Brown bears. Humpback whales. Orcas. Steller sea lions. Bald eagles. Sure-footed mountain goats on steep cliffs. The wildlife of Alaska is legendary—see it in abundance on this exciting 8-day expedition to explore Alaska's coastal wilderness. Venture into a land of mist shrouded fjords, tidewater glaciers and islands teeming with wildlife.
Arctic & Alaska
Exploring Alaska’s Coastal Wilderness: Juneau to Sitka
8 Days aboard National Geographic Quest . From AUD $13,370pp.
Details
Overview
Itinerary Highlights:
- Explore the coves, fjords, tidewater glaciers and majestic mountains of Glacier Bay National Park
- Observe killer whales and humpback whales at Frederick Sound and Chatham Strait
- Hike nearby islands, kayak, and search for whales in the rich waters of Icy Strait
- See bald eagles, hawks, falcons and owls at the Raptor Rehabilitation Centre
Itinerary in Brief:
- Day 1: Juneau Embarkation
- Day 2: Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness
- Day 3: Petersburg
- Day 4: Frederick Sound and Chatham Strait
- Day 5: Icy Strait and the Inian Islands
- Day 6: Glacier Bay National Park or Outer Bays
- Day 7: Southeast Alaska’s Islands, Bays and Fjords
- Day 8: Sitka Disembarkation
Travelling with Eclipse
Peace of Mind
- Eclipse Travel is Australian owned and run, and an ATAS accredited travel agent.
- 24/7 emergency numbers and local contacts provided for support while you’re abroad.
- We provide all the information you need to organise your visas and vaccinations, making travel preparation stress-free.
- No currency surcharges. Once your deposit is paid, your price is guaranteed.
Specialists
- Our consultants are true destination experts, with firsthand experience and extensive travel in the regions we offer.
- Expect quick, professional responses and dedicated service from our knowledgeable team.
- We conduct regular checks on destinations, hotels, and services to ensure quality for every trip.
Authentic Travel
- Tailor-made itineraries designed around your unique requirements.
- Freedom to select your preferred style and standard of accommodation.
- Unique itineraries that take you beyond the major highlights, immersing you in each location.
- Committed to responsible travel: we reinvest in the environment and local communities across our destinations.
Day 1: Juneau
Tday, explore the newly constructed Alaska State Museum, with its sprawling collection of natural history and cultural artifacts, and explore downtown Juneau. Settle into your cabin before dinner. Later, explore the port of Juneau on your own.
Day 2: Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness
Voyage into Tracy or Endicott Arm, both spectacular glacially carved fjords. We’ll also pass the Sawyer Glacier, which has been described as bluer than any blue on earth, or the towering Dawes Glacier. If conditions permit, we'll use our expedition landing craft to provide unparalleled up close views of the glacier. Keep an eye out for harbor seals, porpoises and arctic terns.
Day 3: Petersburg
Search for humpback whales as we head towards the small, true Alaskan town of Petersburg on Mitkof Island. Explore a unique Southeast Alaskan ecosystem, the "muskeg," with stunted trees and carnivorous plants. There is an opportunity for optional flightseeing or bike riding. Enjoy a Dungeness crab feast this evening.
Day 4: Frederick Sound and Chatham Strait
These waters are prime areas for both killer whales and humpback whales. It's not uncommon to observe their fascinating behavior — breaching, tail-slapping and variations on feeding — as we fill the deck and listen to the play-by-play from our expert naturalists. We'll explore spectacular bays and inlets, following bear trails and salmon streams. Once ashore, we’ll have the opportunity to walk along a quiet forest trail. The still waters are excellent for kayaking, offering another option for up close exploration.
Day 5: Icy Strait and the Inian Islands
Today, cruise among the Inian Islands, where an abundance of Steller sea lions reside. Hike nearby islands, kayak, and search for whales in the rich waters of Icy Strait. Conditions permitting, we'll lower the ship’s hydrophone to listen in on the whales’ communication.
Day 6: Glacier Bay National Park or Outer Bays
We spend the entire day amidst the coves, fjords, tidewater glaciers and majestic mountains of Glacier Bay National Park. You’ll see glaciers that end abruptly at the water’s edge and observe them “calving” — tons of ice crashing into the sea — accompanied by an exhilaratingly thunderous sound. Mountain goats scaling the peaks as well as harbor seals, Steller sea lions and puffins are some of the creatures we may observe. A visit to Tidal Inlet may bring the sight of brown bears lumbering up the hillside. A native Tlingit interpreter joins us onboard to share the legend of the area.
Day 7: Southeast Alaska’s Islands, Bays and Fjords
Today, nature is our guide as we set forth with the flexibility to take advantage of wildlife and weather conditions. We may stop at an isolated beach to take a closer look at tide pools, beachcomb, and hike stunning forest trails. Keep an eye out for old bear tracks worn into the soil as you move from forest to meadow. Sightings of bald eagles are very common. If conditions permit, we'll do some kayaking, always watching for marine and terrestrial life.
Day 8: Sitka
After breakfast we disembark in Sitka, southeastern Alaska’s only oceanfront town. Sitka has a strong Russian heritage, which is readily apparent as you visit the onion-domed St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Church. At the Raptor Rehabilitation Center, we have close views of species normally seen at a distance in the wild — bald eagles, hawks, falcons and owls.
Next Departure Date: 01 Jun 2025
| Dates | Cabin | From | Special Offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 Jun 2025 - 08 Jun 2025 | AUD$13370pp | ||
| Category 1 Cabin | AUD$13370pp | Contact us | |
| Category 2 Cabin | AUD$14992pp | Contact us | |
| Category 3 Cabin | AUD$15867pp | Contact us | |
| Category 4 Cabin | AUD$17640pp | Contact us | |
| Category 5 Suite | AUD$19507pp | Contact us | |
| 15 Jun 2025 - 22 Jun 2025 | AUD$13650pp | ||
| 29 Jun 2025 - 06 Jul 2025 | AUD$13930pp | ||
| 13 Jul 2025 - 20 Jul 2025 | AUD$14082pp | ||
| 10 Aug 2025 - 17 Aug 2025 | AUD$13790pp | ||
| 24 Aug 2025 - 31 Aug 2025 | AUD$13510pp | ||
| 07 Sep 2025 - 14 Sep 2025 | AUD$13510pp |
**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply
Cabin Details
Category 1 Cabin
12.6m², 2 single beds or 1 queen bed, writing desk, 2 portholes, private bathroom, A/C, shower, bathroom amenities, hairdryer, luggage storage, WIFI, TV, non-smoking.
Category 2 Cabin
12.6m², 2 single beds or 1 queen bed, writing desk, 2 portholes, private bathroom, A/C, shower, bathroom amenities, hairdryer, luggage storage, WIFI, TV, non-smoking.
Category 3 Cabin
15m², 2 single beds or 1 queen bed, writing desk, large view window private bathroom, A/C, shower, bathroom amenities, hairdryer, luggage storage, WIFI, TV, non-smoking.
Category 4 Cabin
15m², 2 single beds or 1 queen bed, writing desk, balcony with sliding glass door, private bathroom, A/C, shower, bathroom amenities, hairdryer, luggage storage, WIFI, TV, non-smoking.
Category 5 Suite
17m², 2 single beds or 1 queen bed, writing desk, large view windows, convertible sofa bed, private bathroom, A/C, shower, bathroom amenities, hairdryer, luggage storage, WIFI, TV, non-smoking.
National Geographic Quest Deckplan
Specifications
- Crew: 35
- Officers: United States
- Guests: 100
- Tonnage: 2906
- Length: 238 Feet / 72 Metres
- Width: 45 Feet
- Speed: 12 Knots
- Passenger Decks: 4
- Built: 2017
- Registry: United States of America
Whats included?
- All meals and non-alcoholic beverages on board
- Cappuccinos, lattes and filtered water
- 24-hour coffee, tea and soda on demand
- Hors d'oeurves and snacks during recap
- Guidance of the experienced expedition staff
- Park fees and port taxes
- All excursions
- Zodiac and kayak explorations
- Presentations
What’s not included?
- International and internal airfares
- Travel Protection Plan
- Passport, visa and immigration fees
- Gratuities
- Alcoholic beverages
- Spa treatments
- Laundry, internet and telephone
- Gift shop items and any other items of a personal nature
Price Assurance
At Eclipse Travel, our expert destination knowledge and decades of travel planning experience come at no extra cost to you. While many think booking through a tour operator is more expensive than planning a trip independently, that’s not the case. We’re paid by our travel partners—such as hotels, activity operators, and cruise providers—via commissions, not by our clients.
Our team negotiates the best rates for you and ensures you receive unbiased advice, with no preference for any particular supplier. In fact, where we secure higher commissions, we often pass the savings on to you, giving us a competitive price edge.
Additionally, we lock in exchange rates at the time of your deposit, ensuring no surprise costs when it’s time for final payment. You can rest easy knowing we’ll handle the details with our suppliers. The only exceptions are national park fee increases or fuel surcharges imposed after your booking, though these are rare.
Take advantage of our team’s expertise and let us help you plan the perfect holiday—hassle-free!
Destination: Arctic
Viking history, Inuit villages and an abundance of wildlife are just some of the wonders you’ll discover in the Arctic. You’ll be amazed by the natural beauty that surrounds you. Search for Polar Bears while cruising through breathtaking fjords or around the nature lovers dream, Spitsbergen.
Downloadable travel guide
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