Hear the thunderous crack of calving glaciers. Sail alongside pods of killer whales. See breaching humpbacks and soaring eagles. Feel the stillness in verdant old-growth rainforests. Kayak peaceful coves and coastlines. Explore a land where towering mountains rise from the sea and colossal glaciers carve the living landscape. Coastal brown bears lumber through streams fishing for spawning salmon, and the sea comes alive with feeding whales and playful otters. In the 35 years we’ve been exploring, we have created the richest experience possible in Alaska.
A Remarkable Journey to Alaska, British Columbia & Haida Gwaii
Length
15 days
May
Sep
From
$11,350
Top Highlights
With very special access, spend four days in Haida Gwaii, a UNESCO World Heritage site, learning from Haida interpreters about their nearly lost ancient culture and exploring these remote islands
Sail deep into fjords, narrow channels and hidden coves and bays, searching for humpback whales, dolphins, bears, and eagles
Kayak in Tracy Arm or Endicott Arm for an up-close view of calving glaciers, towering forests, and seals afloat on iridescent icebergs
In wild, roadless places, see spectacular fjords with cascading waterfalls and soaring old-growth forests of spruce and cedar
Explore the picturesque fishing village of Petersburg, and by special permit, spend a full day exploring Glacier Bay National Park
Book by May 31, 2021 to receive free roundtrip airfare from Seattle to Alaska on select departures on Exploring Alaska’s Coastal Wilderness and Wild Alaska Escapes, or free one-way airfare on select departures on Treasures of the Inside Passage: Alaska & British Columbia and A Remarkable Journey to Alaska, British Columbia & Haida Gwaii. Complimentary air is based on economy group flights and must be ticketed by Lindblad Expeditions. In the case that Lindblad's group flight is not available at time of booking, we reserve the right to issue a credit. Baggage fees may be additional. New bookings only and not combinable with other offers or pre- or post-extensions. Call for details.
CELEBRATE LIFE'S MILESTONES
In the spirit of celebration aboard, you and your companions will be entitled to Milestone benefits:
5% off groups of 8 or more; $150 shipboard credit which can be used for gift shop items, or most shipboard items including the LEXspa, the ship’s bar and dining room; complimentary video chronicle; complimentary custom photograph of you and your guests taken by the LEX-NG Photo Instructor to capture the moment; complimentary specially served decorated cake; special welcome gift in your cabin.
For new Exploring Alaska's Coastal Wilderness departure bookings only. Milestone celebration needs to be communicated at time of booking, amenity package is one per group and intended for the guest celebrating the Milestone event. Group discount is applicable to cruise portion only, and does not apply towards additional services such as hotels, extensions, etc. Group cancellation terms also apply. Not combinable with certain offers. Valid for groups of 8 or more.
Travel aboard any National Geographic Orion or National Geographic Resolution departure and we will cover your bar tab and all tips for the crew.
BE OUR GUEST: COMPLIMENTARY PRE-VOYAGE HOTEL NIGHT
Complimentary pre-voyage hotel night at Hilton Downtown Anchorage. Subject to availability, not applicable on extensions, and may not be combined with other offers.
Travel aboard any National Geographic Orion or National Geographic Resolution departure and we will cover your bar tab and all tips for the crew.
BE OUR GUEST: COMPLIMENTARY PRE-VOYAGE HOTEL NIGHT
Complimentary pre-voyage hotel night at Hilton Downtown Anchorage. Subject to availability, not applicable on extensions, and may not be combined with other offers.
Hike through lush forests and muskegs, kayak into secluded inlets, and cruise by Zodiac among electric blue icebergs and curious wildlife
By special permit, spend a full day exploring Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
If schedules permit, our conservation partners from the Alaska Whale Foundation will come aboard to meet with us and speak about the local whale population
Discover Alaska’s seldom-seen, vibrant marine life revealed by our undersea specialist
Hike and kayak in the wild remote areas of Tongass National Forest by special permit
Book by May 31, 2021 to receive free roundtrip airfare from Seattle to Alaska on select departures on Exploring Alaska’s Coastal Wilderness and Wild Alaska Escapes, or free one-way airfare on select departures on Treasures of the Inside Passage: Alaska & British Columbia and A Remarkable Journey to Alaska, British Columbia & Haida Gwaii. Complimentary air is based on economy group flights and must be ticketed by Lindblad Expeditions. In the case that Lindblad's group flight is not available at time of booking, we reserve the right to issue a credit. Baggage fees may be additional. New bookings only and not combinable with other offers or pre- or post-extensions. Call for details.
CELEBRATE LIFE'S MILESTONES
In the spirit of celebration aboard, you and your companions will be entitled to Milestone benefits:
5% off groups of 8 or more; $150 shipboard credit which can be used for gift shop items, or most shipboard items including the LEXspa, the ship’s bar and dining room; complimentary video chronicle; complimentary custom photograph of you and your guests taken by the LEX-NG Photo Instructor to capture the moment; complimentary specially served decorated cake; special welcome gift in your cabin.
For new Exploring Alaska's Coastal Wilderness departure bookings only. Milestone celebration needs to be communicated at time of booking, amenity package is one per group and intended for the guest celebrating the Milestone event. Group discount is applicable to cruise portion only, and does not apply towards additional services such as hotels, extensions, etc. Group cancellation terms also apply. Not combinable with certain offers. Valid for groups of 8 or more.
This is the Alaska of legend — to experience it you have to go deep. Venture into narrow fjords, where virgin rock that has never before been seen or touched by humans is now being exposed by receding glacier. Go into remote bays to linger and observe whales going about the slow business of their daily lives. Walk through temperate rainforests on trails worn into the spongy earth by foraging bears. Venture into small towns, populated by hardy, friendly souls to discover the way life has been lived in Alaska for centuries. Meet First Nations people in mutually rewarding encounters and learn their traditions and ways of life. Plus, sail aboard U.S.-built and -flagged ships to minimize time-consuming protocols to clear customs and maximize time exploring.
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Highlights
Everyone was knowledgeable and well able to explain and share their information with anyone. Their enthusiasm is contagious!
Peter & Ann G.
Explore with top expedition teams
See, do and learn more by going with engaging experts who have been exploring this region for decades. Go with an expedition leader, naturalists, and more.
Expedition Leader
Veteran expedition leaders are the orchestrators of your experience. Many have advanced degrees and have conducted research or taught for years. They have achieved expedition leader status because they possess the skills, experience and the depth of knowledge necessary to continually craft the best expedition possible for our guests.
Our naturalists, passionate about the geographies they explore (and return to regularly), illuminate each facet through their enthusiasm and knowledge. Our guests consistently cite the expertise and engaging company of our staff as key reasons to repeatedly travel with us.
Undersea specialists on select expeditions are your eyes on the world that lies beneath the waves. Using an array of tools including a high-definition camera, our Cousteau-like undersea specialist dives frequently during the voyage to show you strikingly clear images of the seldom-seen world beneath the ship.
Every expedition aboard a ship in our National Geographic-flagged fleet offers an exclusive service—a Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic certified photo instructor. This naturalist is specially trained to offer assistance with camera settings, the basics of composition, and to help you become a better, more confident photographer.
Henry David Thoreau called it the "tonic of wildness." It’s what Alaska, with its beauty and wildness intact, gives you—a spirit lift. To compound this healthful effect, add the luxury of comfort to the privilege of being here—with a quality of shipboard life and a philosophy of wellness designed to relax and rejuvenate body, mind, and spirit.
Making a Difference
Lindblad Expeditions supports stewardship efforts in the places we explore, and one way we do that is through the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic (LEX-NG) Fund. Traveler contributions to the LEX-NG Fund in Alaska currently support our regional partner, Alaska Whale Foundation, in its efforts to study and conserve Alaska’s whales and other wildlife.
Back in the U.S. of A! After a far-too-short amount of time in British Colombia we cleared back into the United States as we docked in Friday Harbor, San Juan Islands, Washington. A bitter-sweet feeling as our trip coasted down towards the finish, but a fine day of adventure we had before us. Visiting the iconic Whale Museum of Friday Harbor is always a treat and learning about the legends, facts, and plights of the resident Killer Whales in Washington was great. As the lunch announcement was made, we cast off the lines and sailed for Sucia Island. Translating to “dirty” island, the small group of islets is a navigational trick as many rocky reefs extend offshore. This is due to the unique and beautiful geology there. Many new birds and a few mammals were seen from shore walks and kayaks as we spent the last few daylight hours of our epic trip through the Inside Passage, basking in autumnal sun.
Arriving in Victoria during sunrise was a special treat this morning. Guests were able to choose from a wide variety of activities to enjoy the city. Since pictures speak more than words, I have chosen to provide some snapshots of some of the possibilities.
It was calm and artistically misty as
National Geographic Venture
turned from Graham Reach into Green Inlet this morning. We anchored toward the back of the bay and commenced our activities after breakfast. Bushwackers trodded through boot-sucking mud, lush mosses, muskeg, and enjoyed everything from tracking bear signs to beautiful views of Green Lagoon. Others explored by kayak and Zodiac. Harbor seals, several species of birds, and mink were observed. The remainder of the day was spent enjoying life on board
National Geographic Venture
as we transited south through the scenic waterways of the Inside Passage of British Columbia.
Today was our first day in Canada, in the seaport town of Prince Rupert. Strolls and walks ashore took us to forest trails and an excellent museum, with time for browsing the shops of Cow Bay or appreciating the local catch over a bowl of chowder.
We entered the Straits of Georgia and made our way to our landing at Wallace Island, where we enjoyed a leisurely hike through Madrone and spruce forest along the length of the island. A pleasant and nourishing rain fell as we passed the old caretaker’s cottage, which served several small cottages at a resort for vacationers to the Gulf Islands. We visited a makeshift shrine to various boats, ships, and sailing vessels that had passed through this special place, and we observed the remains of a lone vehicle that hauled wood and supplies for people overnighting on the island. Later in the afternoon, we re-entered U.S. waters in order to pass through customs at Friday Harbor in the San Juan Islands, and we took advantage of our mooring by spending several hours perusing the shops and cafés during our last night on this voyage.
I’ll never forget doing our original reconnaissance in Alaska—soaring in a float plane over such a wild landscape of dense forest, massive glaciers, and endless waterways. Southeast Alaska is simply magical.