ALASKA, BRITISH COLUMBIA AND HAIDA GWAII CRUISE

Embark on a 15-day adventure between Sitka, Alaska and Seattle, Washington exploring three of the most appealing wild regions in the Pacific Northwest: Alaska’s Inside Passage, coastal British Columbia, and Haida Gwaii. You’ll sail into mist-shrouded fjords and past crashing glaciers, see brown bears stalking shores, and eagles flying. And in Haida Gwaii you’ll meet artisans and experience the resonance of their cultural heritage and artwork. With our special access to Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve, and Haida Heritage Site, you’ll see ancient village sites, and the endemic species that make Haida Gwaii the “Canadian Galápagos.”

ITINERARY

DAY 1: Seattle/Embark Arrive in Seattle this afternoon and embark the ship. (D)

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com DAY 2: Gulf Islands, British Columbia Cruise past glacially-carved cliffs and kayak in the stillness of Search for orca whales and cruise around forested islands. Misty Fiord’s forested backwaters. (B,L,D) (B,L,D) DAY 10: Frederick Sound and Petersburg DAY 3: Johnstone Strait and Alert Bay, British Columbia Join naturalists on deck and search for orcas, humpback At the community of Alert Bay, visit the U’mista Cultural Centre, whales, and Steller sea lions. Go ashore for a walk along a where we’ll watch traditional First Nations performances and quiet forest trail and in the fishing village of Petersburg, known learn from the Kwakwaka'wakw people. Visit Johnstone Strait, as “Alaska’s Little Norway”. Explore with optional flightseeing or one of the foremost viewing areas for orcas in the Northern a bicycle ride. Enjoy a crab feast this evening. (B,L,D) Hemisphere. (B,L,D) DAY 11: Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness DAYS 4-5: Inside Passage of British Columbia Voyage into Tracy or Endicott Arm, both spectacular fjords, with Head northward along the untouched coastline looking for waterfalls cascading from glacially carved walls. See the soaring whales, dolphins, bears, deer and other wildlife. Go ashore to Dawes or South Sawyer Glacier up close and take an expedition explore or kayak the many bays and inlets. (B,L,D daily) landing craft cruise for an unbeatable view of sculpted icebergs. (B,L,D) DAYS 6-8: Haida Gwaii With a shared respect for the natural world, explore the islands DAY 12: Glacier Bay National Park of Haida Gwaii. A Haida Interpreter will join us as we visit the Spend the entire day among the enormous glaciers and Haida Heritage Center at K’aay Llnagaay to learn about the expansive wilderness. Listen as the quiet stillness of the area is incredible history of the Haida people and the meaning behind broken by the thunder of tons of ice calving into the sea. Search their renowned artwork. In the ancestral town of Old Massett, for Steller sea lions, puffins and mountain goats. A native Tlingit join in a traditional dance performance and feast, and meet interpreter joins us to share the lore and legend of the area. A community members and local artistans. Explore Gwaii Haanas National Park Service Ranger will join us as well. (B,L,D). National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve, and Haida Heritage Site. See the ancient totems at DAY 13: Icy Strait and the Inian Islands SGang Gwaay (Ninstints) or K'una (Skedans). Kayak and take Cruise among the Inian Islands, where an abundance of Steller expedition landing craft around the incredibly biodiverse islands sea lions reside. Hike nearby islands, kayak, and search for where black bears are the largest in the world and endemic whales in rich waters of Icy Strait. Conditions permitting, we'll species thrive. (B,L,D daily) lower the ship's hydrophone to listen in on the whales' communication. (B,L,D) DAY 9: Misty Fiords, Alaska DAY 14: Southeast Alaska’s Islands, Bays and Fjords

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com Kayak and hike among forested islands on our final exploration of southeast Alaska. (B,L,D)

DAY 15: Sitka/Disembark/Home Visit Saint Michael’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral with its picturesque spire and meet eagles up close at the Raptor Rehabilitation Center before transferring to the airport for flights to home (own costs). (B)

Please Note: All day-by-day breakdowns are a sampling of the places we intend to visit, conditions permitting.

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com YOUR SHIP: NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SEABIRD & SEALION

National Geographic SeaBird & YOUR SHIP: SeaLion

VESSEL TYPE: Comfortable Expedition

LENGTH: 52 metres

PASSENGER CAPACITY: 62 (in twin cabins)

BUILT/REFURBISHED: 1982 / 2002

Twin Expedition ships, National Geographic Sea Bird & Sea Lion, can reach places inaccessible to larger ships due to their small size, yet each can comfortably accommodate 62 guests. The feeling, is often compared to that of a large private yacht, there, in it. with everyone integral to the adventure. Accessibility means Public Areas: Our ships feature a Library; Lounge with freedom. Our captains have decades of sailing experience in the full-service bar and facilities for films, slide shows and regions we explore. They know when and where to navigate so presentations; Observation Deck; partially covered Sun Deck that you feel the places we visit are all ours. with chairs and tables, and LEXspa. Our "Open Bridge" policy Thanks to our sturdy fleet of Zodiacs and virtually untippable provides guests and opportunity to meet our Officers and kayaks, you can be off the ship and out exploring within a Captain and learn about navigation. moment’s notice. Launch your kayak from a picturesque beach, Meals: Served in single seatings with unassigned tables for an hike with our naturalists into the rain forest or walk easily along informal atmosphere and easy mingling. Breakfast is a wide a sandy dune. During your time with us, our expedition staff selection buffet and lunch is often served family style. Menu likes nothing better than to surprise and delight you by directing emphasizes local flair. Cabins: All face outside with windows, the ship toward breaching whales, bow-riding dolphins or into private facilities, and climate controls. an alluring cove. Our seasoned crew consists of expert Zodiac Expedition Equipment: Bow Camera, hydrophone, kayaks, drivers and considerate service providers. Their energy, snorkeling gear, Splash-Cam, underwater video camera, video enthusiasm and field expertise are sure to enhance your microscope and Zodiac landing craft. experience. This is what expedition travel is all about: not just Special Features: Guest internet access, Wellness Program. A seeing wildness, but being out

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com Video Chronicler and a ship's doctor will be onboard all voyages.

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com INSIDE YOUR SHIP

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com PRICING

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com