At a glance
- Duration:
- 10 Days
- Start/End:
- Milwaukee, WI roundtrip
- From:
- $7,995
- Time of Year:
- May - September
Sailing roundtrip from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this 10-day Great Lakes Treasures expedition aboard the Viking Octantis invites you to experience the perfect blend of wilderness, culture, and history across North America’s inland seas.
Step back in time on Mackinac Island, where carriages replace cars and kayaks glide along scenic shores. Navigate the sparkling waters of Georgian Bay, framed by the pink-white La Cloche Mountains, and explore Frazer Bay on Manitoulin Island, the largest freshwater lake island in the world. Journey deeper into nature at Fathom Five National Marine Park, with its crystalline waters and rare wildlife, and paddle among the secluded Benjamin Islands, a pristine archipelago rich in natural beauty.
In Sault Ste. Marie, marvel at the legendary Soo Locks, a feat of engineering connecting Lakes Superior and Huron, before immersing yourself in the rugged beauty of Wisconsin’s Door Peninsula, with its forests, beaches, and rocky cliffs. Along the way, enjoy the cosmopolitan energy of Chicago, from world-class museums to its iconic skyline, before returning to Milwaukee.
With every stop, this journey reveals the diverse character of the Great Lakes, from untouched wilderness and remote marine sanctuaries to vibrant cities and cultural landmarks, offering an expedition that is as enriching as it is unforgettable.
Great Lakes Treasures Highlights
- Mackinac Island, Michigan — This enchanting, car-free island invites you to explore by carriage, bicycle, or on foot—and even kayak along its tranquil shores.
- Georgian Bay, Ontario – Navigate its clear waterways and marvel at the pink-white La Cloche Mountains and visit serene Manitoulin Island, the world’s largest freshwater lake island, brimming with natural charm and cultural significance.
- Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan — Stand in awe of the engineering marvel that is the Soo Locks, connecting mighty Lake Superior and Lake Huron.
- Door Peninsula (Algoma), Wisconsin — Delight in scenic boreal forests, sweeping sandy beaches, and rugged rockscapes.
- Chicago, Illinois — Immerse yourself in the “Windy City,” home to renowned museums, iconic skyline views, and rich cultural offerings.
Great Lakes Treasures Details
Day-to-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom. Milwaukee was first settled by Europeans in 1818, when French-Canadian fur trader Solomon Juneau arrived. German, Polish and Eastern European immigrants followed, bringing with them a long tradition of beer brewing. For several decades in the 20th century, Milwaukee became the world’s most prolific beer producer. Today, the city is a vibrant center of art, history and culture. The RiverWalk, a pedestrian walkway along the Milwaukee, is a popular spot for enjoying relaxing strolls or viewing public art installations.
Day 2: Mackinac Island, Michigan, United States
Steeped in the charms of simpler times, Mackinac Island is a gem of the Great Lakes. Located in the Straits of Mackinac where Michigan’s upper and lower peninsulas are closest and Lakes Huron and Michigan meet, this bucolic haven preserves gilded Victorian-era treasures along car-free streets traversed by horse-drawn carriages. The perimeter road is the only state highway in the US that does not permit motor vehicles. More than 80% of Mackinac is protected as a state park, from its Greek Revival Grand Hotel and British-built Fort Mackinac to its preserved wilderness areas.
Day 3: Georgian Bay (Killarney), Ontario, Canada
Killarney was founded by a French-Canadian fur trader in 1820; he named the post Shebahonaning, or “canoe passage.” Its location on the northern shore of Georgian Bay made it ideal for trading. Nearby, the stunning cliffs of the La Cloche range rise dramatically above the shores of Lake Huron. These remarkable mountains are the pinnacle of Killarney Provincial Park, a vast wilderness of lakes and Eastern mixed forest. This breathtaking expanse of protected land is laced with hiking trails and—true to Killarney’s original name—canoe routes that link the area’s lake system.
Day 4: Georgian Bay (Frazer Bay), Ontario, Canada
Frazer Bay is located off a remote finger of land on the eastern tip of the North Channel in Ontario’s Georgian Bay, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Its eponymous hill reaches almost 600 feet, offering sweeping views of the surrounding landscape. The bay lies near Killarney Provincial Park, a vast wilderness of lakes and Eastern mixed forest framed by glacier-sculpted pink granite cliffs. Across the channel lies scenic Manitoulin Island, the world’s largest freshwater lake island and itself home to another 108 freshwater lakes—some with islands of their own.
Day 5: Fathom Five National Marine Park, Ontario, Canada
Fathom Five National Marine Park is nestled between the waters of Georgian Bay and Lake Huron. Its rugged landscapes offer a picturesque backdrop to the blue-tinged waters that are a popular destination for scuba divers to explore an array of sunken shipwrecks. Nearby Flowerpot Island is famed for its rock formations and historic lighthouse, with hiking trails that showcase a wealth of treasures. The Saugeen Ojibway People are collaborating with Parks Canada on an environmental project to protect the freshwater ecosystem, for today and beyond.
Day 6: The Benjamin Islands, Ontario, Canada
A series of pink granite islands known for their natural beauty, the Benjamin Islands lie toward the eastern end of the North Channel. Dramatic landscapes that were sculpted by glaciers provide a picturesque rocky refuge for visitors to its shores. The harbor is formed by two principal islands, the North Benjamin and South Benjamin, which are enveloped by a number of smaller islets. The surrounding waters are tranquil and crystal clear, offering the perfect opportunity to observe a variety of wildlife from the water, including bald eagles and various fish species.
Day 7: Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan, United States
Founded by French missionaries in 1668, Sault Sainte Marie is Michigan’s oldest city and one of the oldest in the US. It is also home to the famous Soo Locks, a series of parallel locks that make river travel between Lake Superior and Lake Huron possible, thereby linking Superior to the lower Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean. Opened in 1855 to allow ships to bypass the St. Marys River’s 21-foot fall over roiling rapids, this innovative lock system was one of the great engineering projects of its day. Today, it guides ships past Sault Sainte Marie and its twin city in Ontario.
Day 8: Door Peninsula (Algoma), Wisconsin, United States
Algoma is the gateway to the scenic Door Peninsula, a slender limestone peninsula projecting out into Lake Michigan. It was first explored by French missionaries and fur traders during the 17th century. According to legend, Jean Nicolet believed his encounter with the Menominee Tribe was a meeting with Asians of the Far East. The peninsula is also the westernmost edge of the Niagara Escarpment, a prehistoric ridge that stretches more than 650 miles across the Great Lakes region, and is home to boreal forests, rugged rock formations and sandy beaches.
Day 9: Chicago, Illinois, United States
A cultural hub renowned for its world-class museums, including the Art Institute and the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago is an expansive metropolis with a magnificent skyline that stretches along the shores of Lake Michigan. Numerous sandy beaches offer the perfect spot to while away a sunny day. For nature lovers, Rainbow Beach features a dune habitat which provides an important stop for migrating birds; more than 250 species have been recorded here. Jazz and blues, a rich history, and the famed Chicago-style pizza round out this sophisticated Midwestern city.
Day 10: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Bid farewell to your fellow guests and journey home. Or spend more time exploring.
