - 18, 2009 [SB]
  • Jul 12 - 19, 2009 [SL]
  • Jul 18 - 25, 2009 [SB]
  • Jul 19 - 26, 2009 [SL]
  • Jul 25 - Aug 01, 2009 [SB]
  • Jul 26 - Aug 02, 2009 [SL]
  • Aug 01 - 08, 2009 [SB]
  • Aug 02 - 09, 2009 [SL]
  • Aug 08 - 15, 2009 [SB]
  • Aug 15 - 22, 2009 [SB]
  • Aug 16 - 23, 2009 [SL]
  • Aug 22 - 29, 2009 [SB]
  • Aug 23 - 30, 2009 [SL]
  • Aug 29 - Sep 05, 2009 [SB]
  • Aug 30 - Sep 06, 2009 [SL]

2010 dates »

2010
  • May 08 - 15, 2010 [SL]
  • May 09 - 16, 2010 [SB]
  • May 15 - 22, 2010 [SL]
  • May 16 - 23, 2010 [SB]
  • May 22 - 29, 2010 [SL]
  • May 23 - 30, 2010 [SB]
  • May 29 - Jun 05, 2010 [SL]
  • May 30 - Jun 06, 2010 [SB]
  • Jun 05 - 12, 2010 [SL]
  • Jun 06 - 13, 2010 [SB]
  • Jun 12 - 19, 2010 [SL]
  • Jun 13 - 20, 2010 [SB]
  • Jun 19 - 26, 2010 [SL]
  • Jun 20 - 27, 2010 [SB]
  • Jun 26 - Jul 03, 2010 [SL]
  • Jun 27 - Jul 04, 2010 [SB]
  • Jul 03 - 10, 2010 [SL]
  • Jul 10 - 17, 2010 [SL]
  • Jul 11 - 18, 2010 [SB]
  • Jul 17 - 24, 2010 [SL]
  • Jul 18 - 25, 2010 [SB]
  • Jul 24 - 31, 2010 [SL]
  • Jul 31 - Aug 07, 2010 [SL]
  • Aug 01 - 08, 2010 [SB]
  • Aug 07 - 14, 2010 [SL]
  • Aug 14 - 21, 2010 [SL]
  • Aug 15 - 22, 2010 [SB]
  • Aug 21 - 28, 2010 [SL]
  • Aug 22 - 29, 2010 [SB]
  • Aug 28 - Sep 04, 2010 [SL]
  • Aug 29 - Sep 05, 2010 [SB]

« 2009 dates

Indicates trip operates in reverse. Click here to see the reverse itinerary .

[SL] National Geographic Sea Lion
[SB] National Geographic Sea Bird

Expedition Costs

2009 2010 All
2009
Prices for the 2009 season.
Category 1 $5,390
Category 2 $6,190
Category 3 $7,120

2010 costs »

2010
Prices for the 2010 season.
Category 1 $5,650
Category 2 $6,490
Category 3 $7,470

« 2009 costs

View Ship/Deck Plan Prices are per person, double occupancy. For a single cabin in 2009, add $2,690 in Category 1 and $3,100 in Category 2. For a single cabin in 2010, add $2,820 in Category 1 and $3,240 in Category 2. Airfare is not included in the expedition cost. Round-trip economy airfare from Seattle to Juneau, and return from Sitka, is $600 (subject to change).

Third person rates are available in a limited number of Category 3 cabins at one half the double occupancy rate.

Special Offer

Save 20% on departures prior to May 22 and 15% off departures between May 22 and June 12 when you book by October 26, 2009.

Request a ReservationClick to see dates
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