Enjoy active exploration amid a dramatic scenery of mountains, fjords, rivers and glaciers along the Inside Passage of Alaska and British Columbia. Led by our Expedition Team of naturalists and experts, learn all about the nature and wildlife we encounter. Learn about the living indigenous culture of the region from the Kwakwaka'wakw people; explore the charming provincial capital of Victoria; and sail the waters where orcas gather to hunt in Johnstone Strait.
Arctic & Alaska
Treasures of the Inside Passage – Alaska and British Columbia
14 Days aboard National Geographic Venture. From AUD $14,670pp.
Details
Overview
Itinerary Highlights
- Explore the wild and tranquil San Juan and Gulf Islands
- Witness a moving First Nations performance at the U'Mista Cultural Centre
- Spend a full day exploring Glacier Bay National Park
- Kayak among forested islands and along wildlife-rich shorelines to see whales, dolphins, bears and more in British Columbia
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Seattle, Washington / Embark Ship
- Day 2: San Juan Islands, Washington
- Day 3: Victoria, British Columbia
- Day 4: Gulf Islands
- Day 5: Alert Bay and Johnstone Strait, British Columbia
- Day 6-7: Inside Passage of British Columbia
- Day 8: Misty Fjords, Alaska
- Day 9: Petersburg
- Day 10: Tracy Arm-Ford’s Terror Wilderness
- Day 11: Glacier Bay National Park
- Day 12: Inian Islands / Icy Strait
- Day 13: Exploring Baranof or Chichagof Island
- Day 14: Sitka / Disembark Ship
Travelling with Eclipse
Peace of Mind
- Eclipse Travel is Australian owned and run, and an ATAS accredited travel agent.
- 24/7 emergency numbers and local contacts provided for support while you’re abroad.
- We provide all the information you need to organise your visas and vaccinations, making travel preparation stress-free.
- No currency surcharges. Once your deposit is paid, your price is guaranteed.
Specialists
- Our consultants are true destination experts, with firsthand experience and extensive travel in the regions we offer.
- Expect quick, professional responses and dedicated service from our knowledgeable team.
- We conduct regular checks on destinations, hotels, and services to ensure quality for every trip.
Authentic Travel
- Tailor-made itineraries designed around your unique requirements.
- Freedom to select your preferred style and standard of accommodation.
- Unique itineraries that take you beyond the major highlights, immersing you in each location.
- Committed to responsible travel: we reinvest in the environment and local communities across our destinations.
Day 1: Seattle, Washington / Embark Ship
Arrive in Seattle this afternoon and embark the ship.
Day 2: San Juan Islands, Washington
Spend a full day exploring the San Juan Islands via Zodiac, kayak, and naturalist-led hikes. Search for orcas, seals, and sea lions in rocky inlets, and marvel at bald eagles while walking through lush forests.
Day 3: Victoria, British Columbia
Clear into Canada in the charming city of Victoria and choose from several tailor-made options to explore based on your interests. Visit private gardens, bike along the waterfront, take a stroll through history in Old Town, or discover James Bay on an architecture tour.
Day 4: Gulf Islands
Located in the Strait of Georgia, between the mainland of British Columbia and Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands are a kayaker’s paradise. Explore the myriad islets and rocky coasts and keep an eye out for harbor seals and an array of seabirds, shorebirds and birds of prey.
Day 5: Alert Bay and Johnstone Strait, British Columbia
Sail through Johnstone Strait, a waterway cut through a magnificently wild and scenic area of mountains and islands. These ocean waters are also home to extraordinary marine mammals and bird watching. Visit the Big House in the First Nations village of Alert Bay, Canada and gain insight from the Kwakwaka'wakw people who will share their art, music, and regional knowledge.
Day 6-7: Inside Passage of British Columbia
Cruise northward along the pristine coastline in search of whales, dolphins, bears, deer, and other wildlife. Go ashore to explore or kayak among the many bays and inlets.
Day 8: Misty Fjords, Alaska
Enjoy the day soaking up the spectacular scenery of Alaska's Misty Fjords National Monument, a 2.3-million-acre wilderness of shear rock walls, temperate rain forest, and glacier-sculpted waterways. Kayak in the still, forested backwaters of this protected national treasure and discover a pristine habitat for brown bears, bald eagles, harbor seals, and more.
Day 9: Petersburg
Search for humpback whales on the approach to picturesque Petersburg, a small fishing village on Alaska’s Mitkof Island that retains much of its Norwegian heritage. Explore a unique Southeast Alaska ecosystem, the muskeg, with stunted trees and carnivorous plants. There is an opportunity to stretch your legs with an optional bike ride around town. This evening, enjoy a crab feast.
Day 10: Tracy Arm-Ford’s Terror Wilderness
Voyage into Tracy or Endicott Arm, both spectacular fjords with waterfalls cascading from glacially carved walls. See the soaring Dawes or South Sawyer Glacier up close and take a cruise in a Zodiac for an unbeatable view among sculpted icebergs. Keep an eye out for harbor seals, harbor porpoises, and arctic terns.
Day 11: Glacier Bay National Park
Spend the entire day cruising amid the coves, fjords, tidewater glaciers, and majestic mountains of Glacier Bay National Park. See glaciers that end abruptly at the water’s edge and observe them calving, when tons of ice separate and crash into the water accompanied by a thunderous sound.
Day 12: Inian Islands / Icy Strait
Cruise among the Inian Islands, where Steller sea lions and sea otters abound. Hike nearby islands, kayak, and search for whales in the nutrient-rich waters of Icy Strait.
Day 13: Exploring Baranof or Chichagof Island
Spend a full day kayaking, hiking, and searching for bubble-net feeding or breaching humpback whales.
Day 14: Sitka / Disembark Ship
Enjoy breakfast aboard ship. Visit Saint Michael’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral with its picturesque spire and meet eagles up close at the Raptor Rehabilitation Center. Transfer to the airport for flights home.
- Day 1: Seattle, Washington / Embark Ship
- Day 2: San Juan Islands, Washington
- Day 3: Victoria, British Columbia
- Day 4: Gulf Islands
- Day 5: Alert Bay and Johnstone Strait, British Columbia
- Day 6-7: Inside Passage of British Columbia
- Day 8: Misty Fjords, Alaska
- Day 9: Petersburg
- Day 10: Tracy Arm-Ford’s Terror Wilderness
- Day 11: Glacier Bay National Park
- Day 12: Inian Islands / Icy Strait
- Day 13: Exploring Baranof or Chichagof Island
- Day 14: Sitka / Disembark Ship
Next Departure Date: 27 Apr 2025
| Dates | Cabin | From | Special Offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27 Apr 2025 - 10 May 2025 | AUD$14670pp | ||
| Category 1 | AUD$14670pp | Contact us | |
| Category 2 | AUD$15905pp | Contact us | |
| Category 3 | AUD$16967pp | Contact us | |
| Category 4 | AUD$18288pp | Contact us | |
| Category 5 | AUD$19827pp | Contact us |
**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply
Cabin Details
Category 1
2 single beds (or queen)
Two portholes
Main deck location
Wi-Fi access
Private bathroom with amenities
Writing desk
Individual climate controls
Hair dryer
Category 2
2 single beds (or queen)
Two portholes
Main deck location
Wi-Fi access
Private bathroom with amenities
Writing desk
Individual climate controls
Hair dryer
Category 3
2 single beds (or queen)
Large view window
Upper deck location
Writing desk
Individual climate control
Hair dryer
Category 4
2 single beds (or queen)
Upper deck location
Large view window
Sliding glass doors leading to private balcony
Individual climate controls
Private bathroom with amenities
Writing desk
Category 5
1 queen bed (or twin bedding)
Observation deck location
Large view windows
Expanded bathroom with amenities
Sofa bed
Individual climate control
Hair dryer
National Geographic Venture Deckplan
Specifications
- Passengers: 100
- Crew: 50
- Decks: 4
- Cabins: 50
- Year Built: 2018
- Class: Ice Strengthened Expedition Ship
- Speed: 12kn
- Length: 73m
- Beam: 14m
Whats included?
- All meals and non-alcoholic beverages on board
- Cappuccinos, lattes and filtered water
- 24-hour coffee, tea and soda on demand
- Hors d'oeurves and snacks during recap
- Guidance of the experienced expedition staff
- Park fees and port taxes
- All excursions
- Zodiac and kayak explorations
- Presentations
What’s not included?
- International and internal airfares
- Travel Protection Plan
- Passport, visa and immigration fees
- Gratuities
- Alcoholic beverages
- Spa treatments
- Laundry, internet and telephone
- Gift shop items and any other items of a personal nature
Price Assurance
At Eclipse Travel, our expert destination knowledge and decades of travel planning experience come at no extra cost to you. While many think booking through a tour operator is more expensive than planning a trip independently, that’s not the case. We’re paid by our travel partners—such as hotels, activity operators, and cruise providers—via commissions, not by our clients.
Our team negotiates the best rates for you and ensures you receive unbiased advice, with no preference for any particular supplier. In fact, where we secure higher commissions, we often pass the savings on to you, giving us a competitive price edge.
Additionally, we lock in exchange rates at the time of your deposit, ensuring no surprise costs when it’s time for final payment. You can rest easy knowing we’ll handle the details with our suppliers. The only exceptions are national park fee increases or fuel surcharges imposed after your booking, though these are rare.
Take advantage of our team’s expertise and let us help you plan the perfect holiday—hassle-free!
Destination: Arctic
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Downloadable travel guide
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