Trip Full and Closed

$3895
(non-member: $3995)
Single Room at the hotel only –  add $345
 

  Activity Level:
     90% Easy;
     10% Moderate

 - 4 Night Cruise of Alaska's Inside Passage featuring Glacier Bay

- Services of WTT Tour Leader and local guides

 - Breakfast daily, 6 Dinners, 3 Lunches

  - Activities as described in the itinerary including Tracy Arms Fjord Cruise, Juneau City and Mendenhall Glacier Tour

 - Ground transportation within Alaska

 - Airport transfers courtesy of hotel

 - Time to explore on your own

 - Lodging:  3 Nights - Goldbelt Hotel; 4 nights - Onboard Ship

Depart:  Sunday, June 29th at your convenience.
(Note: Depending on where you are flying back to, you may wish to depart late Saturday evening.)

Early Arrival Cost:  WTT is not making early arrival arrangements for this trip.

· Any personal expenses, and any guide/driver gratuities.

A note about why we chose to skip the big ships: The large cruise lines depart from Vancouver. On a 7 night cruise they are at sea for 2 full days, in port cities all day for 4 additional days. They only have two 1/2 days on the entire trip devoted to the scenery. We believe there is a better way to see this spectacular scenery and not have to spend our time with 2000 or more people!

Sunday, June 22: Arrive Juneau, Alaska:  Group Dinner

Fly into Juneau Airport (airport code JNU) arriving no later than 4:00pm.  Upon arrival you will transfer to the hotel where you will check in and then meet as a group at 6:00pm.  After introductions, we will enjoy dinner together and talk about the upcoming week’s activities. We will spend the night at the Goldbelt Hotel or similar. (D)

Monday, June 23: Tracy Arms Fjord

Glaciers from the mountains to the sea. Alaska's largest icebergs. Waterfalls that drop thousands of feet. Incredible mountains and emerald green water. Watch for whales, bear, eagles and mountain goats. See hundreds of seals. This will be what waits for us today in Tracy Arms Fjord!

Board the 56' Adventure Bound for an unforgettable glacier cruise to the best of Alaska. Tracy Arm, a classic fjord, has it all - snow capped peaks, shear rock palisades, waterfalls, rainbows and tidewater glaciers. Drift among the icebergs for the most close-up view of Sawyer Glacier.

 The Adventure Bound has a stable, smooth riding, ocean going hull for the best cruise to Tracy Arm and Sawyer Glacier. A full walk-around deck and large cabin windows assure unobstructed views and great photo opportunities. We will return to Juneau where the remainder of the evening is free. (B)

Tuesday, June 24: Juneau City Tour and Mendenhall Glacier

Juneau City and Mendenhall Glacier tour is scheduled for this morning.  We will travel through downtown Juneau, Alaska’s capital city, then continue on to Mendenhall Glacier where there will be time to view all the exhibits at the US Forest Service Visitor Center and Observatory, walk the trail to a photo point, and just take in the magnificence of this glacier. 

This afternoon is free to explore Juneau for a bit before we will board our home for the next 5 days - the beautiful Spirit of Glacier Bay.  (B, D)

Wednesday, June 25: Travel to the "interior" by water to Haines

Our travels today take us to this truly Alaskan town, known for its scenery, military history, numerous artisans, galleries and off-the-beaten-path attitude will allow you to experience the "real" Alaska that few have the privilege to enjoy. 

 With its strategic location along the Chilkat Trail, the area around Haines has thrived for hundreds of years as an important and integral trade center for the Chilkat band of Tlingit natives, famous for the intricately designed blankets woven with the hair of mountain goats. Haines is also renowned as home to the world’s largest autumnal congregation of bald eagles, with the Chilkat Bald Eagle Reserve located 18 miles from the town.  In addition to an included activity in town, a breathtaking array of optional adventures are available to choose from. (B,L,D)

Thursday, June 26: Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve

In the early morning we’ll pick up a Glacier Bay Park Forest Ranger and a local Tlingit Cultural Interpreter in Bartlett Cove. They will provide a comprehensive day of narrative sightseeing.

The marine wilderness of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve includes tidewater glaciers, snow-capped mountain ranges, ocean coastlines, deep fjords, and freshwater rivers and lakes. This diverse land and seascape hosts a mosaic of plant communities and a variety of marine and terrestrial wildlife and presents many opportunities for adventuring and learning about this unique and powerful place.

Over 65 miles of pristine terrain and habitat have been revealed in Glacier Bay since its giant rivers of ice began dramatically retreating 200 years ago. Approach Marble Islands to encounter a multitude of seabirds.  We may encounter mountain goats on Gloomy Knob or watch brown and black bears foraging along the shoreline. Look for  harbor seals, sea otters and the humpback whales that call Glacier Bay their summer home. (B,L,D)

Friday, June 27: Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve

We will spend another day in Glacier Bay National Park. The Ranger will help you look for mountain goats, brown and black bears, moose, harbor seals, Steller's sea lions and puffins. The show the glacier will put on for us is amazing as we slip past huge peices of floating ice and listen as the glacier "calve" - which means to break away. New wonders are around every corner, so be sure you have your camera! (B,L,D)

Saturday, June 28: Juneau

The ship will arrive back in Juneau around 9am.  The remainder of the day in Juneau is yours to explore and enjoy. There are several choices for optional excursions in Juneau to allow you to make the most of your last day in Alaska.  We will gather as a group one final time and have dinner together and share our favorite sights and experiences of Alaska. Our overnight will be at the Goldbelt Hotel or similar.  (B,D)

Sunday, June 29 - Return Home

Make your own return flight from Juneau Airport at your convenience. (B)

The ship portion of this trip is not exclusive
to Women Traveling Together and there will be other guests.
The ship holds 102 guests.

Important Note:
Due to the rising cost of oil and fuel, Women Traveling Together reserves the right to pass on any surcharges from the cruise operator. 

Should a surcharge be necessary, Women Traveling Together will notify those travelers already signed up for the tour.  In the event that the surcharge is greater than 5% the traveler will have the option to pay the surcharge or to cancel their booking with a full refund.