At a glance
- Duration:
- 6 Days
- Start/End:
- Juneau to Ketchikan and reverse
- From:
- $4,084
- Time of Year:
- May through August
On this 6-day Alaska Escape: LeConte Bay, Wrangell, and the Misty Fjords cruise itinerary, experience the pure power of primal wilderness on this compact expedition along the untamed southern regions of Southeast Alaska.
Witness the electric blues of iceberg-dotted LeConte Bay and navigate narrow channels like Behm and Blake, as well as Walker Cove in Misty Fjords. Board Zodiacs to explore Prince of Wales Island and take kayaks and paddleboards into salmon-studded waters to trace the rugged, wildlife-rich shorelines of Kupreanof Island.
Alaska Escape: LeConte Bay, Wrangell, and the Misty Fjords Highlights
- Venture by Zodiac into a fjord laden with blue ice from the Leconte or Baird glacier
- Sail Behm Canal into Misty Fjords National Monument in search of humpbacks, orcas, and sea lions
- Roam small, uninhabited islands, hiking through the moss-draped cedar and Sitka spruce or tidepooling along the craggy shores
- Scan the shorelines along Sumner Strait for a chance to spot black bears and bald eagles in search of salmon
- Visit a tribal house and a beach famous for native petroglyphs on remote Wrangell Island, or take a jet boat excursion up the Stikine River
- With National Geographic Global Explorers, our exclusive family program, kids and teens will learn about this wild corner of the world—from its massive glaciers to humpback whales
Expedition Team
Over 50+ years of exploring, Lindblad Expeditions’ veteran staff and the quality companionship they provide has established the company’s reputation. From expedition leaders to naturalists, most hold advanced degrees and are established authorities in their fields. Some join a few expeditions each year to explore the same sites, some of them spending some time in the field away from rigorous academic work. And others lead expeditions all around the world—with many guests saying, “Where you’re going, we’re going,” and returning time after time to travel with them. Browse our team directory to discover the full cast of expedition staff.
Alaska Escape: LeConte Bay, Wrangell, and the Misty Fjords Details
Day-to-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Juneau / Embark Ship
Arrive in Juneau, Alaska’s capital city. One of only two U.S. capital cities not accessible by cars, it lies at the base of the picturesque Mt. Roberts.
Meals Included: Dinner
Day 2: LeConte Bay or Tracy Arm
On your first day of exploration, you’ll explore either LeConte Bay or Tracy Arm. These areas feature some of the most active glaciers in Southeast Alaska. Icebergs regularly break off from glaciers, getting caught in shallow moraines and along the shorelines as they float out of the bay. Your experienced captain will evaluate the underwater moraine outside of LeConte Bay or Tracy Arm, where you’ll set out by Zodiac to navigate among these surreal floating sculptures. Take advantage of spectacular photographic opportunities, practicing tricks and tips from your certified photo instructor.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Sumner Strait
Navigate the stunning Wrangell Narrows, an area inaccessible to larger ships, and then cruise into the Sumner Strait, keeping watch for orcas and humpback whales surfacing and sea otters gliding through the clear water around the ship. Explore the coast by kayak or Zodiac and go ashore to trace bear trails through forests intersected by crystalline salmon streams. Along the way, learn about the rainforest ecosystem from naturalists. Fix your binoculars on the banks to search for Sitka black-tailed deer and moose as well as black bears, wolves and bald eagles that frequent the shoreline in search of plentiful salmon.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Wrangell
This morning, arrive in the small town of Wrangell. The Tlingit and their ancestors have made this island their home for thousands of years. Take an optional jet boat journey up the Stikine River or explore town, including a visit to Chief Shakes Tribal House and Petroglyph Beach, home to ancient rock carvings. This afternoon, cruise the Eastern Passage and Blake Channel, narrow waterways on the backside of Wrangell Island where other ships rarely venture.
On select departures, choose an optional day trip to Anan Creek Bear Observatory to witness black and brown bears feasting on salmon runs (additional $390 per person). Ask Linda at Sunstone Tours for details.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Misty Fjords National Monument
Wake up this morning to catch the sunrise over the stunning cliffs of Misty Fjords National Monument, rising more than 2,000 feet above the deep blue waters of the fjord. Watch wisps of cloud drift down the winding waterway and drape over green peaks as you cruise through the mists that give this extraordinary landscape its name. Set out by Zodiac and kayak to get close to the forested banks and the many dramatic waterfalls cascading down the cliffs.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Ketchikan / Disembark Ship
Disembark in Ketchikan and transfer to the airport for flights home.
Meals Included: Breakfast
