Alaskas Inside Passage südgehend

Reiseverlauf

Reiseverlauf abhängig von Wetter- und Eislage. Beschriebene Naturerlebnisse/Tiersichtungen sind mögliche Ereignisse auf den Expeditionen und nicht garantiert.

• Tag 1

  Seward (Anchorage, Alaska)
  Do., 15. Mai
  Ankunft 00:00
  
  Monumental scenery surrounds you in this remote corner of the world, where glaciers calve and whales cruise through inky waters, before an immense mountain backdrop. Almost totally submerged by the colossal landscapes around it, Seward - and the wonders of Kenai Fjords National Park - offer some of astonishing Alaska's most thrilling scenery. Located in a deep gash in the Kenai Peninsula, Seward is a place to immerse yourself in nature's majesty. Fjords carve into the landscape, while the Harding Icefield - which caps Kenai Fjords National Park - reaches out its icy fingers, with glaciers spilling down between mountain peaks. Head to Holgate Glacier, to come face to face with a breathtaking stack of intense blue and white ice. Get up close in a kayak or boat ride, to slalom through the discarded confetti of ice chunks, and perhaps even witness the powerful spectacle of an ice ledge creaking and groaning, before plunging to the waters below. The city of Anchorage is easily within reach from here, offering an incongruous contrast to the wild wonders of Alaska. A place where deep-sea fishermen bump shoulders with businesspeople on the 9-5, it's a fascinating, remote city. Home to almost half of the Alaskan population, Anchorage and its humble skyline is dwarfed by the snowy peaks of the wilderness beyond. Don’t miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in the unique culture, traditions and heritage of the First Nation people of these lands too.

• Tag 2

  Cruise Hubbard Glacier, Alaska
  Fr., 16. Mai
  Ankunft 14:00
  
  This is one of those places that words, photos and videos, do not do justice and just has to be seen to be experienced. Huge, majestic and imposing, the Hubbard Glacier is the iconic Alaskan experience. Towering above the ship, the glacier reaches around 11,000 feet at its highest altitude point and measures almost 76 miles long and about five miles wide. Routinely calving off icebergs the size of skyscrapers , the spectacle of watching – and hearing – the thunderous blocks of ice hit the water is something that needs to be experienced at least once in a lifetime. From pure white, to arctic to glacier blue the ice absorbs every colour giving it an exceptionally lovely hue that is impossible to reproduce. Wrap up warm as the cooling, soothing and perfect breeze compliments what is surely the highlight of this incredible journey.

• Tag 3

  Juneau (Alaska)
  Sa., 17. Mai
  Ankunft 10:00
  
  Extraordinary adventures amid nature's wildest staging await at Juneau. The majestic Mendenhall Glacier sprawls down from Juneau Icefield, which provides an icy cap to the area's rip-roaring scenery. State capitals simply don't get more dramatic than this isolated, remote city lost amid the Alaskan wilds. Even the roads eventually peter out, absorbed by forests and viewpoints, firmly underlining the isolated location, hidden behind an impenetrable wall of rigid mountains. Rise up to Mount Roberts Tramway's viewpoint, to see the city swallowed by this most colossal backdrop. This is glacier country, and no fewer than 38 ice flows branch off from the main Juneau Icefield, slowly carving out valleys in their wakes. Taku Glacier cuts deep into the mountain, forming a colossal sculpture that is one of the world's thickest - almost a mile deep. Mendenhall Glacier cascades down, just 12 miles away from downtown, terminating in its own lake and visitor centre. With 1,500 square miles of ice field to explore, one of the best ways to take in the magnitude and majesty of this epic ice sculpture is to hold on tight on as the propeller whirs, and you soar into the skies on an exhilarating sightseeing flight. Cruising up above the icy world that fills in these serrated mountain peaks is a once in a lifetime experience. The animals that inhabit the Southeast Alaskan wilds are just as inspiring as the landscapes – families of bears patrol the riverbanks, bald eagles survey the surroundings watchfully, and Pacific humpbacks migrate from Hawaii's waters to feast on the krill rich, icy waters. Fish for huge catches, power across the ice in a snow-sledge, or kayak just below glaciers. However you choose to immerse yourself in it, Juneau's incredible outdoor adventures never disappoint.

• Tag 4

  Haines (Alaska)
  So., 18. Mai
  Ankunft 08:00
  
  Wild, raw and unrestrained Haines is Alaska at its most intoxicating. Crisp white snow crowns charcoal-coloured mountains while seas of impenetrable pine forest flow down to swathes of scenic coastline in this magical setting. Explore a rejuvenating Alaskan escape of temperate rainforests and glaciers as you dig into Chilkat Tlingit culture and explore a landscape of frayed waterways alive with Alaska's renowned wildlife. Sat at the head of the lengthy Lynn Canal - deep within the Inside Passage - Haines is a place where whale tales flick bald eagles call and juicy trout leap on to fishing rods. Get your hands dirty and immerse yourself in all of nature's wonders - whether you want to slide out onto the still waters in a kayak trek narrow trails on a bike or rise up to grandstand views while hiking. Surrounded by watery inlets get up close to the magnificent wildlife - whether it's brown bears wading out into the river to wrestle with huge fish or walruses and sea lions reclining lazily on the banks. Autumn brings a swell of fierce bald eagles to the area and Haines welcomes the world's biggest concentration of the powerful birds. Fort Seward is a site of important gold rush history as a former US military fort turned heritage museum and it's adorned with totem poles and masks. The area's native culture is kept alive through extraordinary Chilkat weaving and the indigenous people create elaborate richly decorated robes. Don't leave before tasting smoke-cured salmon fresh from the surrounding rivers.

• Tag 5

  Sitka (Alaska)
  Mo., 19. Mai
  Ankunft 09:00
  
  A distant land of bears, wild landscapes and icy adventures, sail between glorious islands and witness the diverse wildlife of the Inside Passage. Eagles watch over the scenery overhead, while whales and sea lions add glorious weight to the animal life that thrives and thrashes in these icy seas. With a quintet of Pacific salmon species filling the rich rivers and waterways with life, settle back to enjoy the show, as Sitka's immense setpieces play out before you. You might notice the onion-shaped dome atop St. Michael’s Church – a relic of the area's Russian history. Sitka formed a part of the Russian Empire until a deal was struck in 1867, and the territory was sold to the United States, with the handover ceremony taking place here in Sitka. The native Tlingit culture is an important presence, and elaborate totem poles rocket up in Sitka National Historical Park. They mark the battleground of 1804, when the indigenous people clashed fiercely with the Russians. The snow-capped peak of the dormant volcano, Mount Edgecumbe, draws understandable comparisons with Mount Fuji's symmetrical cone. Climb to thrilling heights, as you arrive on Kruzof Island, and enjoy richly spellbinding views of the scattered Pacific islands, while hiking. Whether you want to spend your time flying above snow-dusted mountain ridges, fishing for colossal King salmon, or savouring Northwest frontier cuisine in waterfront restaurants, there's no shortage of ways to experience Sitka's natural wonders.

• Tag 6

  Klawock, Alaska
  Di., 20. Mai
  Ankunft 07:30
  
  Tucked into a peaceful inlet on the scenic west coast of the wild Prince of Wales Island - the third largest island in all of the United States - Klawock is a welcoming town of tall totem poles with a deep connection to the salmon canning industry. Home to one of the largest totem pole parks anywhere in Alaska - where more than 20 intricately carved poles stand tall - Klawock celebrates and preserves its deep-rooted Tlingit culture. Klawock’s location was originally a camp for summer fishing expeditions, before later becoming a permanent Tlingit settlement. Visit the heritage center to learn more about the traditions and cultural significance of the meticulously decorated poles and you might also visit the town’s carving shed to witness the crafting process. The waters of Klawock Inlet are bursting with plump salmon, and Klawock has long been a historic center for the industry, with the first salmon cannery in Alaska opening here in 1878. Prince of Wales Island is a natural haven - breathe in crisp, clean, pine-scented air as you explore the wilderness of temperate rainforest. The island is home to huge black bears, which wander to pluck their own juicy salmon from the waters. There are excellent humpback whale-watching opportunities, and you can look out for sea otters sliding into the waves. Unsurprisingly, considering the deep-rooted links with the seas, the seafood served up in local establishments is mouth-wateringly fresh and succulent.

• Tag 7

  Cruise Inside Passage
  Mi., 21. Mai
  Ankunft 00:00
  
  Navigate through the intricate outlays of some of Alaska’s most staggering winter scenery threading a needle between craggy snow-dusted islands and slipping glacial giants. To cruise this 500-mile stretch of Alaskan beauty is to sail through a living work of natural art - with perfectly sculpted mountains soaring from the shoreline and clutches of islands scattered across the dark waters with delicate attention to detail. A common sailing route due to its calm sheltered waters gorgeous natural set pieces constantly play out here - whether it’s killer whales accompanying you through the breathtaking icy passages harbour seals catching a break on floating hunks of ice or wisps of cloud clinging to distant mountain peaks. Witness Mother Nature at her most dramatic and elaborate along this Alaskan coastline where glaciers groan and creak melodramatically before finally releasing colossal shelves of ice allowing them to free fall into the waters below and explode with angry booms and thunderous splashes. While fundamental displays of nature’s power always awe and amaze it’s the tranquil beauty of this passage - amid still waters splitting only to reveal the smooth backs of breaching humpback whales – that is relentlessly moving. A journey of glaciers remote hidden villages and carved fjords - the Inside Passage is a breathtaking voyage through the intricate mesh of Alaska’s fractured raw and spectacular coastal landscapes.

• Tag 8

  Vancouver
  Do., 22. Mai
  Ankunft 07:30
  
  Boasting mountains, sea, culture, art and so much more, many cities claim to have it all, but few can back it up like Vancouver. Famously livable, just visiting this highrise city - surrounded by staggering natural beauty - is a thrill. Offering all of the creature comforts of an ultra-modern, worldly metropolis - even downtown has a hint of mountain-freshness to its air - and part of Vancouver's appeal is how easily you can swap the skyscrapers for whale-filled oceans and mountain-punctured skies. Head up to the Vancouver Lookout Tower for the ultimate 360-degree views of the city glistening, amid the beautiful embrace of the beckoning wilderness beyond. But what to see first? Art lovers might choose the Vancouver Art Gallery or the Contemporary Art Gallery. Nature lovers might rush for the ferry to visit Vancouver Island - where they can encounter grizzly bears, whales and orcas. Culture vultures, on the other hand, will probably head for the sights and sounds of Canada's biggest Chinatown. From steaming dim sum for lunch to Chinese apothecaries offering herbs to soothe any illness, it’s all here thanks to the migrant workers of the 19th century. The one-of-a-kind treasure of Stanley Park brings wild wonder and natural beauty to this cosmopolitan city's doorstep, and the pine-tree clad park offers isolated trails and amazing views. Wander the Seawall that encircles it - a 20-mile coastal path, full of joggers, whizzing skaters and wandering couples. Grab a bike and cycle between Coal Harbour and Kitsilano Beach. You can top up your tan on the shore, as you soak in the glorious views of the mountains and cityscape from the sands.