Exploring the
Hidden Fjords and Glaciers of Alaska's Inside Passage
A Clipper Cruise
8 Days, 7 Nights
August 23-30
Optional Rail pretour:
August 19-23
Itinerary
Day 1
Juneau (Embark)
Arrive today in Juneau and embark the Yorktown Clipper. Alaska's
capital city lies in a panoramic setting between towering Mt.
Juneau and Gastineau Channel. After dinner on board, you may
stroll to nearby downtown Juneau or just relax on board.
Day 2
Tracy Arm (Sawyer Glacier)
We enter the grass-smooth waters of Tracy Arm early this morning.
This spectacular, 20-mile-deep fjord is made up of Yosemite-like
granite rocks, countless waterfalls, huge icebergs, turquoise
water and mountain peaks reaching more than 5,000 feet. We may
come within yards of harbor seals hauled out on ice floes. Search
the cliffs for mountain goats scaling the near-vertical cliffs,
and enjoy the many species of seabirds found here. At the end
of Tracy Arm is Sawyer Glacier, arguably the bluest and most
beautiful of the glaciers in a land renowned for them.
Day 3
Inian Islands/Elfin Cove
This morning, sail through the Inian Islands, populated by huge
colonies of seabirds as well as sea otters and sea lions. We
anchor off Chicagof Island and take motorized landing craft ashore
to the charming fishing community of Elfin Cove. Here, the homes
of the 50 year-round residents are built on stilts, and the only
sidewalk is an elevated boardwalk. Explore this tiny hamlet on
your own, or join our naturalists for a hike into the nearby
temperate rain forest, where delicate ferns, dwarf dogwood and
a mosaic of mosses grow in the shade of Sitka spruce and western
hemlock.
Day 4
Sitka
Sitka's harbor is reputed to be one of the most picturesque in
all of Southeast Alaska. Once the ancestral home of the Tlingit
Indians, Sitka, located on the western shore of Baranof Island,
was the capital of Russian-ruled Alaska for 126 years; vestiges
of the czar's fur-trading empire can be seen throughout the city.
Although it has been American since 1867, the city today is a
pleasant blend of Indian, Russian and American cultures. The
Sitka National Historic Park features native artists at work
and a rain forest trail lined with totem poles.
Day 5
Chatham Strait
A full day of spontaneous exploration is planned, as the Yorktown
Clipper sails through Chatham Strait, a canyonlike channel between
Baranof Island to the west and Admiralty Island to the east.
Along the Baranof side, many narrow inlets and secluded bays
penetrate deep into the rugged, mountainous interior of the island.
To the south, ruins of failed enterprises, now reclaimed by the
forest, might be glimpsed: old whaling stations, salmon salteries
and canneries, mines, and fish-meal plants. Depending on conditions,
we'll investigate some of the bays along this route, keeping
an eye out for wildlife activity. Our on-board naturalists will
be available on deck and in the observation lounge to answer
our questions and point out seabirds and other wildlife.
Day 6
Petersburg
We arrive in Petersburg this morning. Situated on the extreme
northern tip of Mitkof Island, Petersburg is the prize that awaits
mariners who have navigated the 21-mile Wrangell Narrows. Founded
in 1897 by Peter Buschmann, a Norwegian immigrant, the town is
the halibut capital of Alaska and distinctly Scandinavian. You'll
have all morning to explore this prosperous fishing community
on your own, or join the naturalists on a walk through the musket
bog, a unique ecosystem that is an integral part of the Alaskan
wilderness.
Day 7
Misty Fjords National Monument/Ketchikan
Entering Behm Canal, you will spend this morning exploring Misty
Fjords National Monument. This 2.3-million-acre wilderness is
covered with thick forests on nearly vertical slopes. In Rudyerd
Bay, a 10-mile-deep fjord, the Yorktown Clipper is in her element,
nosing in and out of the contours of the shoreline, sailing in
pristine waters hundreds of feet deep. Keep a close watch for
river otters, harbor seals, black and brown bears, herons and
bald eagles as we explore the inlets, bays, arms and coves of
this magnificent wilderness.
This afternoon, we reposition for Ketchikan. Originally a Tingit fishing camp, Ketchikan (in Tlingit, Kitschk-Hin, or "Thundering Wings of an Eagle Creek") is now Alaska's fourth largest city, with much of its activity still centered around the colorful waterfront. Located at the conjunction of three cultures - Tlingit, Tsimshian and Haida - the town's population remains about 50 percent Native American. Ketchikan has many attractions, from its large collection of colorful totem poles to the shops and saloons on historic Creek Street.
Day 8
Ketchikan
Disembark the Yorktown Clipper after breakfast and transfer to
the airport for your return flight home.
Your voyage includes:
· Seven nights
aboard the Yorktown Clipper in outside staterooms with lower
beds, individual temperature controls and private bathroom facilities
· All meals aboard the ship, starting with dinner the
first day and ending with breakfast on the last day, served at
single leisurely seatings and prepared to order by chefs trained
at some of the most prestigious culinary institutes in America
· Choice of optional excursions (at additional cost) in
Sitka and Petersburg
· Transfers between airports/ship for Clipper air-ticketed
passengers traveling on scheduled dates of departure and return
· Experienced naturalists on board throughout the voyage
to enhance your understanding and enjoyment of the natural world
· Services of Clipper's hospitality staff, including cruise
director and hotel manager
· Services of American officers and crew throughout the
voyage
· Captain's welcome aboard and farewell parties and dinners
· Automatic $250,000 travel insurance policy for each
Clipper-ticketed passenger, subject to policy terms and limitations
IRT MEMBERS RECEIVE A $200 PER CABIN DISCOUNT OFF THESE RATES:
Rates per person:
Category 1: $2,410
Category 2: $2,760
Category 3: $2,980
Category 4: $3,190
Category 5: $3,460
Category 6: $3,670
Single Occupancy $4,140
Third Person in Stateroom $1,210
-Rates of the precruise extension:
$1,590 per person, double occupancy
$1,990 single occupancy
Reservations: A deposit of $200 per person is required to confirm reservations. Final payment is due 60 days prior to departure.
Alaskan Heartland
Adventure
Optional Precruise Excursion
5 Days/4 Nights
Itinerary
Day 1
Fairbanks
Depart your hometown today for Fairbanks. You will be met at
the airport and transferred to your hotel.
Day 2
Fairbanks / Denali National Park
Cast off aboard the only authentic operating sternwheeler in
Alaska, the riverboat Discovery, for a narrated cruise into the
interior's historic backcountry following the route of the early
gold-rush pioneers. This afternoon, savor a buffet lunch at a
local establishment and visit the University of Alaska/Fairbanks
Museum before traveling by motorcoach from Fairbanks to Denali
National Park. You'll arrive this evening and check into your
hotel, located in a rustic setting.
Day 3
Denali National Park
Enjoy some free time today to explore Denali. Take a hike on
the park's marked trails or along the river, view films at the
hotel, or explore the small park community. Optional flightsee-ing,
white water rafting and river float tours are also available.
Included in today's schedule, we will venture deep into Denali on a guided journey through miles of the park's wilderness. Denali is known for its abundant wildlife. Caribou, moose, grizzly bears, wolves and Dall's sheep may be viewed along the road, as well as striking views of the Alaskan Range and Mt. McKinley (weather permitting).
Day 4
Denali / Anchorage
Your exploration of Denali continues this morning. After lunch
at leisure, board a window-domed observation car of the McKinley
Explorer bound for Anchorage. Experience spectacular views of
the tundra, seemingly endless mountain ranges and deep river
canyons visible only from the train. Enjoy dinner on board before
arriving this evening in Anchorage, bordered on the east by the
Chugach Mountains and on the south and west by waterways of the
Knik and Turnigan arms.
Day 5
Anchorage / Ketchikan (Embark)
This morning, explore Alaska's largest city on a guided tour
that includes a visit to the Saturday Morning Market. Your tour
concludes at the airport for your flight to Ketchikan and the
Yorktown Clipper.
Your extension includes:
· Accommodations
in rustic hotels
· All meals, except for Days 1 & 3, and lunch on Day
4
· All surface transportation
· All sightseeing excursions, as per itinerary (some optional
excursions will also be available at additional cost)
· All transfers of passengers and luggage for those traveling
on scheduled date of departure and arrival
· Air transportation between Anchorage and Juneau at the
end of the extension
· Services of Clipper travel director throughout the tour
Rates:
$1,590 per person,
double occupancy
$1,990 single occupancy
Responsibility: Clipper Cruise Line, Inc. and/or
The Society of International Railway Travelers (IRT) assume no
liability for failure to provide the services and accommodations
referred to in this brochure to the extent that such services
and accommodations cannot be supplied due to delays or other
causes beyond the control of Clipper Cruise Line, Inc. and/or
IRT. In the absence of negligence on the part of Clipper Cruise
Line, Inc., the cruise participant agrees that Clipper Cruise
line, Inc. and IRT have no responsibility or liability of any
nature whatsoever for damage to or loss of property, or injury
to or death of persons due to any act, omission, or negligence
of any carrier, hotel, restaurant, bus carrier, tender service,
sightseeing company, or any other persons rendering any of the
services or ground portions of the itinerary, and the cruise
participant further waives any claim against Clipper Cruise Line,
Inc. and IRT for any such damage, loss, injury or death. Clipper
Cruise Line, Inc. and IRT shall not be responsible for any delays,
substitution of equipment, or any act or omission whatsoever
by the suppliers of such services, their agents, servants, and
employees, and the cruise participant hereby waives any claim
arising therefrom. Clipper Cruise Line, Inc. and IRT reserve
the right to decline, accept, or retain any cruise participant
at any time. Change in itinerary: Clipper Cruise Line, Inc. and
IRT expressly reserves the right to omit or substitute any scheduled
port or shore excursion at any time for any reason whatsoever
without prior notice. In the event of such an omission or substitution,
no liability will be granted by Clipper Cruise Line, Inc. and
IRT. All itineraries subject to change. Cancellations and
Refunds: All cancellations, for any reason, must be received
in writing and will be subject to a $100 per-person administrative
fee. The administrative fee may be applied toward a future Clipper
trip within three years from date of issue. Cancellations from
59 days to 35 days prior to departure are subject to a ten percent
(10%) cancellation fee per tour participant; cancellations occurring
within 34 days of departure or nonappearance will result in forfeiture
of the entire cost of the trip unless the space can be resold.
In the event the space is resold, a refund, equal to the resale
value of the space, is made after deduction of the $100 per-person
administrative fee and applicable airline cancellation penalties.
No refunds will be made in the event of "no shows"
or cancellations made on the day of sailing.
Please call us with questions, bookings:
800-IRT-4881
www.irtsociety.com
Send us e-mail with comments or questions
