Alaska & British Columbia – Inside Passage, Bears and Aleutian Islands

We sail north to Alaska through the narrow weaving channels and straits of Canada’s Inside Passage. Be on the lookout for dolphins, porpoise, orcas, and whales that frequent the protected inland waters.

Join our Expedition Team for fascinating lectures, spend time relaxing on board or meeting your fellow travellers.

One of the oldest island towns in Alaska, Wrangell has been governed by four different nations – Tlingit, Russian, British and United States. Numerous petroglyphs on the beach and moss-covered totem poles manifest to the distant past of this area. Outside of the main cruise ships routes, nowadays it remains a simple fishing town.

This waterway that hosts the Hubbard Glacier was named Disenchantment Bay by Spanish naval officer Alessandro Malaspina in 1792, when he was disappointed to discover it was not the Northwest Passage, as he had hoped.  We trust that you will be enchanted, maybe even spellbound, by the beautiful icescape here.

When visiting bustling Kodiak, take a walk to Fort Abercrombie State Historic Park to combine history with wildlife spotting. Stop for a while on the cliff edge of Miller Point and watch the sea for the chance to see whales.

Included activity:

Town Package with Museum (2 - 4 hrs)

Enjoy a stroll through the city of Kodiak, home to the USA’s largest Coast Guard base, and see the Russian Orthodox Church and Seminary. Visit the Kodiak History Museum and the Alutiiq Museum, with its impressive collection derived from 7,500 years of Alutiiq heritage.

In the small village of Chignik Bay, red salmon fishing has been the core of the community’s economy for over a century. Stop in at the fish factory, meet the welcoming locals, or explore the salmon streams in the scenic surroundings. Scan the shores to spot the 20-or-so waterfowl species, or the skies for bald eagles.

As we sail towards Dutch Harbor, you will see Mount Makushin, a steaming volcano almost 6,000 feet high. The popular TV show `Deadliest Catch´ is based here, featuring local fishing crews. Stroll around the town, stop in at the Museum of the Aleutians and take a look at the local Russian Orthodox Church. 

Included activity:

Hop on / Hop off Around the Town (1 - 4 hrs)

Visit the famous fishing town of Dutch Harbor, the scene of a World War II battle in June 1942. Ride local school buses to see such landmarks as the WWII Museum, the Grand Aleutian Hotel, Memorial Park and the Russian Orthodox Church. You can also visit the compelling Museum of the Aleutians with exhibits featuring the varied facets of this fascinating archipelago.

This area is a bird lovers’ paradise! Horned and Tufted puffins are found here, along with the rare Red-legged kittiwake. The 400 islanders descend from Aleut slaves forcibly moved to the island by Russian fur traders in 1780’s.  Today, the seal population is thriving, around half the world’s northern fur seal population live in the waters around the island.

Enjoy a relaxing last day on board!  Take time on deck to look out for whales.  Onboard, the Expedition Team will recap your voyage and you can spend time chatting with new friends, or just relax and watch the world sail by! 

Enjoy the sights of this lively city or extend your stay with our Post-Programme before you fly home.