HAINES ALASKA SHORE EXCURSIONS & CRUISE TOURS
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Most Popular Haines Alaska Shore Excursions & Cruise Tours

Bald Eagle Preserve Tour

Haines Pontoon Boat Excursion

Haines is known for its population of eagles - more than anywhere else on earth. It is also closer to the town portrayed on Northern Exposure than anything I have ever seen

IN HAINES - THE ALASKAN ARTISTS AND THEIR NATURAL WORLD  
  Much of the art produced by Alaskans celebrate the natural beauty that surrounds them. The pristine beauty of Haines and the Chilkat Valley have served as an inspiration for Native craftsman and artists through the centuries. We will visit three different art galleries and call on a variety of local artists as explore this quaint and unspoiled community.

First, enjoy a brief tour of downtown Haines and then head out of town with a scenic drive along the Chilkat River. We make a photo stop at the historic Letnikof Cove Cannery with the Rainbow Glacier and Chilkat Mountains as a backdrop.

At the small artists enclave of "Mud Bay" we will meet a few
of the eccentric local artists who consider the Haines townsite of 1500 inhabitants too crowded for their tastes. Continue with a tour of Historic Fort William H. Seward, first Army base in Alaska. The former Army hospital has been transformed into Alaska Indian Arts, a local non-profit arts centre where Native totem poles, masks, and jewelry are created.

There will be time for shopping at all three stops.
    Departures (Local Island Time):  08:40 AM (2.5 hrs)  12:40 PM (2.5 hrs)  
    Pricing:  Charter: $142.00 USD (From 1 to 3 people)  Additional: $48.00 USD (Each additional person over 3 with a maximum of 12)  
 
TOTAL ALASKAN EXPERIENCE  
  See Haines from above, touch the glacier, and float through the Eagle Preserve and that's not all!  Your trip starts in the sky, viewing from above the breathtaking fjord and the surrounding landscape. Multiple glaciers are viewed from your plane as it wings it's way along the northern escarpment of Glacier Bay National Park into the glacier laden Tsirku Valley. Landing is a snap and you will be introduce to this friendly crew and to the gold mine camp which once was the center of many dreams.

Explore a bit before you board your state of the art airboat which will transport you further upriver to a take out site on the river's edge. A 15-minute walk on a partially board-walked path brings you to our Glacier Cabin, which is located at the base of DeBlondeau Glacier.

During your time at this site your guide will escort you on a leisurely nature walk to the lake forming in front of the glacier. This is an active glacier, ever changing from season to season. You may see ice calving from the face of the glacier, icebergs in the lake, and crystal clear glacier pools as you leisurely traverse over the glacier moraines left by the receding glacier.

Upon returning to Nugget Creek spotting scopes are set up for your use in glassing the mountainsides for wildlife, mountain goat, brown bear and black bear that frequent this area. Additionally, a rocks and minerals display and a panning station are set up for your enjoyment.

Once again you will board your airboat to Devil's Elbow. A simple transfer to your raft will allow you to continue on past Devil’s Elbow for a silent float through the heart of the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. On this portion of the river we normally see anywhere from 20 to 60 bald eagles feeding on sockeye salmon that are migrating up river to spawn at adjacent Chilkat Lake.

This is what Alaska is truly all about. It is unlikely you will see or hear anyone or anything but the people you are with, the wildlife surrounding you and perhaps the calving of the glaciers
    Departures (Local Island Time):  10:00 AM (5.5 hrs)  
    Pricing:  Per Person: $470.00 USD 
 
DISCOVER THE CULTURE AND WILDLIFE OF KLUKWAN VILLAGE  
  View a real native Tribal House in this exclusive tour set in the heart of the Bald Eagle Preserve.You begin this journey into the past at the Haines cruise ship pier or your place of lodging in Haines. Your ride through the wilderness is part of your experience. You'll be traveling through such natural beauty and abundance that you will have to depend on the sharp eyes of your guide to point out those trying to hide from your view. It happens that the Chilkat Valley has the largest Bald Eagle population in the world. When you see them in force, the majesty of this bird more than doubles.
Upon your arrival in the village of Klukwan, in the heart of the valley, you will gather at the Alaska Native Sisterhood Hall, where members of the tribe will talk of life in the past and present. If able, Aunt Ruth, an elder, will address the group. The Hall has several totem poles and a wall screen showing the Clan Moiety and you will receive a description of this clan.

Children will be anxiously waiting to perform and they will dance for you several of the native dances under the leadership of another one of the tribe's members. You will also be able to share the traditions of fried bread and fish, along with some beverages.

You will be overwhelmed by the generosity of the people as they bring out their personal arts and family remembrances that they have saved. For a moment you will believe you are in a museum, but these pieces have been brought from homes just for your viewing. You will find all the traditional arts, such as baskets, boxes, silver, and Chilkat and Ravenstail weavings.

You will also travel to the other end of the village to the Killer Whale Fin House, an active tribal house, where you will delight in the stories of the Corner Poles housed there. Then you have a choice of walking or riding to the river, where the family smokehouses and fish processing takes place. Often you will be able to watch the preparation, even see the gathering of the fish from the water.

Your return will be very insightful and full of questions, I'm sure.
    Departures (Local Island Time):  09:30 AM (3 hrs)  01:30 PM (3 hrs)  
    Pricing:  Charter: $506.00 USD (For up to 6 passengers)  Additional: $85.00 USD (For the 7th through 24th passenger)  
 
HAINES 'VALLEY OF THE EAGLES' TOUR  
  Experience the greatest gathering of eagles in the world. You will board a comfortable bus and ride along the coastline, where much wildlife makes their home.

Part of your journey will pass through prime bear habitat along the glacial river, which, in spring, is lined with wildflowers and berries. In the summer, you might have a great chance to watch the Alaskan brown bear catching lunch in the stream as the salmon run.
You will be passing by the home for whales, seals, porpoises, and eagles
and a menagerie of shore birds.

At the location where the fresh-water lake meets the salty ocean, you can disembark the coach and venture on a refreshing walk through an old growth forest. This is not a strenuous walk and guided by naturalists who will share their stories of the relationship between the plants and animals.
    Departures (Local Island Time):  08:30 AM (4 hrs)  12:30 PM (4 hrs)  
    Pricing:  Per Person: $77.00 USD Child: $62.00 USD (12 and younger)  
 
HAINES CHILKOOT LAKE SIGHTSEEING CRUISE ON A PONTOON BOAT  
Haines Pontoon Boat Excursion  A slow pace. A quite glide. A gentle approach. We'll get you very close to nature's wildlife.  Upon your arrival in Haines, you will be met and transferred to an appropriate vehicle. You will hear, as we did, the history of this area while driving through breathtaking shoreline. The ride, only about 15 minutes long, will bring you to the location where the freshwater lake called the Lutak Inlet empties into the saltwater ocean. Immediately you will see the difference in the water - it is fascinating.

Here you will board a comfortable pontoon boat with seating so you can concentrate on the areas around you. You will be circumnavigating the lake in these quiet, environmentally-friendly boats designed to let you hear as well as see the nature surrounding you.

We never promise any sightings on our nature trips. We cannot predict the mood or movement of these wild creatures. We can tell you, though, that the animals feed on the food provided by this lake and the inhabitants include all those you may imagine and more. So we suggest you sit back and nosh the wonderful snacks on board while keeping your eyes and ears alert to the sounds and sights nearby.
    Departures (Local Island Time):  09:00 AM (3 hrs)  02:00 PM (3 hrs)  
    Pricing:  Per Person: $72.00 USD Child: $61.00 USD (12 years or under)  
 
THE HAINES CHILKAT BICYCLE ADVENTURE  
  On this trip you will get some mild exercise and enjoy the great Alaskan outdoors. At first, you feel like you can see all of Haines with one glance. It really takes a bit of exploring to see how wrong you are. Although small, it has a depth of history surprising for it's funny location on the Lynn Canal. One of the remnants of it's history is Fort Seward, built between 1900 and 1904, used to maintain order among the thousands of miners searching for their fortunes. The well-preserved buildings of the fort make a perfect place to start your exploration of the area. It is composed of a series of buildings now used by artisans as workspace, galleries, and bed-and-breakfasts overlooking the water.

From this point, you'll begin your guided, moderate, 6-mile ride by taking a road that connects you to one of the Mount Riley Trails. Your ride along the Chilkat River Estuary will show you the best of nature, with eagles, wildflowers, and inspiring mountain and glacier vistas all within your view
    Departures (Local Island Time):  11:00 AM (1.5 hrs)  
    Pricing:  Per Person: $53.00 USD (Includes $7 service fee.)  

Alaska is America's last great true frontier, an unspoiled wilderness of glimmering glaciers, abundant forests, towering mountains, exotic wildlife, and waterfront communities.  Alaska is a  destination full of Native American culture - a step back in time to the days of gold rush saloons and oil booms. Mt. McKinley, Klondike gold, ancient glaciers, grizzlies in the wild...Alaska has a thousand ways to enchant you. Alaska simply put, is a once in a  lifetime, dream vacation.  

 

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