May 19, 2012 - May 27, 2012
Douglas Mader, MS, DVM, DABVP and Michael Murray, DVM
32 hours of RACE-approved Veterinary CE

ITINERARY
Day 1 - Saturday, May 19
Arrive in Sitka, Alaska, a unique community where you can still feel the Russian History and visit the paths of the founders. A Fantasy Cruises escort meets your group at the airport and transfers you to town for shopping and lunch on your own. (Your baggage will be transferred to the ship and stowed in guest rooms). Afternoon tours to include Raptor Rehabilitation Center and lecture, Totem Park and Sheldon Jackson Museum. Enjoy beautiful scenery along the way. Board vessel, meet crew, cocktail reception/dinner, and short evening cruise. Meals and Refreshments: Cocktails, Dinner

Day 2 - Sunday, May 20
Experience more of the great wilderness as we make our way to Baranof Warm Springs Bay, a wildnerness, boardwalk community. This will be our anchorage for the evening. Take a hike up to the lake and learn about the Muskeg along the way. Later, soak in one of the hot sulphur tubs while enjoying the waterfall view. Meals and Refreshments: Breakfast, Lunch, Cocktails, Dinner

Day 3 – Monday, May 21
Cruise the morning in Chatham Strait and search for Dalls porpoise and Orca whales. Today we enjoy the truly unique Alaskan community of Tenakee Springs, population 97! There's time to stroll among the waterfront homes, visit the merchantile (founded in 1899) and enjoy a little shopping at the friendly bakery. Chat with some local folks that live in Alaska few ever see or get a change to visit!  Meals and Refreshments: Breakfast, Lunch, Cocktails, Dinner

Days 4 - Tuesday, May 22
Heading further north in the Chatham Strait, we watch for humpback whales that frequent this area in the summer months. We may stop along the way to explore a bay or two as we make our way to Barlow Cove.  Meals and Refreshments: Breakfast, Lunch, Cocktails, Dinner

Days 5 and 6 –Wednesday, May 23 and Thursday, May 24
We get an early start this morning to make port in Juneau by 9:00 AM. Enjoy time for shopping before lunch. We depart around noon to view Dawes Glacier, an active Tidewater glacier in Endicott Arm, Holkam Bay and one of Southeast Alaska's most pristine and scenic canyons, Ford's Terror, known for swirling rapids and sheer cliff faces.

This wonderful wilderness area is protected under the Tongass National Forest. We'll invite a U.S. forest service ranger to join us and discuss the spectacular fjord around us. Enjoy a majestic place to kayak and explore that very few people even know exist during these two days. Spend time by the glacier with a great opportunity we see calving and harbor seals with their young pups. Afterwards, we anchor at a local inlet for exploring and kayaking. You might even kayk by an iceburg? The chef's cooking some fresh crab! Meals and Refreshments: Breakfast, Lunch, Cocktails, Dinner

Day 7 – Friday, May 25
Heading south in Stephens Passage, search for humpback whales enroute. Tides permitting, we may visit the Five Finger Lighthouse, one of the oldest in Southeast Alaska. Anchor tonight in a quiet wilderness anchorge. Watch for brown bears in this area. Our anchorage tonight will be in either Farragut or Portage Bay where you can stroll along the beach. Meals and Refreshments: Breakfast, Lunch, Cocktails, Dinner

Day 8 – Saturday, May 26
This morning, we make our way into the fishing communicty of Petersburg. Afternoon activites to include an interpretive Muskeg walk. Afterwards, shopping time, then back to the ship for Captain's Dinner. Slide presentation after dinner for guests. Enjoy your week of memories and take home a gift! Meals and Refreshments: Breakfast, Lunch, Cocktails, Dinner

Day 9 – Sunday, May 27
Breakfast is served and baggage is transferred to the airport for flights home. Depart for Petersburg. Meals and Refreshments: Breakfast

PLEASE NOTE: Anchorages may change due to weather and/or to find wildlife.

IMPORTANT FLIGHT INFORMATION: Note that you fly into Sitka, and depart from Petersburg

COST: Starting at $5,595 per person, double occupancy.
 
Download Registration Form and FAX to 352.375.4145. Questions may be directed to 352.375.5672 or Expeditions@NAVC.com.