Overview
Transfer + Flight Sitka/Seattle
Alaska and its vast spaces, characteristic forests and rich wildlife will welcome you for a 9-day cruise aboard Le Soléal.
Explore the temperate rainforests that cover the region’s territory. An ocean of conifers revealing snow-covered mountains in the background, and emphasising the sea and the waterways in the foreground, they are home to abundant biodiversity. Indeed, these primary rainforests represent a unique ecosystem, one of the planet’s richest, which provides ideal habitat for many species. Brown and black bears live here, as do white-tailed deer and the famous bald eagles that gracefully fly over the top of the immense Sitka spruce trees. This wildlife, lurking in the shadows, will observe you while you, in turn, attempt to spot it with the assistance of our on-board naturalist-guides.
The forest landscapes give way to more mineral decors, those of Alaska’s immense fjords. Aboard your ship, you will sail down navigation routes taking you to the majestic Dawes Glacier, at the end of the Endicott Arm fjord, or into the Misty Fjords to discover Rudyerd Bay, a real marvel of nature. At sea, you will have the opportunity to contemplate the most beautiful marine mammals: orcas, humpback whales, Steller sea lions or sea otters.
In the heart of this extraordinary and grandiose nature, the history of the populations of Alaska is written in the present tense. In Elfin Cove, only accessible by sea or air, you will immerse yourself in the local life, which is intrinsically linked to fishing. Hidden within the boreal forest, the island’s small village, perfumed with a scent of cedar wood, will guarantee you a unique experience. In Petersburg, fishing is also at the heart of local life and this former Norwegian colony treasures the story of its origins. A mosaic of peoples and history, Alaska also allows you to encounter indigenous communities, in particular the Tlingit in Kake. This is an opportunity to learn more about these fascinating cultures, especially famous for their totem poles.
Trip Highlights
- A cruise to discover the Alaska of vast spaces and forests stretching as far as the eye can see: this region at the origin of adventures that have fired the imagination of several generations of travellers.
- The presence of an experienced team of naturalist-guides.
- Exploring Alaska’s majestic landscapes during scenic cruising along the country’s temperate rainforests, a unique and rich ecosystem home to many animal and plant species.
- Visit traditional villages and meet the peoples of the Far North, particularly the Tlingit community in Kake.
- Landscapes: fjords, tall mountains, huge glaciers, primary forest, jagged cliffs.
- Wildlife: humpback whales, orcas, brown bears, grizzlies, sea otters, Steller sea lions, bald eagles.
- Enjoy a carefully selected program of included activities with our local partners, on land and on the water, with a team of naturalist guides and local guides.
