Sample Itinerary
Seven Days of Rare Access Within the World’s Largest Intact Temperate Rainforest
The following are sample itineraries, but your particular cruise may be different. The vessel routes change due to the vagaries of weather, wildlife, or the spontaneous interests of our guests. This trip is a curated experience, taking full advantage of The Boat Company’s wide range of wilderness special use permits.
Juneau to Sitka Itinerary
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN JUNEAU & COMPLIMENTARY HOTEL STAY
Welcome to Juneau, Alaska’s capital city! Nestled between the Tongass National Forest and the Gastineau Channel, Juneau offers an ideal blend of rugged wilderness and small-city charm.
After a short trip aboard the TBC Shuttle bus you will find yourself at the Juneau Ramada in historic downtown. Located just steps from the hotel, you can explore the Alaska State Museum, enjoy celebrated local eateries, or browse the eclectic storefronts. For those looking to venture further, a short taxi or bus ride into the valley leads to the majestic and receding Mendenhall Glacier, home to the breathtaking Nugget Falls.
DAY 2: EMBARKATION DAY & CRUISING THROUGH STEPHENS PASSAGE
Spend a leisurely morning exploring the historic charm of downtown Juneau, enjoying a local breakfast or browsing the boutiques. Your hosts will meet you at the Ramada Hotel in the afternoon to provide a private escort to the vessel. Once aboard, our friendly crew will welcome you with a tour of your stately accommodation and well-appointed salon. This inviting space features an open bar, snacks, a library of books, games, and a TV, providing the perfect spot to relax between adventures.
Following a warm welcome from the Captain and a brief safety orientation, meet the expert guides who will lead your adventures for the week. Once the lines are cast off, this is where the magic truly begins. While cruising into the heart of the Tongass National Forest, enjoy an evening of bottomless cocktails and a sunset dinner prepared by our world-class chefs. The day concludes with an illuminating glacier presentation from our onboard naturalist as we arrive at our first scenic anchorage.
DAY 3: GLACIAL EXPEDITION
We pull anchor in the early morning light and head deep into a glacially carved fjord. It is a wild, rugged scene with towering granite walls and waterfalls that tumble straight into the sea.
After a hot, chef-prepared breakfast, keep your binoculars ready to scan the high ridges for mountain goats and look for harbor seals resting on the floating ice floes with their pups. Once we’re in position, bundle up and hop into our 20-foot skiffs to get a closer look at a massive tidewater glacier. While we wait for the thunderous crack of the ice calving into the water, our crew will pass around hot cocoa and cookies, with an optional splash of peppermint liqueur or Irish cream.
Following a fresh lunch, you can spend the afternoon thawing out in the warmth of the salon as we leave the mainland behind weaving through the maze of islands that make up the heart of Southeast Alaska. The day concludes with a multi-course chef prepared menu designed to meet the dietary request of our guests.
DAY 4: THE BROTHERS ISLANDS & PYBUS BAY
Awaken off the coast of Admiralty Island to explore the pristine wilderness of the East and West Brothers Islands and Pybus Bay. This region offers a spectacular introduction to the diversity of the Tongass, where you can tailor the morning to your interests.
Follow your guides along an ancient game trail into a mossy, emerald wonderland of old-growth forest, or board a skiff for a close-up encounter with a raucous sea lion haul-out along the rocky shoreline. For those looking to test the local waters, you can spend the morning saltwater fishing for various Alaskan species from our nimble skiffs.
Once back on board, enjoy an educational presentation from our naturalist during cocktail hour as we navigate toward a sheltered evening anchorage. The day concludes with a chef curated meal, featuring locally sourced ingredients that celebrate the rich flavors of the Pacific Northwest. Before turning in, enjoy a few games, a book or a nightcap in the salon while listening for the wild array of animals that call Alaska home.
DAY 5: RED BLUFF BAY
Savor a slow morning as we cruise toward the rugged eastern coast of Baranof Island, a landscape defined by soaring snowcapped mountains and cascading waterfalls.
After a hearty, chef-prepared breakfast, join the Captain in the wheelhouse to scan for humpback whales along this prime coastal corridor. Following a fresh lunch, the afternoon is yours to explore, featuring the steep and dramatic cliffs of Red Bluff Bay. You might choose to kayak toward a thundering waterfall, fly fish in a nearby stream, or try your luck saltwater fishing from a skiff. For a more relaxed pace, a guided skiff tour offers spectacular views and snacks as we navigate the bay’s hidden corners.
A highlight of the day is often setting shrimp pots in hopes of catching Alaskan Spot Prawns. This activity, a favorite of our guests, provides the freshest possible ingredients for our evening appetizers, followed by an elegant multi course dinner that celebrates the bounty of the Alaskan wilderness.
DAY 6: KELP BAY
For the early risers, we often begin this day with a sunrise kayak, allowing you to paddle through the stillness of our anchorage before a hot, chef-prepared breakfast is served.
We then navigate towards Kelp Bay, a region renowned for its high concentration of humpback whales and brown bears. While the wildlife encounters are beautifully unpredictable, we anchor near the three “arms” of the bay to keep us in the heart of the action. This fifth day of adventure offers another opportunity to tailor your experience.
You may choose to kayak along the intertidal zones to observe vibrant marine life, saltwater fish from a skiff, or hike a forested game trail near active salmon streams. Depending on the season, these trails often lead to meadows of wild berries and vibrant wildflowers. After the day’s excursions, the salon is the perfect place to unwind. You can enjoy a drink from the open bar or tasty snacks while browsing our library of books and DVDs. The evening comes to a close after another delightful dinner featuring the flavors of Alaska.
DAY 7: EXPLORING LAKE EVA
Start your day with a lovely breakfast featuring local coffee, teas, and handmade treats like warm cinnamon rolls, eggs, and fresh fruit. Once you’re fueled up and ready for adventure, we’ll head ashore for our final full day of exploration.
While most of our hikes this week have been true off trail bushwhacks, Lake Eva offers a unique change of pace. This Forest Service-maintained trail is only accessible by boat or plane, winding through a forest of ancient trees and wild berry bushes until you reach the shores of the lake. You can alternatively spend the morning casting for Dolly Varden and trout in the streams along the trail, or head out in our 20-foot skiffs for one last session of saltwater fishing.
Back on the vessel, we’ll navigate the winding Sergius Narrows as we celebrate our final night together. We invite you “behind the scenes” for a tour of the engine room and crew quarters, followed by a slideshow in the salon to relive this week’s highlights with the Captain and crew.
DAY 8: DISEMBARKATION DAY
Enjoy one last breakfast on board before pulling into the docks of Sitka. Your crew will be on hand to bid you a warm farewell and assist with your luggage, including your fresh Alaska catch which is prepared and packed for safe transport.
Our crew will provide a final escort to the Southeast Resort Hotel, where you may continue your downtown exploration or simply hop aboard their free transport when you’re ready to depart.
Fly-fishers should note that this is not a dedicated fly-fishing trip. Guests may anticipate several fly-fishing opportunities during the course of the cruise, however there will be some days when other activities such as whale-watching or glacier-viewing take center stage. Vessels carry limited fly-fishing gear, so serious anglers are encouraged to bring their own waders, rods, and boots.
Sitka to Juneau Itinerary
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN SITKA & COMPLIMENTARY HOTEL STAY
Welcome to Sitka, the oldest city in Alaska! Once you’ve settled into the Southeast Resort Hotel in the heart of downtown, you are perfectly positioned to explore this coastal gem. Tucked between the Pacific Ocean and towering volcanic peaks, Sitka offers a beautiful blend of Tlingit and Russian history that is easy to discover on foot.
If you’re feeling active, we recommend a stroll through Sitka National Historical Park, where towering totem poles line the forest trails along the water. For a closer look at the local wildlife, you might choose to visit the Alaska Raptor Center or Fortress of the Bear. If you prefer a more leisurely afternoon, the hotel is just steps from St. Michael’s Cathedral and the local boutiques and galleries of this historic district. However you choose to spend your first day, you’ll find that Sitka’s small-town charm is the perfect introduction to the week ahead.
DAY 2: EMBARKATION DAY & CRUISING THROUGH SERGIUS NARROWS
Enjoy a leisurely morning in downtown Sitka, perhaps grabbing a local breakfast or finding a few last-minute treasures in the boutiques. In the afternoon, your hosts will meet you at the Southeast Resort Hotel to provide a private escort to the vessel. Once aboard, our friendly crew will welcome you with a tour of your stately accommodation and our well-appointed salon. This inviting space features an open bar, snacks, a library of books, games, and a TV, providing the perfect spot to relax between adventures. Following a warm welcome from the Captain and a brief safety orientation, you’ll meet the expert guides who will lead your adventures for the week. Once the lines are cast off, the magic truly begins. We’ll navigate the winding Sergius Narrows, a dramatic stretch of water known for its swirling currents and lush scenery, as we head into the heart of the Tongass National Forest. Enjoy an evening of bottomless cocktails and a sunset dinner specially curated by our chefs. As with all menus, every meal is designed to highlight the fresh flavors of Alaska while meeting all dietary preferences. The day concludes as we arrive at the tranquil scenery of our first anchorage in a nearby coastal bay.
DAY 3: EXPLORING LAKE EVA
Wake up to the smell of fresh-brewed coffee and a chef-prepared breakfast as you take in your first morning in the Alaskan wilderness. This is your first full day adventuring through our favorite rainforest! While most of our activities in the Tongass are off the beaten path allowing for exploration of true wilderness, Lake Eva offers a unique experience. This Forest Service maintained trail is only accessible by boat or plane and leads you through a breathtaking old-growth forest.
You can spend your morning hiking under a canopy of ancient trees surrounded by blueberry and salmonberry bushes, eventually reaching the stunning shores of Lake Eva. Be sure to listen for our guides calling out “Hey Bear” to ensure safe passage alongside our brown furry friends. Not into hiking? The choice of how to spend your day is yours. You may choose to cast your lines for Dolly Varden, coastal cutthroat, and various salmon species in the streams along the trail, or perhaps you’d prefer saltwater fishing in the surrounding bays from our 20′ skiffs. Between excursions, enjoy a chef prepared lunch and an afternoon activity of your choice or simply enjoy some time relaxing amid the enthralling scenery. The evening festivities feature an educational presentation alongside hors d’oeuvres and our open bar. This leads to a charming dinner thoughtfully created by our chefs surrounded by the beauty of the Tongass. Finally, we make our way to our evening anchorage in a sheltered bay off Baranof Island.
DAY 4: KELP BAY
The day begins with another delightful breakfast as we navigate into the scenic waters of Kelp Bay, a location notorious for spectacular humpback whale and brown bear sightings. While the wild rhythm of the forest and sea means encounters are never promised, the three “arms” of Kelp Bay provide a perfect natural theater for wildlife, so keep your binoculars close!
The day is yours to design. You might choose to hop into a kayak to explore the quiet intertidal zones where marine life clings to the rugged coast, or head out in our 20′ skiffs for a morning of saltwater fishing. If you prefer to keep your feet on land, join us for a hike along forested game trails. Depending on the season, these paths lead through rushing salmon streams, vibrant wildflower meadows, or bushes heavy with wild berries. Between your adventures, return to the ship for a quick and tasty lunch before heading back out for more exploration or opting for a peaceful afternoon on deck. Once the group has gathered back aboard, the evening festivities feature another insightful presentation from our naturalist during cocktail hour. This leads into our wrap-around Eisen-glass fantail for a fresh dinner featuring the flavors of Alaska as we enjoy the calm waters of our evening anchorage off East Baranof.
DAY 5: RED BLUFF BAY
We like to sneak in the occasional sunrise kayak throughout the week for our early risers! You can paddle and explore the quiet anchorage before a hot breakfast is served and we begin our cruise to the next destination. The east coast of Baranof Island is known for its abundance of waterfalls and snow-capped mountains, so feel free to join your Captain in the wheelhouse with a hot drink. Keep your binoculars at the ready as we navigate toward one of our favorite locations, Red Bluff Bay.
The day is yours to explore this dramatic landscape. You might spend your afternoon kayaking along the steep cliffs and waterfalls right in our anchorage, fly-fishing in the nearby stream, or saltwater fishing from one of our skiffs. If you prefer a more relaxing pace we recommend a skiff tour while enjoying the views, accompanied by snacks and a beverage in hand. A highlight of the day is often setting shrimp pots in hopes of catching Alaskan Spot Prawns. This activity, a favorite of our guest provides the freshest possible ingredients for our chefs to prepare. Enjoy an educational presentation from our naturalist followed by a locally sourced dinner in the fantail immersed by the rugged beauty of Baranof Island.
DAY 6: THE BROTHERS ISLANDS & PYBUS BAY
The morning finds us exploring the East and West Brothers Islands and Pybus Bay, located just off the coast of Admiralty Island. This area is a true playground for nature lovers. You can take a hike on a game trail through a mossy wonderland of ancient forest, join a skiff tour to visit nearby wildlife, or head out for one last session of saltwater fishing in Pybus Bay.
While the vessel steams deeper throughout the afternoon, keep your eyes on the horizon. These waters are a crossroads for marine life, offering prime opportunities for whale watching and the vast species that call Alaska home.
The evening is highlighted by a special glacier presentation from our naturalist during cocktail hour. This insightful talk is designed to prepare you for the icy wonders of the next day. The night concludes with a multi-course dinner on our wrap-around fantail surrounded by the quiet beauty of the mainland.
DAY 7: GLACIAL EXPEDITION
We haul anchor in the early morning to begin our cruise down a glacially carved fjord, where towering mountains are draped in waterfalls and glacial ice floats below. These dramatic fjords are home to sure-footed mountain goats and serve as a vital nursery for harbor seals and their pups in the early summer. Keep your binoculars ready for this ever-changing landscape.
Once we drop anchor, bundle up and hop into one of our skiffs for an awe-inspiring tour of a massive tidewater glacier. Our crew will provide hot cocoa and fresh cookies with optionally peppermint liqueur and Irish cream to help keep you warm as you watch and watch and wait for the thunderous crack of a calving event at the glacier’s face. Watching huge towers of ice crash into the sea is a moment you’ll never forget. After returning to the vessel, we begin our final evening of celebration. Enjoy cocktail hour followed by a multi-course dinner surrounded by the sights and sounds of pure Alaska. After dinner our crew invites you to a slideshow presentation reliving the weeks’ highlights and memories not soon forgotten. Finally, we invite you for a behind-the-scenes “underground” tour of the crew quarters and the engine room. Capping off our final sunset in the Alaskan wilderness together.
DAY 8: DISEMBARKATION DAY
Enjoy one last breakfast on board before pulling into the historic docks of Juneau. Your crew will be on hand to bid you a warm farewell and assist with your luggage, including your fresh Alaska catch which is professionally prepared and packed for safe transport home!
Following breakfast, our crew will ensure timely transfer of your luggage and escort you for a short walk or ride to the Ramada Hotel. From there, you may continue your exploration of Alaska’s capital city. If you have time before your departure, we recommend a short taxi or bus ride to visit the receding Mendenhall Glacier or a stop at the Alaska State Museum. Finally, when you are ready to depart, please enjoy a complimentary trip on the TBC Shuttle Bus to the Juneau Airport.
Fly-fishers should note that this is not a dedicated fly-fishing trip. Guests may anticipate several fly-fishing opportunities during the course of the cruise, however there will be some days when other activities such as whale-watching or glacier-viewing take center stage. Vessels carry limited fly-fishing gear, so serious anglers are encouraged to bring their own waders, rods, and boots.
