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Alaska

Alaska's Inside Passage Up Close

Program No. 11479RJ
The mighty glaciers and dramatic fjords of Alaska’s Inside Passage are incredible. Aboard an expedition ship, learn about this untamed land and its stunning diversity of wildlife.
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Outdoor AdventuresSmall ShipAdventures Afloat Study CruiseMost PopularNature & Environment
Length
10 days
Rating (4.83)
Activity Level
Starts at
10,999
Special Offer
Flights start at
FREE
Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
All itineraries and excursions are subject to change. Weather and water conditions may affect the progress of the ship, and we may miss ports if it is not safe to dock. The operators reserve the right to change the content and duration of excursions without prior notice and so the cruise itinerary should always be regarded as provisional. Whenever possible, Road Scholar’s published daily schedule will indicate port arrival and departure times. Prior to departure, if there is a major change, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
10 days
9 nights
What's Included
25 meals ( 9B, 7L, 9D )
7 expert-led lectures
11 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
9 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 4:00 p.m. If you arrive before your room is ready, you may store your luggage at the hotel until check-in is available. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather sea conditions may affect the itinerary. Sea conditions affect the progress of the ship, making it run late and sometimes miss ports because it is not safe to dock. Because of this, the cruise itinerary should always be regarded as provisional. The operators reserve the right to change the content of excursions without prior notice. The time available in each port is set by the cruise line. Whenever possible, the Road Scholar daily schedule indicates port arrival and departure times (subject to change by the cruise line). This may mean that free time in port is limited. Regardless of the time in port, Road Scholar delivers a robust educational program. 4:00 p.m.: After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table outside the meeting room to meet with program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the introduction session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
Following dinner, we’ll have a brief introduction to the program. A more in-depth orientation will take place the next morning. Evenings aboard the ship will include a debrief of the day’s activities as well as preparation for tomorrow’s activities. We’ll also enjoy various Alaskan stories each night as a way to wind down after the long day. Each full day on the ship will include at least one expert-led lecture. Durations of hikes will be dependent on the group pace and ability level, which can vary. Unless specified otherwise, transportation on land will be provided primarily by motorcoach, requiring the going up/down of a few steps when getting on/off. Periods in the schedule labeled “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to make the program more meaningful and memorable while going out to explore on your own, engaging in available activities independently, making new friends among fellow Road Scholars, or simply relaxing. The Group Leader will always be happy to offer suggestions for activities. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the full day ahead.
Activity Note
Please bring luggage from hotel rooms to hotel lobby. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving 25 miles, under 1 hour riding time. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule and any program changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Afterwards, we will take the motorcoach on a field trip to one of Alaska’s extraordinary natural wonders: the Mendenhall Glacier. This river of ice is one of 38 large glaciers that flow from the 1,500-square-mile Juneau ice field formed about 3,000 years ago. The glacier stretches 12 miles from the ice field down to its terminus at Mendenhall Lake. The glacier and surrounding area are protected by the National Forest Service as part of Tongass National Forest, the largest in the U.S., encompassing 17 million acres. The Visitor Center offers magnificent views of the Glacier and the lake, many displays and presentations, a short movie, and hiking trails. National Forest Service interpretive rangers will be available to provide information and answer questions as we explore independently. We’ll then explore Juneau via motorcoach as our driver provides commentary on our surroundings and the local history. Originating with the Alaska Gold Rush in 1880, the miners’ tent camp grew into a small town and then kept growing as mines produced millions of dollars in gold well into the 20th century. Tourism expanded as adventure travelers were attracted by the surrounding old-growth forests, snow-capped mountains, glaciers, salmon streams, bear habitat, and migratory whale routes. En route, we will pass the Capitol Building and the governor’s mansion, among other city highlights. Following our exploration of Juneau, we will head to the Alaska State Museum for a self-directed exploration of this repository for the state’s history, highlighting the distinct native cultures of Alaska.
Lunch:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Afternoon:
Free time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. We will then board our vessel and begin our journey out of Juneau. After boarding, we will meet the captain and crew and have an orientation session outlining safety procedures as we get underway.
Dinner:
Tonight, we’ll have dinner off the ship at Orca Point Lodge.
Evening:
We will take a stroll on the private rocky beach and, if weather permits, enjoy a bonfire on the beach. We’ll then reboard the ship for the evening.
Activity Note
Getting on/off streetcars. Minimal walking on sidewalks and city streets. Getting on/off a train; riding 40 miles round trip, approximately 3.5 hours. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
Aboard the ship.
Morning:
Making our way up the spectacular Taiya Inlet, we’ll dock in Skagway. This famous gold rush town is also home to Klondike National Historic Park, which owns and has restored many of the buildings. We will take a narrated shuttle from the ship to the White Pass Railway depot, board the train, and take a narrated ride on rails up to the White Pass summit located in British Columbia, Canada, with spectacular views along the way. This narrow-gauge railway route was built during the Klondike Gold Rush. Its proposed 110-mile journey through coastal mountains was considered impossible but became a reality in only 26 months of construction from 1898-1900. The railway operated as a business until 1982, then re-opened in 1988 for seasonal excursions.
Lunch:
Aboard the ship.
Afternoon:
Free time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. The ship is scheduled to depart mid- to late afternoon. The exact time to return to the ship will be announced.
Dinner:
Aboard the ship.
Evening:
Aboard the ship, we’ll enjoy an evening of native storytelling or other Alaskan tales.
Activity Note
Full day spent aboard ship. Climbing up/down steep stairs on the ship to get to the different deck levels for wildlife viewing.
Breakfast:
Aboard the ship.
Morning:
Birders and wildlife watchers will want to be up and out on decks as we enter Glacier Bay early this morning. The NPS citation reads, “Covering 3.3 million acres of rugged mountains, dynamic glaciers, temperate rainforest, wild coastlines, and deep sheltered fjords, Glacier Bay National Park is a highlight of Alaska’s Inside Passage and part of a 25-million-acre World Heritage Site — one of the world’s largest international protected areas.” The entrance to Glacier Bay teems with wildlife, particularly sea birds. This is also an area frequented by feeding humpback whales. The Huna Tlingit people once lived here and consider it their spiritual homeland.
Lunch:
Aboard the ship.
Afternoon:
We’ll continue our study cruise exploration of Glacier Bay National Park, the crown jewel of Southeast Alaska considered by many to be the United States’ number one national park. Glacier Bay boasts the largest number of tidewater glaciers in North America, the 15,000-foot Fairweather Mountain range, some of the most stunning scenery anywhere, and a prolific amount wildlife including humpback whales, sea otters, puffins, mountain goats, and much more, often amid calving icebergs. We’ll watch for all these wonders from the deck of the ship.
Dinner:
Aboard the ship.
Evening:
Aboard the ship, we’ll enjoy an evening of native storytelling or other Alaskan tales.
Activity Note
Levels of activity are dependent on personal preference. Choice for DIB ride: climbing up/down ladder to get to loading dock. Climbing in/out of 22-foot DIB with assistance from crew. Choice to kayak: climbing in and out of kayak with assistance. Kayak groups will be led by staff. Choice to hike: approximately 1 hour; distance covered is dependent on pace of group; takes place on maintained USFS trail with moderate incline and is led by staff.
Breakfast:
Aboard the ship.
Morning:
Depending on weather and sea conditions, the captain will make the best location choice for exploring. There may be opportunities to explore the area chosen via 2-person sea kayak, 22-foot DIB, or shore walk.
Lunch:
Aboard the ship.
Afternoon:
We will continue to explore the area, watching for marine animals, wildlife, and the pristine Tongass National Forest.
Dinner:
Aboard the ship.
Evening:
Aboard the ship, enjoy an evening of native storytelling or other Alaskan tales.
Activity Note
Climbing up/down steep stairs to get to the deck for wildlife viewing. Climbing in/out of the 22-foot DIB for field trips (weather permitting).
Breakfast:
Aboard the ship.
Morning:
Perhaps Alaska’s most scenic fjord, Tracy Arm—a photographer’s paradise—is a narrow inlet of ocean running between cliffs or steep slopes. Tracy Arm twists and turns for more than 30 miles through some of the most dramatically scenic landscapes anywhere, dotted with thousands of icebergs from twin glaciers—North Sawyer and South Sawyer—at the end of the fjord. There will be many opportunities for wildlife viewing. Along the way, our staff will narrate and point out the highlights. Weather and sea conditions permitting, we will also have the opportunity to ride the DIB with our expert leaders to explore the terrain.
Lunch:
Aboard the ship.
Afternoon:
We’ll wind our way back down the arm, pausing to view some of the spectacular waterfalls that spill out of the granite cliffs along the fjord. As we depart from Tracy Arm, we will head into Frederick Sound to scout for humpback whales and other marine mammals in these world-renowned whale waters.
Dinner:
Aboard the ship.
Evening:
Aboard the ship, we’ll enjoy an evening of native storytelling or other Alaskan tales.
Activity Note
Levels of activity are dependent on personal preference. Choice to kayak: climbing in and out of kayak with assistance. Kayak groups will be led by staff. Choice to hike: approximately 1 hour; distance covered is dependent on pace of group; takes place on maintained USFS trail with moderate incline and is led by staff. Distance walking in town is up to personal preference.
Breakfast:
Aboard the ship.
Morning:
Today we’ll visit the small fishing town of Petersburg. Located on Mitkof Island and founded in the late 1800s, Petersburg is known as Alaska’s “Little Norway.” As we explore the town, we’ll notice the Scandinavian influence from Norwegian rosemaling on the store fronts, to the brightly painted homes, to the Sons of Norway Hall. The captain will select the activities for the day based on the weather and sea conditions.
Lunch:
Aboard the ship.
Afternoon:
We’ll continue the morning’s activities after lunch.
Dinner:
Aboard the ship.
Evening:
Aboard the ship, we’ll enjoy an evening of native storytelling or other Alaskan tales.
Activity Note
Walking with expert 1 mile on a maintained road; some hills. A bus is available for those who don’t want to walk. Sitting or standing throughout the visit.
Breakfast:
Aboard the ship.
Morning:
We will arrive in Kake. Of the twenty largest islands in the United States, seven of them are in Southeast Alaska. At 1,086 square miles, Kupreanof Island is the 13th largest, yet fewer than 600 people call the island home. Most of them live in the city of Kake, a mostly Tlingit village situated on the island’s northwest shore. Arriving in Kake, we will be met by a local expert who will show us the significant cultural sites in Kake including the world’s tallest, single-tree totem pole. This totem pole was raised in 1971 and stands at 136 feet tall. We’ll then make our way to the town gym where we’ll have a chance to interact with local artists and view their arts and crafts.
Lunch:
Aboard the ship.
Afternoon:
We’ll cruise along Frederick Sound, which is known for its whale watching opportunities. We will spend the afternoon cruising through this delightful and lovely, yet rarely visited part of Alaska. We’ll view the temperate rainforest, waterfalls, and pristine beaches from the comfort of the ship, scan the skies for birds and the shores for wildlife.
Dinner:
Aboard the ship.
Evening:
Aboard the ship, we’ll enjoy an evening of native storytelling or other Alaskan tales.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Walking according to personal preference on groomed trails at Sitka National Historical Park. Sitting during raptor presentation. Standing according to personal preference at the Sheldon Jackson Museum. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice; paved walkways in Sitka.
Breakfast:
Aboard the ship.
Morning:
After disembarking the ship, we will make our way to the Sitka National Historical Park where we’ll have a chance to explore the trails, beach, and visitor’s center independently. One of Alaska’s most charming communities, Sitka lies in a protected harbor rich in natural resources and has a complex history dating back over 8,000 years, beginning with the Kiksadi Tlingit people as the native residents. Serious Russian interest began in 1725 when they began to explore the Pacific coast of North America until they eventually established, after much fighting with the Tlingit people, Sitka as an administrative center. Next, we’ll make our way to the Sheldon Jackson Museum, which holds many artifacts that were collected by Sheldon Jackson himself. After a brief introduction to the museum from a docent, enjoy some time to explore the exhibits independently; docents will be available to answer any questions you may have. In 1877, Sheldon Jackson began his work in Alaska as a Presbyterian missionary and, while working with the Alaska Natives, he saw the need to preserve their history and culture for future generations, so he amassed an extensive collection of cultural artifacts, many of which are on display in the museum. Then we’ll make our way to the Alaska Raptor Center where we’ll witness all of the wonderful work this place is doing to rehabilitate the local raptors. After hearing a talk from center staff who will then show us around, we’ll have some time to explore on our own before returning to the hotel.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Free time. Take the afternoon to explore Sitka on your own. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
After dinner, we’ll enjoy a wrap-up discussion as we share favorite memories of the program with our new friends and fellow participants. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
At the hotel, to-go breakfasts will be provided. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to like our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
Please Note: This program has itinerary variations on certain dates.
May 22, 2026 - May 31, 2026 (Juneau, AK to Sitka, AK)
Jun 26, 2026 - Jul 05, 2026 (Sitka, AK to Juneau, AK)
Jul 10, 2026 - Jul 19, 2026 (Sitka, AK to Juneau, AK)
Aug 07, 2026 - Aug 16, 2026 (Sitka, AK to Juneau, AK)
Sep 04, 2026 - Sep 13, 2026 (Sitka, AK to Juneau, AK)
May 22 - May 31, 2026 Itinerary Differences: This departure starts in Juneau and ends in Sitka.