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Alaska

Passport to Southeast Alaska: By Hiking Boot, Kayak & Boat

Program No. 22225RJ
Alaska is one-fifth the size of all Lower 48 states combined but has a population smaller than Rhode Island. Come hike, kayak, learn about and explore this idyllic place.
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  • Passport to Southeast Alaska: By Hiking Boot, Kayak & Boat
  • Passport to Southeast Alaska: By Hiking Boot, Kayak & Boat
  • Passport to Southeast Alaska: By Hiking Boot, Kayak & Boat
  • Passport to Southeast Alaska: By Hiking Boot, Kayak & Boat
Multi-SportOutdoor AdventuresOn the RoadSmall GroupNature & Environment
Length
11 days
Rating (5)
Activity Level
Starts at
8,399
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.
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. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
11 days
10 nights
What's Included
27 meals ( 10B, 7L, 10D )
14 expert-led field trips
2 flights during the program
1 performance
An experienced Group Leader
10 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in available from 4:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 5:00 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table to meet with program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived.
Dinner:
In the hotel’s meeting space.
Evening:
Orientation: 7:00 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. This program will be led by the Group Leader and local experts unless specified otherwise. Transportation will be by shuttle vehicles which vary each day between taxis, vans, small buses, and converted school buses. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. 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. Thank you for your understanding.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a shuttle; minimal driving. Canoeing for a total of 2 hours. Trek along the edge of the glacier for about 2 miles and 1.5 hours. The terrain is rocky, uneven, and can be slick.
Breakfast:
In our hotel meeting space.
Morning:
We’ll be picked up at the hotel and transferred to our canoe outfitter for an orientation before we transfer to Mendenhall Glacier. We will divide into groups and get into our canoes with our guides. Each canoe holds up to 12 people. We will paddle across Mendenhall Lake for about one hour. We’ll take in views of Nugget Falls and paddle past Arctic Tern nesting grounds. We’ll land at the beach near Mendenhall Glacier. Following our local expert, we will trek along the rocky terrain of the glacier’s edge. We will learn about how the glacier is in a constant state of change. Our local expert will be sure to point out incredible ice features. We’ll then paddle our canoes back across the lake and transfer to our canoe outfitter where we will have lunch.
Lunch:
We’ll enjoy boxed lunches.
Afternoon:
Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your 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. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration.
Dinner:
We will meet in the lobby and walk to a designated meeting space. We’ll board a shuttle and transfer to dinner for an Alaskan feast alongside a creek in the lush rainforest.
Evening:
Listen to the live music and explore the interactive gold rush mural before we transfer back to the hotel. Prepare for check-out and transfer tomorrow.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a shuttle; driving 18 miles, approximately 1/2 hour total riding time. Getting on/off a plane; flight time under 1/2 hour. Walking under 1 mile; hiking approximately 5 miles in length.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will check out and store our luggage at the hotel. We will head back to Mendenhall Glacier where we will meet with local experts who will lead us on a hike, which will allow us to explore a different part of the park. Walking sticks will be provided, but if you prefer hiking poles, you can bring your own. Following our field trip, we will return to Juneau.
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:
After lunch, we’ll meet at the hotel to shuttle to the airport for our short flight to Gustavus. Upon arrival, we’ll check in at our hotel.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a 150-passenger, high-speed catamaran with covered areas; boat trip will take approximately 8 hours. Minimal walking.
Breakfast:
At the lodge.
Morning:
We’ll board a heated, high-speed catamaran with a National Park Service ranger to spend the day on the waters of Glacier Bay to view tidewater glaciers, snow-capped mountains, whales, stellar sea lions, seabirds, seals, eagles, and possibly some bears along the shore. We’ll travel to the face of the Margerie and Grand Pacific Glaciers, two of the many tidewater glaciers found in the National Park.
Lunch:
Aboard the catamaran, we’ll enjoy a boxed meal.
Afternoon:
We’ll continue our exploration through the bay watching for calving glaciers, floating ice, and wildlife. Isn’t that what Alaska is all about? After our stunning ride, we will return to shore and walk back to the lodge.
Dinner:
At the lodge.
Evening:
At the lodge, we will meet our kayak instructors for tomorrow’s trip and receive a short orientation for our coming adventures.
Activity Note
Kayaking about 2 hours. Extent and duration of free time activities according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the lodge.
Morning:
Today we’ll have the opportunity to kayak in Bartlett Cove. We’ll meet our guides who will take us out on the water where we’ll observe forested shorelines and scout for wildlife. We may see birds, marine mammals, and possibly moose and black bear. On top of this we’ll learn about the rich natural and cultural history of the area. Our group will divide into two for this activity. One group will kayak in the morning while the other will kayak in the afternoon. While you are not out on the water, take the time to explore Glacier Bay Lodge and the surrounding area. Your Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions of how to spend your time. You can also refer to the list of free time suggestions provided for you in your program materials.
Lunch:
At the lodge.
Afternoon:
Following lunch we'll swap kayak groups.
Dinner:
At the lodge.
Evening:
At leisure. There will be another opportunity to attend a ranger-led lecture about Glacier Bay if we choose. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a shuttle. Hiking up to 2 miles over varied terrain. Extent and duration of walking and other free time activities according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the lodge.
Morning:
We’ll get moving this morning with a beautiful hike led by our Group Leader. We'll check out of the lodge this morning and store our luggage for our transfer in the afternoon.
Lunch:
At the lodge.
Afternoon:
Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your 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. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration. Then we will transfer to the airport for our late afternoon return flight to Juneau. Upon arrival, we will transfer to our hotel and check in.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a shuttle. Getting on/off a ferry; riding for 3 hours. Hiking on groomed trails. Distance based on personal preference. Getting on/off a tram; ascending about 1,800 feet.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll make our way to downtown Juneau, where we’ll have a chance to ride the Mount Roberts Tramway. In operation since 1996, the Mt. Roberts tram makes a six-minute ascent of 3,819-foot Mount Roberts from the docks to a height of about 1,800 feet. At the top, we will enjoy expansive views of Juneau and Gastineau Channel and have some time for exploration at the Mountain House, Chilkat Theater, and Raven Eagle Gifts & Gallery.
Lunch:
This afternoon, we’ll enjoy an expert-led walking exploration of downtown Juneau, where we’ll enjoy small plates from several local restaurants. We’ll enjoy learning about Alaska’s history and culture as we sample several local dishes.
Afternoon:
We’ll transfer by shuttle to the dock where we’ll board the fast ferry. We’ll enjoy educational commentary during the journey from Juneau to Haines, as well as make stops for wildlife viewing. We may be lucky enough to see eagles, whales, sea lions, and harbor seals. Along the way, we will also make a stop at the Eldred Rock Lighthouse, built in 1905 and the oldest original lighthouse in Alaska.
Dinner:
Aboard the ferry.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a shuttle; driving about 44 miles, approximately 1.5 hours total riding time. Getting in/out of rafts; rafting 1.5 hours total. Hiking up to 4 miles on mostly flat, groomed paths.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Our expert naturalists for today’s adventure will meet us at the hotel and lead us on a hike through the rainforest, over boardwalks, bridges, and creeks to Battery Point. Full of wildflowers in the early summer, it is bordered by the Chilkat River with views of the snowcapped mountains and Lynn Canal. We will then return to the hotel.
Lunch:
Boxed lunch.
Afternoon:
Our expert naturalists will give a safety briefing at the hotel. We will then board our 16-foot oar rafts and heading out on the Chilkat River. We will be joined by a naturalist, who will discuss topics like local ecology, the history of Haines, and more. From the Alaska Department of Natural Resources: “The Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve was created by the State of Alaska in June of 1982 to protect the world’s largest concentration of Bald Eagles and their critical habitat.” The preserve consists of 48,000 acres of river bottomland formed by the intersection of three rivers and is home to Klukwan, the mother village of the Tlingit Nation. After our float, we will pull out at the site of a Klukwan village, where elders will provide a presentation about Tlingit culture and history. We will view the historical collection of the Whale House Clan. We will go on a walkthrough of the Traditional Knowledge Camp, where we will learn about adze carving for tribal canoes and smoking salmon. We’ll then listen to historical storytelling presentations. Afterwards, we will return to the hotel by shuttle.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Rest and relax or take a walk through town.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a shuttle; riding about 20 miles. Kayaking approximately 2 hours. Walking and other free time activities according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
This morning we’ll meet our local experts at our hotel and set off for Chilkoot Lake State Park for our kayak field trip. This park is home to Tlingit cultural sites, a beautiful, pristine lake, and wildlife. We’ll set off on a guided kayak adventure where we’ll look out for eagles, migratory birds, and bears. We’ll get a chance to take in the stunning waterfalls and even pause at the base of one, hopefully spotting some wildlife.
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. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most in Haines.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a ferry; riding 3 hours. Walking approximately 1.5 miles on paved walkways. Standing as much as you want in museums.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll check out and transfer to the dock, where we’ll board our fast ferry that will take us back to Juneau. We’ll enjoy interpretation from an expert and keep our eyes peeled for wildlife sightings. When we arrive in Juneau, we’ll carry on to our hotel by motorcoach.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Following lunch, we will head to the Alaska State Museum for a docent-led exploration of the Museum, which is the repository for the state’s history, highlighting the distinct native cultures of Alaska.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
We’ll have a program wrap-up sharing our favorite memories with our fellow Road Scholars. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. 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. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on another rewarding program in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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