Discover, Plan & Go!

We are proud this trip was featured in National Geographic Magazine's October 2006 Top 50 Tours of a Lifetime.

A trip aboard the historic, 12-passenger, M/V Catalyst to wild Southeast Alaska reveals a world of dramatic landscapes. From tiny island habitats, sparkling glacial fjords, to verdant temperate rainforests and then to roadless villages. Woven together by an intricate network of waterways, the myriad islands and imposing coastal mainland form a natural wonderland, inviting exploration and adventure. The largest old-growth forest in the nation, the Tongass, carpets more than a thousand off-shore islands. High peaks tower majestically near perpetual ice fields just miles from shore. Thousands of miles of rivers and streams tumble down mountains and out from beneath glaciers. The highest densities of brown bears and bald eagles in the world are found here. Wolves, foxes and beavers also make this pristine wilderness their home. The sea teems with life. Humpback and orca whales abound, and playful Dall porpoises delight in games with visiting vessels. The roaring of sea lions can be heard for miles.

The wonders of this vast wilderness are brought closely to hand on the Catalyst. Here, dreams of soaking in idyllic hot springs nestled in virgin forest, or kayaking in sheltered coves while bears watch from shore, or watching humpbacks breaching, orca spouting, eagles soaring, glaciers calving, -are made reality. Discover and experience the grandeur of Alaska up close. Let the Catalyst share with you the secrets of this natural wonder. We can also arrange charters for your family or special group.

Day 1 - Arrive Petersburg

Welcome aboard! Meet MV Catalyst and her crew at noon on the working docks of the Norwegian fishing town Petersburg. Stow your gear, explore your floating home, and help yourself to a hearty buffet lunch. After an orientation and safety meeting on the foredeck, we begin our cruise north. Our first anchorage is Scenery Cove in Thomas Bay-a remote anchorage etched into slopes of towering spruce. Tides permitting, a boat-ride and hike provide a unique opportunity to time-travel back to the Ice Age. We'll explore the Baird Glacier's cobbled outwash plain and touch the glacier's icy foot! This evening, everyone is thoroughly introduced to sea kayaking, paddling, and safety skills. Our five stable two-person kayaks are great for beginners; three single kayaks allow seasoned boaters to enjoy their skills.

Accommodations: Catalyst

Included Meals: lunch and dinner

Day 2 - Frederick Sound Whale-Watching

The aroma of fresh-baked scones wafting from the galley beckons you to breakfast. Soon we are underway, bound for the Brothers Islands-in the heart of Frederick Sound. This is one of the premier places in the world to observe the feeding behaviors of Humpback Whales. Drifting with the engine shut down, we can watch them breach or lunge-feed and listen to their sonorous calls with our hydrophone. Keep watch for bow-riding Dall Porpoises and Orca Whale's six-foot-tall dorsal fin. We'll explore a temperate rainforest cushioned by mattress-thick sphagnum moss and enjoy a sunset BBQ dinner and campfire.

Accommodations: Catalyst

Included Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3 - Admiralty Island

This morning we may awaken to the sounds of seabirds and marine mammals. A Steller's sea lion haulout is close by, where several hundred of the vocal 1200-pound bulls, cows and pups summer. We will explore the Brothers by kayak and discover the incredible diversity of marine and shore life including kelp forests, wildflowers, and nesting Pigeon Guillemots and Oyster Catchers. By midday we head for Pybus Bay on Admiralty Island-and the Kootznoowoo Wilderness. Nearly 100-miles long, Admiralty is one North America's largest protected old-growth rainforests, and is home to one of the world's densest populations of brown bears and bald eagles. Cathedral-like Sitka Spruce and Hemlock open into a vast estuarine river where acres of sedges and droves of spawning salmon support gorging brown bears.

Accommodations: Catalyst

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 - Endicott Arm

The Catalyst is underway early this morning as we travel up Stephens Passage and turn into Endicott Arm-a 30-mile fjord that pierces the Coast Mountain Range. We wind our way toward spectacular Dawes Glacier, dodging icebergs and watching for brown and black bears, Sitka black-tailed deer, mountain goats, and bald eagles. At the face of the glacier we linger to witness the calving and rifle-shot thunder of the bergs and watch Arctic terns and, perhaps, pupping harbor seals. Our evening's destination is the seldom-visited anchorage called Ford's Terror, a spectacular place much like a flooded Alaskan Yosemite, where mile-high granite walls rise from the sea and waterfalls cascade in veils of spray.

Accommodations: Catalyst

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - Ford's Terror

At Ford's Terror we will become intrepid adventurers aboard our kayaks. Crossing the salt-water rapids at slack tide, sculpted icebergs will be our companions as we paddle beneath majestic 5,000-foot granite rock faces often shrouded in an other-worldly mist. Here, plant communities hang ten on narrow shelves of moss and shrubs such as Devil's Club, Elderberry, and Goat's Beard festoon the crevassed faces. We may paddle to the arm's interior and step ashore for a picnic lunch. Count on an evening of relaxing dining as we bask in the awesome beauty and music of waterfalls.

Accommodations: Catalyst

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 - Wood Spit, Sumdum Glacier, Holkolm Bay

A short cruise takes us to our last anchorage, Wood Spit at the mouth of Endicott Arm. This area, featuring some fascinating geology, Tlingit (thling-get) culture, and gold rush history, overlooks Sumdum Glacier, Holkolm Bay, and a seemingly endless Alaskan sunset. It's an idea spot for beachcombing, fishing and kayaking. Here we often witness rafts of Surf Scoters, Harlequin Ducks, Bonaparte Gulls, and Loons. The spit is frequented by deer, wolf, and nesting bald eagles. Fisherpeople have another chance to catch halibut. Tonight is the Captain's Ball and slideshow, a celebration of our experiences together.

Accommodations: Catalyst

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 - Stephens Passage, Juneau

Brunch is served underway as we head north through Stephens Passage-a deep and lovely stretch of sea slicing between mountain ranges. Fog and low clouds often striate the early morning water. Seabirds raft in the bays where mini-icebergs escape with the tide. We'll keep a lookout for Humpback Whales and Orcas knifing the brackish waters. The MV Catalyst reaches Juneau-Alaska's state capital-about noon. We bid farewell to our new friends and hope you join us for another adventure soon on the Inside Passage.

Accommodations: na

Included Meals: breakfast, lunch

Notes on Itinerary: We may occasionally alter itineraries slightly for safety, or to take advantage of weather, wildlife, and unplanned discoveries. Our ability to be spontaneous makes our style of cruising unique.

Reverse Itinerary: This itinerary also runs in the reverse direction (Juneau to Petersburg).

Private Charters: You can charter the Catalyst for your special family or group. Call for details.

Single Travelers: Single cabin available. There is a 50% Single Supplement for single travelers in a double cabin.

Land Cost Includes: Shipboard accommodations, entrance fees, leadership, crew, all meals, local guides, and permits.

Not Included: Airfare to Alaska; airport taxes, excess baggage charges; items of a personal nature such as alcoholic beverages, and insurance of any kind.

Payment and Cancellation Policy: Please see AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. We highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with

Accommodations Aboard: Your comfortable home-base throughout Alaska will be aboard the M/Y Catalyst. This 75-foot vessel accommodates up to 12 guests in 5 comfortable cabins. The cabins share 2 bathrooms and 1 shower. There are 4 double and 3 single kayaks aboard.

Qualifications: These trips will be enjoyed by anyone with a love for nature and the outdoors.

To Extend Your Trip: Call AdventureSmith Explorations about the possibilities of combining trips to Denali National Park and more.

General Information: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list, extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation. We strongly recommend the purchase of Trip Insurance through AdventureSmith Explorations. If purchased within 14 days of sign-up, the pre-existing condition exclusion is waived.

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Call today.