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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 everchanging
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.

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.