Day 1 - Thursday - May 2, 2024
Arrive in Vancouver, Canada, British Columbia's largest city and the major port for all of western Canada. Embark the National Geographic Sea Bird or National Geographic Sea Lion in the early evening and set out on your expedition.
Day 2 - Friday - May 3, 2024
| Cruising the Gulf Islands, Canada |
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Cruise amid the lush Gulf Islands that dot the Strait of Georgia, situated between the mainland of British Columbia and Vancouver Island. These waters are a nature lover's paradise. Keep an eye out for harbor seals and an array of seabirds, shorebirds, and birds of prey.
Day 3 - Saturday - May 4, 2024
Sail through scenic Johnstone Strait, offering stunning views and extraordinary marine mammals and bird-watching opportunities. Today we visit one of the oldest First Nations village sites in British Columbia: Alert Bay, home of the Kwakwaka'wakw people. Visit the U'Mista Cultural Centre, which houses one of the Northwest Coast's finest collections of elaborately carved potlatch masks, regalia, and coppers. Then, stop to visit the Big House a short distance away where the T'sasala Cultural Group continues the sharing of culture, educating the world about their songs, dances, teachings, and values.
Day 4 - Sunday - May 5, 2024
| Cruising Alaska's Inside Passage, United States |
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Sail northward along steep and rugged coastline looking for whales, dolphins, bears, deer, and other wildlife. Go ashore to explore or kayak among the many bays and inlets.
Day 5 - Monday - May 6, 2024
| Cruising Alaska's Inside Passage, United States |
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Day 6 - Tuesday - May 7, 2024
| Queen Charlotte Islands, Canada |
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With very special permission, we explore the islands of Haida Gwaii, including the incredible Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site. We are joined by a Haida interpreter for our days among the islands, wildlife, and cultural sites. In the Haida ancestral town of Old Massett, we are invited into the home of a local carver for a feast of traditional food and dance. Meet Haida artists and see their workshops. Visit the Haida Heritage Centre at Kay 'Llnagaay to learn about the incredible history of the Haida people and their renowned artwork, a spiritual endeavor. See the ancient totems at SGang Gwaay-a UNESCO World Heritage Site-in the village of Ninstints, and kayak and take Zodiacs around the incredibly biodiverse islands in Gwaii Haanas.
Day 7 - Wednesday - May 8, 2024
| Queen Charlotte Islands, Canada |
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Day 8 - Thursday - May 9, 2024
| Queen Charlotte Islands, Canada |
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Day 9 - Friday - May 10, 2024
| Queen Charlotte Islands, Canada |
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Day 10 - Saturday - May 11, 2024
| Cruising Alaska's Inside Passage, United States |
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With special permission from the U.S. Forest Service, explore the forested backwaters of Misty Fjords National Monument and the Tongass National Forest by kayak or Zodiac. Go ashore to visit the charming fishing village of Petersburg, and explore the surrounding area on a forest walk or enjoy an opportunity to stretch your legs with an optional bike ride around town. Cruise and kayak past the glacially carved cliffs of Tracy Arm or Endicott Arm-both spectacular fjords that are home to orcas and harbor seals. See the soaring Dawes Glacier or South Sawyer Glacier up close, and take a Zodiac cruise for unparalleled views of sculpted iridescent icebergs.
Day 11 - Sunday - May 12, 2024
| Cruising Alaska's Inside Passage, United States |
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Day 12 - Monday - May 13, 2024
| Cruising Alaska's Inside Passage, United States |
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Day 13 - Tuesday - May 14, 2024
| Glacier Bay, United States |
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Day 14 - Wednesday - May 15, 2024
| Inian Islands, United States |
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| Icy Strait Point, United States |
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By special park permit, spend a full day among the enormous glaciers and expansive wilderness of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. Then, experience the active wildlife of the Inian Islands by Zodiac, or hike and kayak Chichagof Island. Later cruise through Icy Strait in search of marine mammals, perhaps lowering the hydrophone to listen for whale communications. Enjoy a farewell dinner on our final night.
Day 15 - Thursday - May 16, 2024
Disembark after breakfast in picturesque Sitka on the western coast of Baranof Island. Schedules permitting, walk among Tlingit and Haida totem poles at Sitka National Historic Park and visit the Alaska Raptor Center for an up-close look at Alaska's birds of prey. Transfer to the airport for flights home.
