Extraordinary Alaska: Misty Fjords to the Hubbard Glacier

Arrive in Vancouver this afternoon and settle into your cabin aboard the National Geographic Orion. (D)

Trace the wild coastline of British Columbia, exploring inlets and islands and watching for whales, dolphins, bears, deer, and other wildlife. (B,L,D)

Visit magnificent Misty Fjords National Monument, where sheer cliffs, pine-covered slopes, and snowcapped peaks tower more than 2,000 feet above a sparkling blue fjord. Set out by Zodiac and kayak to explore the thick forests along the shoreline and discover hidden waterfalls cascading from the mountaintops high above. (B,L,D)

Enter the placid waters of Totem Bay and take kayaks or Zodiacs along the coastline to see the unusual rock formations that gave the bay its name. Go beachcombing with naturalists, learning about the creatures of the intertidal zone. Continue along Sumner Strait, on the lookout for humpbacks and killer whales. As we pass Kuiu Island, watch for wildlife on the shore, including Sitka black-tailed deer, moose, black bears, wolves, and bald eagles. (B,L,D)

Cross the Frederick Sound to the Chatham Strait, prime waters for observing killer whales and humpbacks. With luck, we’ll be able to watch some of their behavior from on deck, hearing insights on feeding, breaching, and more from the onboard naturalists. Look for Steller sea lions stretched out on the rocky islands that dot the channels. Meet members of the Alaska Whale Foundation (their schedule permitting)—whose work is supported by a grant from the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic Fund—and discuss their recent studies on the region's marine mammals. (B,L,D)

Today, nature is our guide as we set forth with the flexibility to take advantage of the wildlife and weather conditions. We may stop at an isolated beach to take a closer look at tide pools, beachcomb, and hike stunning forest trails. Keep an eye out for old bear tracks worn into the soil as you move from forest to meadow. Sightings of bald eagles are very common. If conditions permit, we’ll do some kayaking, always watching for marine and terrestrial life. (B,L,D)

Enjoy a relaxing morning on the Gulf of Alaska, follow the rugged coast north to Yakutat Bay. Keep an eye out for a glimpse of Mt. Fairweather, which scrapes the sky at over 15,000 feet. Late this afternoon, we’ll enter the bay and head toward the face of Hubbard Glacier, a six-mile-wide sheet of ice within the boundaries of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Depending on ice and conditions, we may deploy our Zodiacs to explore. (B,L,D)

Spend today exploring the nutrient-rich waters where the Pacific Ocean meets the Inside Passage. Cruise among the Inian Islands, where an upwelling of undersea organisms attracts Steller sea lions and other marine life. Paddle a kayak in the calm outer waters of Glacier Bay. Or hike into the lush temperate rainforest, watching for bald eagles and unique flora and fauna. (B,L,D)

Covering the western portions of Chichagof and Yakobi Islands, this protected stretch of the Tongass National Forest is pounded by the Pacific waves, carved with serene bays and inlets, and blanketed with pine forests and muskeg. Get a close-up look at these unique ecosystems on outings by Zodiac or kayak, watching for migratory waterfowl, brown bears, and otters. (B,L,D)

Arrive in Sitka and head to the airport for flights home. (B,L,D)

Arrive in Sitka this afternoon and and transfer to the National Geographic Orion. Settle into your cabin before your welcome dinner. (D)

Covering the western portions of Chichagof and Yakobi Islands, this protected stretch of the Tongass National Forest is pounded by the Pacific waves, carved with serene bays and inlets, and blanketed with pine forests and muskeg. Get a close-up look at these unique ecosystems on outings by Zodiac or kayak, watching for migratory waterfowl, brown bears, and otters. (B,L,D)

Spend today exploring the nutrient-rich waters where the Pacific Ocean meets the Inside Passage. Cruise among the Inian Islands, where an upwelling of undersea organisms attracts Steller sea lions and other marine life. Paddle a kayak in the calm outer waters of Glacier Bay. Or hike into the lush temperate rainforest, watching for bald eagles and unique flora and fauna. (B,L,D)

Enjoy a relaxing morning on the Gulf of Alaska, follow the rugged coast north to Yakutat Bay. Keep an eye out for a glimpse of Mt. Fairweather, which scrapes the sky at over 15,000 feet. Late this afternoon, we’ll enter the bay and head toward the face of Hubbard Glacier, a six-mile-wide sheet of ice within the boundaries of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Depending on ice and conditions, we may deploy our Zodiacs to explore. (B,L,D)

Today, nature is our guide as we set forth with the flexibility to take advantage of the wildlife and weather conditions. We may stop at an isolated beach to take a closer look at tide pools, beachcomb, and hike stunning forest trails. Keep an eye out for old bear tracks worn into the soil as you move from forest to meadow. Sightings of bald eagles are very common. If conditions permit, we’ll do some kayaking, always watching for marine and terrestrial life. (B,L,D)

Cross the Frederick Sound to the Chatham Strait, prime waters for observing killer whales and humpbacks. With luck, we’ll be able to watch some of their behavior from on deck, hearing insights on feeding, breaching, and more from the onboard naturalists. Look for Steller sea lions stretched out on the rocky islands that dot the channels. Meet members of the Alaska Whale Foundation (their schedule permitting)—whose work is supported by a grant from the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic Fund—and discuss their recent studies on the region's marine mammals. (B,L,D)

Enter the placid waters of Totem Bay and take kayaks or Zodiacs along the coastline to see the unusual rock formations that gave the bay its name. Go beachcombing with naturalists, learning about the creatures of the intertidal zone. Continue along Sumner Strait, on the lookout for humpbacks and killer whales. As we pass Kuiu Island, watch for wildlife on the shore, including Sitka black-tailed deer, moose, black bears, wolves, and bald eagles. (B,L,D)

Visit Misty Fjords National Monument, where sheer cliffs, pine-covered slopes, and snowcapped peaks tower more than 2,000 feet above a sparkling blue fjord. Set out by Zodiac and kayak to explore the thick forests along the shoreline and discover hidden waterfalls cascading from the mountaintops high above. (B,L,D)

Trace the wild coastline of British Columbia, exploring inlets and islands and watching for whales, dolphins, bears, deer, and other wildlife. (B,L,D)

Arrive in Vancouver and disembark after breakfast. Transfer to the airport for flights home. (B)