Glacier Bay Kayaking & Wildlife Adventure 8 Days
Glacier Bay Kayaking & Wildlife Adventure Few places are as hauntingly beautiful as Southeast Alaska. Rich in stunningly preserved nature and wildlife, America s last frontier is home to Glacier Bay National Park, the densest convergence of tidewater glaciers in Alaska. It's here that you can listen to thunderous calving glaciers and the cavernous breathing of humpback whales from your kayak! And from your adventure base in the rustic bush town of Gustavus, you'll venture out for two- to three-day kayaking excursions and camp along isolated, pristine beaches. You'll paddle around Point Adolphus, the world-renowned feeding ground of humpback whales, and explore the remote upper west arm of Glacier Bay at a leisurely pace. Watch as eagle's soar amid majestic peaks and tumbling waterfalls spray mist over a carpet of wildflowers. See nature in its rawest form. MTS has pioneered kayaking expeditions in Alaska since 1972. Not only are one of only two companies to be issued rare permits to paddle Glacier Bay, but our seasoned, professional guides are true "salty dogs"-the best of the best! Details Testimonials Arrive: Gustavus, Alaska Depart: Gustavus, Alaska Duration: 8 Days Group Size: 4-10 Minimum Age: 14 Years Old Activity Level: Level 3. "The Glacier Bay Kayaking and Wildlife Adventure is a must-do trip. Immerse yourself in nature, wildlife, reconnect with our beautiful planet and its amazing beings." Jeanette. "This is a magical trip, a chance to witness and become a part of the wonders of our natural world. Highly recommended!" Joanne S.
REASON #02 REASON #03 Sample the best of southeast Alaska - bear viewing, whale watching, and visits to Glacier Bay! Supurb wildlife viewing may include brown bears, eagles, humpback and killer whales, river and sea otters, seals, mountain goats, wolves, and moose Go back in time, see first-hand what happens when glaciers retreat and the land rebounds ACTIVITIES LODGING CLIMATE Leisurely kayaking up to 5 miles a day through spellbinding landscapes with up-close wildlife encounters, easy hikes, and charter cruises. Traditional country hospitality and cozy ambience at a family-run lodge and sleeping in the wilderness at private MT Sobek camps. Enjoy mild summers, with almost daily light rain, chilly winds near glaciers, and breezy oceansides. Daytime 55 F 75 F. Evenings 40 F - 55 F. Theresa first moved north to Alaska in 2011, and has been. REASON #01 Kit resides in Juneau and feels continually inspired by the wilds leading kayaking and other water trips since that time. of Southeast Alaska. Her favorite outdoor activities include Her interests, personal and academic, include changing hiking with her dog, road biking, kayaking, and cross county ecosystems, human narratives, cetaceans and fish. Southeast skiing. In the off-season, she enjoys working part-time jobs Alaska inspires her daily, no matter the weather. She looks to connect her with new people and experiences. She has a forward to sharing this unique sense of place with guests from diverse array of experiences which complement her guiding the perspective of floating atop saltwater. style including radio and voice work, bartending, a whale Theresa Soley watching naturalist. She recently returned to school in pursuit of a nursing degree. Kit Burroughs
Itinerary DAY 1 FLY FROM JUNEAU TO GUSTAVUS, ALASKA This trip begins on Day 1 in Juneau, Alaska. You'll need to arrive at Juneau Airport no later than 4pm to catch the onward flight to Gustavus. After checking into your lodge at the edge of Glacier Bay National Park, the group will have a pre-trip meeting with the guide and a hearty welcome dinner. We'll also have plenty of time to explore the nearby sandy beach and beach fringe meadows. Activity: 1-2 miles short walk (optional) Meals: (D) DAY 2 CROSS ICY STRAIT TO POINT ADOLPHUS After an early breakfast, a charter boat in Gustavus will be waiting to carry us across Icy Strait to the whalefeeding grounds of Point Adolphus. Situated on the northern shore of Chichagof Island, the largest island in Alaska's Inside Passage, Point Adolphus also lies within the Tongass National Forest, the largest intact temperate rainforest in the world. Here we ll set up camp for two nights and begin our leisurely paddling exploration along the shore, taking time to watch for humpback whales and other marine mammals. We'll also enjoy the spectacular scenery as we prepare and eat our evening meal at the water s edge, and are lulled to sleep by the gentle sounds of whales breathing as they pass by. Activity: 2 hours/3 miles kayaking DAY 3 PADDLE THE SCENIC SHORES OF CHICHAGOF ISLAND Kayaking the productive waters along Chichagof Island is one of the best ways to see and experience Alaska s Inside Passage. We paddle along the scenic shores, watching for wildlife and exploring the area, including beachcombing along the shore or hiking in the island s rich forests. The area is noted for its humpback whales, sea lions, sea otters, and seals, and we may also see bald eagles, loons, marbled murrelets, and other birds that are rare in many parts of the world. We ll travel four to five miles a day in the kayaks. The pace will be leisurely, but there may be more challenging times when we will encounter winds or ocean currents. Activity: 3 hours/4-5 miles kayaking, easy hiking DAY 4 EXPLORE POINT ADOLPHUS AND RETURN TO GUSTAVUS
After breakfast and breaking camp, we ll kayak along the shore to meet our charter boat for our trip back to Gustavus. In the late afternoon we can explore this rustic bush town (population 429), and then dine at one of our favorite local restaurants before settling in for a great night s sleep. Activity: 3 hours/4-5 miles kayaking DAY 5 GLACIER BAY KAYAKING EXPEDITION We'll meet for breakfast and then board our charter boat for a spectacular scenic cruise into Glacier Bay, a journey through geologic time. Then, switching to sea kayaks, we'll set off on our two-day paddling expedition. Our pace is leisurely as we paddle and hike along the scenic shores of the bay, with ample time to appreciate and photograph the fantastic surroundings, which include tremendous glaciers, fascinating land forms, icebergs, flowers, seals, birds, and (if the skies are clear) the magnificent mountains that rise above us. We'll camp both nights. Activity: 3 hours/4-5 miles kayaking DAY 7 JOURNEY THROUGH GLACIER BAY After getting picked up by our charter boat, we'll journey back south through Glacier Bay keeping an eye out for wildlife as we return to Gustavus and head back to the B DAY 8 FLY FROM GUSTAVUS TO JUNEAU AND DEPART After breakfast, we'll go for a hike in Gustavus before boarding an air taxi to Juneau at noon. The half-hour flight from Gustavus to Juneau lands at Juneau s main airport, where you can connect with your homeward-bound flight. Please schedule your flight out of Juneau for anytime after 3pm. If you're spending the night in Juneau before flying home then we can drop you at your lodging. Activity: 1 hour hike in Gustavus Meals: (B)
Jun 21-28, 2019 Jul 5-12, 2019 Aug 3-10, 2019
2019 $ 4,595 per person Additional Cost $ 275 Internal Airfare $ 109 Alaska Borough Tax $ 24 Optional Alaska Donation $ 250 Single Supplement PRICE INCLUDES Expert leadership from experienced adventure guides Accommodations as noted in the itinerary Meals as noted in the daily itinerary Potable water and snacks throughout 1 glass of wine or beer at dinner All tips and gratuities for support staff with the exception of your lead adventure guide(s) All necessary camping/kayaking gear All group entrance fees, activities, and ground transportation Arrival and departure day group airport transfers PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE International airfare, any airport taxes, or excess baggage charges Optional tips to your lead adventure guides Personal expenses such as medical immunizations, phone calls, laundry, or souvenirs Airport transfers if arriving outside of the group transfer Travel protection other than the basic medical and evacuation protection noted above