Alaska (Inside Passage Route South) - An Adventurous Course Through Untamed Nature

It is hard to believe that a place as beautiful as Seward exists. Surrounded on all sides by Kenai Fjords National Park, Chugach National Forest, and Resurrection Bay, Seward offers all the quaint realities of a small railroad town with the bonus of jaw-dropping scenery. This little town of about 2,750 citizens was founded in 1903, when survey crews arrived at the ice-free port and began planning a railroad to the Interior. Since its inception, Seward has relied heavily on tourism and commercial fishing. It is also the launching point for excursions into Kenai Fjords National Park, where it is quite common to see marine life and calving glaciers.

Alaska quenches your thirst for grand adventures in vast wilderness. The fabric from which explorer dreams are woven manifests itself in magnificent form on this unforgettable journey. With luck, while cruising in the bays of the sprawling Katmai National Park aboard the HANSEATIC inspiration, you might have opportunities to observe bears. The animals often dwell in the coastal vegetation here. Alongside your expert guides, you will keep watch from the many open deck areas.

Homer serves as your gateway for spectacular tours focused on bear watching in the wild: A seaplane takes you on a scenic flight to Brooks Falls1, where, with some luck, you can observe brown bears fishing for salmon. Alternatively, you can fly to Lake Clark National Park1, where a hike with a ranger offers opportunities to see brown bears in their natural habitat. From Homer, you can also actively explore Alaska's pristine nature on a hike1 to a glacier lake or enjoy it leisurely on a boat trip1.

At the southern end of the Sterling Highway lies the city of Homer, at the base of a narrow spit that juts 4 miles into beautiful Kachemak Bay. Glaciers and snowcapped mountains form a dramatic backdrop across the water. Founded in the late 1800s as a gold-prospecting camp, this community was later used as coal-mining headquarters. Chunks of coal are still common along local beaches; they wash into the bay from nearby slopes where the coal seams are exposed. Today the town of Homer is an eclectic community with most of the tacky tourist paraphernalia relegated to the Spit (though do note the Spit has plenty else to recommend it, not the least of which is the 360-degree view of the surrounding mountains); the rest of the town is full of local merchants and artisans. The community is an interesting mix of fishermen, actors, artists, and writers. Much of the commercial fishing centers on halibut, and the popular Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby is often won by enormous fish weighing more than 300 pounds. The local architecture includes everything from dwellings that are little more than assemblages of driftwood to steel commercial buildings and magnificent homes on the hillside overlooking the surrounding bay, mountains, forests, and glaciers.

The main town of Kodiak Island was the second-largest settlement of Russian America until 1867. Today, the Russian Orthodox Church and the Kodiak History Museum serve as reminders of this era. Explore the small, charming Alaskan town at your own pace. A transfer will take you to Fort Abercrombie State Park1, where you can stroll through the moss-covered coastal forest and past meadows of Arctic flowers. With some luck, you might even spot whales off the coast.

Today, commercial fishing is king in Kodiak. Despite its small population—about 6,475 people scattered among the several islands in the Kodiak group—the city is among the busiest fishing ports in the United States. The harbor is also an important supply point for small communities on the Aleutian Islands and the Alaska Peninsula.Visitors to the island tend to follow one of two agendas: either immediately fly out to a remote lodge for fishing, kayaking, or bear viewing; or stay in town and access whatever pursuits they can reach from the limited road system. If the former is too pricey an option, consider combining the two: drive the road system to see what can be seen inexpensively, then add a fly-out or charter-boat excursion to a remote lodge or wilderness access point.Floatplane and boat charters are available from Kodiak to many remote attractions, chief among them the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge , which covers four islands in the Gulf of Alaska: Kodiak, Afognak, Ban, and Uganik.

Cruising through the Tsaa Fjord reveals some of the most picturesque landscapes in Alaska's storybook: towering alpine peaks, verdant forests, glaciers, and ice. As you approach the active Hubbard Glacier, your small expedition ship is in its element once again, safely navigating through the ice floes towards the glacier's edge, adapting to the ever-changing conditions.

Part of the Wrangell-Saint Elias National Park, Icy Bay is a body of water in south-east Alaska that was formed in the past 100 years due to the retreat of the Guyot, Yahtse and Tyndall glaciers. Icy Bay lives up to its name with an active tidewater glacier often clogging the fjord with icebergs. Here you can witness fantastic representations of geologic action over thousands of years whilst soaking in the magnificent views and exploring the landscape up-close.

Guided by a sense of profound freedom, your adventure through the Inside Passage begins. Discover how people live in harmony with nature with a visit to the tiny community of Elfin Cove on Chichagof Island, home to only about 30 residents. As you traverse the Icy Strait, a popular summer habitat for humpback whale families, enjoy stunning views of wildlife and landscapes once more.

Guided by a sense of profound freedom, your adventure through the Inside Passage begins. Discover how people live in harmony with nature with a visit to the tiny community of Elfin Cove on Chichagof Island, home to only about 30 residents. As you traverse the Icy Strait, a popular summer habitat for humpback whale families, enjoy stunning views of wildlife and landscapes once more.

Now is the perfect time to explore the unspoiled soul of Alaska, with its deep fjords and scattered islands. In addition to the abundant wildlife, you will marvel at the towering cliffs of Tracy Arm, set against a backdrop of stunning glacier vistas. The same awe-inspiring scenery awaits you in Endicott Arm, where, with a bit of luck, you might spot whales and sea lions.

You will discover the historical homeland of the Tlingit indigenous people with your expert guides on Kupreanof Island, under the watchful eyes of the world’s largest single-piece totem pole.

The picturesque town of Petersburg is affectionately known as "Little Norway." Painted floral garlands adorn the houses, enhancing the idyllic charm of the town. This picturesque setting is further enriched by the LeConte Glacier. Enjoy spectacular views of this southernmost tidewater glacier in North America during a jet boat ride1 or a scenic flight1.

Petersburg lies on the northern end of Mitkof Island, in the Inside Passage, on the banks of Frederick Sound where it joins the Wrangell Narrows. It is halfway between Juneau, 120 mi to the north, and Ketchikan 110 mi to the south. Remnants of fish traps and ancient petroglyphs indicate that this area was used by the Tlingit people as a summer fish camp. For more than 1,000 years In 1897 Peter Buschmann, a Norwegian immigrant, settled here. The place was named Petersburg after him, and was incorporated as a town in 1910. It flourished as a fishing port, and even today, it remains an island community that makes its living from the sea. It is the largest home-based halibut fleet in Alaska, and is ranked the 15th-most lucrative fisheries port in the United States by volume.

The picturesque town of Wrangell is one of the oldest settlements in Alaska. From here, embark on a bear-watching excursion at Anan Creek1, where you may be fortunate enough to spot both black and brown bears. The adventure continues with a thrilling journey through the former gold rush territory of the Stikine River1. For those who prefer a more active experience, a hike1 in the Tongass National Forest or a kayaking tour1 along the coast are excellent options.

A small, unassuming timber and fishing community, Wrangel sits on the northern tip of Wrangel Island, near the mouth of the fast-flowing Stikine River—North America's largest undammed river. The Stikine plays a large role in the life of many Wrangel residents, including those who grew up homesteading on the islands that pepper the area. Trips on the river with local guides are highly recommended as they provide, basically, an insider's guide to the Stikine and a very Alaskan way of life. Like much of Southeast, Wrangel has suffered in recent years from a declining resource-based economy. But locals are working to build tourism in the town. Bearfest, which started in 2010, celebrates Wrangel's proximity to Anan Creek, where you can get a close-up view of both brown and black bears. Wrangel has flown three different national flags in its time. Russia established Redoubt St. Dionysius here in 1834. Five years later Great Britain's Hudson's Bay Company leased the southern Alaska coastline, renaming the settlement Ft. Stikine. It was rechristened Wrangel when the Americans took over in 1867; the name came from Baron Ferdinand Petrovich von Wrangel, governor of the Russian-American Company. The rough-around-the-edges town is off the track of the larger cruise ships, so it does not get the same seasonal traffic that Ketchikan and Juneau do. Hence, it is nearly devoid of the souvenir shops that dominate so many other nearby downtown areas. But the gift shops and art galleries that are here do sell locally created work, and the town is very welcoming to visitors; independent travelers would do well to add a stop in Wrangel during their Southeast wanderings.

Let yourself be captivated by the rich Native American culture in Ketchikan, and seize another opportunity for bear watching1. A flight over the Misty Fjords1 reveals deeply carved sea inlets, lush shores against towering mountains, and cascading waterfalls. This region leaves a lasting impression, whether you’re exploring it on a Jeep and canoe adventure on Revillagigedo Island1.

Ketchikan is famous for its colorful totem poles, rainy skies, steep–as–San Francisco streets, and lush island setting. Some 13,500 people call the town home, and, in the summer, cruise ships crowd the shoreline, floatplanes depart noisily for Misty Fiords National Monument, and salmon-laden commercial fishing boats motor through Tongass Narrows. In the last decade Ketchikan's rowdy, blue-collar heritage of logging and fishing has been softened by the loss of many timber-industry jobs and the dramatic rise of cruise-ship tourism. With some effort, though, visitors can still glimpse the rugged frontier spirit that once permeated this hardscrabble cannery town. Art lovers should make a beeline for Ketchikan: the arts community here is very active. Travelers in search of the perfect piece of Alaska art will find an incredible range of pieces to choose from.The town is at the foot of 3,000-foot Deer Mountain, near the southeastern corner of Revillagigedo (locals shorten it to Revilla) Island. Prior to the arrival of white miners and fishermen in 1885, the Tlingit used the site at the mouth of Ketchikan Creek as a summer fish camp. Gold discoveries just before the turn of the 20th century brought more immigrants, and valuable timber and commercial fishing resources spurred new industries. By the 1930s the town bragged that it was the "salmon-canning capital of the world." You will still find some of Southeast's best salmon fishing around here. Ketchikan is the first bite of Alaska that many travelers taste. Despite its imposing backdrop, hillside homes, and many staircases, the town is relatively easy to walk through. Favorite downtown stops include the Spruce Mill Development shops and Creek Street. A bit farther away you'll find the Totem Heritage Center. Out of town (but included on most bus tours) are two longtime favorites: Totem Bight State Historical Park to the north and Saxman Totem Park to the south.

The HANSEATIC inspiration then takes two days to journey through British Columbia's Inside Passage, with its countless islands, forested mountains, and small indigenous settlements along the shore. Experience magnificent panoramas from the inspiration Walk, possibly enhanced by sightings of orcas and bald eagles. A breathtaking final chapter to your very own adventure novel.

Vancouver is a delicious juxtaposition of urban sophistication and on-your-doorstep wilderness adventure. The mountains and seascape make the city an outdoor playground for hiking, skiing, kayaking, cycling, and sailing—and so much more—while the cuisine and arts scenes are equally diverse, reflecting the makeup of Vancouver's ethnic (predominantly Asian) mosaic. Vancouver is consistently ranked as one of the world's most livable cities, and it's easy for visitors to see why. It's beautiful, it's outdoorsy, and there's a laidback West Coast vibe. On the one hand, there's easy access to a variety of outdoor activities, a fabulous variety of beaches, and amazing parks. At the same time, the city has a multicultural vitality and cosmopolitan flair. The attraction is as much in the range of food choices—the fresh seafood and local produce are some of North America's best—as it is in the museums, shopping, and nightlife.Vancouver's landscaping also adds to the city's walking appeal. In spring, flowerbeds spill over with tulips and daffodils while sea breezes scatter scented cherry blossoms throughout Downtown; in summer office workers take to the beaches, parks, and urban courtyards for picnic lunches and laptop meetings. More than 8 million visitors each year come to Vancouver, Canada's third-largest metropolitan area. Because of its peninsula location, traffic flow is a contentious issue. Thankfully, Vancouver is wonderfully walkable, especially in the downtown core. The North Shore is a scoot across the harbor, and the rapid-transit system to Richmond and the airport means that staying in the more affordable ’burbs doesn't have to be synonymous with sacrificing convenience. The mild climate, exquisite natural scenery, and relaxed outdoor lifestyle keep attracting residents, and the number of visitors is increasing for the same reasons. People often get their first glimpse of Vancouver when catching an Alaskan cruise, and many return at some point to spend more time here.