MV 'Clipper Odyssey': Alaska's Hidden Inside Package
 Brown bear and cub in Kamchatka |
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13 days days / 12 nights nights
| Location | Nights |
| Anchorage | 1 |
| 'Clipper Odyssey' | 11 |
The MV 'Clipper Odyssey' has a reputation as one of the most comfortable and luxurious small ships in the world with 64 spacious staterooms, all outward facing, private well appointed bathrooms and a convivial, intimate atmosphere onboard. A passenger elevator services all decks and the ship promotes an open bridge policy. By day, travellers enjoy fascinating shore excursions, many by Zodiac, with distinguished onboard experts and by night award-winning cuisine and creature comforts. A&K’s hand-picked lecturer/guides include avian ecologists, marine biologists, oceanographers and historians each skilled at illuminating the many treasures found en route. Also on the ship is a cosy well-stocked library, heated outdoor pool, small gym and on-board masseuse.
'Clipper Odyssey' operates 12 and 14 night expeditions to the Russian Far East and Alaska taking in the remote wilds of Kamchatka, Siberian Russia, the Bering Sea islands and the small ports, coves and fjords along Alaska’s coast and Inside Passage.
Alaska’s Hidden Inside Passage
Day 01 Arrive Anchorage
Evening arrival into Anchorage and transfer hotel to meet fellow travellers. Welcome cocktail reception.
Hotel Captain Cook.
Day 02 Anchorage - Seward
This morning is a private tour to the Alaska Native Heritage Centre before a drive along picturesque Turnagain Arm onto the Kenai Peninsula. Stop en route at Alyeska Resort and ride the tram for stunning views of the Chugach Mountains followed by lunch at the resort. Continue to Seward to board 'Clipper Odyssey' (B,L,D).
MV 'Clipper Odyssey'
Day 03 Prince William Sound
Wake up to the sight of glaciers as the ship makes its way amongst the icebergs and coves of Prince William Sound. Have binoculars and cameras handy for the variety of wildlife which is sure to be spotted here (B,L,D).
MV 'Clipper Odyssey'
Day 04 Hubbard Glacier / Expedition Cruising
Cruise the St Elias Range, crowned by mighty Mt. St Elias at over 5,000m. This is the tallest coastal mountain range in the world. Enter Yakutat Bay to view Hubbard Glacier, at over 120km long the longest tidewater glacier in North America, with a face 9km wide. This is one of the few advancing glaciers, and the ship will manoeuvre a comfortable distance off the face to watch for "glacier calving" (B,L,D).
MV 'Clipper Odyssey'
Day 05 Point Adolphus / Haines / Chilkat River
Awaken at Pt. Adolphus, across from the entrance to Glacier Bay, to observe the congregation of humpback whales who spend the summer feeding in the rich upwelling which occurs here. Cruise north in Lynn Canal to the town of Haines, a classic Alaskan village set between the sea and magnificent peaks. An afternoon float trip in the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve to view the congregation of eagles and bears that frequent the river to feed on spawning salmon (B,L,D).
MV 'Clipper Odyssey'
Day 06 Chatham Strait - South Baranof Island
Cruise southbound through Chatham Strait in search of one of nature’s greatest spectacles – humpbacks "Bubble Net Feeding”. This complex group feeding involves up to a dozen whales thrusting out of the water with throats full of herring. The ship’s hydrophone will broadcast the unique sounds. See the Chatham Cannery which James Michener used as the model for his cannery in ‘Alaska’. After lunch, visit Hidden Falls Hatchery, one of the great success stories of Alaskan fisheries. Along the amazing "Waterfall Coast" of South Baranof Island the ship anchors for the night in Hoggatt Bay, one of Alaska’s most beautiful fjord anchorages (B,L,D).
MV 'Clipper Odyssey'
Day 07 Admiralty Island / Frederick Sound
A day of wildlife viewing. Explore Admiralty Island, which boasts one of the densest populations of brown bears in Alaska. As the ship cruises Frederick Sound, guests are on the lookout for humpback whales, killer whales, sea lions, sea otters, seals and porpoises. This is one of the premier feeding locations for marine mammals in Alaska. Deer are sometimes seen along the edge of the forest in the early morning and late evening (B,L,D).
MV 'Clipper Odyssey'
Day 08 LeConte Glacier / Kupreanof Island Walk
Early this morning arrive at the entrance to LeConte Glacier, one of the world’s most beautiful. Set deep in a steep-sided fjord choked with gigantic icebergs, approach by Zodiac. View the massive glacier as it winds its way down from the mighty Stikine Icefield (ice conditions permitting). After lunch venture ashore on Kupreanof Island for a short hike through beautiful temperate rainforest and muskeg (wet bogland). This evening the ship winds its way south through the Wrangell Narrows (B,L,D).
MV 'Clipper Odyssey'
Day 09 Misty Fjords
A morning to retrace a portion of Captain George Vancouver’s voyage through this region, pointing out some of the places mentioned in his fascinating journals. Native Tlingit culture is rich in this part of Alaska, with thousands of years of habitation. Aboard as guest speaker will be Mayor of the Ketchikan Borough and President of Saxman Village Joe Williams. Joe is a Tlingit Native and cultural historian. He will point out some historic village sites and talk of the complex Tlingit culture. If weather permits, view the striking Wall of Pictographs and cruise by the Channel Islands, with their large harbour seal population.
Later the ship steams into Rudyerd Bay, one of the great bays of Misty Fjords National Monument. Gigantic granite domes and huge waterfalls are everywhere in this beautiful spot. Be there at the perfect time to view salmon returning to the mouth of several small streams. Opportunity also to glimpse the great Alaskan brown bear, a frequent visitor to these streams. Early this evening dock at Ketchikan to clear U.S. Customs. Depart Alaska (B,L,D).
MV 'Clipper Odyssey'
Day 10 Prince Rupert
Prince Rupert lies in one of the finest natural harbours in the world and is the northern gateway to Canada. After clearing Canadian Customs, stroll through historic Cow Bay a charming area of galleries and shops to visit the Museum of Northern British Columbia which details the Tshimshian Culture's rich history. Return to ship for the trip through the stunning Grenville Channel, a dead straight channel almost 100km long. This part of the coast is home to the famous Kermode or "Spirit Bear", a black bear with a completely white coat. Naturalists scan the stream mouths for a glimpse of this remarkable animal as it forages for fish and other morsels (B,L,D).
MV 'Clipper Odyssey'
Day 11 Fjordland
Today is an A&K exclusive. Off the beaten path on a waterway far to the east of the usual ship route is one of the newest Canadian Parks, Fjordland. Seldom visited and truly magnificent, this area is packed with wildlife. Humpback whales, wolves, deer, eagles and bear are often seen here. In magnificent Kynoch Inlet the ship will manoeuvre close to a dramatic waterfall dropping directly into the fjord. Deep in Kynoch is an extraordinary place called Culpepper's Lagoon. If tide and time permit a Zodiac excursion is planned into this seldom visited paradise. This afternoon cross magnificent Queen Charlotte Sound, a mecca for sea-birds and marine mammals (B,L,D).
MV 'Clipper Odyssey'
Day 12 Alert Bay / Johnstone Strait
Today visit the Umista Cultural Centre and Big House in Alert Bay on northern Vancouver Island. After breakfast visit the village and see the colourful totem park and cemetery. Those wanting a walk may hike through a drowned cedar forest to the Cultural Centre. View the famous “Potlatch Collection” display of masks and regalia and learn the rich history of these people. At the ‘Big House’ watch a dance presentation by some Kwakwaka’wakw Dancers and see native carvers. This afternoon sail through Johnstone Strait, one of the best Orca Whale watching waters in the world and later through Seymour Narrows (B,L,D).
MV 'Clipper Odyssey'
Day 13 Depart Vancouver
Disembark in Vancouver and transfer to the airport for onward flight arrangements (B).
